(x) Body Shape

[shim]

Can you upload the new picture of my bass?  
You know, I cannot wait for my bass even just one day....  
 
Thanx a lot~!

[susan]

Shim,
 
You'll have to wait a little while for a photo, everyone is busy building or shipping right now.
 
Susan

[mica]

Here's a sneak preview of what you'll be seeing when you open the case:

Please let us know when you receive it - I'm sorry that you weren't able to come and pick it up in person, we're only a 1-hour drive away from San Francisco.

[bassjigga]

Beautiful.

[shim]

I recieved my bass, but somethings are wrong.
 
One : I told you I want to get the 3 way toggle on the Q. But, These are 2 way toggle.
 
Two : Basscentral told me that they include Alembic Strap on my shipping.  
 
What's wrong??
 
I paid all of these specs.

[FC Bass]

How's the bass? She shure looks tasty

[mica]

I found out the problem on the order. Sorry, but I neglected to mark the work order of the Q switch change. The paperwork end was in order, but with coordinating shipping to arrive in time, it was simply overlooked in the final check since it wasn't included on the work order instructions.  
 
Tony has made me replacement filters with Q switches that I will send to you today and you will receive it tomorrow with your strap. You might want to provide a different address since there was some confusion on the receiving end this morning from what I understand.  
 
Changing the parts out is simple, takes on the tools that I will provide in the box with the parts and involves no soldering. You should be able to swap from the 2-position switches to the 3-position switches in less than an hour.  
 
When you make the change, kindly send the filters with 2-position switches back to me. I don't expect you to do this before you get home to Korea.  
 
I'm glad to hear that only one minor problem resulted on this bass through all the changes, and also that we were able to get it delivered in time for you to bring home with you.  
 
It is very important for you to call us at 707 523 2611 with a different shipping address before 3:00 today to make sure the parts, tools and strap will reach you in time.

[shim]

I know there is something wrong in delivery in the morning.  
 
But, if I told secretary of our office, there may be not problem in this morning. Sorry it was my mistake.  
 
And, I worry about changing the electronics by myself. It maybe not easy to me. So if you can, please include manual to change electronics by myself.  
 
Anyway, Thanx for your effort.  
 
You can deliver stuff in same address.  
 
Thanx.

[shim]

And, Hyon Lee will take my stuff in my office. Because I should go to LA for my bussiness.  
 
And, I told to basscentral, I want to get this strap.
 
http://alembic.stores.yahoo.net/widrosleatst.html
 
Please check it~!
 
 
And, in my office there are so many workers so you should find me or Hyon Lee. Or, if you cannot find out us, just send the stuff, because my office so safe. Don't worry about the delivery. Just deliver to my address.  
 
Thanx.

[shim]

And, this is a thiny problem, but why the bird-tail piece is not located symmetric?
 
Is this for the correct sound, fitch, note???

[mica]

It's not a problem. The taipieces are not decorative - they are placed where they function best. The tailpiece is handmade, the bass is handmade. You will not see very many basses with the tailpiece exactly centered. This is your tailpiece:


 
and it was placed according to the best possbile setup. We do not regard this as a problem.
 
You'll notice that strap is out of stock, and has been for several months. We sent you the strap that was available.  
 
Please make sure the head of the research department knows the package is coming. That is who phoned us today regarding the delivery, and I think it's important that they are informed since there was some trouble.  
 
I will be posting some instructions on this thread shortly on how to change out the filter controls.

[mica]

Here's what I sent you for changing the electronics:  2 filters with 3-position Q switches (including nuts and washers) 1 1/2" nut driver 1 5/16" nut driver   Read these instructions all the way through first and ask questions if something isn't clear before you start working.  --------------------------------------------------  First you need to Remove the knobs on the filter controls. I'm sure you will be able to find a large blade screwdriver or a 6mm nut driver for this purpose.  --------------------------------------------------  After you remove the knobs, each filter/Q-switch set will look like this:

  --------------------------------------------------  Remove the large backplate.  --------------------------------------------------  Next you need to remove the mounting hardware on the filters and the Q switches. These pictures are taken with the actual tools I sent to you:

 

  --------------------------------------------------  Each filter module has a 3-pin connector and a 2-pin connector:

  When unplugging the connectors, do not pull the wires, only touch the plastic housing. Use your fingers or needle nose pliers:

  Unplug one filter first, and then plug in the new filter. Then you can unplug the other filter and connect the other new filter. This way you won't have to keep track of which pickup is bridge and neck.   --------------------------------------------------  When you put the controls back through the top of the bass, orient them the same way as the parts you took out. It will be helpful to hold the filter module with your fingers while you tighten up the nut with the other hand. This way it can't spin around. Make sure the board is not touching the side of the cavity when the nuts are tightened. You don't need to tighten super hard - once you meet with a little resistance, you are tight enough.   Do the same for the Q switch.   --------------------------------------------------  To put the knobs back in place, turn the filter control to the full clockwise position by the bare shaft. If you turn the volume control the same way, the line should point to the peghead. Now, place the knob back on the shaft of the filter pot and tighten the collet. You can hold the knob shaft so it doesn't rotate while you are tightening. Pop the cap back in place.  Once you do this for both sets, you can put the backplate back on.   Then send me the filter controls with 2-position Q switches and my dad's tools when you can. I appreciate this.   If you have questions, you can let me know.   You can also ask the good folks a G-Cat to make this change for you if you don't think you can. They are very familiar with Alembic service and are excellent people to work with.

[pierreyves]

Mica, you wrote: they are placed where they function best. The tailpiece is handmade, the bass is handmade. You will not see very many basses with the tailpiece exactly centered.
I think it's a little contradictory: best function...and handmade...I don't understand why, if the tailpiece is or not located symmetric, the sound will change...? And how you  
can know the future sound without strings...
I said that because I had the same problem on http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/33422.html?1167290162 and your answer was: I'm afraid that there isn't much to be done except to build a new tailpiece to fit better, but it still would be unlikely to be perfectly centered, although I agree it can be improved.
I'm sorry to write all this but with the prices you practise, buyers may wait something perfect.

[ajdover]

Pierreyves,
 
    The tailpiece on my SC Standard isn't symmetric either, but you know what?  I don't care.  Yes, Alembics are expensive.  Yes, they're handmade.  But because they're handmade, those tailpieces are fitted where they will perform as designed, not where they'll look the best.  Speaking only for myself, I'd rather have a tailpiece that's positioned for performance and playability and not symmetry.
 
Frankly, I could care less how it looks - what matters is how it sounds and plays.  My SC plays and sounds great.  That's good enough for me.  Besides, I don't think the Symmetry Police are going to notice and arrest me.
 
Shim,
 
   I bought my SC Standard at G-Cat, and can vouch for their work.  They are located off Line 6 of the Seoul Subway, Sangsu Station, Exit two, about 400 yards down from the Subway entrance.  I'm in Seoul should you ever care to converse or share Alembic stories.
 
My two cents,
 
Alan

[southpaw]

Beautiful bass Shim, Congratulations. I agree with Alan, the off-center tailpiece by a centimeter or two should not be too important for a hand made instrument, mine is the same way. I'm sure if we took the ruler out and measured anything that was handmade before the computer age (furniture, clocks, even old upright basses) we could find some things not symmetric on each one.
Any manufacturer can program machines to cut each part exactly the same and it will produce the exact same results every time, but then the hand made craftsmanship is lost. There are very few true artisans left anymore, so I for one will happily take any  Alembic bass that is slightly off center... Like me... Congrats again.