Author Topic: My '95 Custom Arrived! Pictures! (Read 259 times)

frank_orlando · « **on:** April 25, 2004, 07:05:23 AM »

Hello... my '95 Custom short scale arrived safe and sound. I did a complete set-up for my playing style including relief, pick-up height, action and new GHS Boomers(.045-.105). I took her to rehearsal on Thursday and man...this child can thump! Cut through the band like a stiletto! I compared her to my '01 Essence short scale using the same amp, EQ, etc., and she seems to have a bit more presence. The neck is wider than my Essence but I kind of like the variety. Here are some pix of my "two" Alembics (man, it feels good to say "two Alembics"!). Frank

(admin note: edited only to arrange photos)

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 25, 2004, 07:22:46 AM »

Congratulations Frank,
That's a beautiful homage to what Fender might have become, if Leo met Mr. W. It looks like you've got a bunch of tonal variety at hand. Does your Essence have a Q switch or side LEDs? And what kind/size of rig are you running? Inquiring minds want to learn...

Mike
(Eventually ... two's not enough ... what about a fretless ... or a five string)

frank_orlando · « **Reply #2 on:** April 25, 2004, 08:49:28 AM »

Hi Mike, I'll let this one sink in a bit before I start to plan Alembic #3 but my motto has always been life is short.
The Essence does have a Q-switch but no LED's. I bought the Essence...no I actually stole the Essence from the original owner on eBay. I paid $975 with the Alembic hardcase when it was a year old and flawless (still is). It has a very narrow neck compared to the Custom (about 1/8 narrower at the 1st and 24th frets. I play through Ampeg equipment. My main set-up is an SVT3Pro through one SVT Classic 410HE and one 15E cabinet. I also have a duplicate second stack to add for large rooms or outdoors and I would use my SVTII head with the 4 cabinets (2 ohms). I am very happy with the tone, headroom and flexibility that this set-up provides. I had Ampeg BXT cabinets but found them too middy with less inherant highs so I switched to the Classics. I think you can see the set-up in some of the pictures on my band's website www.mediacrime.com. What are you using? What kind of music? Frank

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 25, 2004, 02:44:26 PM »

Frank
That was a good price. My band is Pickled BEATS. Mostly rock/pop originals and covers, check our website
www.pickled-beats.com
I just play small clubs, so I vary my set-up from a G-K backline 110, to a SWR Workingman's 12, to a Ampeg B-2R driving a Crate 1-15 and a Goliath III. I usually bring both my Epics to gigs.
Mike

bassman10096 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 25, 2004, 03:21:54 PM »

Hi Frank: Great looking basses - both of them. I really have a weak spot for the Fender style body. What Fender might have become, is right!! If I remember, your new bass had a 32 neck? Is the Essence a 34? You DID get a great deal for the Essence (Why am I never that fortunate?)

How do you find the differences in sound between the two basses?

Congratulations on your new bass. It's a beauty. I hope it will complement your Essence and your style.

Bill

frank_orlando · « **Reply #5 on:** April 25, 2004, 04:10:43 PM »

Hi Bill, They are both short scales (30.75). The Fender was advertised on eBay as med/short scale (?). The seller said it was 31.25 from the nut to the bridge but he was measuring from the top of the nut to the E saddle. He also said he used medium scale strings. That is what you use on a shorty Alembic because the string retainer is a distance from the bridge. Anyway, I was pretty sure it was a shorty and I jumped on it. Val verified it for me on the Forum later. The bass looks longer because of the four-in-a-row tuners compared to the 2x2 on the Essence. I played them for hours with the same EQ and the bass controls set with the volume up, the Q on the brightest and the pickup selector in the middle. The Custom has the same amount of highs but has more bass punch. It has a bit more presence especially above the 8th fret. It is clearly the Alembic sound but it sounds a bit more powerful than the Essence. At first I just thought it was louder but I tweaked the blue trim pots to get them about the same volume and the Custom still sounds fatter. I really like it. I am glad it is not exactly the same as the Essence.

Hi Mike... nice Epics!...a blonde and brunette like mine! I checked out a few tunes on your site. Your band has a real nice sound. From the pix it looks like you're having fun. That's what it's about for me too.

Frank

mint_bass · « **Reply #6 on:** April 26, 2004, 02:09:24 AM »

that is a cool bass i really like the idea of ttwo p bass style pick ups has always interested me and the top wood no both basses is very nice