To tone block or not to...

[jaurigemma]

I have three Alembics, one Epic 4-string and two Excel 5-strings.  My last Excel I had custom spec'd, and included a tone block in the body.  Now, I have noticed the increased sustain of this bass, and I am wondering if it worth the time and money to have my 4-String Epic and other 5-String Excel retrofitted with tone blocks.  What do you all think???
 
Also, my customized Excel has 2 Fatboys, while my other two have the MXY pickups.  What's everyones feedback about the differences in the MXY vs Fatboy?
 
Mica - I still am in awe of the Redwood on the top of my last Excel...  I hope to return to the Fairfield area again soon, so I can take the day trip over to the factory!  I hope to order a six-string eventually, but with another new baby the money won't be around for a year or two!
 
Peace, and greetings to all of you too!!!  I've been away for too long.

[palembic]

Hi Jeffrey,
 
about those blocks: it seems a good idea to me!
I have no clue but I don't think it will be extremely expensive to do.
Beware though: I heard that the kind of metal used for the block is now an option too!
 
About the pick-ups: I heard the word that the fat-boys gave a broader range in sound picked-up.
 
Paul TBO

[evilgus]

I just tried an Excel 4-string last night with a bridge FatBoy and MXY in the middle and I think the FatBoys are awesome. A bit more punch and volume, a very funky sound. The MXY definitely had more clarity and top-end, but how much do you really need??  
 
Cheers,
 
EG

[mica]

Sustain blocks will increase sustain, but remember you're going to make your basses a little heavier by adding them.
 
We can certainly add tehm after the fact, and the price isn't staggering (though the freight bill won't be cheap). Call Valentino at 707-523-2611 if you want to make arrangements for the modification.

[jaurigemma]

I will give Valentino a call here in the next couple of days.  I am stuck working in AZ for the next six months, so I don't even get to play my babies....
 
And Mica, we all know we pay BY THE POUND for our beloved basses and guitars!

[jazzyvee]

Do Alembic guitars have the sustain blocks in as well?
 
Jazzyvee

[serialnumber12]

Yes, all series guitars & basses are equipped with a sustain block as standard equipment.(of course a person could order one w/out it too.)

[jazzyvee]

I wonder if it would be possible, sensible even, to add one to a standard guitar?
 
I have a Vigier Fretless guitar called a Surfretter which has a delta metal ( whatever that is) fretboard which apparently has more sustain than an all wood fretless guitar.
 
However I'm getting used to playing it but find the sound a little dull and lacking in sustain for my liking so I don't use it live yet.
 
I wonder if adding a sustain block to it would be possible and how much improvement in sustain and maybe brightness would it give?  
 
Whilst I'm on the subject could it be alembicised with alembic replacement pickups?
Currently the pickups are dimarzio's
 
 
Here is a link to the site http://www.vigierguitars.com/

[mica]

It looks like the guitar has a single volume and a single tone control. You can combine any 3 Alembic pickups with the 5-position slot switch and 1 volume 1 filter set up.  
 
The general logic is that more mass will equate to more sustain. First stop is to make sure all the slots are cut properly so that the vibration isn't being lost above the nut or below the bridge. You might ask Vigier if they have every installed a mass block below the bridge on this model before.

[jazzyvee]

I couldn't find any alembic pickups in the alembic store for a price?
 
Are they listed secretly in an obscure place. I could only find a few bass Activators.
 
Jazzyvee