Author Topic: Sacrificial veneer-remember when? (Read 244 times)

alemboid · « **on:** January 29, 2004, 12:04:30 PM »

I remember before I could afford an Alembic, I used to hoard anything I could find on their basses- pictures, catalogs, audio etc. One thing I remember: an old pamplet I had pointed out that Alembic uses a sacrificial veneer between the fret board and the neck wood. Low and behold-it is there on my pre 2000 Alembics, but not on my 2003 MK Deluxe 5. Has the factory stopped using this in construction?

Bryant

valvil · « **Reply #1 on:** January 29, 2004, 04:46:11 PM »

Yes Bryant, that was discontinued in the last few years. The idea behind that, if I recall correctly, was that the 'sacrificial veneer' would make it easier to take off an old fretboard and install a new one; I remember Mica telling me a year or 2 ago that the guys realized that it wasn't really needed because the ebony fretboards are so thick that they can be taken off without endangering the neck.

Valentino

dela217 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 29, 2004, 05:27:52 PM »

My 2000 Custom came without the sacrificial veneer. I was kinda disappointed that it was not there. I think that was one of the things that made an Alembic what it is, in my opinion anyway.

alemboid · « **Reply #3 on:** January 29, 2004, 08:14:41 PM »

Yep. I get the same feeling. A Hippy Sandwich, is a Hippy Sandwich, is a Hippy Sandwich. I still love my bass, though!!!

Keep on Thumpin',
Bryant

bob · « **Reply #4 on:** January 29, 2004, 09:44:49 PM »

So tell us, what wood was used, and how thick was it?

Just curious, doesn't really seem all that important other than the nostalgia factor.

(Message edited by bob on January 29, 2004)

alemboid · « **Reply #5 on:** January 29, 2004, 09:58:42 PM »

Well, from what I can tell, it looks like walnut. I'd say its about 1/32 inch thick, or 2mm. The same thickness as one layer of the headstock laminate on a neck through bass or the same as the walnut neck veneer on a set neck bass like the Orion. Subtle detail, intended as function, but enhanced beauty- As someone famous once said, Nice to ogle at during boring guitar solos. ;-)

I guess removing it from construction is a bit like breaking /tradition/.

Bryant

adriaan · « **Reply #6 on:** January 30, 2004, 04:35:07 AM »

Well, I grew up in a world of metrics, and it looks like 1 mm to me, if it is that much. My guess would be 1/25 inch (1 inch equals 25.4 mm).

It is a nice touch to have the extra laminate in that unexpected place - it just gives an Alembic that 'slightly overbuilt' feel.

the_mule · « **Reply #7 on:** January 31, 2004, 12:25:20 AM »

Can anyone post a picture of (part of) an instrument with 'sacrificial veneer' please? I'd like to see what it is. Thanks!

adriaan · « **Reply #8 on:** January 31, 2004, 01:02:15 PM »

Wilfred,

If you look at your Orion's neck from the side, you see the ebony fingerboard, which is nearly black, and the clear yellow maple that makes up the biggest part of the neck.

If your bass has a 'sacrificial veneer', it's actually a very tiny layer of walnut wood between the ebony and the maple. You may have to look twice before you notice it, or perhaps they already stopped putting them in by 1999 ...

Adriaan

the_mule · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2004, 01:00:11 AM »

Adriaan, thanks for the explanation. I've checked my Orion right away, and there's nothing to be seen unfortunately (?) which means that Alembic had already stopped putting it in around August 1999...

Jan R · « **Reply #10 on:** February 01, 2004, 03:19:19 AM »

Wilfred, this should give you an idea : cheers Jan