Author Topic: Alembicize a Guild M-85 II solidbody? (Read 20289 times)

hieronymous · « **on:** March 15, 2015, 10:55:54 PM »

A few years ago I picked up this (factory) fretless Guild M-85 II. The M-85 is kind of a confusing model - the earlier ones released in the late-'60s were semi-hollowbody and most had Bi-Sonics, the later ones from 1970+ were solidbodies and had the Guild humbucker. Mine is an early specimen of the latter, I believe from about 1970-1971:

It's a great bass, but the pickups are a bit underwhelming. It sounded alright once I ran it through my SF-2: https://soundcloud.com/stanleylighthead/walk-right-through-your-door But it would be nice to get a nice clear, deep sound right off the bat.

Some kind of Bi-Sonic clone would be one option (Dark Stars having vanished it would have to be something like Chi-Sonics), but the Dave Schools Starfire I has me jonesing for Alembic of course! Could Anniversary or Signature electronics fit? Or just go Activator? For the time being I plan on sticking with the bridge assembly as is - it kinds of works with the fretless - though really Alembicizing the instrument is an interesting idea too.

Please note, this really is just dreaming, this is kind of low on the priority scale - I just don't play enough fretless to warrant it, plus there are other projects like having my doubleneck brought back to Bass VI territory - but it's fun to imagine!

(Message edited by hieronymous on March 15, 2015)

tmoney61092 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 16, 2015, 04:22:03 AM »

Guild makes a Bi Sonic pickup now, not sure how they sound but they are ok bestbassgear.com for $99 each so it couldn't hurt to try them. Also Curtis Novak makes a Dark Star pickup but those are $275 each but sound incredible(I have one in a Hollowbody bass I made)

~Taylor

keith_h · « **Reply #2 on:** March 16, 2015, 04:56:31 AM »

I guess the place to start would be to determine what the dimensions of the pickup and control cavities are. Also what are the diameter of the pot mounting holes. Just a cursory look at the picture would lead me to believe Anniversary/Signature electronics are worth considering as most of the holes already exist and seem to have a lot of room between them. Can't say on the pickups but Alembic does offer a few options.

You might also want to consider EMW with the current 5 hole layout it would only require one more for a Q-switch/control.

Keith

hieronymous · « **Reply #3 on:** March 16, 2015, 08:07:20 PM »

Taylor, I have looked at the Curtis Novak pickups a while back online but couldn't remember the name - thanks! (Haha, in fact, I started a thread on them a few years ago - totally forgot that! http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/166239.html?1372194318)

I personally would go for one Curtis Novak pickup - don't know anything about the Guild reissues - are they faithful designs or something totally different under the hood? I don't hang around the Guild forum that I used to so I'm not up on the most current knowledge... :p

Keith, you make some great suggestions. I still need to experiment more with my Stanley Clarke bass with Anniversary electronics, but I've really been favoring just the neck pickup. So I am open to the idea of just replacing one pickup and leaving the other alone, maybe even just disconnect it (the bridge pickup). I always plan on stringing this bass with flats so I just don't think I need the brightness that the bridge pickup provides, though of course in conjunction with the neck pickup it does really change the sound...

The really important question is - do I want to be able to return it as stock as it was when I got it? It's in very good shape, but was missing the truss rod cover and original pickup selector bat - in fact, I wonder if the whole switch hasn't been replaced, the Guild bat is silver and very distinctive, not sure if it fits on a standard Gibson shaft which is what is on mine.

But I think I would go Anniversary since that is what I am most comfortable with. EMW definitely sounds interesting, but I really like to set the bass outside of the instrument - I use a lot of effects, and prefer to tone sculpt the final signal instead of the signal before the effects.

Of course, the coolest thing would be to have a project where I can use the bass regardless of what pickups are in it! What I really need to do is sell off stuff that I am not using...

edwin · « **Reply #4 on:** March 16, 2015, 11:22:36 PM »

Alembic pickups and electronics would be the way to go, especially yummy with the fretless!

My 02c.

hieronymous · « **Reply #5 on:** March 20, 2015, 11:29:45 AM »

Agreed Edwin, it's a great bass as-is - with Alembic pickups/electronics it would be killer!

sonicus · « **Reply #6 on:** March 20, 2015, 11:44:33 AM »

A custom Alembic Activator kit with two discrete channels perhaps ? Volume / Filter & Volume /Filter ; wired with a stereo/mono switch.

sonicus · « **Reply #7 on:** March 20, 2015, 12:00:09 PM »

Also ; replacement of the existing pickup selector switch with a rotary Alembic type . As a cherry on top, replacement of all the knobs with the popular Alembic/ Raytheon old style knobs.

sonicus · « **Reply #8 on:** March 20, 2015, 12:11:51 PM »

( double post correction )

(Message edited by sonicus on March 20, 2015)

sonicus · « **Reply #9 on:** March 20, 2015, 12:16:20 PM »

To go the Whole nine yards Alembic bridge & tail piece with brass block. If you set the tailpiece back further you will be able to use long scale strings. I have two short scale instruments set up as such . You will hear a difference with the alembic bridge and brass block.

hieronymous · « **Reply #10 on:** March 20, 2015, 01:12:32 PM »

Excellent ideas Wolf! Double Activator sounds pretty intense! I think I would be satisfied with just standard two pickups with single volume/filter. Not sure that they do pickup selector switch with such an Activator setup though. I really like the idea of the rotating selector in the existing spot - I tend to hit the current switch by accident when I'm in the middle position.

Are the old Raytheon style knobs different than the current witch-hats?

Bridge & tailpiece would be cool too, but I kind of like the current setup with flatwounds and fretless. If it was fretted I would definitely be more inclined to replace the harp bridge.

sonicus · « **Reply #11 on:** March 20, 2015, 06:34:38 PM »

Hello Harry , In old Raytheon/ Hat knobs I am just referring to the standard old non collet Alembic knobs .

(Message edited by sonicus on March 20, 2015)

zomnius · « **Reply #12 on:** March 21, 2015, 01:00:00 AM »

hi, great idea, nice bass! If you get the alembic pickups in, I would like to get your Guild humbuckers.

hieronymous · « **Reply #13 on:** March 25, 2015, 04:38:42 PM »

zomnius, are you on the hunt for Guild humbuckers? People are really divided on these, some love them, most seem to hate them! I'm kind of on the fence - they are very powerful, but also kind of blah sounding.

sonicus · « **Reply #14 on:** March 25, 2015, 05:09:20 PM »

Harry brings out a note-worthy point here in my opinion as well .
What really surprised me was that Guild is selling their re-issue Bi Sonics as our friend Taylor points out in thread above ! Like WOW man !!!!!! LOL __ I am really tempted to install two of those in a long scale Epiphone EB-3 that a friend of mine layed on me a while ago. I was thinking of also instaling an Alembic Strato Blaster !
Instant LESH 1970? That was a great sound . Add the Mcintosh 3500 amps , Alembic F2B ( or preamp out from Fender Dual showman) , Sunn Cabs with JBL K140 's and there we have it ? Peter is that correct

? Calling Cosmic Cowboy our equipment historian !

(Message edited by sonicus on March 25, 2015)