Author Topic: Alembicizing my Geddy Lee (Read 687 times)

jaurigemma · « **on:** March 26, 2006, 06:34:39 PM »

I have been wondering if it would be possible to send my Fender Geddy Lee Jazz bass to Alembic and have them Alembicize it. Now, I know it would no longer be what it is today, but that's cool:

1. Replace the neck with a neck through Alembic neck with Ebony stringers. The body would have to be cut in half to accomodate the new neck.
2. Replace the bridge with a chromed alembic straight tailpiece and chromed bridge/tone block.
3. Replace the Jazz pickups with Alembic Jazz pickups
4. Volume, Bass, Treble for each pickup. Using Concenetric knobs so that the original three knob layout will still work.
5. Ebony fretboard with blocks of maple for inlays.
6. Respray the body black after reconstructing it, and also paint the back of the neck. Glossy finish on the body, but satin on the neck.

Any ideas or thoughts on this?

lbpesq · « **Reply #1 on:** March 26, 2006, 07:12:46 PM »

Sounds like sending your Volkswagen Beetle to Ferrari. Just cut out the frame and replace it with a carbon fiber frame, pull out the engine and replace it with a 12 cylinder, trash the tranny and replace it with Formula 1 paddle shift system, throw out the interior and replace it with Modena interior, replace the differential, tires, brakes, exhaust system and stereo. Then junk the body, replace it with a Modena body, but keep the VW fenders and tack them on. Result? A Ferrari with cheapo VW fenders that probably winds up costing more than just buying a Ferrari in the first place. My two cents is that for not much more (and maybe even less) you'd wind up with a better instrument by just ordering an Alembic shaped like the jazz bass.

Bill, tgo

(Message edited by lbpesq on March 27, 2006)

bsee · « **Reply #2 on:** March 26, 2006, 07:17:31 PM »

Yep, order a new Alembic instead. By the time you get done with all of that, it will probably cost about the same. As far as I can tell, you're pretty much replacing everything except the body.

Seriously, though, ask Valentino for a quote for the work you want done. I bet you're looking at least $6K. If you order a new instrument with the above specs, you're probably not far from the same money. At least, after monthly specials and discounts, you can't be too far off.

One thought on your actual plan is that maple block inlays might be a no-go. Alembic has historically avoided maple boards because they need to be finished or get ugly with grime. You can probably approximate that appearance with golden MOP inlays.

jaurigemma · « **Reply #3 on:** March 26, 2006, 07:21:17 PM »

Gentlemen, I already have three alembics....

jaurigemma · « **Reply #4 on:** March 26, 2006, 07:25:38 PM »

Okay, so with me already have three alembics, and this shaping up to be a no go, maybe a quote for another custom job? Europa or Elan body style, to get that jazz bass look? Eh, what the hell, I barely play my 4 strings anymore anyways, so make it a 6 stringer.

bsee · « **Reply #5 on:** March 26, 2006, 07:29:31 PM »

You can probably get them to dupe the shape of your Geddy if that's what you want.

jaurigemma · « **Reply #6 on:** March 26, 2006, 08:49:58 PM »

True, but I think the Europa or Elan is pretty close to that shape all ready.

Bradley Young · « **Reply #7 on:** March 26, 2006, 09:38:50 PM »

Alembic have done J bass shaped basses before. I suspect that they would do another.

Brad

the_axle · « **Reply #8 on:** March 27, 2006, 02:19:54 PM »

You can find some pictures of a jazz bass shaped Alembic in the following URL:
http://ccgi.psstpsst.force9.co.uk/php/alebass.php

Landry

jacko · « **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2006, 04:09:53 AM »

The rogue is even more jazz / precision shaped. (although much prettier).

Graeme

evilgus · « **Reply #10 on:** March 29, 2006, 06:17:15 PM »

Even just fitting the stock Jazz Activators with blend and filter makes a decent Jazz bass sound pretty awesome, IMHO! I used to own a '75 maple neck Jazz and was never that blown away until I put the Activators in it. Then I was stupid enough to sell the bass (to fund my first decent 5-string) and I've always regretted it!

EG

bigredbass · « **Reply #11 on:** March 29, 2006, 11:29:03 PM »

JauriG

Save your money and have a custom built.

Meanwhile, be sneaky: Replace the Fender pickups and electronics with a suitable ALEMBIC Activator setup (2-J Activators, w/vol/blend/filter) which will leave it virtually stock-looking (unless you look REAL close) and amaze everybody that YOUR Geddy sounds SO much better than any other! Tell 'em you got it or $200 in a pawn shop . . .

J o e y

David Houck · « **Reply #12 on:** March 31, 2006, 03:24:25 PM »

4. Alembic uses only specific pots that meet their high standards. I don't recall seeing any concentric pots on an Alembic. I'm guessing that concentric pots would not be an option.

5. Esthetically, I like the idea of Maple inlays on an Ebony board. It occurs to me however that because different woods expand and contract at different rates, such a combination might be problematic on a fretboard. I'm just guessing though; Mica or Val would know better than I.

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 31, 2006, 05:30:23 PM »

Correction: see haddimudd's doubleneck custom in the Showcase for an example of concentric controls.

Mike

David Houck · « **Reply #14 on:** March 31, 2006, 05:48:57 PM »

Mike; you're right! My memory is just unreliable; I should have run a search!