Prices on custom options

[echo008]

Hi,
 I was hoping to get some help in filling in the blanks (question marks) on the two basses spec'd below, any help is greatly appreciated.
thanks
 - Tom
 
Bass 1
Tribute Bass (based on Orion)
--------------------------------------
? Orion 4 string  3200
(34 inch scale)
? Epic/Orion electronics N/C
? Cocobolo upgrade N/C (Aug. Special)
? Ash Body 100 (This can go depending on total price)
? Custom Body Shape ?
? Crown Headstock 200
? MOP inlays N/C
? Brass Backplates 75
? Bird Shape Bridge
? Maple Accent Laminate ? (This can go depending on total price)
 
Bass 2
 
Stanley Orion
---------------------
? Orion 4 string 3200
(30 inch scale)
? SC body shape 100
? Crown (Omega) Headstock ? (This can go depending on total price)
(example here: http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/8291.html)
? Epic/Orion electronics N/C
? Cocobolo upgrade N/C (Aug. Special)
? MOP inlays N/C
? Bird Shape Bridge

[kmh364]

Tom:
 
I'm not Mica or Val (nor do I work for Alembic) but as a customer of a Custom Orion, maybe I can shed some light on the subject (Mica/Val, correct me if I'm wrong, please).
 
Bass #1 -  
 
Ash body should be N/C upgrade.
 
Custom body shapes require a custom template starting @ $350 (non-spoiler/small std./std. point/std. omega)
 
Bird-shaped tailpiece (not bridge) is std./N.C,
 
Contrasting accent laminate is N/C
 
Bass #2 -
 
Omega crown? Val's is a one-off piece...price is TBD by Alembic (how much more can it be $300-$400 versus $200 for the std. crown?)
 
I hope this helps. Just my $0.02
 
Kevin

[bsee]

Same discalimers as a non employee here.
 
When I was out there about a month ago, I found that they made a template for Val's headstock because I was interested as well.  I can't say what they'll charge, especially since I don't know how much extra work the Omega cut adds.  
 
I assume the custom body shape you're looking for is the Tribute shape.  The tribute shape requires an extra-thick top because of the carving.  There's probably a fair bit of extra work over the standard bass shapes to make a Tribute body.  It's a great idea, one that I, too, would consider.  Unfortunately, I suspect that it will be pricey.
 
I don't know what the upcharge would be, but consider the East-Meets-West electronics package, too.  It will give you some added flexibility that I think will probably be worth the price.
 
Good luck!

[kmh364]

EMW Electronics adds $650

[echo008]

Hi guys.... thanks for the input!
 
As it stands now Im defintely looking harder at the Tribute body 4 string!!!  with just a regular crown headstock.
So what I need now is the price for the body shape?  
I can see how the extra carving on the top could make it a bit pricey, But man Im practically dreaming this bass now.
I certainly hope kmh364 is right about the N/C on the ash body!
The east meets west package would put this bass out of my price range, but I have been considering the upgrade to essence electronics with a Q switch.
So this is what I have thus far:
? Orion 4 string 3200  
(34 inch scale)  
? Epic/Orion electronics N/C (or) essecnce & Q  
? Cocobolo upgrade N/C (Aug. Special)  
? Ash Body 100 (or) N/C??? (This can go depending on total price)  
? Custom Body Shape ?(the biggest cost factor)
? Crown Headstock 200  
? MOP inlays N/C  
? Brass Backplates 75  
? Bird Shape Bridge  
? Maple Accent Laminate N/C
 
thanks again
 - Tom
 
 
 

[echo008]

Check out phils bass here!!!!

[bassman10096]

I knew I had seen Phil play a bass with the same body horn shape as Jerry's!!  But it had been a a long while and never saw a picture of it (so, I thought I was dreaming?).  Do you know who built this one?  
 
It's a 4 string.  Phil says he switched to multi in 79 or 80...When's this pic from?
 
Bill

[echo008]

As far as I can tell he had this bass at radio city  music hall 1980. I have also seen photos of him playing this bass at one other show during the 80's (but I cant remember where)
 - Tom

[kmh364]

Tom,  
 
I think you're right: I was at one of the '80 Radio City shows and I vaguely remember that bass. He may have played it prior ( I caught them earlier that year at the Garden and Nassau Colisseum) But I don' remember seing him play it afterwards (Rutgers Athletic Center, June '81). I was kinda highed-up also, so there you go, LOL! I don't have my Reckoning or Dead Set albums handy, or I'd ck and see if I could find it.  
 
