My New Excel (Also My First Alembic)

[dallastx]

Well, as you can imagine, Wednesday cannot arrive SOON enough!!!  It would heve been even longer, but I upgraded the shipping to 2nd day air.  Rest assured, I will be home all day waiting for it.  I still cannot believe that I'm actually GETTING one.  I've dreamed of owning an Alembic since the 70s, but always thought it would be beyond my reach.  I wasn't even aware, until a couple days ago, that there were 'affordable' models now available.  In any case, once I played that Excel in the store the other day, there was no two ways about it, I was gonna get one, whatever the cost.  I am in a bit of a quandary about one thing though:  STRINGS.  I ALWAYS put extra light gauge flatwounds on my fretless basses and have never been disappointed.  However, with this thing, I'm not sure that would be such a smart move.  I mean, the LAST thing I would want to do is anything that would change that amazing PUNCH.  At the very least though, I will probably put some lighter rounds on it as it is my understanding they ship with medium gauge.  Then again, I may just fall madly in love with it the way it is and not change a thing.  I've been using D'Addario ECB80 Chrome Flats (40-60-75-95) on pretty much everything else with excellent results.
I don't want to start a big rant here about string choices because I'm aware of the very long one going on already under this topic.  Just thinking out loud, I guess.  Another thing I am somewhat leary of is the dual truss rod.  I routinely make neck adjustments on all my bolt-ons, but I'm hoping the neck on the Excel with be OK, even after shipping.  I will give it the usual few days to settle before I even think about doing it.  In reference to pics, I have a good supply of fresh alkaline batts (I gave up on the rechargeable ones) and will make good on the requests for a closer look.  Thanks again to all for the great words of encouragement!
 
STeve

[bob]

Don't worry about the dual truss rods, they're great to have but not a nuisance or complication.
 
Generally, you adjust both of them by the same amount, to add or reduce relief (eighth or quarter turn kind of thing). You only need to think of them individually if you feel like you need a little more relief on the fat strings and less on the skinnies, or something like that.
 
Piece of cake, you'll love it.
 
(and my thoughts on strings are pretty well covered in that other thread...)

[alembic76407]

STeve, welcome to the club, I am your neighbor up north on I-35, here in Okla. City,. I will be in the Dallas metroplex this next weekend and planning to go to Larry Morgan music on Sat afternoon I will try to be there around 2PM. see if you can tear your self away from your bass.
 
David T (The loud one)

[dallastx]

David,
 
Hey man, I'd like to meet up, but I'm working next Saturday.  However, let me know the next time you plan to be down this way.  Speaking of LMM, that's where I played the Excel that I went nutz over the other day.  Beaver is giving me his 48 hour trial assurance, but, if there should be some (unknown) reason why I might feel the need to return it, I will be heading back to Larry's and snag that one, even though the cost is considerably more for virtually the same bass.  Unless you beat me to it, of course!  
 
PS-As I was just returning from some errands, I ran  into my UPS guy making a delivery here in the apartment complex.  I told him I was expecting something very special on Wednesday and asked if he might see his way clear to drop it off in the morning, vice end of the day when he usually shows up.  He said ok, but I slipped him ten bucks anyway, just to increase the odds of it actually happening.
 
STeve

[alembic76407]

that's cool STeve I'm coming down for the big Porsche convention in Fort Worth, but plan on playing some Alembic's at LMM, maybe next time we can hook up, drop me a line if you ever get up to OKC
David T

[dallastx]

Hey David,
 
Dunno if you are aware, but Larry has now moved to the 'new' place, which is actually his old, original location at Forest Ln and Garland Rd.  If you aren't sure where it is, just go North on Garland a short way up from where the most recent store was.  You may remember the new place as 'Speer Music', which went out of biz several months ago and vacated it.  
 
