Email Response Question

[Matt Bulmer (prime)]

How long does it usually take the folks at Alembic to respond to email? I have tried contacting them a few times starting almost 2 weeks ago and have yet to get a reponse. I'd like to have a custom bass made for me, but I'm not sure how long to wait for a response before seeking an alternate route. I've tried the General and Sales email addresses as well as Mica's.
 
Any help would be greatly appreciated
 
Matt

[mica]

This is your message I received on October 30, 2002:
 
I have always been blown away by the aesthetics of
your basses, but I had never had the opportunity to
play one until recently. I went to the Gguitars.com
gallery with the intentions of testing out their
Alembics and the used 5-string Carl Thompson. Sadly,
though all of the basses were visually and aurally
amazing, none of them really captured the sound I was
looking for (Including the Carl Thompson).(It should
be noted that I did not get a chance to play a series
bass) The manager encouraged me to keep an open mind and try some of the other instruments around the shop.
 
I played everything from a Kramer 8-string with an
aluminum neck to some High priced Foderas. One of the last basses I played was a Lakland Skyline 4 string. I tried it last because I was honestly not impressed
with the traditional look of the bass. After playing
it I must say I was blown away, I had just discovered
the sound I was looking for. Yet I was not willing to
settle for a Korean made instrument as my main bass,
nor pay double price for an american version that did
not completely satisfy me, aurally and visually.
 
My question to you is, Would it be possible to have an
instrument made with the following specs and what am I looking at for a price?
 
35-36 Scale 4 String Fretted
 
Body
 
Burl Walnut Top and Back
Flame Maple Core
Custom or Triple Omega Body Shape
Strings through body
Neck
 
Bolt-on Neck (Is this possible?)
Quartersawn Maple
Ebony Laminates (Possibly)
Bird's-eye Maple Fingerboard
Satin Finished Neck
Lakland Neck Dimensions
2+2 Peghead (Crown, Knob, Fan)
Detuner on E
 
Electronics
 
Lakland inspired pickups and electronics:
{
Jazz in Neck Position
MusicMan in Bridge Position
Bartolini Style Preamp. Volume, Blend, Treble-Mid-Bass
Boost and Cut, 3 way coil tap on the MM pickup.
}
(Can you make custom pickups and electronics to these
specs?)
 
 
Inlays, Hardware, Misc Options
 
TBD
 
Thanks for any help you can give
 
Matt
 
 
-------------
-------------
 
I'm not sure really where to start. I guess I'll just go down the list:
 
scale: 35 or 36 inch scale is possible on any neck through model.
 
body: Burl Walnut top and back ($1800), Flame Maple core ($400), Triple Omega body ($450)  
 
strings through body: we don't have experience with this. Our bridge design uses a separate stop tailpiece. We'll need to know why you want to change this spec to see if it is the right solution.
 
neck: bolt-on --  We can make as a set neck (like Epic or Orion), but extended scale lengths for this construction technique require additional tooling of about $450. If you want the first bolt-on neck Alembic, it'll be expensive.
 
quartersawn maple: our standard neck wood.
Ebony neck laminates: price depends if set-neck or neck through construction. Price ranges from $1000-1450
 
satin finish neck: no charge
 
Lakland neck dimension: custom neck dimensions are no charge on neck throughs, but you must supply the width at the nut and the 24th (or 21st- just specificy which) fret.  For set necks, the tooling for a custom fingerboard dimension is $650.
 
electronics: this is something we are picky about. We make Alembic basses with Alembic electronics. If our standard systems don't meet your needs, we can custom make something that addresses your requirements.  
 
Whew! After all that, you'll have to determine if our capabilities match your needs.  
 
Your email doesn't actually reveal in what way the basses you tried failed to meet your sonic requirements. Can you describe what you found laking in the basses you played?
 
Obviously we'd love to build you a bass - that's what we do. But I also read your email carefully and found that you really seem to favor the tone of the Lakland bass.  
 
I get over a hundred emails a day and try to answer them as quickly as possible. Your inquiry is rather complicated and took additional time to research the requests (many are things that have never been done on an Alembic). If you ever need assistance immediately, please feel free to call 707.523.2611.

