Bitch session and Epic Support

[lbpesq]

As a co-author of California’s Prop 215, (the initiative that started it all),  I can attest to the wisdom of the advice suggested above by brothers Pauldo and BeenDown139 (a John Prine reference is ALWAYS appreciated).  Chill, mellow, stop and smell the roses ... and some other fine plants!

Then read Joey’s post and give it a try.  Mikey likes it!

Bill, tgo

[Pete si]

Hey glick-just the fact that all these great people here responded to your ‘issue’ should tell you something. This is not one of those companies that mass produces their instruments and if you contact them you’d be lucky to get a reply. I, too, own a ‘95 epic and whenever I had an issue the first place I went to was this cheesy website. The responses I received from all the wonderful people here helped me solve every one of those issues. When I finally decided to attempt adjusting my bass it was the easiest thing I ever did. I had more problems hanging a picture.

My advice to you would be to take the time to get familiar with the site and the people here. There’s a wealth of knowledge to be gained by keeping an open mind.

[hammer]

Ditto.  With a small company there are trades-offs. You might wait longer but the product you eventually get is not only made to perfection but with a degree of love, care, and pride that you just aren't going to get from a mass producer of instruments. 

[bigredbass]

I'd posit that the Alembic HQ is a small family business, with certainly less than 2 dozen people there on a given day;  plus they're dodging COVID and the fires in Northern California, so their attendance is kinda spotty right now.

I'd also say that IF you're ever going to learn to adjust your bass, Alembics are some of the easiest, with the adjustable nut, a one piece bridge already cast to follow the fingerboard radius, and adjusting the pickups is even easier than most.  I taught myself to understand and maintain my own axes, as most of us do.

Essentially, you get your neck relief right, then adjust your bridge for the string heights over the last fret, then adjust your pickup heights to suit.  I'm as ham-fisted as they come, yet even I figured out how to do it.  I'm no tech, and my post covers good-shape axes that don't need real fretwork or other professional jobs, and Alembics also tend to not need one often with the stronger full-length laminated neck, and the 1/4" ebony fingerboard is a great extra-strength stiffener to that neck.  But all basses vary, wood moves over time, and if you think it could be better, that's your call.

If it's something you'd rather 'outsource', find someone QUALIFIED, and if Mica suggests Chicago Fretworks, you can take that to the bank. 

All the Best,

JW

[bigredbass]

Forgot:  Here's a couple basics on how to approach this.

Here's the first of a series with John Carruthers, an LA based tech-to-the-stars, and instrument designer and builder.  He walks you through the process over some short succeeding, videos, but though he's using a Precision Bass here to work on, the process is the same.  Carruthers was part of the American Design Team that drew up the original BB, SG, and SA basses and guitars for Yamaha, one of many projects he was a big part of.

And also a step-by-step from Fender themselves:  The clearances they quote, and the method they use applies to Alembics and any other bass, and this gives a list of the handful of basic tools and the process, step by step.  You can fine-tune the quoted figures to suit.

https://fendercustomersupport.microsoftcrmportals.com/en-us/knowledgebase/article/KA-01903

[Pete si]

I think it speaks volumes about the kind of people that frequent this site. A guy comes on with an attitude, thinks he has all the answers and then has the stones to ask for help. And what happens? Even the owner of the company steps up to lend a hand. I’m sorry but this thing has really pissed me off. I don’t know too many people who would take the time to help someone who comes off like a total a-hole and then expects to be taken care of.

Again I apologize to all for my reaction to this issue. It’s just something I would never, ever do myself. I don’t like it when people who have helped me get this kind disrespect.

[edwardofhuncote]

After a really looooong, aggravatin' day of makin' water fit to drink for this little mountain hamlet, I sez to She-Who-Wears-The-Pink-Floppy-Hat on our evenin' tag-up call... I'd really like to just gripe fer a minit, iffn' that'd be okay with you. Sure, she sez. Me too. I dun had it up to here myself. You wanna' go first, or you want me to? I heard the distinct sound of a bottle-top being popped, and clatter to the counter. Well, go 'head boy... whutcha' got? 

I wasn't 100% sure where 'here' was she was up to, but I had a good enough idea her thing was going to top mine, and more importantly I knew neither one of us was going to fix a dadgum thing for the other. The rest of that conversation was about knowing somebody heard you, and cared enough to try.

Mica already took care of this guy, and the rest of you tried to as well. We all know the Wickershams and think of them as family, and they are hard to get on the phone sometimes, and we know why. Not everyone does. I hope the feller got his Epic straightened out. I'd have been glad to help if I were closer. I hope he's figured out how this relationship thing works. Good bunch to be pals with here. 

[David Houck]

   

[iriegnome]

So I am here just north of you in Kenosha, WI. There is a world famous luthier here that specializes in gear of the stars. Eric Clapton, Tom Peterson to name a couple. He is an actual master luthier. His name is Tim Connelly. He does amazing work and has been working on my gear for 25 years. Please send me a message or PM or whatever on this forum and I will happily give you his number. Call talk to him and decide for yourself

Edit - I guess I do not see any way to message people on this forum (I am a newbie here).. Tim's number is 262-705-3988. Please let him know that Paul gave you his number. He has worked on no less than 40 of my basses and guitars

[StephenR]

Edit - I guess I do not see any way to message people on this forum (I am a newbie here)..

Hi Paul,
While there is no personal message function here per se, if you see a small envelope icon beneath a members icon you can click on that and send them a private email. It goes out through the club server, your email address will not be revealed unless there is a back and forth response. Not everyone engages this function when they sign up but it is available to all.

Stephen

[iriegnome]

Edit - I guess I do not see any way to message people on this forum (I am a newbie here)..

Hi Paul,
While there is no personal message function here per se, if you see a small envelope icon beneath a members icon you can click on that and send them a private email. It goes out through the club server, your email address will not be revealed unless there is a back and forth response. Not everyone engages this function when they sign up but it is available to all.

Stephen

Thanks! That is helpful. The OP does not have an email and doesn't seem to have posted here in a bit