Author Topic: Bartolinis on Alembics? (Read 607 times)

roberto · « **on:** April 12, 2007, 03:39:37 AM »

Hi Guys!
I hv 3 Persuaders and am very happy with the sound and playability.But lately I am thinking of replacing one of the bass's pickups and elect. with Bartolini,to get a totally different sound.
Does anyone ever done it?Does the curvature/fingerboard radius match?
Is the sound signal uniform string to string?
Any information would be truly appreciated .
Thank you very much.
Robert

adriaan · « **Reply #1 on:** April 12, 2007, 03:58:27 AM »

It will sound much like other basses with Bartolini electronics - not sure that you win much that way. And not all Bartolini pickups will sound the same.

bsee · « **Reply #2 on:** April 12, 2007, 07:12:41 AM »

I'm not sure if it matters in your country, but you'd harm the value of the instrument relative to the market over here. Many of us who love these instruments cringe when we hear talk like this.

FC Bass · « **Reply #3 on:** April 12, 2007, 08:02:58 AM »

I agree on that, replacing with non Alembic pickups comes close to heresy... (imho)
But it's your bass of course...

57basstra · « **Reply #4 on:** April 12, 2007, 08:08:40 AM »

I'd buy a bass with Bartolinis and leave the Alembics original.

drr

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #5 on:** April 12, 2007, 08:43:22 AM »

I have to agree with the above posts. Most of us would devalue the instrument if it was modified in such a way. As beautiful as the woodworking is, for some of us its the guts that make it an Alembic.

mcdonap · « **Reply #6 on:** April 12, 2007, 10:15:14 AM »

I'm pretty new to Alembics. The thing I like most about them is the unique sound. My getting an Alembic was, in fact, and attempt to get a sound other than the Bart sound found in SO many basses these days. I'm not judging that sound or saying there's anything wrong with it, but I just think the Alembic sound is better. (Again, purely subjective - just my opinion.)

I think if I really wanted a totally different sound, I'd experiment with some outboard equipment first.

Pat

lbpesq · « **Reply #7 on:** April 12, 2007, 11:10:43 AM »

This reminds me of the old story about Jose Canseco when he was with the Oakland A's. It seems Jose went out and spent $70,000 on a Jaguar (this is at least 20 years ago) and then spent an additional $25,000 customizing it so that it wound up looking like a Camaro! Bartolini's in an Alembic? Sort of like dropping a Mustang V8 into a Ferrari.

Bill, tgo

811952 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 12, 2007, 12:18:58 PM »

If you spend enough time fiddling with your controls, I believe you'll find that you can get the Bartolini tone(s) from your Alembic.

John

olieoliver · « **Reply #9 on:** April 12, 2007, 12:38:22 PM »

OOPS dbl post

(Message edited by olieoliver on April 12, 2007)

olieoliver · « **Reply #10 on:** April 12, 2007, 12:38:41 PM »

I would personally never replace my Alembic electronics, BUT it is your Bass Roberto to do with as you wish.
This cat be may be able to help. I believe he used to work for Alembic

(Message edited by olieoliver on April 12, 2007)

bracheen · « **Reply #11 on:** April 12, 2007, 12:46:01 PM »

roberto · « **Reply #12 on:** April 13, 2007, 12:58:48 AM »

Guys,I agree with you that once you try a Alembic,it will be the love of your life.Thats why I hv 3 Alembics.But buying another fine bass with Barts can cost 3k or above.So Im just thinking of having that Bart sound with the bass thats been familiar on my hand.
And my concern is the fingerboard radius match.Alembic is 12.Bartolinis is 14 if Im not mistaken.
So nobody ever tried that?

roberto · « **Reply #13 on:** April 13, 2007, 01:04:58 AM »

John811952 andMacdonap,thanks for the good and practical advise.
robert

terryc · « **Reply #14 on:** April 13, 2007, 03:39:35 AM »

why oh why would anyone want to put other PU's in an Alembic, I can understand putting Alembic PU's in another bass but not the other way around.(My 83 Squier sports P/J activators - transformed the sound by 1000%)
Leave alone, buy a reasonbale bass and put whatever you like in it, thati is my opinion