Author Topic: Thinking about...(but at what price?) (Read 234 times)

the_mule · « **on:** August 25, 2004, 09:39:55 AM »

...ordering a special (custom? maybe not officially) Orion 6-string. Not yet, but one day I will!

I wish the custom quote generator offered all models, but maybe this'll work:

Standard 6-string Orion $4200
Vermillion body $200
NO accent laminate
Coco Bolo Top (I'd catch the Coco Bolo Special)
Purpleheart neck laminates $400
Red Side LEDS $870
Simplified electronics like on my 1988 Elan: volume, volume, filter
Polyester gloss finish

A couple of questions:
1. Is the absence of an accent laminate a no charge option?
2. How much would the 'primitive' Elan electronics package cost?
3. Does anyone have pictures of a set neck model with purpleheart neck laminates?
4 What do you think of this colourful yet powerful creature, that unfortunately only exists in my mind?

Wilfred

kmh364 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 25, 2004, 11:39:08 AM »

Wilfred,

While I'm not Alembic, here's my two cents:

1) It will probably be no cost, or maybe even a credit UNLESS they absolutely need the slightly extra depth the accent lam provides to be there;

2) Adding a filter to an instrument that doesn't have one will cost you. My Orion has the EMW package that, basically, takes the standard Orion Package and just adds a filter with Q switch. That addition added $650.

3) There is one Custom Orion that I am aware of that I saw somewhere here on the site. I think it's in the Custom of the Month archive, but I couldn't find it the last time I looked for it. Unlike my Orion, which just has Purpleheart stringers (i.,e, accent stripes or thin lams)instead of the standard Walnut items, this one had actual thick lams like a neck-through instrument. I can't remember if they were Ebony or PH (the latter is more likely). This instrument also had a bridge block (I didn't realize I could get either option, so I didn't order both).

Personally, I can't vouch for the electronics package, having never experienced an Elan. As you are aware, I dig Orions, so you probably can't go wrong with anything you do. The accent lam thing is a personal preference item, so I can't comment on that either.

I'm in agreement that Alembic needs to upgrade the quote engine to encompass ALL the models, including guitars, and more options need to be included. This would cut down on Mica and Susan's email considerably, LOL!

bassman10096 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 25, 2004, 12:22:06 PM »

Such an upgrade would be appreciated. Although you can do a lot with the options price lists, it would be nicer to be able to automate quotes for Excels, Orions and Epics. Adding the guitar models as well as the ability to cast a bass model as 6 string standard or baritone guitar would be great.

Easily said. Not easily done, I'm sure.

the_mule · « **Reply #3 on:** August 26, 2004, 12:49:20 AM »

Well, getting the info from Mica about my 1988 Elan has given me the insight that I consider the Medium 32 scale the most comfortable to play. I also know that it has Persuader electronics, and I already knew I like those: simple, but what a wonderful natural sound! Again/still, some questions:

- Ken, did the purpleheart pinstripes on your bass come at an additional cost with regard to walnut?

BTW: the no-accent-laminate-thing is something I really like (visually) about my EVH and Elan. But maybe it's only a usual feature on instruments with a maple body...

- Mica, although I love the broad spectrum of possibilities that Series electronics offers, I also love instruments that are 'basic'. How much would be charged for an electronics package that only consists of 2 MXY56-pickups (standard for a 6-string Orion), a 3-way pickup selector switch, 1 volume and 1 filter (no Q-switch)? Also, I'd really LOVE to own a custom 6-string one day. But I wonder if a 32 6-string is a good idea technically, or does it really need the 34 or longer scale? I noticed the 33 6-string in the FTC section. Maybe there's a similar story behind that one?

Well, my dream bass would look like this now:
- 6-string Orion bass $4200
- vermillion body $200
- 32 medium scale
- NO accent laminate ??
- coco bolo top (no charge > monthly special)
- purpleheart pinstripes $100
- red side LEDS $870 (on/off switch for LEDS is extra?)
- 2 MXY-pickups with 1 volume, 1 filter and a 3-way pickup selector switch ??
- brass back plates $75
- polyester gloss finish

Maybe some day one day, to be honest this is starting to creep 'n crawl in my mind. The possibility of a 32 scale 6-string really is a very important thing to me. This might even lead to me selling or trading in my 30.75 Series I and 34 Orion 4. Who knows!?

Wilfred

(Message edited by the_mule on August 27, 2004)

kmh364 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 26, 2004, 12:19:39 PM »

Wilfred:

Yes, the PH pinstripes were an additional cost. I think it was only $50-$100USD. I'll confirm once I get my final invoice from Susan via Superbass Steve Frank.

I would have really liked the wide lams, but it probably costs a lot because the set necks are different from the neck-throughs and they have a volute carved in them. I imagine this takes different patterns and/or CNC programs to make up all the pieces that'll ultimately form the neck. Just my two cents.

Regardles, the PH pinstripes look stunning (MUCH better than the Walnut stringers...they just look like they're dirty joints in the neck due to the relative lack of contrast between the two woods). They were a worthwhile addition just from a visual standpoint alone.

