NEWS FLASH - Orphaned Series II 5-String Finds New Home

[rustyg61]

The thing that I noticed on my Series II is that very small changes on the filter are much more apparent than they are on the Signature electronics on my SCSD. I tend to be a Bull in a china closet when it comes to making adjustments, but my Europa is teaching me finesse. The old saying A little dab'll do ya is very appropriate! You can easily sweep right past the sweet spot you are looking for tonally if you turn the filters too far. I also use the CVQ on my bridge pickup as a sort of treble or brightness control. rather than changing the filter setting, I just turn the CVQ up or down to add or subtract brightness. If you have filters on your current bass, then the Series will not be completely foreign to you. You already understand what the filters do, their effect is just much more enhanced on a Series bass.

[5a_quilt_top]

Rusty - good explanation. Yes, all of my Alembics have filters.
 
I currently have stock Signature electronics in my SCSD and Crown of Creation custom and stock Europa electronics in my Europa 5 and Rogue 4.
 
I had Anniversary electronics in my recently sold Spyder - which I was told are the closest to Series electronics.
 
Out of all of them, IMO, the stock Europa electronics are the easiest to navigate - dramatic tonal changes can be accomplished very quickly on the fly. The Anniversary electronics are the most versatile and the Signature electronics fall somewhere in-between.
 
In addition, in my collection, only the SCSD does not have a Fatboy in the treble (bridge) position. The FB certainly does add a bit of girth & presence  / thickness to the tones that rely more on that position.

[tmimichael]

Well..finally I know what happened to her!!
5a...this was originally my bass, but we had to start a new one because it was supposed to have a heart omega in the tail piece.
I have all the neck dimensions in an email from Mica if you want them, and the body is a balanced P (full size)...it balances perfectly.
I have the new, correct version (same but with heart omega cutout), and trust me...you will fall in love with this instrument.
Here's a link to the original build, and page 2 shows the new one.
 
http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/118231.html?1323540416
 
Congrats!!!
Michael

[5a_quilt_top]

Michael -
 
Hey - thanks for that background info. Wow - your heart omega version is just as stunning as the orphan (no surprise...)! Glad to hear (and see) that you are happy with her - pix don't lie!
 
Yeah - if it's not too much trouble, you could post the neck dim's here. Susan told me that it's a custom shape, but she assured me that I would like it - as well as the entire instrument.
 
And, as with all of my previous projects, I've learned to trust the elves. I'm beginning to think that they know more about what I'd like than I do...
 
As of today, Framboise Flambe' is still in progress, but I trust closer to completion than when this thread was last updated.
 
In preparation for her arrival, I've been using Royale, my Europa 5-string, as much as possible. And as of last night, everyone in my new project unanimously requested that I use Royale after hearing her for the first time. Prior to that, I'd been using Scarlet, one of my Alembic 4's for the first few rehearsals.
 
I wonder what they'll say when I unleash Framboise on 'em...?

[tmimichael]

My pleasure, and I'm SO glad to see she went to a good home!
That Cocobolo is a very special piece of wood. It was a block when Susan sent the pics and then she sliced it up...WOW, it is beautiful. I was really sad to have to pick another set for the new one (although I am pretty pleased with what I got!)
As for the body shape, it is indeed custom. It is a combination of a slightly modified (very slightly wider at the arm rest area) traditional large body, but with a longer horn similar to the balanced K shape. It really balances perfectly, even when you completely let go of it.
I do recommend a good, wide strap...she is a heavy girl. I really recommend the Moody 4 leather strap...Ally (she owns Moody) is the one who made Alembic's straps, and they are the best. The burgundy one matches the cocobolo nicely. And if you didn't know, your Framboise has recessed straplocs.
Here's the neck dimensions:
id = MM
scale length = 34
string dia. 1=.045 2=.065 3=.085 4=.105 5=.130
 
at nut end:
fingerboard width = 1.8
treble edge allowance = .15
bass edge allowance = .15
string center 1 to 2 = 0.353125
string center 2 to 3 = 0.353125
string center 3 to 4 = 0.353125
string center 4 to 5 = 0.353125
spacing between 1 and 2 = 0.298125
spacing between 2 and 3 = 0.278125
spacing between 3 and 4 = 0.258125
spacing between 4 and 5 = 0.235625
 
at bridge end:
treble edge allowance = .15
bass edge allowance = .15
string center 1 to 2 = 0.555
string center 2 to 3 = 0.575
string center 3 to 4 = 0.595
string center 4 to 5 = 0.6175
spacing between 1 and 2 = .5
spacing between 2 and 3 = .5
spacing between 3 and 4 = .5
spacing between 4 and 5 = .5
string edge to edge = 2.43
(projected) fingerboard width at bridge = 2.73
 
fingerboard width at nut = 1.8
fingerboard width at 24th fret = 2.4975
fingerboard width at 25th fret = 2.51054922230151
fingerboard length = 25.9770683422056
 
 
 
 
Whew! That's a lot of information, huh?
 
