The Omega cut, are there now two versions?

[lothartu]

Are there now two versions of the Omega cut for the BalanceK bodystyle; the "squashed" and "not squashed"?      Or do four strings come out as not squashed and 5+ strings turn out squashed?      I've got an order in for a new Balance K and I specified an Omega cut because I liked how it looked on this bass  

     but I noticed another bass was cut like this  

      So now I'm getting really nervous.   -Jim   (Message edited by LotharTu on December 21, 2004)  (Message edited by LotharTu on December 21, 2004)

[malthumb]

I don't know for sure, but it seems to me that the width of the omega is driven by the width of the neck (ie - how many strings you want with that?).  The more strings you have, the squashier the omega.  The length of the omega doesn't appear to change, otherwise it would impact the overall length of the bass and probably fall off-template.
 
Peace,
 
James

[adriaan]

On some older models you see in pictures, the omega can definitely be circular, and these examples look more like ovals. I agree with James that the width of the omega seems to correspond to the neck width.

[poor_nigel]

It is quite possible that the two basses above may be different string lengths.

[valvil]

James is correct, the Omega is round on 4 string instruments, and 'squashed' on multistring ones, since the necks are wider.
 
Valentino

[valvil]

Jim,  
 
no need to be nervous, I checked with Susan, and she is well aware of your preference for a 'squashed' omega.
 
Valentino

[kevin_k]

For the record, the first bass pictured above, has a neck width at the 24th fret = 2.930 inches.
 
I assume the bass below that has a neck width at the 24th fret = 2.630 inches.
 
From what I believe to be correct, cutting out the omega is an art, not an exact science.  
 
I too look forward to any clarification on this matter.
 
Kevin K          

[lothartu]

Great Val! Thanks very much.  That's a load off my mind.  It gets confusing trying to remember what was/wasn't said on the phone.  Perhaps I'm suffering from a chemical imbalance brought on by eggnog.
 
Thanks again.
 
-Jim
 
(p.s. I just wanted to officially say a big Thank You! from me to Kevin for his hand in the development of this body style.  I wouldn't have ordered my new Alembic had it not been for that body option.)

[kevin_k]

Jim,
 
You are welcome.  It is really an honor to see others admiring/ordering this body style.  That's thank you enough for me.  
 
It's an even greater honor to have Alembic acknowledge this small/humble contribution by throwing in one of my initials for the name of this particular body style.  
 
Thank you Susan, you didn't have to, but you did.  That's what makes Alembic so special.
 
Regards,
 
Kevin K