My future bass

[Ryan Baggio (ryanb)]

Hello all. I must say that this forum is an excellent resource, especially for those like myself who plan to order a custom Alembic within the next year or so.
  Anyway, for my first of many questions for the gang: I plan to buy a custom 5 string short scale bass; my question concerns going with the purpleheart or the ebony neck laminates. I'm assuming that one's choice of front and back woods will influence this decision, no? Or does anybody suggest using ebony on a short scale regardless of the body woods? (I haven't yet decided on body wood, but I know I would like my bass to be very dark).
  My next question concerns body type. I very much like the triple omega shape, and I was wondering if it would be advisable to go to a 3/4 scale triple omega or stay with the full size. I'm wondering if there are any balance issues to be concerned with here. I would appreciate any feedback anyone can offer me at the beginning of my long trek towards my perfect bass.
    Thanks, Ryan.
ps-I would like to thank Alembic with all of my 5'6 body for being committed to producing QUALITY short scales

[Wayne McLemore (wayne)]

Hey Ryan, welcome!
 
As I've said before E-BO-NY!!!
 
I've now owned two basses with the Ebony neck lams and will never go back.  I personally would make the decision based on the tone you want to obtain, not the look.  The top and back woods will influence the tone, but not near as much as the neck lams.  I recommend talking with Mica about the tone qualities you're wanting and build the bass accordingly.  That's why the Unicorn has Coco Bolo (usually reserved for tops) as an accent laminate.  I knew I wanted the tonal qualities that Coco brings to the party, but the inlay called for a Maple top and back.
 
The Ebony is a tone monster.  If you're looking for big, tight, kickin' bottom end, get Ebony.  I would think that Ebony in a short scale neck would come close to matching a regular scale neck for sustain and low frequeny reproduction - not that standard Alembic short scales lack low end.
 
You could never go wrong with an Ebony neck under Coco Bolo top and back woods.  That gets your dark body with the best tone woods available.  Or, you could go all Ebony if you're ready for a 15+ pound short scale bass.  ;-)
 
My only comment on balance issues - virtually all standard shape Alembics are neck heavy.  That's the price for aesthetics.  Going with a version of the large standard (i.e. Triple Omega) with the short scale should eliminate most of the neck dive.
 
Well, I've rambled enough.  Next!!
 
C-Ya.............wayne

[Ryan Baggio (ryanb)]

Hey thanks for the quick response Wayne. I actually thought about the 'Ebony Bass' before you mentioned it, but don't think that's gonna happen  I'm now looking at the possibility of a clarke deluxe model with ebony neck upgrades. Hmm... so much to think about. TTYL, Ryan.

[mica]

Wayne's observations about Ebony necks are spot-on. It's the bossiest wood around, especially when you use it in the neck it pretty much takes over. Of course there are subtle differences expressed by different body woods, but their affect is lessened when we build with Ebony in the neck.
 
This short scale Ebony neck bass we made had the voice of a long scale with the feel of a short.
 
We all love the sound of the Ebony neck laminates. They do come at price, both with cost and added weight, but the sound of a sustained fundamental is worth it.

[Duncan Muller (muller1007)]

Wayne,
 
First of all, I think the Unicorn is one of the most beautiful works of Art I've seen so far!!
I am really curious how the Unicorn sounds. Can you describe the specific tonal characters of the Unicorn? I personally enjoy having crystal clear highs (with that specific Alembic tingle) and thunderous lows. Isn't there any way to hear you play the Unicorn via the internet?
 
How does the quilted maple combine with the cocobolo accents and the ebony neck lams? If I would have my dreambass built, it would have the specifics of the Unicorn. I really love the looks of the quilted maple.
 
Duncan

[Wayne McLemore (wayne)]

Thanks Duncan.  Much of the credit must go to the gang in Santa Rosa.  I simply had the idea - they're the ones that made it happen.  Susan, Mica and I literally spent hours talking through inlay design, placement, wood combinations, etc..  
 
I believe Kris did the bookmatches and chose the Flame Maple for the back.  And the continuous wood plates....ahhhhh.  The carving of the Omega is perfect.  And James did a phenomenal job with the inlays.  The logo with rays is simply amazing.  I don't recall who did the hardware, but the radius rail bridge is an absolute crowning touch to a Series II.
 
Wait, you asked about sound.  Well, it's Ebony.  The bottom end is outstanding.  I can actually play eighth-note runs on the B-string and have them sound like actual notes with pitch and tone and timbre.  I've noticed that the highs on The Unicorn are not quite as sparkling as they were on The Dark and The Light (also Ebony neck with Coco top).  However - the DAL bass was last strung with D'Addario Prisms (all steel) and the Unicorn currently sports Thomastik Jazz Rounds (nickel).  The highs are pristine and smooth.  The Alembic tingle is there, it's just not at all harsh.  I think it's the combo of the Coco, the softer Flame Maple core and neck and the light-gauge nickel strings.  In general, I'm describing the Unicorn sound as especially balanced throughout the frequency range.
 
I'll see if I can get something recorded and figure out a place to post it.  And I reserve the right to change my description as I get futher acquainted with the bass.  I've actually only had it for just over a week (y'all got to see photos of the finished product before Ron got the electronics happy), I'm still in the experimental stage.
 
More later....
 
C-Ya.............wayne

[Rami Sourour (rami)]

Hi Guys,
 
I'm still new to the club.  Wayne, your bass just totally knocked me out.  A true work of art in design and construction.  I always knew that the Alembic staff are capable of bringing any dream to life.
 
As for my Bass...I decided to have my cake and eat it too!!!
 
I went for a complete Ebony and Purpleheart Bass.  No other wood allowed!  It has a Purpleheart neck with Ebony laminates.  With that in combination with a 36 scale...I'm looking for the ULTIMATE monsterous growl...!
 
The Pickup covers have become quite a hit as well.  Mica informed me that this is the first time they ever made continuous wood pickup covers.  
 
I definitely feel that Ebony is the way to go!

[Kris Stewart (elwoodblue)]

Rami,
 could you direct me to some pics of the continuous wood pickup covers... : ) great idea!
 
thanks kindly,
 kris

[mica]

Check here to see a big picture of Rami's continuous pickup covers. They are cool.

[Kris Stewart (elwoodblue)]

thank you Mica )
I'm seeing my dream guitar (spalted buckeye burl) with them.
 
Kris

[stephen lockhoff (bassman247)]

I am looking to build a six string bass . I am considering ebony neck lams with coco bolo front and back .Body design either triple omega or europa . Fingerboard ebony and basically all series II UPGRADES . Please advise as to how this combo would sound . I play alot of jazz . After speaking with Mica I think I AM CLOSE TO OUR CREATION . yOUR BROTHER IN MUSIC ,STEPHEN LOCKHOFF