[Matt Bulmer (prime)]

Thank you Mica,
 
Please forgive me, I'm not trying to come off as impatient or offensive. I wrote that email to you a number of days after writing to the sales department and not hearing back (Almost 2 weeks). Having no previous experience with your company I honestly had no idea how many emails you receive and how long it can take to get a response.  
 
As for what was lacking in the Alembics, I can honestly say nothing. I have played a number of basses and found that I tend to prefer the rawness that a bolt-on neck joint produces. The Alembics I played were extremely consistent in tone. This is not bad in any way and may be great for many players, but I prefer less midrange and more lows and highs. A slightly mellower Marcus Miller type sound should describe what I'm looking for.
 
I do not build basses so do not take the email specs as set in stone. I am definately flexible.  
If extended scale is difficult I am willing to go with 34. I've tried many basses that come in both standard string-through bridge, and string-through body design. I don't really know how to describe the sound other than, it mellows out the sound slightly and gives it a more natural sound. I preferred this to the traditional design.  
 
I don't know of any basses other than yours that use your bridge design so I have no basis for comparison as to the bridge's effect on the bass' tone.
 
 
As for the electronics. I would not want anything other than alembic made electronics on my bass. I would much rather custom electronics made by you. I gave other brands as a basis for constructing a quote and nothing more.
 
The reason I favored the Lakland was, I believe, due to the combination of things such as, pickup configuration, neckjoint, and fretboard wood. You may however be able to tell me how to achieve a similar sound on your basses.
 
I realize that what I'm asking for may be a bit out of the ordinary but from reading your site I have garnered that out of the ordinary projects are your forte. If and when you are ready to discuss specs you can email me at mwbulmer@yahoo.com. Now that I know how many emails you receive I will wait it out until I hear back from you.  
 
Thanks for the response.  
 
Matt

[mica]

Matt -  
 
I've emailed you some comments and hoep we get a chance to talk over the phone... perhaps on Friday?
 
-Mica

[Matt Bulmer (prime)]

Sounds like a plan. I'll give you a call Friday
 
Thanks Mica
 
Matt

[Michael DeVincenzo (jlpicard)]

Matt,Matt,Matt, I'm really not trying to be judgemental here.It's just that...... a bolt on Alembic??.......even the thought of it makes my skin crawl!  
 
P.S.  Sorry, an honest opinion

[Matt Bulmer (prime)]

Just out of curiosity, what is the problem with bolt-on neck basses. MANY ultra high end bass shops make bolt-on neck basses. The joint produces a very different sound than a set-neck or neck-through. (Also note that Alembic did not always make set-neck basses.)
 
The neck joint is not what makes an Alembic, an Alembic. It is the people that make it, the quality of construction and the attention to detail that make it such. It's my belief that if I did have a bolt on Alembic made it would be one of the finest examples of bolt-on construction out there and worthy of bearing the Alembic logo.
 
Not to worry though. Nothing is finalized yet. I very well may end up going with a neckthrough.
 
Matt

[Valentino Villevieille (valvil)]

The problem with bolt-ons for me is that the neck moves too much and too often compared to a neck -through.  They also give you less sustain and a different sound.  After selling basses ( & other stuff ) for 3 years I can say this: all the bolt-on basses we had in the store, (either well set-up at the factory or in the store, basses like Fender & G&L) would lose their set-up very quickly, sometimes in less than a month and become almost unplayable until we re-set them again; not so the neck-throughs  which lasted much longer before needing a new set-up.  IF you are really careful about how you store or display your bolt-on , your set-up may last longer
 
My usual 2 cents
 
Valentino

[Paul Ellsworth (elzie)]

Hmmm. I was under the impression that every bass  Alembic made had either a set neck or neck through body. Am I mistaken?

[Michael DeVincenzo (jlpicard)]

Alembic has never made a bolt on .Mica has stated in her reply to Matt that should he decide to go ahead that his would be the first.
 
