Author Topic: Quincy's Custom Signature (Read 836 times)

bassman10096 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 13, 2003, 08:55:39 PM »

Quincy: That is a great-looking bass! You must be thrilled.
Is this your first short scale bass? How does the 5-string neck balance for you? What's the string tension like? How does the low B sound to you?
Pardon all my questions, but I'm planning a custom-build and wish I could make a small standard body work with a medium scale, 5 str neck. Maybe a short scale would work as well, give only 1 1/4 in difference in scale length from the medium.
Best luck with your new baby.

Bill

bishopqdog · « **Reply #16 on:** November 15, 2003, 09:58:13 AM »

Well Bill it's like this, ther bass looks great. I just have a couple of things I'm trying to work through. (1)I have the strap locks on but the head and neck keep taking a nose dive. The bass won't stay in regular playing position. I don't know if that constitutes a balnce problem or not. Maybe someone can help me with that. Maybe someone can reccomend a differnet strap. I'm using the same kind of strap that I'm using with my epic 6 and my syklark. (2)I haven't truely heard the B string yet. I'm getting a rattle that make the bass sound like two notes are being sounded. Mica told me to raise the action. The bass side is raised a lot probably too much, it bride is very uneven. I still don't hear the true B note. The B string doesn't sound very good, but I'm still working on it. Mica also suggested a truss rod ajustment, which I haven't done yet. On;y beacuse I haven't done that before and I'm a little scared to do it.

Voicing these concerns are in no way disappointment with the bass or a loss in faith in Alembic. I'm sure after these issues are taken care of it will be all that I thought it would be.

bassman10096 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 15, 2003, 10:19:50 AM »

Quincy,

Sounds like a case for a really trustworthy guitar tech to get you set up. I hate truss rods myself and would definitely go for experienced help with anything I was uncomfortable with.

How wide is the strap and what is it backed with? Mica told me a 4 width and the suede side of the leather would provide the best combination of footprint + stickiness for the strap to hold in place.

Good luck and keep us posted with your progress. I agree - I think you'll get it right. Other threads talking about B string sound seem to indicate to me that it will work out with adjustment.

It's a beautiful bass. I've been thinking about the kind of flame you've got there if I were to decide not to go with coco bolo for my bass.
Good luck and keep at it.

Bill

bishopqdog · « **Reply #18 on:** November 15, 2003, 06:39:06 PM »

Besides the above concerns, it's a very warm and musical bass. I love the signature electronics, very flexible. I'll try it out at church tommorrow.

bigbadbill · « **Reply #19 on:** November 22, 2003, 01:32:14 PM »

I was just wondering how you got on with your bass (which is beautiful by the way). Did you manage to sort the B string out? With regards to the neck dive, my Stanley Clarke Signature Deluxe does the same thing and its only a 4 string. I would have expected the balance on a 5 string Small Standard to suffer to be honest, given the placement of the strap button. Just hope you're managing to get by with it.

bishopqdog · « **Reply #20 on:** November 23, 2003, 06:29:11 PM »

I had the truss rod ajusted by a luthier/guitar shop owner. I am still not happy with the rattle buzz sound I'm getting with the B string. I'll take it back once more and it that doesn't solve the problem, I don't know what to do. I can live with the balance problem, I can't live with the buzz and rattle. Otherwise, I love the bass. The rattle and buzz is the only thing keeping me from being totally thrilled with the bass.

jl_mitchell · « **Reply #21 on:** November 24, 2003, 08:48:08 AM »

I have been playing a short-scale small standard body Series II since July and the balance has been fine. In fact, the bass has excellent balance.

You need to get the proper strap. I have a wonderful Comfort Strap which I bought at the Bass Gallery in London. I believe that it is made out of the same material that they make scuba outfits from (neoprene?)and it has a very wide section which rests at the shoulder. It is the most comfortable strap that I have ever used.

James

bigbadbill · « **Reply #22 on:** November 24, 2003, 10:25:36 AM »

Hi James

Yeah, I've got a Comfort strap which I got in the same place (great shop!). My bass still dives though! Maybe the body of your bass is heavier? (could be all those electronics...). I do think it makes a difference where you wear the bass as well for some reason (I also found this with my 8 string Rickenbacker; the higher it went, the better the balance). Obviously each individual instrument is going to vary to some degree based on the varying density of woods used. All the small standards I've played have headed floorwards when strapped on, but then I've never strapped on a Series 2 small standard.....mmmmmm.

