Author Topic: Thoughts about my dream bass build (Read 335 times)

bfunkybass · « **on:** March 30, 2009, 03:02:34 PM »

Let's start with the body. Of course it has to be a 5 string 'Balanced K' (Heart Omega Cut) with a maple core for cut through aural intensity. Maybe a couple of layers of Coco-Bolo on the inside to create tasty 'Hippie Sandwich'. Then overlay the top and back with a nice piece of 50/50 mixed light and dark 'Buckeye Burl' with high gloss finish. Tuning heads - bridge - jack input - strap locks - tuning knobs - nut - Q-switches - volume and all control knobs in 14 karat overlay.

Coco-Bolo laminates with matching fretboard. (bookmatched to center - no laminates also a possibility) What do you think??? Custom neck size (just slightly more narrow than standard Alembics) to enhance the feel of the action just a bit. Continuous wood back plastes in all body cavity areas. Custom easy access battery section with a pinch and pull mechanism instead of screws.

Series II electronics (would maybe like to do something custom here) maybe the 25th anniversary series. I'll have extensive talks with the electronics geniuses at alembic before I make a decision. On line (2) of my invoice would be the Alembic SF-2 Superfilter. I can't leave my stack out of this completely, it would be so jealous.

Here is where I would like some input; I envision something different for the 34 neck. My down to earth idea I would be to go with maple to match the body with matte finish, but on the wild side (and this is where I need your thoughts)what do you think about doing a graphite neck? I might just be out of the loop, but I have never heard of it on an Alembic before. Bass clef mother of pearl fret markers, double markers on the 12th fret.

To finish it all off, amber, green or blue front LED's to match the hue's of the buckeye burl. And the perfect compliment to the perfect bass is two fold. (1) A beautiful leather gig-bag; (2) a custom leather strap - I know a guy who makes saddles in Great Falls area of Leesburg, VA (Washington DC suburb) I'll be a returning customer. He made a strap for me about 10 years ago that I still get compliments on today.

Did I leave anything out? Hey, does Ed McMahon still have enough money to bring me a 10 million dollar check so that I can pay for this thing???

Mica, if you are seeing this post, I think that you guy's should just build this thing and hang it in the factory lobby. After all, it is a masterpiece.

Stew

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** March 30, 2009, 08:08:06 PM »

Stew; in 1976 Alembic developed with Geoff Gould, founder of Modulous Graphite Instruments, the first graphite neck through body necks. The first two basses made in this fashion were sold to Stanley Clarke and John McVie of Fleetwood Mac in June of 1976. One of our fellow members just picked up a beautiful '83 Series II graphite neck bass. Alembic made graphite neck instruments through around 1987; estimates are that there were somewhere less than 100 made. There are a number of prior threads on the subject of graphite neck Alembics, and pictures of some in the Showcase section of the board. For a number of reasons, it is no longer practical for Alembic to build graphite neck instruments.

Oh, and yes, I'm a big fan of Balance K Heart Omega bodies! I do disagree about the gig bag though; Omega tips are very fragile.

jacko · « **Reply #2 on:** March 31, 2009, 04:42:58 AM »

what do you think about doing a graphite neck?

I knew as soon as I read this that Dave would be setting the record straight;-)

However, this... I think that you guy's should just build this thing and hang it in the factory lobby. After all, it is a masterpiece. ....

The lobby would get pretty congested, after all, every Alembic built is a masterpiece. On the other hand, what's the point in building an instrument if it's not going to be played?

Just had another thought - you've spec'd a maple core. My balance K has a standard mahogany core and it cuts through anything.

graeme

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** March 31, 2009, 09:18:42 AM »

Still, if you're going for cutting through, it's certainly worth considering going with a Maple core. You give up some warmth, but you get more bite.

Speaking of the lobby, I believe that both of the new stage guitars are hanging there now.

bfunkybass · « **Reply #4 on:** March 31, 2009, 02:16:13 PM »

You're absolutely right about the fragile Omega tips, I am a victim of that very reality on my old Mark King standard. It's so convenient though, to be able to transport the instrument back pack style for so many reasons.

Need the maple for playing the funky grooves, I'll dial in the warmth with my custom Series II electronics.

So they left the graphite market to Modulous and settled into the dual truss rod niche?

JuancarlinBass · « **Reply #5 on:** December 07, 2009, 08:41:11 PM »

Seems a lit like the one I'm dreaming with right now. Sorry if I'm hijacking the thread, tho I dream of a Balance K MK deluxe 4, Heart Omega cut, Bookmatched Coco Bolo top and back, amber side leds, no inlays but for the 12th fret, half moon tailpiece...

I am currently carrying my Epic 5 on a Mono cases gig bag, and it has a nice support for the bottom side, originally intended to give extra protection to the bottom strap pin, so in case it drops off, the pin does not get the impact, so the bass is constantly supported by the thick bottom pads. Maybe this would help with a Heart Omega cut? Or maybe the idea can be applied to a newly-designed leather gig bag? It would be such a dream come true

I'll be back, gotta clean the drool.