Matt,my experience with bolt ons has been similar to Valentinos. I have  a US Masters 5 that  I consider to be very well constructed and very nice sounding. A very high quality bass indeed, with a bolt on neck. I have to adjust this neck several times a year, while the alembics need almost no adjustment . Perhaps once every 18 months .My fender is always changing.Bolt ons do have a particular sonic signature, but  I can't  recall ever playing a bolt  on that was as responsive and alive sounding as a neck through! However,If you feel that the bolt on is vital to your sound, Why not look to a maker with expertise in that area? MTD, F Bass, Bossa, to name a few  all make fine instruments. Or  you can let Alembic do, that voodo, that they do, so well  and give you  a living , breathing, uber-bass with a mind of its own ,that will  play you  unless you learn to play it ,and continually challenge you to be a better player.
 
OK,I'll get off my soapbox now, Mike

[Matt Bulmer (prime)]

Valentino - I agree with you on all counts. I own basses of both neck-through and bolt-on construction and I do adjust the bolt-ons much more often. Keep in mind though, that this also holds true of set-necks, and Alembic does make those. However, if you are competent at setting up your bass and willing to spend the time maintaining it and making the frequent adjustments, this shouldn't ever really bother you. I could definately see it becoming a hassle if I were touring and exposing the bass to different climates often, but I don't so that is no problem.  
 
By the way, Thank you very much for the response to my earlier post about your bass. It saved me from an additional post asking what the average street prices are for Alembics purchased through a dealer.
 
Paul - I believe you are correct that Alembic has not yet made a bolt-on instrument. Although that may or may not change over coming months!
 
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I know that many/most/all of you do not share mine, but this is a bass for me and I want to make sure that I get everything I could possibly want out of an instrument that I am going to spend so much on. I know that ALL of you would agree with me on that, or else you wouldn't be here.  Am I right?
 
Matt
 
Hey Mica, how much would it cost to have my bass made of plywood? j/k ;-)

[Matt Bulmer (prime)]

Mike. I've actually thought about going that route. I can't afford to buy 2 high quality, high priced basses, so I may go with a lower priced bolt-on that I like the sound of for thumping, and get the Alembic as a more versatile instrument to use for everything else. Also I've been studying the functionality of the electronics in the different Alembics, so armed with that knowledge I plan to play some tomorrow and hopefully get the sound I'm looking for and thus eliminate the need for a second bass altogether.  
 
I can tell you that I'll probably end up playing a Series I, some Rogues and Europas. If you have any suggestions as to recommended settings for getting VERY bright and punchy sound out of them, I'm very willing to give it a try. I believe I have vested interest in making the neck-through design work for me. Mica has made it clear that a bolt-on will be expensive, and when Alembic says expensive... it scares me.
 
Thanks for the help
 
Matt

[Paul Lindemans (palembic)]

Hi there,
 
for what it's worth (and mess up the things a litlle bit more): my 79 Fender Jazz bass with Maple Neck doesn't move a bit. I have two tweak the neck of my SII 5 tsring ...2 times a year!!!!!!!!!
I agree with MIca when she said 2 yeras or what ago: the tree is not convinced that he's a bass now with the changing of the seasons.
Bolt on necks? It's another sound maybe drier with lesser dynamics and I agree completely that this could be the sound you're looking for. What's the name of that famous black bassplayer who has a signature model with Ken Smith basses and wre their first bolt-ons? Another luthier I admire a lot at your side of the ocean is Keith B. Roscoe. He makes incdrdible basses with tremendous tone and they are always bolt-on now (but he made some neck-throughs in his early years). I know as many bass-players swearing by their Roscoe as there are here swearing by their Alembic.
Funny but true!
CU.
 
Paul

[Michael DeVincenzo (jlpicard)]

Paul ,I think the age and the way the wood was dried,and how dry the wood was at the time it was machined(among many other veriables) has alot to do with how stable the neck will be. Mike

[Matt Bulmer (prime)]

Ok
 
Just to let everyone out there know. I still think that there are benefits to having a bolt-on neck. BUT my ears must have MUST have been clogged when I last played an Alembic. I really sat down and played them, having a slightly better understanding of the electronics. I must have passed them off too quickly last time.  
 
So here is the deal.
 
4 String Mark King Deluxe
35 Scale - NECKTHROUGH!!
Walnut Burl Top and Back
Bookmatched top to center
Flame Maple Core
Ebony / Maple Neck
20th Anniversary Electronics
Fat Boy AXYs
Larger Valentino II body  
Custom inlay (maybe)
Detuner on E
 
That should set everyone at ease.
 
Matt