Author Topic: Alembic string spacing (Read 205 times)

bassplayer2106 · « **on:** July 01, 2005, 03:14:47 PM »

Hi - I know it's probably a silly question,but I'm new to Alembic ownership.Is the narrow 16.5mm string spacing common to all models.I'm thinking of buying an Orion bass.I've got so used to it on my signature bass that it feels awkward when I swap basses.Many thanks. Kevin.

keith_h · « **Reply #1 on:** July 01, 2005, 05:56:42 PM »

Kevin,
Where did you measure the string spacing? I can measure mine at the same location and provide results.

I play both an Orion 5 string (34 scale) and a 4 string Brown Bass (30.75 scale). I do not find it hard to switch between them. I had the Orion first and came to it after playing a Jazz Bass for +25 years I found the string spacing and neck feel to be very close. I still use them interchangably. I have had the BB for 6 months and did not find adapting to it very hard at all. The key is playing both of the instruments regularly so your fingers learn to adapt to both of the basses.

If you already have other long scale basses you feel comfortable with I think you could get comfortable with an Orion.

Keith

Bradley Young · « **Reply #2 on:** July 01, 2005, 07:27:48 PM »

Kevin,

I think you're looking for:

http://alembic.com/support/reference.html

That has the string spacing as being wider on the Orion than on the Signature. But I'm not sure where your 16.5mm number came from.

Brad

bassplayer2106 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 02, 2005, 01:54:32 AM »

Hi many thanks - I read in a review of a Status Kingbass, that it had the same 16.5mm string spacing as Mark Kings Alembic, because he felt so comfortable with it.The strings are a lot closer together on my Alembic than on my Warwick,I think they're refering to the area being down by the pickups.It is more or less 16mm on mine down there, so I wondered if they were all the same, they all seem to share the same bridge/saddle assembly.Cheers Kevin.

jetbass79 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 03, 2005, 01:03:19 AM »

My understanding is that the classic taper (narrow) is standard on Series and Mark King signature basses. You can order the Series or Mark King with a comfort taper (wide) or a custom width if you so choose which is a nice option. So if you like the P Bass or Jazz or Ricky or whatever you can get what you want. The comfort taper is standard on every other bass that they make to my knowledge. I know that the classic taper is too narrow for me, and the comfort taper is quite nice. It is not, however, as wide as (typical) Fender spacing which is usually 3/4 between strings. I would think slapping on an Orion would be easier since the other strings wouldn't get in the way since it's wider...but what do I know...

jetbass79 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 03, 2005, 03:43:58 PM »

I forgot to mention the classic taper seems to be standard on (production) short scale basses like the Clarke models. I don't know if this is the case with a short scale Orion for example...