Tonewoods Question

[weekapaugh]

Thinking about getting an Orion or Spectrum guitar but am not sure what would be the best body/top combo. I'm looking for strat type clean and clarity but with a fatter tone with a little more warmth and mids. Also a ton of sustain would be nice.
 
any ideas?
 
thx
mike

[valvil]

Hello Mike,
 
a Spectrum would give you more sustain since it's a neck-through. I recommend coco bolo for the top and a mahogany body; if you want a bit more warmth, you might consider a vermillion core.
I could go on for a while about alternatives, but I'd suggest that you give me a call at Alembic, because it's easier and faster to talk about it than to write about it.  
 
Valentino

[tiglath]

I am about to order a Spectrum and desperately (but enjoying it) trying to decide the final configuration.  
 
I prefer the Orion body, which Valentino kindly says can be done at no extra charge.  
 
Agonizing between California electronics and Spectrum's  That is pretty much pan control versus 5-position switch.  
 
Cocobolo or Koa?  I know Koa looks great with maple (Strat-like) necks, but with an Ebony neck I am not quite sure.  Cocobolo is nice but a light, bright orange piece is hard to come by.  I've seen some I like in the Tribute cocobolo, but I guess I can't have any of those.  
 
I have lots of great guitars but this will be my first Alembic.  I saw a used one at the Guitar center once and I loved its tone and the unique look and feel.  I've regretted not snatching it many times, but I am making amends as soon as next week.  
 
I'd appreciate any comments to help me decide between the woods and electronics I am considering.  
 
Many thanks
 
Joseph

[bsee]

Hi Joseph-
 
Welcome to the boards!  On the electronics, the idea of a pan control with three pickups seems a bit out of the ordinary to me.  I'd want to investigate how the pan works relative to the pickups before selecting that option.  The five way should be pretty easy to understand, though you may have fewer options than with the individual on/off toggles for each pickup.  I have to admit, though, that I'm much more familiar with the bass systems.
 
The reality is that you don't have to order one of the standard electronics packages.  I would think about exactly what I wanted out of the electronics and ask what can be done.  I like the Skylark package in terms of the available controls, but extending that to three pickups is a lot of knobs.  I'd also want a master volume if I had three individual pickup volumes, and that would add yet another knob.
 
With regard to the wood, if you can accurately describe what you're looking for, they can look through their stock to find a match.  They may not have everything, but I believe that they have more wood than just what appears in the wood bank.  Also, I believe that others have asked about using Tribute wood on other instruments and it is doable, it is just an upcharge for using twice as much cocobolo.
 
Is your interest in those woods tonal or visual?  You might also consider some of the stained finishes over maple.  Take a look at the online store to see some interesting finishes and a bunch of cocobolo tops.  I would also look through the FTC threads for the various records of other custom builds.  I saw a really nice walnut Skylark in there.

[tiglath]

Thank you for your reply.  
 
A problem being solved here is that I am not aware yet of the possibilities.
 
I have 5-way switches on Strats, that's why I've been thinking of getting the California electronics, much as I am not quite clear yet how the pan control works with the three pickups, as you say.    
 
I know both Koa and Cocobolo are good tone woods, but in a Spectrum, with a through-neck and mahogany body the effect of the top can't be all that great.  Therefore it's the looks.    
 
If I am going to blow most of my tax refund on a 7K Alembic guitar it's gota have an outstanding top.  For less I've got Gibsons, PRSs, and Brian Moores already, which can be quite attractive.   I've seen great tops right here.  The Spectrum wood shown in the products page, for one, (or something like it) I would have in a heart beat.  
 
This is it:
 
http://www.alembic.com/prod/spectrum.html
 
I haven't seen anything like it in the wood bank yet.  
 
Here is another one that would satisfy me.    
 
http://alembic.com/club/messages/402/13891.html#POST29081
 
It's the cocobolo in the last bass, on a stand.  
 
If I could get something like that, I'd put in an order at once.  But looking at the wood bank, it seems I'm out of luck since patience is not one of my vices.  
 
I see no koa in the wood bank.  I have a koa Taylor acoustic with great flame.  I've seen no koa guitars in the archives I've checked, and the koa basses, either the pictures don't do them justice or the flaming is not at all what I would want.   Here is a sample of a Koa guitar I like:
 
http://www.edromanguitars.com/wood/koa.htm
 
(It's the Charvel San Dimas Strat copy.  Disregard the others; Ed has been playing Photoshop bandit again with the color saturation.)
 
I was hoping to put an order this week but wood selection is going to take time, it appears.    
 
There are all sort of guitars out there, but for my taste, there is no match for the beauty of polished hardwood.  Glad to have plenty of company.  I AM in the right place.  
 
Kind regards,
 
Joseph  
 
 
 

[tom_z]

Joseph - when I began the decision-making process before placing the order for my Skylark, I was not particularly passionate about any kind of wood - except that I wanted something red and/or orange. I had a wonderful conversation with Susan during which I discussed my musical interests and aesthetics. She recommended a combination of cocobolo and vermilion (both very warm colors visually) suggesting that the tonal characteristics would be complex and capable of great variety. After playing the guitar for about seven months, I can hear what she was talking about. My Skylark can be very bright and chimey, richly textured, and it can be beautifully dark, deep and growling. Lots of variations between, owing a great deal to the amazing electronics.
 
Having said that, the appearance of the guitar is breathtaking. Sometimes I pull it out of the case and can't stop looking at it. I selected the cocobolo top from the wood bank based on its orange look and its simplicity. I had no idea how gorgeous it would look finished. The vermilion lam really helps bring out the red in the cocobolo.
 
My wood bank selection-
http://club.alembic.com/Images/2344/5636.html?1060301509
 
My Skylark-
http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/12937.html?1098327189
 
Ordering a custom Alembic is exciting - Enjoy the trip - it's great!
 
Tom

[bsee]

That color variation is awesome!