Second new Alembic!

[fivestringdan]

I'm completely converted! The Mothership has called and the answer is...another new build!

A couple of things I wanted to do with this build is possibly have custom body shaped. Different pickup configuration and different electronics. I also want to budget the build differently than my first to possible incorporate some addition "pretty things"...inlays, plated hardware, color finish, ect.

The thinking with my first build was it wasn't planned and I didn't have a budget for a Series bass. So I tried to get close with the premium laminate top, ebony neck laminate, anniversary electronics. I am 100% happy with the spec. Also, having this instrument in my hands will give me time to think properly about a Series II build in the future.

I am also wanting a 6 string fretted bass and I would like to start with a Rogue body or possibly a custom Rogue body shape. I love the way it looks. I love all the body shapes they have made but when I think of another 6 string the Rogue stands out as my first pick.

So starting with the Rogue spec, from there here's my idea;

Rogue 6 string fretted

Ebony board, Abalone oval inlays

Flame maple top, stained black

Bump peghead, silver, white cloud, inlaid rays, beveled

long or extra, extra long scale

east meets west electronics

AXY pickups

Blackened plated hardware

Continuous wood backplate

That's what I have in mind so far.

Attached is my Orion fretless.

[fivestringdan]

This is more of what I had in mind by modifying a Rogue body. Bulger body shape!

[OJ Dorson]

FWIW, I think you're on the right track... that Orion is so beautiful, in an understated way. That blue one's shape is really nice, too, though I can't imagine why they have the pickups in upside-down!

anyway, for yours... have you thought about ebony stringers in the neck? A long/extra long 6 string would benefit from the stiffness and I imagine it does wonderful things for the sustain and tone. Of course, the Rogue doesn't do neck lams, but you're really talking about a Series II build, right?

[jazzyvee]

Hi Fivestringdan, you might want to check out the basses of Jan Olof Strandberg. He has a bass with that body style.
http://jostrandberg.com/gear/

[fivestringdan]

FWIW, I think you're on the right track... that Orion is so beautiful, in an understated way. That blue one's shape is really nice, too, though I can't imagine why they have the pickups in upside-down!

anyway, for yours... have you thought about ebony stringers in the neck? A long/extra long 6 string would benefit from the stiffness and I imagine it does wonderful things for the sustain and tone. Of course, the Rogue doesn't do neck lams, but you're really talking about a Series II build, right?

Eventually I would like to have a Series II. Not in the budget this year..or next..lol

I'm looking at this build as something more simple than my current order. I may start with an Excel and use the JB body. I like how the set neck sounds. May sound great with a swamp ash body as well. Maybe a MYX in the middle pickup position.
I had Fodera build a Contrabass for me about 10 years ago. I have owned other 36 inch scale basses. The longer scale doesn't bother me. And honestly the Orion is long scale and the B string is absolutely monstrous! I'm not finding a reason to order the extra, extra long scale. When I take delivery of my 5 string which is long scale I'll make the decision on this bass.

[fivestringdan]

I'm still putting this build together.

Currently I'm thinking the spec as such.

Excel 6 string, flame maple top, wineburst finish.

Medium scale, ebony board, abalone oval inlays. 16 inch radius

Two fatboy pickups

East meets West electronics

Fan peghead.

Forgo the elbow and tummy carving for a semi hollow body.

I believe that is closer to what I want than the original spec of a Rogue bass.  I still may do a Mahogany/maple neck.

Of course I really would like to hear your opinion of the spec. Again, I would like to wait until my current build is delivered before deciding on the scale length.

[adriaan]

Can't really envision a 6er with an ultra flat radius like 16". Of course if you're used to that it should work for you. Have considered the various spacing options at the nut and at the bridge?

Don't know if they'll do a Fan 6. The Knobby looks good with a Rogue, probably with an Excel as well.

[rv_bass]

There is a bit of customization in that Excel.  Have you considered a neck through design, maybe with maple and walnut neck?  I have two Alembics with walnut in the necks and like the sound, kind of open and focused, they are both fairly light so likely pretty hollow inside.  Having your Excel as a semi hollow body would add to that sound, and the Excel I had was a pretty heavy bass so a semi hollow body would help with weight as well. 

I visited Alembic once and Phil’ s current Series II six string was there, the neck was wafer thin!

[gearhed289]

I like your new specs. I've really become a fan of medium scale. My first love is Rickenbacker, which is 33-1/4'' scale, so it's not a big difference. I can see the appeal of a set neck. They do have a "thing". I'm a Gibson and Guild fan as well. (OK, I just like basses...  ) Always liked the Excel body, but I'd have to see one in person. I can't tell if they might be kind of large?