Quincy, have you discussed the possibility of returning the bass to Alembic to see if they can sort out the B-string problem? I don't know how feasible this is; just a thought. Also, how heavy do you play? If you dig in,this could be exacerbating the problem. Anyway, best of luck and I hope you manage to get it sorted out.

dela217 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 24, 2003, 11:37:16 AM »

I use a small standard bodied bass that is a Series 2 and it still neck dives. BUT, I wouldn't have it any other way! I actually incorporate the neck heaviness in with my style of playing. I anchor my right forearm against the body of the bass when I play. This is just soooo natural for me, that when I play with a conventional bass, the balance seems wrong. It probably will take a little getting used to, but once you do, you won't want to have it any other way. I have been playing small standard basses since the late 70's, so I guess I am quite used to it.

mica · « **Reply #24 on:** November 24, 2003, 03:32:47 PM »

If your B string is buzzing look for the following culprits:

1. Not enough forward bow in neck.
If there isn't much clearance under the strings, they can bottom out on the top of the frets and cause terrible buzz. This is relieved by loosening the truss rods and letting the strings pull more bow into the neck.

2. Strings too low.
Again, a string clearance issue. You may need to raise the action at the bridge. If the buzz is only on the open string, then raise the nut (otherwise leave the nut height alone).

3. Playing aggressively.
Shaun mentioned this in his last post, and it's a good suggestion. If you like to dig in really hard, you'll need to increase to forward bow and raise the action, and perhaps back off a little with your touch. Some combination of these ideas should be able to solve the buzz you're experiencing with your bass.

We'll be offering excellent 4 inch wide straps within a month or so. If you haven't found your ultimate strap by then, you might want to check them out.

Keep us posted, Quincy!

bishopqdog · « **Reply #25 on:** November 24, 2003, 07:04:38 PM »

thanks for the suggestions. I am committed to this bass and to finding the best solution to my problem. I'll post my progress. Thanks for your interest and concern.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #26 on:** November 27, 2003, 05:07:45 AM »

I have a small bodied SC Deluxe short scale bass and when I first had it the problem with the neck diving was a bit of a headache. However I have found like many others a wide strap is a must. I tend to play with the bass ( and guitar for that matter )not completely flat against the front of my body as I notice a lot of bass players do.

I tend to play with the instrument resting slightly on the side of my hip... the same place where women carry their young kids ha ha ha.
With my forearm resting on the top of the bass, it's in the right position especially if you play near the neck pickup.

This I find minimises movement whilst playing and I tend to re-adjust position between numbers now.... or may be I've just adjusted naturally to the movement.
***************************************
Now some money saving tips from McDonalds ( if you are in the uk you will get the joke :-))

1) To cover up the neck diving... move downwards with the neck whilst you play the low notes so it looks cool.. if it goes too low or you have a 5 string short scale bass then get to the front of the stage where there is more space to get below the stage floor ...

2) When when you get to the high notes pull the bass up like the a rock guitar god and waggle it about to get extra vibrato on the sustained high note thereby shuffling the strap back into position.... :-)

3) Use an acoustic guitar strap and tie one end to the body strap peg and the other around the headstock behind the nut...

:-)

Maximum pose value...

hubertarian · « **Reply #27 on:** November 27, 2003, 01:36:44 PM »

Regarding low string buzz and rattle;

I have found with both my Series basses, that the angle between the tailpiece and nut is just shy of providing strong downforce on the saddle, and that's where my rattles come from.

My solution has been to put a bend, gently, but sharply, on the ball end, such that the string exits the anchor slot as parallel as one can get toward the bridge; on some softer strings I have also done the following: taken a wee piece of core, or a short length of guitar string, wound .036 or so, and twist-tied the bit of string around the low string, using wee pliers, anchoring the segment of string between the bridge and tailpiece to the saddle adjuster screw, to provide just enough downward pressure to keep it solid on the saddle.

hubertarian · « **Reply #28 on:** November 27, 2003, 01:49:28 PM »

oops, sorry about that -- file format silliness ...
try this?