Author Topic: Custom Alembic bass body for graphite neck? (Read 334 times)

vaughn · « **on:** April 22, 2004, 08:27:48 PM »

I'm currently playing a Modulus Prime 6 (graphite neck six-string with swamp ash body, single EMG 45DC pickup). I love Alembic sound though. As much as I love the sound of Alembic basses, I also love my Modulus' neck (both in feel and in the tone it contributes), and have gotten very comfortable with it. This may be a bit heretical to the Alembic spirit, but, if I mailed you the bolt-on neck, would you build a custom body for this neck? If so, what might the price look like for such a job, in comparison to a new custom Signature series, for example. Thanks!

valvil · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2004, 08:58:16 PM »

Hello Vaughn,

welcome to the club.
Do not worry about suggesting 'heretical' things.
I will ask her tomorrow, but unfortunately I doubt that Susan would accept a job like that; there are several reasons, the main ones being 1) we have no experience whatsoever putting bolt on necks on instruments 2) Alembic basses must have Alembic necks on them, because, among other reasons, we have to be able to personally guarantee the instruments, and we can't do that if someone else makes the neck.

Having said that, I can suggest an alternative, which would be to put Alembic electronics in your Modulus, instead; that can probably be done, although some modifications to the bass may be necessary, I can't say without looking at it. If you want to discuss this further , you are welcome to call me at Alembic, or you can keep posting your questions here.

Take care

Valentino

dnburgess · « **Reply #2 on:** April 23, 2004, 03:05:34 AM »

Presumably, Alembic could also make a neck to the same dimensions as the modulus.

bsee · « **Reply #3 on:** April 23, 2004, 05:27:52 AM »

Certainly you could get Alembic replacement electronics for the bass. A step beyond that would be to get some other luthier to build you an Alembic-style body or to re-top your existing body with something like coco bolo in addition to the electronics swap. The body looks like it would be hard to route for a second pickup.

I drove two Quantum 5s before I switched to playing Zons. Mine both had a very shallow neck and a relatively flat fretboard. Alembic could probably make something like it, but you miay find yourself making regular truss rod adjustments on a wooden version of the Quantum neck. Zon's necks are a bit rounder, but the sound of their set neck basses is a lot warmer than the Quantums were.

There was also a significant difference in tone between the Modulus basses that came with EMGs vs the ones equipped with Bartolini pickups. Both of my Q5s had the EMGs, and the sterile and harsh tones were why I traded in for Zon. I think a simple electronics replacement from Alembic will go a long way.

pace · « **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2004, 08:32:11 AM »

The EMGs are Modulus' weakest link (along w/ the fact they no longer make a neck through).....

Seems that a lot of folks dig graphite, dig Alembic, but cant find a happy medium (ebony laminates aside).... Bring back the early 80's!!!!!!!

bsee · « **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2004, 01:10:58 PM »

My Q5s were both neck through. They were extremely unforgiving if your technique wasn't just right. It was always 'clicky' for me unless I was paying more attention to technique than I wanted to. In retrospect, I believe the electronics were to blame for the sterile tone, but I let the second one go because I believed it was the neck-through graphite that was doing it at the time. The first was stolen, as so many of our favorite instruments tend to be over the years.

somatic · « **Reply #6 on:** June 14, 2004, 02:25:29 AM »

Pace, I suggest you try a Status if you want a carbon/graphite + timber combo. Maybe the S2 or the KingBass. I have an early Series 2000 (equivalent to the current Stealth) and it's a lovely bass.

bigbass · « **Reply #7 on:** June 23, 2004, 08:50:56 PM »

I have a Quantum fretless 6 with a sweet spot that I have Alembic-ized. It sounds wonderful and very different than my other Alembics. I have a friend who also converted his but was unsatisfied with the non-wood fingerboard. We both agree that the fingerboard needs to be made of wood to sound exceptional.

jimbobv · « **Reply #8 on:** June 25, 2004, 10:24:47 AM »

I've got a second hand '85 TBX neck thru with Alembic PUs and electronics, and have taken it up as my main axe for now. I love the sound I'm getting, the range is HUGE, but it takes some hunting around for the right sound, but shortly I'll be able to dial it in quickly. It has Main volume, a p/u selecter switch, a Q switch & knob. Note: I was listening to a couple tracks of Grateful Dead, I believe at Brendan Byrne Arena - and in between songs Phil is adjusting the filters (Godfather?), then going into the tune. Hearing the result is very interesting. The sound seems to pick up much more bottom end during the song than just bass alone.