Cheers,

Kevin

bsee · « **Reply #5 on:** August 26, 2004, 12:39:25 PM »

Personally, I think the low B on a 32 Alembic sounds great on a neck-through instrument with purpleheart in the neck. I tried a similar bass with the maple neck and walnut stripes and did not like the tone nearly as much. If you can find someone with a 32 five string set-neck bass, then you should be able to get the answer you need. If there is any question about how this configuration will work, it will all come down to the B string. Everything else about it is almost guaranteed to be great.

I can say that if it were me, I'd be looking around for the cash to build it as neck-through. I am prejudiced that way. Oh, and I'd have to have the bridge block.

Good luck!
-Bob

kmh364 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 26, 2004, 06:27:09 PM »

Wilfred: I found that Custom Orion I was describing earlier. It wasn't in the Special O' Month Archive, it was in the Factory to Customer section under Archive Through November, 30, 2002: Ernie's Custom Orion. This thing has the wide lams, but it isn't PH or Ebony. Ck this thing out..it has THREE MXY P/U's, a back lam, bridge block, etc.! Click Below:

Ernie's Custom Orion

the_mule · « **Reply #7 on:** August 27, 2004, 12:31:11 AM »

Ken, thanks alot! Very interesting variation of the Orion. And there's no accent laminate! That back laminate sure looks nice, hmmmm, better take my time before I rush into things...

Bob, the set neck vs. neck through consideration isn't cash-related. With a set neck the body wood has far more influence on the overall sound of the bass. I wanted to create my favorite wood recipe, vermillion for mids, and colo bolo for the highs and lows. And visually this also makes a perfect picture for me.

And for the 5-string compared to the 6-string, I'm 'bout to ask a VERY stupid question. A 6-er is the same as a 5-er with a 'high' string added, right? In that case a 5-er is also still an option...

Mica, if you have the chance: How much would be charged for an electronics package that only consists of 2 MXY56-pickups (standard for a 6-string Orion), a 3-way pickup selector switch, 1 volume and 1 filter (no Q-switch)?

Thanks!
Wilfred

BTW: I've been playing my Orion alot yesterday and today, and maybe I'm focusing too much on the Persuader electronics. My Elan already has those, and it's nice to have some really different choices at hand isn't it? Other thing, that accent laminate in the body of the Orion does look nice, especially with two darker colours (my Orion = mahogany/walnut, dream of ordering vermillion/coco bolo). Well, with a little more changes 'back' I'd be looking at a relatively 'standard' Orion 6-string LOL!

(Message edited by the_mule on August 27, 2004)

the_mule · « **Reply #8 on:** August 27, 2004, 04:53:51 AM »

Well, because I'm already sharing my whole thinking process the following would be the 'budget' version of my dream bass, concentrating on the essentials (sound, tone, sustain) rather than 'fancy' (no pun intended) cosmetics:

- Orion 6-string/32 $4200
- vermillion body $200
- maple accent laminate $-
- coco Bolo top $- (special)
- cone headstock $-
- 3-piece maple neck with purpleheart pinstripes $50/$100
- polyester gloss finish $-

Not part of the 'fancy' vs. 'budget' dream bass comparison, but I'm really having some second thoughts about the side-LEDS. Although they look massively cool on a bass, they sure add alot of 'dead' weight to the body (4 extra batteries!), maybe also disturbing the interplay between the woods. And after all, this is my attempt to brew my dream wood recipe!

I see this as an original looking, understated instrument, with a clear focus on natural sound and tone. Well, what do you think?

Wilfred

kmh364 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 27, 2004, 05:33:56 AM »

You're welcome, Wilfred. Before I found that one, I secretly thought that I could have quite possibly the most tricked-out Orion yet made, but I was wrong. It just goes to show, with an Alembic, the sky (and your wallet) is the limit, LOL!

Cheers,

Ke(vi)n

the_mule · « **Reply #10 on:** August 30, 2004, 10:49:42 AM »

I'm leaning more and more towards the 'budget' bass, and what do you know, I'm not even from Scotland! ;-) We Dutch have the same reputation anyway, just ask the 'dumb Belgian' Paul TBO!

When I order a custom bass, I'd love to let the wood do the talking. Just not sure yet about that 32 scale, will that work with a 6-string? Will the purpleheart pinstripes have a positive influence indeed? Mica..? Anyone..?

Wilfred

kmh364 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 03, 2004, 03:55:50 PM »

I imagine wide PH lams would certainly have a positive impact on the sound, although maybe not quite as great an impact as it would have if it was a neck-through instrument. In a set neck, it is my understanding that the body wood plays a bigger part in the overall sound of the instrument versus a neck-through which gets most of it's sound contribution from the neck woods itself. I'm no expert, so I certainly could be wrong here.

Mica would know for sure. Ultimately, it's a decision you'll have to weigh for yourself, i.e., is the extra cost ($$$ TBD) of the wide lams worth the visual and/or sonic improvements?

(Message edited by kmh364 on September 03, 2004)