Soliciting electronics and materials opinions

[David Willard (dreamer)]

Hi,
I would like some inputs for electronics and types of wood and their affect on appearance.  I prefer simple controls without a lot of knobs and switches.  But I like tonal versatility.  I play mostly hard rock and some occassional blues.  So I am looking for a tone that has a lot of bottom, with the occassional high notes.  I also throw some distortion and wah in from time to time.
 
With regards to wood, I am looking for a top wood with red as the major color and some black contrasts.  I had considered burl redwood, but I have been seeing some very bright cocobolo recently.  The Spector I play now is solid maple and the weight gets tiring after an hour or two.  I would like something a little lighter.  I have considered ash, but the color is so bright and light I think it will take away from dark red and black look that I am trying to get together.
 
Also if there are any Alembic players in or near northern Ohio, drop me a line.  I have yet to actually hold and be able to play an Alembic.  Thanks. dw711@yahoo.com

[James L. Martin (malthumb)]

David,
 
If you are concerned about the weight of the bass, cocobolo may not be the wood for you.  I've never heard a better sounding wood (I still think my 5 string is the best sounding bass I've ever heard) but it does make for a heavier bass.
 
As far as getting to hold / play an Alembic, how north are you in northern Ohio?  I'm in Detroit.  Roughly an hour north of Toledo.

[David Willard (dreamer)]

Thanks James.  I had thought about the density of cocobolo but there are two 5 string Orion with cocobolo and a mahogany core and the advertised weight is 9.5 lbs.  The bass I have now is around 11.5 lbs. I don't know how the Orion compares in size to the Europa or the featured special Autumn Delight or to the Spector that I have now, but I think I can get a lot of wood features without going much over the weight that I have now.
 
To answer your question, I am in Sandusky. So I am about 1.5 to 2.0 hours to the metro area depending on where exactly you are.  I just moved here from Novi, so I know the metro area pretty well.  Sometime on a weekend maybe I can drop you a line and you can show off your goods to me.  Any thoughts on electronics?

[Paul Lindemans (palembic)]

Hi David,
 
what about the Excel electronics: 1 pick-up with volume, bass and treble.
Adding a second pick-up adds lower sounds but will add also a pan-pot in this set-up.
Maybe than it's a better idea to go for volume, pan, filter and Q-switch?
 
Take care!
 
Paul
 
PS: about woods, I think there are other reddish woods available than coco-bolo.
There are people around who would kill me on this but I can also imagine a nice 5A flamed maple with a nice translucent red paint?

[David M. McKenney (david_mckenney)]

Howdy! Youngstown, Ohio here. Have you tried your friendly neighbourhood Alembic dealers? There's bound to be a dealer listing somewhere on this website (mind you, I haven't been looking myself, but I also haven't bumped into one, either...). And, I can vouch for the dealer in Kent, Ohio, who has a lovely selection of Alembics in stock (including a RED, RED, RED vermillion-topped 4-string fretless set-neck).
 
My only words of caution for you: ONCE YOU HAVE PLAYED AN ALEMBIC, YOU CAN'T GO BACK TO ORDINARY INSTRUMENTS! There are Alembics, and the rest are planks. Hee hee!
 
Play nice,
 
David McK.

[Matt Bulmer (prime)]

USA Dealer Listing: http://www.alembic.com/family/usa_dealers.html
 
There are a number in Ohio.
 
Heed David's caution! No one warned me and I think I shall be forever biased.

[David Willard (dreamer)]

Thanks for the feedback on Ohio dealers.  I just moved here and don't know where all of the towns are.  Plus just because a dealer is an Alembic, doesn't mean they are knowlegeable.  I lived in Virginia Beach for 4 years and the Alembic dealer there never had an Alembic in stock during the whole 4 years.
 
Paul-I like the idea of simplified electronics and maybe finding my own variation.  I have read a few posts from people who really like the Excel sound.  Do you have any opinions?

[Paul Lindemans (palembic)]

Hi there David,
 
I think you should ask Mister EXCELlence about this: our brother Rami. See his collection Excels in the Showcase department.
 
Paul
 
PS: maybe an Excel with just 1 fat-boy and 1volume knob? VERY simple!  Than you'll have to put it through a F1-X and a SF-2 (as preamp and filter) you will have a hell-uffa-sound to shape and knobs to tweak but ...a VERY simple bass!
;-)