Author Topic: Stupid Question Time Again (Read 437 times)

kmh364 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 20, 2006, 11:57:32 AM »

No, unfortunately the finish crack is a hairline one @ the FB/nut/neck junction...caused by rough handling during shipping. They're just gonna wick in crazy glue to try and fill it. While I'd love LED's, I'm afraid it would be cost prohibitive to do so at this time, considering the newness and relative lack of play time.

The actual cost of the upgrade is $800 all inclusive (S&H to and fro Alembic is not included, however) including my current harness as a trade. I've already bought the extra THG knobs.

All good points, though. Keep 'em comin'!

kilowatt · « **Reply #16 on:** July 20, 2006, 02:10:57 PM »

Kevin,
My new bass has series II electronics and I love them. Being that you don't live far from me, you are more than welcome to stop by and try them out in person. It's a 5 string, and if I remember correctly, you play a 4 string. It should give you a better idea of the difference between the two. Drop me a line and let me know if you want to stop by.

Regards,
Pete

wayne · « **Reply #17 on:** July 20, 2006, 02:28:05 PM »

Kevin-

IMHO: You will not be missing anything by staying Series I.

I've got both. The Dark and the Light is a Series I.5 (master volume and LEDs) and the Unicorn is, I guess, a Series I body with Series II electronics (only 5 laminates).

The CVQs are, for me, the ultimate in control. BUT, when I have the next one made, it will be a twin to The Dark and the Light. I find that the fine tuning available between the filters, the 3-position switches, an F1-X for each pickup and simply altering my playing attack is more than enough.

I do like the master volume. I find that I balance the individual volumes and then never touch them again.

I'd also consider the environments that you play. I can't see that a 1 or 2 dB boost in the Q value can be heard in a typical live gig. A +6 can. Now, recording would be a totally different animal. I can see where flat is not enough and +6 is too much.

So, to come back around.....you're not missing anything with a Series I. Would you be gaining something with Series II guts? YES. Is it worth it? Depends on what you're looking for. For me, it's not. When I had the headstock repaired on The Dark and the Light, I had the chance to upgrade - I chose not to.

Good Luck!! All Alembic decisions seem to be matters of fractions don't they.....never simple.

C-Ya...........wayne

kmh364 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 20, 2006, 05:30:54 PM »

Thanks for the help, guys.

I may have to take you up on that offer, Pete.

It's always a pleasure to hear from (C-Ya) Wayne!

FWIW, I guess I'm more in love with the idea of having an SII-equipped bass than anything else. Those extra knobs are de rigeur for Phil or Jack wannabees like me! LOL! I am not a pro player and I can't afford a custom new SII. I can afford to customize my current SI, but I won't if it'll ruin the functionality for me. The SI is definitely awesome as-is, despite the relative lack of flash a la my Orion or some of the recent COM's.

Decisions, decisions, LOL!

Cheers,

Kevin

bob · « **Reply #19 on:** July 20, 2006, 09:58:25 PM »

Kevin, I think you summed it up best - more in love with the idea, and worried about the functionality for you personally.

Use a little Blu-Tack (I'm sure you know what this is, from your audiophile perspective) and stick a couple of your extra knobs on there. It'll look cool; who knows, maybe you'll even feel better about the appearance, and if you do, maybe you'll even play better! (though it would be a major setback to try to turn one and have it fall off...).

I'm halfway serious (no LOL here). Look, we've had people who have put in a dummy hum canceller just for the looks, with no intention of ever making it real. That's fine, it all depends on what you want.

Personally, I've never had a Series instrument, though I do have one CVQ on my bass, and two on my SuperFilter - and I would simply not be happy with a switch. But I'm not playing live, or recording, or trying to quickly switch between reproductions of specific songs/tones. I'm just looking for my own sound (which is mostly just one), so the fine tuning is much more important than repeatability and quick changes. Again, to each his/her own.

The volume options are a different matter, and I can't quite keep the options straight in my head. I happen to be a single-volume-and-pan-man myself, and we exhausted that discussion elsewhere(s). But in the absence of a pan, you would likely enjoy having the master volume, and I'm pretty sure that wouldn't break anything for you.

Don't mess things up just because you've got some money burning a hole in your pocket, and are perhaps swayed a bit by thinking top of the line is best. It may still not be right for you.

You can likely add the MV for a lot less than a couple of CVQs, and even though it may not look quite as complicated, my guess is you'll be more comfortable with it.

