Why is my knob at an angle from the centre of my body?

[jazzyvee]

Just a random observation that got me thinking so I thought i'd share it. On the series basses the knobs and switches are aligned on lines that seems parallel to the centre line of the instrument, whereas on the signature instruments based on them have the  knobs on lines that is angled away from the centre line of the instrument body.  
 
It got me wondering what the practical reason was for the different approaches to knob layout. Also the brown basses seem to be parallel to body centre too but I guess that's to mimic the series brown basses Stanley used to have in the past.
 
As with all things Alembic, I'm sure there is a logic behind it.  
 
Series 1
http://club.alembic.com/Images/16271/18483.html?1361485906
 
Series 2
http://club.alembic.com/Images/16271/41122.html?1182027166
 
Signature
http://club.alembic.com/Images/16271/16368.html?1320955206
 
Brown Bass
http://club.alembic.com/Images/16271/113006.html?1315948770
 
Any idea's, speculations, conspiracy theories or facts welcome.  
jazzyvee
 
(Message edited by jazzyvee on August 14, 2013)

[cje]

I'd think that it's what's attached to the knob inside the electronics cavity that might be dictating their position (at least a little), in addition to all the other stuffed crammed into the instrument that has no knob to show for it!
 
I know that determining the controls layout on my Further was one of the more laborious and stressful parts of my build.  I had extremely detailed ideas, and Mica, Ron, and team artfully matched up my esthetic desires with the physical realities of putting a spaceship inside a guitar.  This image doesn't even include the Roland guts, but you can see the amount of creative energy that went in to making it a reality.
 

[jalevinemd]

I've owned/own several vintage BC Rich guitars. Specs and such are all over the map. The saying was that it depended on how much tequila the boys had been drinking on any given day. Our Alembics are made in the herb friendly state of CA, so who knows.
 
Hahahahahahahaha....

[cje]

With Alembic, you can be assured that it is a precision decision.

[jalevinemd]

All kidding aside. I've got two custom Alembics, both  with the same Darling electronics. Yet the knob layout is quite different. In fact, on the burl guitar you can see that the bottom right knob doesn't even line up quite right with the others. I honestly never noticed this before. Seeing it now doesn't bother me, but I can't postulate a reason for it other than "poetic license."  

[bigredbass]

Aha !    
 
Now a parallel enigma to why aren't my strings centered' up with the neck inlays.
 
j o e y

[jacko]

probably best not to mention misaligned tailpieces right now ;-)
 
Graeme

[jazzyvee]

Before this thread diversifies, I would prefer if it didn't stray into a quality control thread. I wasn't implying misalignment or fault, merely wanted to find out if there was a practical ergonomic reason for the differences in placement of my knobs.
 
Jazzyvee

[jacko]

Sorry V :-(  There are quite a few F2C threads where folk have had custom layouts e.g. flax's 'scarlet' and hal's tomahawk so I don't suppose anything is set in stone as far as layout goes. probably what's easiest for the electronics but they can change .
 
graeme

[pauldo]

Handmade instead of 'cookie-cutter' CNC production = beautiful.

[jalevinemd]

Jazzy,
 
Apologies. Guess I misunderstood the original thread.

[that_sustain]

With my palm wrapped around the curve of the bass..every knob variation fits all the fingers on my hand(including the multiple angles of the bass, treble..and Q switches).  Medium scale bass for a medium size guy.  I think Alembic has technique in mind with their placement of the knobs.

[jzstephan]

 
Here's how Mica did the layout for my knobs.

[jacko]

I never tire of looking at your top wood John. Wasn't your layout skewed to account for the side mounted jack?
 
graeme

[jazzyvee]

Now wouldn't it be cool to have a tailpiece that matched that dark wing shape.
 
jazzyvee