Sustain Block

[Pete si]

While browsing over at the miscellaneous thread I came across a description of a really nice bass that had a sustain block under the bridge. Can anyone tell me what this is and can I get one for my epic? I love hitting a note and having it ring out until the apocalypse happens.

[lbpesq]

An Alembic sustain block is solid piece of brass, in the same or similar footprint as the bridge, maybe about a 1/2” thick, though this can easily vary.  The instrument is routed so the sustain block sits under the bridge, flush with the top.  The sustain block can be glued in, or it can be mounted using an insert/machine screw mount.  The bridge is then mounted onto the sustain block.   I don’t know of any reason why one couldn’t be mounted in an Epic, though I would certainly check with Mica, or wait for someone more knowledgeable to confirm.  Of course the thickness of a sustain block is limited by the thickness of the body.

Bill, tgo

[Pete si]

Thanks for the info. That sounds like a bit of an expensive proposition. The shipping costs alone would be prohibitive for me and, of course, there’s no way I would allow anybody but an alembic tech do the work. I guess I’ll just have to live with the sustain that doesn’t last until the apocalypse.

[mavnet]

If you don't mind electronics, the Cali76 Bass pedal can help with sustain (and tone) a lot. https://origineffects.com/product/cali76-compact-bass/
Because I have 2 of the six (?)  long neck small body basses ever made by Alembic, they put in a HUGE block under the bridges when they made mine in 77 to help counter the neck dive. Over the years, I think i've developed calluses on the back of my neck from wearing these very heavy basses. The necks still dive, but not as much as I imagine they would without the blocks.
The pedal will help without adding to the weight of your instrument

[BeenDown139]

<veering off topic slightly>

Because I have 2 of the six (?)  long neck small body basses ever made by Alembic, t

Would one of those be a '76 fretless series I?  I owned once that i thought was one-of-kind.  It was killer...

[mavnet]

Would one of those be a '76 fretless series I?  I owned once that i thought was one-of-kind.  It was killer...

Nope. Mine were customs - one is my profile pic, the other has same electronics but is ebony fretless.

[Secret Squirrel]

If you don't mind electronics, the Cali76 Bass pedal can help with sustain (and tone) a lot. https://origineffects.com/product/cali76-compact-bass/
Because I have 2 of the six (?)  long neck small body basses ever made by Alembic, they put in a HUGE block under the bridges when they made mine in 77 to help counter the neck dive. Over the years, I think i've developed calluses on the back of my neck from wearing these very heavy basses. The necks still dive, but not as much as I imagine they would without the blocks.
The pedal will help without adding to the weight of your instrument

I'd be interested in your views on the Cali76 bass compressor. I'm waiting for my '87 SC sig to arrive from the other side of the World, and I use an Origin Effects compressor on guitar (vintage Strat, Tele and Gretsch) and I rate that pedal very highly.
Jas

[jazzyvee]

My understanding about alembics is that their neck through basses sustain better than their set neck models so my question would be, how much extra sustain would the addition of a block on your set neck Epic provide?

[Pete si]

My understanding about alembics is that their neck through basses sustain better than their set neck models so my question would be, how much extra sustain would the addition of a block on your set neck Epic provide?

probably not a whole heck of a lot. The sustain on my epic needs to be palmed quite a bit sometimes. But thanx for the info.
Have a very happy new year.