PS-Porsches and Alembics, eh?!?  A man passionate about cars AND geetars, I see... :-)
 
STeve

[alembic76407]

STeve I've never been to Larry's I hope I can find it!!!  do you know a cross street and I will look it on Map and go,
David T
PS the Porsche will stay at home this trip, The AC is out, but on monday morning the Porsche Concours car show will be in downtown FT Worth across from city hall,there will be historic to new Porsche's and alot of them, its a sight to see

[mikedm]

Steve,
 
Welcome, yee-ha and congratulations on the purchase. As you've so far read, there are plenty of devotees for each of Alembic's lines; you can't go wrong.
 
When did LMM move? Isn't that the original Arnold and Morgan spot? LMM has(had?) a wicked fretless Excel with a vermillion top and custom electronics, is that the one you played? They seem to turn over their Alembic stock rather fast.
 
Glad you've joined us.
 
I'm just up the road in East Plano.  
 
Mike

[dallastx]

David,
 
Larry is very near the intersection of Ave D (also known as Forest Lane) and Garland Road.  There is a map on his website (larrymorganmusic.com).  It is pretty easy to find and for you, I'd go east on 635 to the Garland Rd/Hwy 78 exit, then head North.  Its a few miles up on the right side (next door to a place called 'Zoo Music').  You can't miss it.
 
Mike,
 
I'm not certain when the move actually took place.  I've known for quite a while that it was going to happen, but I hadn't been in there for a few months, so I wasn't aware of it either until I showed up recently and it was no longer there.  I'm not aware of the 'Arnold' you speak of, but I do know that Larry was at this location previously.  The bass you have described sounds alot like the one I was drooling over a few days ago.  If the one I get from Beaver is anything like it, I will be pleased.  Which brings up something I'd like to throw out for some feedback:
 
Last night I was reading up on 'Alembicism' at various discussion boards and came across a portion of a thread that caused me some concern.  Apparently this guy had heard much ado about Alembics, tried one out and was turned off by the thickness (front-to-back) of the neck.  Now, I don't recall which model he was referring to or what board I was at, but one thing that impressed me ALOT about the Excel I played was how THIN the front-to-back dimension of the neck was.  Will someone PLEEEEZE tell me that the thin neck is STANDARD on Excel basses?!??!  THANKS!
 
STeve

[lowlife]

Steve,
 
Aside from the Excel that I own, I've played on three others.  All of them appeard to have the same neck dimensions.
Hope that this helps.
 
Ellery (Lowlife)

[mica]

The necks are all handcarved, and each come out a little differently. All the set neck basses should be very similar in shape and feel.  
 
Older Alembics generally have a thicker rounder feel than we use now, but I've seen many early examples with exceedingly thin necks too. These are generally custom ordered.
 
Of course, any person custom ordering can simply order any neck shape they desire.  
 
The main thing about our neck carving these days is the integrated curve with the fingerboard. Look at the back of your neck and you will see some of the fingerboard, it follows the shape of the neck carving. We've found this style to be much more comfortable.
 
Hope you enjoy your new Excel, Steve. It will be a little testy the first few days after shipping, but will settle into its new home soon after that traumatic experience.

[dallastx]

Mica,
 
Thanks for putting my mind at ease with the official info and advice.  It has been a very long time in coming, for me to finally own an ALEMBIC and I am very anxious to get my hands on it!  
 
STeve

[alembic76407]

Mike , maybe I'll see you at LMM's on Saturday around 2 PM
 
David T

[wayne]

David T-
 
Are you bringing a boat with you?  We've had just a bit of rain in the Dallas area this week.  ;-)
 
Seriously, I've been needing to swing by LMM and see the new shop, this seems like a perfect excuse.  If your plans are pretty firm, would you prefer I bring along The Dark and The Light or the Unicorn??
 
C-Ya............wayne

[alembic76407]

Wayne ,my plans are firm, I should be there around 2pm.
make it easy on your self, Look for me I'm a big guy with a pony tail we will be driving a blue BMW Z3 or a white Monte Carlo with OKla tags
 
David T