Author Topic: Alemebic pictures with tremolo (wammy ) bar (Read 364 times)

hendixclarke · « **on:** September 03, 2007, 07:35:13 PM »

Doc has a beautiful Alembic with a wammy bar. His was the first Ived ever played. Are there kits that would work for Alembic basses? The effects are great.

bsee · « **Reply #1 on:** September 03, 2007, 07:41:02 PM »

Kahler makes one for about $380-530 depending upon number of strings. I believe Alembic has built these into the occasional bass in the past. Not sure if anyone else makes a bass tremolo bridge.

bigideas · « **Reply #2 on:** September 03, 2007, 08:24:00 PM »

If you just want a 4 or 5 string, Wammi USA sells one for 189$ or 199$ USD respectively. It's the Kahler hybrid model, meaning it's the lighter weight version. Hipshot makes a vibrato for the bass as well, 4 or 5 string, but it goes through the body like a strat vibrato meaning a lot of wood has to go. Hipshots are around the 250$ mark as well.

jacko · « **Reply #3 on:** September 04, 2007, 04:23:00 AM »

Stanley clarke has (had?) a Bigsby on the bass he plays on his 'i wanna play for you' live album. this bass was up for auction recently. If it's still available you could always bid on that. Saves all the installation work ;-)

here's a link to the spellbinder website. click on products.

graeme

(Message edited by jacko on September 04, 2007)

hendixclarke · « **Reply #4 on:** September 04, 2007, 09:11:12 AM »

Jacko,

I like the bigsby option. Seems cleaner. However, they don't make a bigsby for basses. Correct?

Therefore, if they don't, who else make them (bigsby like product) for basses?

dtrice · « **Reply #5 on:** September 04, 2007, 12:11:02 PM »

You could take a look at these: http://www.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_list&c=4
If Leland Sklar uses them, then I would assume that they're probably good.

alembic_doctor · « **Reply #6 on:** September 04, 2007, 01:30:30 PM »

I was told by Kevin Thomson that the Kahler on my bass (formerly Kevin's) was put on by Valley Arts Guitars.

I would not recommend that anyone but a trained and pro luthier attempt to do this. The one on SCB ((Sweet Comfort Bass)that's what I call her), was done very niceley and if I had not been told that VAG put it on, I would have sworn that it was done by Alembic when it was built. Anyway here is the best pic I have at the moment for those interested.

hendixclarke · « **Reply #7 on:** September 04, 2007, 01:48:05 PM »

I agree. Like I said in earlier posts, I like the bigsby approach because it don't require routers or anything that requires cutting into my bass.

Doc's bass is an excellent example of a job well done and I agree for people to seek an expert first.

The bigsby would be my most IDEAL choice. I may have to drill larger holes where the strings enter the pole (bigsby unit) and fasten the whole unit to my older non-alembic bass for testing first

hendixclarke · « **Reply #8 on:** September 05, 2007, 04:54:35 PM »

Stanley Clarkes Wammy (Bigsby)

apdavis · « **Reply #9 on:** September 10, 2007, 03:48:18 PM »

I remember that Dino Alden had a tremolo put in his Series bass, which could be heard on his band Childhod's End('s) First EP release. I suspect Dino is lurking as a club member somewhere out there.

hendixclarke · « **Reply #10 on:** September 13, 2007, 09:26:59 PM »

I am putting the Bigsby first on this OHagan bass. If it sound good and adds sustain, I will have one placed on my Alembic. Here's a "before" picture of my Rare OHagan Bass

hendixclarke · « **Reply #11 on:** September 13, 2007, 09:39:48 PM »

I will be removing the whole bridge, and totally replacing with a Alembic like bridge, but chrome to match the Bigsby. I'll show pictures when I am finish the work.

What I am trying to achieve overall is harmonic bending, and note hanging echo's Train-Like feedback. It will be fun play and having choices to bend notes like playing a guitar should be great fun too.

spose · « **Reply #12 on:** September 15, 2007, 09:14:51 AM »

here's one from the John Entwhistle collection

hendixclarke · « **Reply #13 on:** September 15, 2007, 02:20:49 PM »

Man that is beautiful... ONLY ON HIS BASS!

I don't think I want this done now I have a better picture of exactly how my bass would look. I am still going to put one (a bigsby) on a bass, but not my Alembic. Don't mis-understand me. If I had another (second) Alembic Bass, I probably would go for it and have it done. But since, I have only one Alembic Bass, and it is a 76 Shorty, the wood is much older (30+ years) classic.

I am having my bigsby put on my blue OHagan bass I posted. Also, the chome bigsby matches the bridge; which is also chrome.

Estheticly, the picture of this Alembic is beautiful (as I said) but I wouldn't do this to my classic 76 shorty, but this is what it would basicly look like, if I done the same thing...

Thanks for sharing the picture.

hendixclarke · « **Reply #14 on:** September 29, 2007, 11:42:08 PM »

Done!