While I'm sure you'll pay considerably for that body shape, the swamp ash should be free....it's got to be cheaper than Honduran Mahogany. As far as I know, It didn't cost me a dime on my bass.  
 
As far as a free cocobolo top from the monthly special, you'll have to ask because of the double thick top plus a bass body is certainly bigger than a guitar body (a la Tribute). At least you won' t be forced to buy a back lam a la Series.  
 
Cheers
 
(Message edited by kmh364 on August 10, 2004)

[senmen]

Guys,
you were asking for another pic of Phil Lesh playing the Tribute style bass.
This shot, although not the best, is from a german Rockpalast TV concert dated March 28th 1981. This was the same concert where the legendary WHO also had their great gig.
 
Many greetings
Oliver (Spyderman)

[kmh364]

Oliver,
 
Danke Shoene. 1981 is more than half my life ago (I was eighteen at the time), so it is hard to remember clearly back then (the ganga didn't help either, LOL!). It clearly looks like an Alembic, although I can't see the headstock emblem. If it's indeed an Alembic, and not a Doug Irwin, Mica should still have the template hiding somewhere. Can you find another pic that is clearer?
 
BTW, How is the job search going? Has the economy in Deutschland improved any?

[bkbass]

I believe Irwin made both guitar and bass.I not a dead head per se'but I recall reading an article in guitar player many moons ago.Can someone help here?The years have a way of adding their own distortion.In my conversations with Mica,Alembic can offer the tribute shape without the carved top(flat top) for n/c as the wood is then the regular nominal thickness.The other thing to consider is scale length.Theres some club shots of various instruments in spray and one can see a short scale(SS)next to a tribute.From the camera angle it looks like the (SS)horns(bouts)just about even up with the (poor reference,top bout on the tribute looks like a slightly bent finger to me)finger  joint.Now consider that the(SS)strap button is about an inch past the bouts.Look at some the comments about balance on these things and how some have moved the strap button more forward on the neck heel and you can get a fair idea of scale length.I'm thinking a SS will have the best balance at 30 with a 32 medium scale coming in a close second.Mica can send you an overlapping tracing in contrasting colors and show you the exact strap button placement on the SS in relation to upper bout of the tribute and in doing so take somne of the guess work out of the build.I had also considered a rendition of the dragon bass'headstock to continue that finger like design and have it flow visually rather than change styles abruptly.Hope this helps.

[kmh364]

It looks like Susan needs to chime in here. She's very passionate about preserving Alembic history and has little tolerance for others taking credit for Alembic's work (especially Messrs. Irwin and Turner, et al). She's written elsewhere about how the original Jerry Alembics were modded by Irwin and had the Alembic logo removed and Irwin's logo added. Having said that, It is quite possible that Irwin made Lesh's bass as an analogue of Jerry's guitar(s).
 
If Alembic doesn't have the template and has to make it, plus add the carved double-thick top, it may be out of Tom's price range. Barry did hit on something though. If Tom can live without the carving OR go with an OPAQUE finish (See the Blue Steel Tribute w/chromalusions paint that just sold), you can get that shape out of a single wood carving (i.e., all body, no separate carved top laminate).  
 
Tom: Send Alembic a private email or call them and discuss your options. The rest of us can conjecture ad nauseum till the cows come home. Alembic is ultimately gonna tell you how much moola it'll cost to make your dream a reality.
 
Good luck, Tom  
 
Cheers All,
 
Kevin

[echo008]

Thanks to all for your help
 
Ultimately it seems like it is going to come down to the price for the carved body (or) whether I can get this shape with a flat top (which I would still do).
I dont think I would go with a solid color (although a great idea considering cost) I really have my heart set on a wood top.
bkbass hit on some thing Ive been thinking about as well...scale length can anyone tell me the real difference in feel and in tone if any between a 32 inch scale compared to the 34?
 - Tom
 

[echo008]

also  
if the carving with cocobolo is too much perhaps the carved body with a nice dark walnut would bring the price back down?
 - TOm