East meets West seems like the ultimate non-Series package. If I were doing a custom build, I might be tempted to add a second filter and Q.

I'm a fan of the Fan. Seems like it would lend itself to a 3 + 3 layout.

No elbow or tummy cut makes it "more Alembic" IMO, so yes to that.

[fivestringdan]

Can't really envision a 6er with an ultra flat radius like 16". Of course if you're used to that it should work for you. Have considered the various spacing options at the nut and at the bridge?

Don't know if they'll do a Fan 6. The Knobby looks good with a Rogue, probably with an Excel as well.

One of my favorite basses I owned was a Yamaha TRB-6P. The radius was 20 inches or something if I remember? It's more comfortable to me.  Years of owning a classical guitar probably normalized that.

I'm happy with my Orion 6 bridge and nut spacing which wasn't customized. I'm not too picky unless it gets tight.

I really like the "knob" peghead! The "Crown" is my favorite but I think the "Fan" will look great with the Excel body. I bet Susan can make a Fan 6 bass peghead happen. If they haven't done it before I saw that Will Gunn has a Rogue 6 spec with a "Fan" peghead. If I had to use something else I would go with the "bump" style. It's close to the knobby and looks great as a 3x3!

[fivestringdan]

There is a bit of customization in that Excel.  Have you considered a neck through design, maybe with maple and walnut neck?  I have two Alembics with walnut in the necks and like the sound, kind of open and focused, they are both fairly light so likely pretty hollow inside.  Having your Excel as a semi hollow body would add to that sound, and the Excel I had was a pretty heavy bass so a semi hollow body would help with weight as well. 

I visited Alembic once and Phil’ s current Series II six string was there, the neck was wafer thin!

I'm lucky enough to currently own a set neck and neck through basses. Everything is still on the table and I will finalize the spec when I take delivery of my current build which is a neck through with an Ebony laminate. My two bass are a 77 long scale and an Orion fretless 6. I love the sound of both! With an Ash body I'm looking for a more punchy/faster tone. With a medium scale my hope is it will be a speed demon..lol. Not that I get to play like that often but that is what I'm after. I love how walnut sounds for neck material. I built a bass with a one piece walnut neck.

[fivestringdan]

I like your new specs. I've really become a fan of medium scale. My first love is Rickenbacker, which is 33-1/4'' scale, so it's not a big difference. I can see the appeal of a set neck. They do have a "thing". I'm a Gibson and Guild fan as well. (OK, I just like basses...  ) Always liked the Excel body, but I'd have to see one in person. I can't tell if they might be kind of large?

East meets West seems like the ultimate non-Series package. If I were doing a custom build, I might be tempted to add a second filter and Q.

I'm a fan of the Fan. Seems like it would lend itself to a 3 + 3 layout.

No elbow or tummy cut makes it "more Alembic" IMO, so yes to that.

If the body is larger that means it's just right for me..lol. My Orion feels small to me and my standard point body fits just right.  Having a semi hollow body like the Series bass will be very interesting to hear and cut some of the weight. Speaking of, I was considering having a bridge made from titanium and doing some A/B testing.

I owned a couple of medium scale fender p basses. Worked great for me and wanted to that in a six string.

My current build has anniversary electronics and I'm excited to hear those with the fatboys! I like the two band eq as well. Adding a filter will just be perfect for this bass.

[StephenR]

I visited Alembic once and Phil’ s current Series II six string was there, the neck was wafer thin!

Mica brought the replica she had made of Phil's six-string to the Berkeley Shakedown Festival back in 2016 and it was displayed at the Alembic booth which she shared with Rosie McGee. I got a chance to play the bass unplugged and concur, the neck was quite thin, much different profile than either of the Series basses I own.

I have a pseudo East Meets West setup in my three pickup Modulus Quantum Five-string. Lots of tonal choices, I would certainly consider that electronics package for a non-Series build.

[fivestringdan]

I visited Alembic once and Phil’ s current Series II six string was there, the neck was wafer thin!

Mica brought the replica she had made of Phil's six-string to the Berkeley Shakedown Festival back in 2016 and it was displayed at the Alembic booth which she shared with Rosie McGee. I got a chance to play the bass unplugged and concur, the neck was quite thin, much different profile than either of the Series basses I own.

I have a pseudo East Meets West setup in my three pickup Modulus Quantum Five-string. Lots of tonal choices, I would certainly consider that electronics package for a non-Series build.

I'll definitely ask about the neck profile.

That electronics package works best for what I want. A Europa would be about the same but I like to dial in different tones with the two eq points. They are really amazing on fretless and am looking forward to using it on a fretted bass!

[fivestringdan]

I wonder if they can do a CVQ with the East meets West electronics. That would be fun!