Michael's Custom Series II in Walnut

[mica]

Here's the two basses in spray:

 
They look really great!

[mikekyz]

Hi Mica and the team
These look better than I could ever have imagined.  Yes its more than Christmas again.  I cant thank you enough.

[the_8_string_king]

Wow!  What a nice pair!

[bassjigga]

Great minds think alike Mike! My fretless custom is going to have the same idea for side position markers - except without LEDs. It will be side dots on the fret position at 1,3,5,7... 12 etc. with sidelines on the rest (i.e. 2, 4, 6...).

[mikekyz]

To 8SK and batssjigg, thanks for your comments guys.  I cant tell you how much I am looking forward to getting these basses.  I have had to sell alomost all of my other basses to pay for them but I am sure it will be more than worth it.  
Peace
Mike

[olieoliver]

Very nice Mike, very nice indeed.
 
That walnut is awesome.
 
Have you ever played a Series or Signature bass before?

[mikekyz]

Hi Oliver, have a look at COM Custom in Stages.  This is my first Alembic and was the moment that I decided to go shortscale in a big way.  My personal view is that Alembic are the very best of the best in custom bass builders.  Everytime I play my bass it makes me smile from ear to ear.
Peace
Mike

[mica]

Right now Scott's Quilted Coco Bolo bass is getting the calibration, but next in line are your basses. Here's the Walnut one awaiting the treatment:

The tape holds the humcanceller in place until it passes all the tests.

[mikekyz]

Hi Mica
In my order it say leds at the fretline starting from position 1 and either side of fretline 12.  This is exactly as should be.  Just wanted to ask that at the 24th the leds are either side.  I know again I am stating the obvious.
Peace
Mike

[mikekyz]

Hi Mica
 
Lets go with  
 
nut: 1.5  (38.1mm)
24th fret: 2.26 (57.4mm)
string spacing at bridge: .65 (16.5mm)

[mikekyz]

One of the main drivers for moving to short scale is a bass that is easy to play.  On all my longer scale basses I use nickel strings and the guage is usually .040 .055 .075 .095.  Does Alembic produce strings of this size for a Stanley Clarke bass?  Does anyone know of a company that makes short scale strings at this size in nickel or a near fit?
Will the standard nut on my Stanley Clarke need to be made tighter if I go with a string of this size?
I know there is a trade off on sound however I need to make it as easy as possible on my fretting hand.
Peace
Mike

[mica]

The short scale strings we offer come in .045 .065 .080 .105 gauges. If you're going to play with strings that are more than 5 thousandths undersized from the slots, it's ideal to have a properly sized nut and bridge made.  
 
We'll review what strings are available for your bass and let you know what we find. If you find something that suits you in the meantime, please let us know.

[mikekyz]

Hi Mica
Thanks for this feedback, yes please let me know what string options you can come up with. Your help is really appreciated.

[bsee]

Mike-
 
When I ordered my short scale bass, it was specified with 40-100 strings.  There was a late inlay addition that interrupted the build process and caused it to be taken apart and restrung.  By accident, it was restrung with the standard 45-105 short scale strings.  When I played the bass, I thought they actually were the narrower gauge strings.  These are, however, steel strings, not nickel.  It is extremely easy to play, though it was a little clicky for the first few playing sessions.  The strings have since broken in quite nicely.
 
Even if you're looking for nickel, you will find that a 45-105 set will be as easy to play on a short scale as a 40-100 set is on long.  You may have to raise the action or play with an extremely light touch to avoid much buzzing on lighter strings at short scale.
 
If you were to tune your 34 scale bass down by between 3/4 and one full step, that would approximate the tension you would get on those strings at short scale.  Just something you can try while you wait for the custom to help you decide for certain about string gauge.
 
-Bob

[mikekyz]

Mica, I have found these.  What do you think?  Anyone else using these?
 
Fender 5250XL Short Scale Bass Extra Light Strings nickel.  Gauges 40-60-75-95.