Author Topic: Is your Alembic beat? (Read 915 times)

kenonbass · « **on:** October 22, 2008, 05:07:38 PM »

As I played my near minty '93 JPJ triple omega last night at practice and worried that I might collide with my guitar player or forget to put it in the stand, I stared at my old J bass that I never worried about and wondered has anybody ever played their Alembic until it was beat to s**t? What does a relic'd Alembic look like? Can I treat my Alembic like a J bass? Are Alembic basses particularly fragile? Why does everyone's always look so pristine? Does anyone have any pics of one with mojo from honest wear? Any stories? How can I live this double life: careful with Alembics; careless with Fenders.

(Message edited by kenonbass on October 22, 2008)

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 22, 2008, 05:25:23 PM »

Hi Ken,
I remember Mica once mentioning a custom bass that was ordered stressed by draging it around their parking lot on a chain behind a motorcycle.

Also check out forum member Kevin's old #12. He said it's had it's head broken off a couple of times and the body is funky beyond belief, but he'll NEVER part with it.

amen
Mike

keavin · « **Reply #2 on:** October 27, 2008, 06:43:23 AM »

this one is been to Hell & back.head stock broken three times lots of dings & it needs a new finish but for an oldie like this it sounds like Heaven!!!!!!!!!.& i like the worn look it shows it's true age.(1972#12)

keavin · « **Reply #3 on:** October 27, 2008, 06:46:47 AM »

i forgot to mention my pickup rings are gone & i'm on my third power supply Cable in 30 years!

(Message edited by keavin on October 27, 2008)

keavin · « **Reply #4 on:** October 27, 2008, 07:01:45 AM »

new2alembic · « **Reply #5 on:** October 29, 2008, 08:15:30 AM »

So Keavin, how about that Chicago gathering?

Carl

new2alembic · « **Reply #6 on:** October 29, 2008, 08:17:32 AM »

Keavin how recent is the broken headstock picture?
Is old #12 healthy today? I hope so!

Carl

new2alembic · « **Reply #7 on:** October 29, 2008, 08:27:10 AM »

Sorry Ken. I wasn't ignoring you. Play your bass like you're trying to kill it. Make it scream! But when the night is over, give it some TLC. Read the posts on caring for your instrument. The lemon oil really does wonders for the fretboard. My guitar is 30 years old. But the previous owners took good care of it. I am following in their tradition. I sometimes play very hard, but I am always careful in how I handle my instruments. However; if something catastrophic does happen, the elves at Santa Rosa are able and willing to do their magic.

Carl

keavin · « **Reply #8 on:** October 30, 2008, 04:34:20 AM »

that chicago gathering ..anytime!,,,,,,the last time old#12 has been broken i belive was in 2003 when my strap gave way, so at that point i got a thick leather strap and screwed it into the bass at both ends,which i repaired my self with a good clamp & a tube of gorilla glue its better than carpenters wood glue.http://www.gorillaglue.com/

new2alembic · « **Reply #9 on:** October 30, 2008, 07:50:42 AM »

Thanks for the information Keavin, and I am glad to know that old #12 is still in good health. Play it healthy!

Carl

mike1762 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 30, 2008, 04:30:27 PM »

So what was going through your mind at the time of the first decapitation??? I would have LOST MY MIND!!! I guess by the 3rd time you're just like... oh, did THAT happen again... ho hum.

keavin · « **Reply #11 on:** October 31, 2008, 05:41:52 AM »

couldnt believe it!....my mutha f#ckin alembic on the floor broke?

?...what would U do?.

mike1762 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 01, 2008, 04:11:05 PM »

I'm assuming this occurred after the body hit the floor followed by the back of the head stock??? I would imagine a multi-laminate neck would be more susceptible to decapitation than a one piece neck. While a multi-laminate neck is more stable, it is relatively inflexible; therefore,... SNAP!!!

keith_h · « **Reply #13 on:** November 02, 2008, 03:59:47 AM »

As I recall Alembic actually went with the multi part neck on purpose. In their early years Alembic did quite a bit of instrument repair including decapitations. They found that a solid piece of wood will shatter and be much harder to repair. By adding the headstock as a separate piece most breaks are cleaner and therefore easier to repair. The laminates serve two purposes. The first is to strengthen the joint and the second is to hide the kerf joint where the headstock is attached.

Keith

keavin · « **Reply #14 on:** November 02, 2008, 04:03:39 AM »

yeah i dont understand that concept (multi-laminate/weaker joint) especially concidering the money paid for an alemnic,........But my 2nd decapitation occured while flying from chicago to Vegas in 2000,baggege handlers toss everything my bass case was damaged & when i opened the case there it was!!!!! the first thing kept thinking was calling a ??????? bomb threat to delay & disrupt the whole ??????? airport, i called to complain about guitar but got nothing but the runaround from some white lady on the phone!!!