Hi gang! I've been extensively playing my new Signature Balance K, and... it's just incredibly awesome.
I had to go back and re-adjust the neck again; after sitting overnight, I guess the adjustments settled in more, and when I was playing it earlier, I found the action had become too high... so I reversed 3 of the 10 1/6 turns/rotations I did the the truss rods, slightly lowered the bridge back to where it was, and lowered the nut almost all the way, leaving just a little raised on the bass side. It's perfect, or close to... the B string is almost buzzing... borderline.
Anyway, again, it's just incredible, awesome in every respect. The beauty of the instrument is stunning; it just has tremendous presence. The sound quality is fantastic, and the upgraded electronics kick some serious butt. And the Balance K is awesome looking and extremely comfortable to play.
It's exactly what I wanted... everything I hoped for -and a little bit more. Though it can't compete with the range and power of my Ebony neck-fortified 8-string Europa... it wasn't designed or intended to. Different paradigm.
The bass is just incredibly comfortable and easy to play... I can just totally shred on it. The combination of the shorter scale, narrow neck, and Balance K body make it by far the most comfortable and playable bass I've ever played. It's just so easy to play it... I can't describe it.
And though it doesn't have the overwhelming power and brightness of my 8-string, it's no slouch; and, conversely, my 8-string, while having incredible low end sustain, power, and brightness, simply doesn't have as rich and complex a tone.
This bass is an incredible tone monster. The tone is just so warm, rich, versatile... and likeable. It has a very inviting tone; when you hear it, you just have to like it... it makes you like it. I can't describe it.
I'm sure it's the result of the recipe. The recipe for this bass was VERY carefully thought out. The top, back and body are Alembics house recipe; I hedged the bet, and maximized the Coco Bolo sound by getting it BTCered on both sides. Then I further customized/refined the sound by modifying the neck; the 5 different proven tone woods in the neck also contribute to a very rich and complex tone... five different great sounding woods in a great balance. It works!
A couple parting comments: I'm TOTALLY sold on Coco Bolo... it looks great, and more importantly sounds great! It's very clear to me why Alembic, and so many club members are gung-ho on it. Also, I think having at least one Ebony neck laminate is essential. It adds so much... even the single laminate I have in this bass contributes noticably and substantially to the sound. But the Mahogany/Vermillion component to the sound is also VERY noticable, and just great. The Balance K body is just amazing, and I give it the highest recommendation. And finally, I have to strongly advocate the electronics package I chose. I love it, it's awesome, and I'd encourage everyone to get it (if you can afford it.
I've already played around with it LOTS, and I've come to the conclusion that I'd be less than satisfied with either the standard Europa or Signature electronics. Don't get me wrong, they're both great, and versatile. But I just don't find a 2-position Q switch to be enough. I'm used to 4 options (0/4/8/12) with my 8-string; but the 3-position Q is enough -as a minimum. But having the bass & treble controls also is IMO absolutely essential. They complete the electronics, and give a substantially greater degree of control over the sound. If money wasn't an issue, I'd have gotton a set for each pickup... but I have to say the master set works great.
The versatility of this system is amazing. With individual filters, I choose the tone for each pickup with the Q at the 6db setting; then I can either boost it up to 9dbs, or cut it if I prefer; then I mix the sound with the blend control. And then I can add or cut bass and/or treble with my EQ knobs. It's perfect.
I have to say that this is, for me, the ideal MINIMALISTIC electronics package. I don't think I'd be satisfied with anything less. But that said, as a minimalistic electronics package... it's PERFECT.
Individual filters, 3-position Q switches, and a single/master pair of bass & treble controls... this setup rocks, provides incredible versatility, actualizes the sonic potential of the instrument, and is simple and intuitive to use!
Oh, Pierre-Yves, I don't know what to make of your pictures; they're obviously the same picture as Mica posted above, yet your two pictures have some dark wavy line or figuring going across the middle of your circle that isn't present in the picture Mica posted... so again, I don't know what to make of it. But there isn't any issue on the bass itself.
Take care, gang! It seems a little strange to be out of the process now (but I'm REAL happy to have my bass, obviously!!!). I'll be looking forward to everyone else getting their customs, and watching their progress.
And I'll try to get some pictures posted soon. My girlfriend and her camera are with her parents for Yom Kippor, but she'll be back soon, and hopefully she'll have the time to take a couple pictures soon.
Take care, best wishes, all!!!
Mark