Just a thought, nothing else. Good luck.
-Bob

georgie_boy · « **Reply #20 on:** July 21, 2006, 03:10:13 AM »

Hi Kevin
Just my $0.02 worth. I've got a Series 1, and was playing in Stirling (Scotland) on Sunday night. Once I'd set her up to use both pick-ups, the idea of increasind/decreasing the volume became apparent and I thought-yeah this is where a MV would be great. Well, as we all know, you tend to think fast when in a situation so what did I do-simple, I just altered the volume on the amp!. No upgrade no extras, and so quick and simple to do. Job done!
I prefer the switches, as I think the CVQ's would be so difficult to rproduce the same tone quickly in a given situation, and let's be honest, once on stage, you don't have the time to fiddle about so IMHO the Series 1 is just about perfect.
G

jacko · « **Reply #21 on:** July 21, 2006, 03:59:54 AM »

George. When are you going to send me your gig list. I'd love to hear your series in action and I'm pretty sure I could get mike along too.

Sorry for the brief hijack kevin;-)

Graeme

georgie_boy · « **Reply #22 on:** July 21, 2006, 04:39:33 AM »

Hi Graeme
If you saw this band then you would end up in Intensive care with advanced laughing fit Syndrome
I'm rehearsing with our guitarist and another guitarist from Bridge of Allan at the moment, in the hope that we can put a set together by December so we'll see. Asfor a gig list----I get a call on the Thursday night to tell me if/when/where we are playing that week-end. Now that's real dedication for you
We may be going to Spain to play for a fortnight, as the guitarist's father now lives over there and does a one man show for the ex-pats. so he has invited us over and will set up the gigs.
You are welcome to come over here and try the Series anytime (as long as I've got decent strings on her -a rare occasion!, as new strings tend to be way over the top for this band due to the treble and clarity. But remember, this band is crap compared to Big Tuna so I don't want to get embarrased.
G

Sorry Kevin for the hijack, but as i said earlier, the series 1 does it all IMHO

kmh364 · « **Reply #23 on:** July 21, 2006, 05:27:42 AM »

No problem, mates.

Yes, I would definitely like the Master Vol., but am unsure about the CVQ's. While I do like the look of the extra knobs, and it would be nice to have the top-of-line kit, I'm only really interested in improving the thing, not stroking my ego. I'm just on the fence as to whether the SII elecs. are atually an uprgrade for me. I'm not playing live currently, but I can certainly see where CVQ's could be a hindrance in a live situation (MV not withstanding).

Maybe I can get the MV and leave the switches, but make 'em rotary so I can use my fancy pointer knobs? Wouldn't it be great if you could chose between preset Q values and CVQ? Ka-ching! $$$$$$ LOL!

FC Bass · « **Reply #24 on:** July 21, 2006, 05:38:42 AM »

That would be Series III??!

kmh364 · « **Reply #25 on:** July 21, 2006, 05:59:55 AM »

Series III? Oh, yes, as in 3X the price, LOL!

You got to pay, if you wanna play!

FC Bass · « **Reply #26 on:** July 21, 2006, 06:32:10 AM »

I think your last idea is the best, stay safe and have a whole bunch of knobs!

kmh364 · « **Reply #27 on:** July 21, 2006, 07:12:32 AM »

LOL! Thanks for all the help guys...it's a tough decision.

Even the way it is, it's cool as all H*ll. Just the thought of that big std. point body w/the crown headstock causes Feels So Good (30 Secs. Over Winterland version) to play over and over in my head, LOL! Even though I can't remotely play like either Cassady or Lesh, the Series indulges my wanna-be fantasies (more like delusions really, LOL!) quite nicely.

keith_h · « **Reply #28 on:** July 21, 2006, 07:49:55 AM »

Kevin,
You already have a bass with a fair number of knobs with your EMW. Do you find yourself doing more set it and forget it type of stuff? If yes the CVQ might work out for you. On the other hand if you play with the tone controls and filter alot, do you ever have problems refinding the tone of previous settings? Again if this doesn't cause you problems the CVQ might be ok. If you do have problems refinding tones, does it bother you and do you consider it important? If yes to either of these then maybe you should not get the CVQ's.

Regardless I think the master volume is the way to go as I don't like the volume drop going from 2 pickups to 1. The master would let me get around this without having to adjust my amp or buying a volume pedal.

Keith

kmh364 · « **Reply #29 on:** July 21, 2006, 08:13:04 AM »

IMHO, Dificulty in obtaining consistent repeatability of settings is generally an Alembic weakspot...excepting maybe the Europa quick-change tone control switches. It's just a matter of to what degree, I suppose.

Right now, I find the Series easier to use than the EMW. The bass/treble/pan/MV is a little more difficult to tweek IMHO than just a vol & filter per p/u. The lack of a MV is the only real weak point.