Fender Precision type neck

[Mlazarus]

The other day i was wondering about a series 1 having a Fender precision dimensioned neck. With the c neck type curve. 1.78 in at nut. Then today to my surprise, I came across a 2003 Alembic club post about Mica's Series 1 with a Fender Jazz style neck. Very nice. Has Alembic made any Pbass style dimensioned necks?

https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8648.0

[edited for link to old Club]

[JimmyJ]

If you are willing to pay for it, Alembic can literally build anything you can dream up.  Keep in mind that a P-Bass neck starts to thicken (fingerboard to back of neck) at around the 13th fret so that wouldn't make any sense on a 24-fret fingerboard.

Jimmy J

[keith_h]

I recall Alembic has built instruments in the past where the owner wanted their Alembic to have the same neck as their old favorite. In those situations I believe the owner provided the bass to Alembic so they could reproduce the neck profile onto the new Alembic. I would assume there were adjustments made to account for differences in neck accessibility, etc between the different instruments. The big unknown is how much such custom work would run.

[lbpesq]

When I had my custom Further built, I brought my '61 Strat up to the mothership and had them copy the neck.

Bill, tgo

[mica]

Honestly I don't record what custom neck sizes we've made outside of the particular instrument record - we just build to the request. It would be hard to believe that someone hasn't ordered a P-bass neck duplicate after all these years, but I really don't have any way to track.

Also that's not my Series I bass - I have an Essence.

[Mlazarus]

I listened to an Essence 6 string on youtube today. The man was slapping. What a nice punchy sound.

[keith_h]

I would like to add that Mica's Essence is very nice having had the opportunity to play it some years ago at the Chicago gathering. As I recall it has a kingswood top and cherry body. It has a lot of mass for such a small body. It is one of the better sounding basses I've had the pleasure to play.

[Mlazarus]

This is my 79 Musician Ibanez bass. It looks so similar to the Alembic essence. It doesn't have the powerful sound of the essence, but it had such a warm sound. I miss this bass. I traded it in for my (once owned) 80s' Distillate.

[Mlazarus]

If i were to get another Alembic Bass it would be a Series 2, and an essence.

[keith_h]

If you are thinking of a Series II in an Essene body I'm not sure if it is big enough to hold Series electronics. If it can it will definitely be a tight fit. Only Mica can say for sure whether it is workable or not.

[StephenR]

There was at least one Essence bass made with Series electronics. Mica brought it to one of the Northern California Alembic gatherings. Very cool bass with a unique sound due to the woods used in the neck. Pretty sure they had to make the body a bit deeper and route it differently to get the electronics to fit. If I remember correctly it was a Series I, not II.

[adriaan]

That question was answered in this previous topic: Can Series II electronics fit in an Essence?

I remember seeing pictures of a Further guitar with Series II electronics stuffed into what little space was there - the body thickness must have been increased.

[keith_h]

The thicker body is required for all body styles if you want Series electronics so you have to order the instrument as a Series or get the Series prep option. The only exception is the Brown Bass which is built from the start with a thicker body.

Adriaan, I thought this had been addressed previously but couldn't find the thread you reference.

[Mlazarus]

Oh No, i wasn't specific. I meant i would like a Series one alone but wouldn't mind having an essence. At least trying it out. Anyway, here is my Custom Series 2 dream bass:

 
1. Nut width the same as the bottom. Even top to bottom.

2. Neck pickup set back about a 1/2 inch (may be standard).

3. Truss rod plate wider and flush with top wood (may be standard).

4. fret board heightened a 1/16 inch so index finger can have slightly more space for popping. The action can remain the same because the bridge can be raised.

5. Pickup selector near other controls. That way i can use my full percussive hand slapping technique. (may be standard).

6. Leds on side of fret board (may be standard).

7. 1 Led on top of body like the old Distillates.

8. Fully upgraded electronics (May not be necessary).

9. Koa top.

                                   Now is that asking for too much?! Lol