Best regards,
Mica
 
I'm looking forward to seeing her finished, and I'll certainly be rejoicing with you!
 
Stay in touch,
Michael

[5a_quilt_top]

Cool - thanks Mr. Science!
 
I'm confident that all of those subtle body modifications and neck calculations = pure playing pleasure and will ensure that she plays as good as she looks.
 
The best of both worlds - built fer comfort AND speed!
 
Duly noted about the strap - I have a few that might work, but good to have the Moody info just in case. Figured the weight might be a factor...
 
Bottom line: I'm really stoked and can't wait to put her to good use. Rest assured you can count on getting a full report after she arrives.

[tmimichael]

Ha...funny!
BTW...here's a photo I had of the original block of cocobolo that yours is made from...

[tmimichael]

AND...here it is after they spliced it up...

[tmimichael]

And 1 more....
 

[JimmyJ]

Hey David,
 
Congratulations on procuring this yummy looking bass.  Almost looks like something I might be able to operate!  I think you'll enjoy the Series electronics too, pretty amazing.
 
Regarding your powered monitor question - it's true, I've been known to do that on occasion.  When the Series preamp outputs are cranked it will put out enough to drive a power amp and the sound is amazingly clean and dynamic.  Not everybody's cup of tea, but I really dig it.
 
My weird travel rig includes an active DI box which I've modded to run in-line, as in; 5-pin in and 5-pin passthrough to the DS-5. Signal is summed to mono and padded down in the DI to provide a mic level balanced output for the FOH. But that leaves the DS-5's unbalanced 1/4 jacks running line out (mono or stereo).  
 
Sometimes I need an isolation x-former because of all the grounds involved, but if available I will plug the DS-5 directly into a powered monitor, or the power amp that drives the monitor, and that will serve as my onstage rig.
 
It doesn't always work but I like the option.  Also if there is a house bass amp I will first try plugging the DS-5 directly into the power amp in or FX return and see how that sounds.  Almost always cleaner than using the preamp.
 
Enjoy that axe!
 
Jimmy J

[5a_quilt_top]

Jimmy -
 
Thanks for the kind words - and thanks for the tips!
 
You've given me food for thought and many ideas for experimentation.
 
Good idea re: using FX return as input on a house bass amp. To your point - no need to insert what is likely to be an inferior preamp between the SII electronics and the power amp.
 
BTW: it's an honor and a privilege to be able to correspond with a player of your stature and experience. I first became aware of you through your work with Allan Holdsworth on Metal Fatigue - a feast for both guitarists and bassists!
 
BTW: let me know if you're ever in the Phoenix area and you would be more than welcome to take her for a test drive!
 
 
Michael -
 
Thanks for the additional build progress pix. FWIW: I think one of the most exciting phases of the build process is when Susan sees the shape of the instrument in the wood and draws the outline to show where to cut. That ability is a gift. I'm going to harvest these and archive them with the rest of the info.

[moongerm]

This is terrific info Jimmy, thank you for sharing your expertise! If you ever want to sell one of those neat active di boxes I would be interested as it sounds very useful.  I have my first Series build in progress so I am banking up the neat approaches for connectivity to consider.
 
Again congratulations David on a fine instrument!  
 
-Brian

[5a_quilt_top]

OK - last week kinda sucked for me. Lost a decent-sized chuck of my left temple due to skin cancer. So I was a little depressed.  At least until Friday when the elves provided me with the UPS tracking number for THIS:  

 

   And suddenly things didn't seem so grim - thanks Susan & Mica!  She should arrive tomorrow - !  And although my face don't look so good right now, it will eventually recover. But, until then, my fingers are working just fine - and they have a beautiful new playground to explore - !

[tbrannon]

Congratulations on the impending bass arrival and healing vibes sent to you on the skin cancer thing.  It's better they take a big chunk and get clean margins.... hopefully you'll have many years to watch that scar slowly fade away while you play beautiful music on this instrument.

[sonicus]

Congratulations  from here as well !   In addition I send healing vibes . I had  several  liquid nitrogen treatments for a less severe scenario as well a few years back on my face but it left me a bit concerned at the time .  
 
Best regards !  
Wolf