New To Me Epic

[iriegnome]

Well I know mostly nothing at this point about the bass I just bought. It is coming from South Carolina and I live near Milwaukee, WI so I will have to wait for a bit. Until then, I have played Modulus and Geoff Gould basses for 22 years now. Never have been lucky enough to manage to find an Alembic that would fit my needs. I located this wonderful Flame Walnut top 1994 Epic and am hoping for the best. I will get it over to my luthier to set it up and get it playable to my needs as soon as I receive it. It should be a interesting transition since I have only played 35" scale basses for so long now. But I digress, it is always fun for me to play different instruments. I look forward to it and adding a follow up after the bass is in my hands and I get a gig or 10 on her.
Oh, so my name is Paul and I have been gigging all over the country for 42 years. At points I was up to 6 nights per week

[hammer]

Hello Paul. Congratulations on acquiring an Epic.  I'm also located in the Midwest (Minneapolis area) and have several Alembics but have never played an Epic. However, if it's an Alembic and in good shape, I'm sure you'll be pleased with it. Given that you have played Modulus and Gould basses I don't think you will have much of a transition but be ready for your Alembic to sound piano-like in its clarity. It will cut through whatever type of music you play.


Welcome to the Club!  The people here are from all walks of life and all geographic locations. What brings us together is love of Alembic instruments. You will find those who frequent the club a wealth of information about everything Alembic (and a lot more).  Don't be hesitant to reach out for support when you need it as a single post asking for advice will almost always get multiple responses within a day or so and often these responses will be from the mothership (and Mica) herself.

[StephenR]

I also own Modulus and G. Gould basses in addition to my Alembics.You shouldn't have a problem transitioning to a 34" scale. Those basses also have a piano-like quality but the Alembic will sound warmer and not have the compressed sound of a graphite neck. Look forward to hearing what you think of your Epic once you get familiar with it.

[pauldo]

Hi Paul.
I am also an older person playing the bass named Paul…. me, not the bass.  I don’t have a name for her.

I live in Milwaukee and also hide in the Northwoods just south of Tomahawk.

Did you ever play with Greg Koch?  He had a bassist named Paul that played a headless (what I think was..) Modulus.  Back in the mid 80’s around Milwaukee.

[iriegnome]

Hi Paul.
I am also an older person playing the bass named Paul…. me, not the bass.  I don’t have a name for her.

I live in Milwaukee and also hide in the Northwoods just south of Tomahawk.

Did you ever play with Greg Koch?  He had a bassist named Paul that played a headless (what I think was..) Modulus.  Back in the mid 80’s around Milwaukee.

Mid-80's I moved to LA. I am in Kenosha. Back then, we didn't hang out much north of Racine. However, I am the proud owner of one of those very rare Modulus headless basses! After I get my Epic and decide how to move forward with her, she will be named. Need to know her personality as it were before I can do that.

[lbpesq]

Hi Paul, congrats on your first Alembic and welcome to the club!  May I suggest that before you send your new baby out for a set up, you try doing one yourself.  Alembics are incredibly user friendly when it comes to adjustment.   Here's a link to "Joey's Post on Setting Up Your Bass".  It's considered the holy gospel around here.

https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=311.0

Even I've successfully set up basses using Joey's post as a guide, and I'm not even a bass player!

Bill, the guitar one

[iriegnome]

Hi Paul, congrats on your first Alembic and welcome to the club!  May I suggest that before you send your new baby out for a set up, you try doing one yourself.  Alembics are incredibly user friendly when it comes to adjustment.   Here's a link to "Joey's Post on Setting Up Your Bass".  It's considered the holy gospel around here.

https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=311.0

Even I've successfully set up basses using Joey's post as a guide, and I'm not even a bass player!

Bill, the guitar one

Sorry. Just getting back to this. I have been setting up basses for well into the 40 year range. If I intend to keep and gig with any bass, I have a luthier that is local and incredible. My bass usually gets set up once every 4 or 5 years by him. The inbetween stuff I take care of. He has the gear, the room, the set up, and the extreme talent. 100% hands down I bring every bass I play to him. Now, on my headstock, there is some separation of the glue joints. It is minor, but I want that repaired prior to it getting worse. So he will fix that, give it a fantastic once over, address any and all issues, set up the strings so low most bassists can't stand it, then I get to play it.

[adriaan]

For repairs, obviously take it to a professional.

For setup adjustments, including setting the trussrods and the string height and the nut height to get the action where you want it, do it yourself with the instructions that Bill linked to. You can't go wrong. You can render it unplayable, and then adjust it back to barely playable - just as you like it.

[Pete si]

Welcome, Paul
I have an Epic as well. It’s a’95 zebrawood. I posted pics on the site. You’ll be able to find them easily. I’d love to see pics of yours when you finally get it.
As far as setting it up and adjustments to the action you’ll find the Epic insanely easy to do. Save for any major stuff your Epic may never see your luthier friend. You can find posts about the care of your bass all over this forum. Don’t be afraid to reach out. The people here are fantastic.
Best of luck with your new bass. You’re gonna love it!