Author Topic: Keith's Spalted Maple Orion (Read 916 times)

David Houck · « **Reply #15 on:** November 02, 2005, 04:49:10 PM »

Very nice!!

kmh364 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 03, 2005, 08:20:32 AM »

Pix? Sound's like? Impressions?

Inquiring minds wanna know, LOL!

Don't forget to eat, sleep, and breathe, Keith, LOL!

keith_h · « **Reply #17 on:** November 03, 2005, 03:10:55 PM »

First the response for pictures. I need to get a digital camera first. I still use film and my scanner is broken so it will be a short bit before I can put something up. I will place them in the Showcase along with my Orion 5.

The finish an fit are excellent. The pattern stands out much more in real life and the Ash body has a very nice grain. The CWTRC is great I wish I had it on my other two basses. Maybe Mica can root around the shop and find the cutouts for me. LOL

I am happy that I went with the side lines on the neck. They do not stand out and have been usefull in helping me relocate my fingering when I get lost higher up the neck. They also allow for a clean look on the fretboard. I did have to adjust the neck slightly after receiving it due to the different humidity but everything else in the setup is perfect. While I haven't measured the action appears to be lower than my Brown Bass (and it is pretty darn low). I had the bass setup with D'Addario Chrome Flats and am very surprised how bright they are. I have never had a flat sound this bright when new. I am curious to see how they hold up over time (I am not a habitual string changer. I still have 30 year old tape wound strings on my Vox for that wonderful old thump).

Now on to the EMW electronics. I have never played an Orion with standard electronics so cannot make a comparison. My Orion 5 has Essence electronics with a Q switch and my Brown Bass has Anniversary electronics. The filter and Q switch give me very similar results as the Essence elctronics when leaving the Bass and Treble controls flat. This is what I consider the classic Alembic tone/sound. Not as pronounced as my BB but noticable none the less. With the addition of the Bass and Treble controls I can expand the colour scheme of the filter much more. With them I have been able to get very close to the sound of my Jazz Bass (which I still play as often as possible). I suspect as I fine tune things it will be played less and less but never locked away. While the pan control does not allow for as much control over the pickup mix as the Anniversary electronics it is more than adequate. I also like not having to compensate for the volume increase when switching from single pickup to two pickup mode. Overall I like the EMW package the best of the electronics I own. I also like the Europa electronics but would need to compare them side by side to comment (Alan we will need to get together again sometime so I can do that. Pretty busy at work and with family at the moment so I'll pop you line when things are a little more relaxed.).

Keith

kmh364 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 04, 2005, 06:14:43 AM »

But does it have that MWAH? LOL!

keith_h · « **Reply #19 on:** November 04, 2005, 11:45:32 AM »

Kevin,
Yes there's plenty of MWAH. Moi has also found that I can get a very nice non-MWAH also. :-)

Keith

kmh364 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 04, 2005, 12:10:12 PM »

Afterall, it's all about the MWAH!

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 05, 2005, 12:32:03 PM »

But... then.. I was told it's all about the O.

Mike

kmh364 · « **Reply #22 on:** April 03, 2006, 09:39:14 AM »

Keith:

Congrats on your Orion being selected as the April '06 Custom Of The Month! Well done!

Cheers,

Kevin

keith_h · « **Reply #23 on:** April 03, 2006, 10:35:16 AM »

Thanks Kevin. I was surprised when I got the note last week from Mica. I do feel honored.

Keith

flaxattack · « **Reply #24 on:** April 03, 2006, 01:56:02 PM »

welcome to the club.....
feels good huh?
congrats
your bass is now an alembic legacy

olieoliver · « **Reply #25 on:** April 03, 2006, 02:09:05 PM »

That wood is TOOOO COOOL. And FRETLESS super bass.

David Houck · « **Reply #26 on:** April 03, 2006, 03:12:59 PM »

Congrats Keith!!!

keith_h · « **Reply #27 on:** April 04, 2006, 03:00:42 PM »

Yes Flax it feels good and thanks.

Well Ollie as of last summer the folks at Alembic had a bunch of Spalted Maple. Might still be enough left if you want to order one (nudge nudge). Ken's Spalted Maple in the FTC thread has somemore good looking wood from the same time frame.

Thanks Dave.

Keith