Author Topic: Vented Hollowbody Tribute (Read 784 times)

osoloco69 · « **on:** September 13, 2005, 12:08:58 AM »

Is there a way to have a hollowbody tribute with f-holes? I would be interested in a hollowbody with a through neck and two humbuckers, one at the bridge and one at the neck, stacked tone/volume pots for the two pickups, a coil tap, stereo effects loop, master volume post loop, and a rmc midi pickup. I would like the midi volume to be handled like that of rose. Would there be anyway to buy custom plans? Are there any plans for a standard tribute for sale? Thank you.

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** September 13, 2005, 06:21:48 AM »

Hi, welcome to the group. Your profile says you're a luthier; what kind of instruments do you build?

In a previous thread on a somewhat similar request, Val's response suggests that a hollowbody, or something similar, is a subject that gets discussed at the shop from time to time. According to Val the research and development will be quite expensive as Alembic will want the results to be at their high standards. So the answer would appear to be that for a one-off custom order, a hollowbody would be exceedingly expensive and probably take a very long time.

It sounds like you are asking that Alembic put non-Alembic pickups and electronics in an Alembic guitar. Again because Alembic maintains high standards, they only use Alembic pickups and electronics. An exception would be the midi pickup, which if I recall correctly, they've done a few of on a custom order basis. And speaking of custom order electronics, because custom electronics go to Ron's bench, and because such orders take time and care, and because there are always a number of projects waiting to get to his bench, a custom electronics order can be a bit of a wait (and not inexpensive).

But I'm just reflecting what I've picked up here in the forum; Val and Mica will be better able to address your questions.

lbpesq · « **Reply #2 on:** September 13, 2005, 07:32:05 AM »

As for the midi pickup, Alembic has mounted the Roland unit which is a narrow pickup that is placed near the bridge. The RMC system is totally different. I have the RMC midi pickup in my Godin LGXT-SA, and I'm also having it mounted in a Fernandes Masterhand that is undergoing an extensive modification (and being Alembicized) by Gary Brawer. While I prefer the RMC to the Roland pickup, the RMC won't work on an Alembic. The RMC is bascially six individual pickups mounted in six bridge pieces that replace the kind found on Strats and other Fender types with the strings mounting through the back of the guitar. This won't work with an Alembic as Alembic makes their own bridges that don't use the Fender style individual bridge pieces or the rear mounting strings. Perhaps you could get RMC to make you a one-off (or would it be a six-off?) I have no idea whether they'd do it, but I suspect if they did it would be VERY expensive.

Bill, the guitar one

pace · « **Reply #3 on:** September 16, 2005, 01:22:15 PM »

Some good ideas here~ they have resonance because a lot of this stuff has been discussed before!!!

The RMC tracks soooo much better than the Roland GK. I feel that if synth pups were more popular, Alembic should / could / would license a similar design and incorporate it into their brass bridges.

As far as a hollow body / neck thru design~ Im holding my breath.... I'd like to think that it's not too far down the road....

And finally~ a stereo effects loop!!!! I think it's a great idea. Ideally if Alembic was to do it, it sould be a series instrument with two 5-pin XLRs~ one for the standard power supply, and another wired with 2 send pins, 2 return pins and a common ground for both. This would plug into it's own box w/ impedance transformers running to 2 sets of 1/4 effect loop jacks.... It would also be nice to have a selector switch similar to what Rami has on the Big Byrd for selecting your routing (bridge dry, bridge wet, neck dry, neck wet, etc etc....)

-Mike

David Houck · « **Reply #4 on:** September 16, 2005, 02:39:39 PM »

Mike; while you're at it, it might be helpful for the impedance transformers to be switchable.

lbpesq · « **Reply #5 on:** September 16, 2005, 03:57:39 PM »

Sounds like a lot of wires. Maybe this should be called the Alembic ICU mod. LOL

Bill, tgo

pace · « **Reply #6 on:** September 17, 2005, 11:51:33 PM »

Dave~ I'd love to rectify the problem between active electronics and certain stomp boxes. The switchable transformers may or may not help, as soon as I have the time I'm going to tinker around with the idea.

Bill~ if we could only add a hexaphonic ebow incased in an iron lung we'd be all set!!!!......lol.....

I had a dream a few months ago where I was in the shop with Ron, going over the idea of a stereo effects loop, and he said it was going to cost $11,000 to incorporate it into the guitar!!!!! Guess I'll keep dreaming.....

osoloco69 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 21, 2005, 06:53:27 PM »

Maybe it could look a bit like this but with different knobs(only prefer two humbuckers). I was thinking of a rmc 13 pin and an effects loop with a footboard that has a pre-amp wired in the front of the effects in the loop(on the floor), but your dual 5 pin interests me. Would this power the electronics fully? I would rather not have a bettery and battery covering.

tom_z · « **Reply #8 on:** September 21, 2005, 07:18:21 PM »

Wow - interesting hybrid of two Resurrection guitars. It looks like a photoshop job - or did Tim really build something like that?

osoloco69 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 21, 2005, 08:24:51 PM »

this is a photoshop prototype...Tim did make a hollowbody tribute though...this is the shape that I am looking for. I have spoken with tim and he is interested in the idea. I am thinking of a special hollow through neck that will take a good bit of time to route from the side. What do y'all think of the shape?

pace · « **Reply #10 on:** September 22, 2005, 01:32:04 PM »

That's a scary combination of Jerry's & Trey's main axes..... Seriously~ scary!!!!!

Im with ya on the idea of a neck-thru hollowbody, but I'm curious why it would have to be routed from the side?!?!?

osoloco69 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 22, 2005, 09:00:18 PM »

Just to add a little more resonance from the airspace in the center of the block part of the neck. This will achieve the longer sustain of a neck through design but with a little little less muting from the block. This also allows for no bracing to be used for the top and back. If the sides are solid cut from laminates in block form they would be sturdier than bent sides and would have a very unique tone. This would be easy to achieve with a cnc system. Think of the block of the through neck looking like a sewing needle with an eye, where the neck is the point and the block is the eye when viewed from the side.

osoloco69 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 22, 2005, 09:03:00 PM »

Will alembic make something like the Steve Cripe eagle, or is Irwin the only GD luthier alembic copies because of his previous employment?

son_of_magni · « **Reply #13 on:** October 06, 2005, 05:39:56 PM »

You mean something like this?

osoloco69 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 09, 2005, 01:16:19 PM »

Holy shittaker man YES.....YESYESYES...thats it...bend 2&5/8 sides or preferrably use flatsawn wood that thickness and route the inside to accomodate the neckthrough, and then take the tops and back and carve the curvature leaving for the center of both to not have any curvature to fit the neckthrough comfortably and tight. Is this for the further? Wow sustain and light weight. and people thought I was crazy for thinking of such ideas. What does this option do to price?