Author Topic: COOL NECKS!!! (Read 302 times)

the_8_string_king · « **on:** January 25, 2007, 08:28:09 PM »

Wow!!! Looking at the current FTC threads, I'm seeing an unusually high amount of unique, extra-cool custom necks!

There are so many inspirational and unique EXTRA-COOL necks just LITERALLY popping out of the woodwork these days!!! Really cool stuff!

The neck is the heart & soul of a bass -and a way that one can really personalize their custom bass.

I just wanted to start this thread to celebrate all the many especially cool necks that have been popping up recently, with various beautiful and creative combos of Mahogany, Maple, Ebony, Purpleheart, and Vermillion. I've seen some others that are cool that I'm not sure about either!

I'ver REALLY been enjoying the plethora of unique, dazzling, and imspired necks that've been popping up recently!

Howz about the rest of you?

bluplirst · « **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2007, 01:43:16 PM »

I have to agree. Your message made me wonder if anybody else has a neck constructed of Purpleheart with Maple laminates? If so, I would love to see some pics! I love that combo on my guitar.

bassjigga · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2007, 01:55:13 PM »

I think it makes sense considering that's where the majority of the influence over tone on a neck-through comes from. Glad to see people taking advantage. All maple/vermillion/ebony for me. I'd like to think I'm going to have a somewhat unique Alembic recipe with an entire instrument containing no purpleheart at all! I hope I get as bright an orange vermillion as you did Mark. Hopefully my neck will be in the next round...

the_8_string_king · « **Reply #3 on:** January 26, 2007, 05:33:48 PM »

Yeah, I was real happy with that, 'jigga. I originally asked 'em for the reddest Vermillion possible, but then I saw one with orange Vermillion -I think that awesome Jarrah Burl Rogue?- and I changed the request to as orange as possible. They nailed my request for color contrast on the neck laminates... with the Vermillion, and also with the bright pink/purple color of the Purpleheart.

It's really awesome how they took the idea from my mind, and made that idea a physical reality. It's uncanny, and remarkable. And they do it all the time, over and over again. Testimonial after testemonial confirms this.

It's funny sometimes when people bitch about the high prices of Alembics; I think, that they are in fact very reasonably priced, if not inexpensive -for what they provide for your money. I mean, is there any other company out there that comes even remotely close to the fabulous custom work they do, and that has the attention to detail that they provide? Not that I know of.

My price quote didn't include allowing me to specify color contrast of the laminates. It's just one of many VERY SIGNIFICANT bonuses that they provided at no cost. (Of course, they did NOT make any guarentees... but most of us know they have quite the reputation for trying as much as possible to accomodate their customers!)

They do everything within reason to accomodate their customers; they try as much as possible to get you the type of figuring you want on your woods, etc.

It's really quite remarkable.

rami · « **Reply #4 on:** January 26, 2007, 07:01:22 PM »

Hey guys,

Here's a neck-view shot of my Dark Prince Bass. With it's 36 scale, it makes for an AMAZING tone.

inthelows · « **Reply #5 on:** January 27, 2007, 08:35:03 AM »

What a beauty! So.. question. What combo do you think allows for greater sustain? I'm not a lam expert by any stretch of the imagination. I have been looking at the FTC threads and marvel at the reasoning behind the choices. Aside from looks alone, what combos seem most popular?
Thanks
NLP

rami · « **Reply #6 on:** January 27, 2007, 04:57:53 PM »

With Dark Prince and Black Byrd I went for Purpleheart and Ebony. My goal was sustain. Along with their 36 scales, I got way more sustain than I bargained for. In fact, you'd swear their playing through a Chorus pedal.

Just amazing!

jags · « **Reply #7 on:** February 02, 2007, 02:53:10 PM »

well if i was ever fortunate to get a sweet cool custom. i would want as warm as sound as possible.most alembics are so bright.thats why i love the thunder and lightning custom. two big warm pieces of mahoghany. i think a nice dark red vermillion would go nice between to ebony strips ,and if you had a heart cut out,it would look even sweeter. 2 1/2 mahoghany,then 2 maple,2 ebony,and 1 center vermillion. i say that would make me quite pleased. how much extra would that be on any list price? can that be assesed? is mahoghany and vermillion extra,if so how much? thanks

the_8_string_king · « **Reply #8 on:** February 02, 2007, 05:42:26 PM »

You should take a look at my neck in FTC (Factor To Customer), jags. It has a combination of Ebony, Mahagony, Maple, Purpleheart, and Vermillion.

I was charged extra for the Vermillion and Mahagony. My understanding -but I'm NOT sure of this, so confirm- is that you can swap Vermillion neck laminates for purpleheart laminates. If this is true, you can go to the Custom Quote Generator on the main page to get an idea of that option. Pick a model that D0ESN'T have Purpleheart neck lams as an option, and then add an amount of Purpleheart lams and update the price.

I was charged several hundred extra for the Mahogany laminates, but I don't want to share that just because my interpretation of conversations with Valentino and others indicates that using Mahogany (and actually Vermillion, too) are NOT woods that they commonly use for neck laminates, and that price may differ greatly depending on availability, size, length, and possibly other factors. So I don't want to share that info as a frame of reference because what it might cost you now for want you have in mind might be more (or less).

But they cost more.

They look really nice, though, and by all accounts really give a wonderful warmth and richness to the sound.

I'm confident the extra $ I paid for the Mahogany and the Vermillion -and (ouch!) the EBONY will be worth it.

Bassed on what you've described, I think you'll really dig my neck.

5stringho · « **Reply #9 on:** February 02, 2007, 07:11:22 PM »

Yep, they sure look nice, Mark. Wonder exactly what affect, if any, they'll have on the Tone??
Mahogany and Vermillion I believe, are not as heavy or dense as Maple or the ebony, so I wonder if they'll mellow the sound? But, then again, you still have ebony, maple and purpleheart. Should sound wonderful, anyway!!

Can't wait to see the progress, The 'Ho....

the_8_string_king · « **Reply #10 on:** February 03, 2007, 09:12:13 AM »

I got the impression Vermillion was denser than Maple. Maybe it's denser than the Maple used for body wood, but less dense than the Rock Maple used for neck laminate?

Anybody know the answer?

bassjigga · « **Reply #11 on:** February 03, 2007, 03:51:09 PM »

I don't know for sure, but I think vermillion is more dense than either neck maple or figured maple. I think it's similar to purpleheart in that respect.

jags · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2007, 09:24:31 PM »

sorry mark i couldnt find your bass in FTC. could you give me a clue where its at,i probably overlooked it. there are just so many!. but i couldnt find too many 8 strings

jags · « **Reply #13 on:** February 05, 2007, 09:43:48 PM »

hey mark found it. it is for your six string i see sorry looks sweet. thats the idea i had, i would just like to have 3 ebonies,the other 2 next to the vermillion like that and 2 less purple heart. but yes you are lucky,and wise. enjoy it for a lifetime!! thats why they're worth it, and only us crazies understand i guess!

the_8_string_king · « **Reply #14 on:** March 17, 2007, 11:43:13 AM »