1975 Series I doubleneck

[hieronymous]

Thanks guys! Cool pics! Maybe if Ron Wickersham comes to the Bay Area Gathering I can try and get him to recreate the wishbone shot with me!

[rami]

Harry, your Doubleneck is absolutely beautiful.  I really LOVE those recordings you made with it.  You may not know this, but I actually had the chance to buy it a long time ago.  VERY regrettably, I couldn't buy it because I had just started my Black Byrd project in 2002.  So it was an issue of money flow.
I'm just so happy that it went to such a creative and accomplished musician who can do the amazing things that you do with it.
 
All my best wishes,
 
Rami

[hieronymous]

Thank you for the kind words Rami! I really appreciate it.
 
You're not in Northern California, are you? Because I will be taking it to the gathering this weekend. I finally tried putting the case in my car, and it doesn't fit width-wise, but if I put the seats down I can put it in through the trunk!

[rami]

I wish I was in Northern California!  Unfortunately,  I'm in the frozen north in Montreal.  I would have loved to meet my fellow Alembicians as well as admire that awesome doubleneck in real life.
 
C'est la vie!

[hieronymous]

Remember this shot?
[img">http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/49609.jpg[/img]
  Well, at this past weekend's
  The original picture is in color, but I thought it would be fun to try and duplicate the original, though I didn't go so far as photocopying it!

[David Houck]

Cool!!!!

[2400wattman]

You got to meet the MAN!!!!!!!!

[hieronymous]

You got to meet the MAN!!!!!!!!
 
Yeah, I still kind of can't believe it! Definitely an honor and a privilege!

[hernan]

I'd love to know the weight of that monster... It must be pretty heavy for sure!!!

[hieronymous]

Hello Hernan - the weight is extreme for sure! I kind of want to know myself, but I don't have a scale! I should buy one - if I do, I will post the results!

[funkyjazzjunky]

Is the output jack mono or stereo?

[hieronymous]

It's stereo - basically the two necks share the same set of Series I electronics, so the extra knob is a two-position selector where you can select either the baritone or the fretless.

[hieronymous]

Lately I was fantasizing about playing my double-neck (we moved recently and it's in its case behind a bunch of boxes) and I realized that I might like to try stringing it more like a Bass VI - EADGBE. Not sure if the strings would fir the current bridge and nut, but I think I could give it a try. Also, it was hard to get the low A string ball-end into the tailpiece, so I'm thinking that could a problem with a thicker string.

[artswork99]

I'd love to play that beautiful instrument strung in any fashion

[coffeegod]

Just a note (though I already emailed you this privetely Hieronymous) just thought it would be good to have it here.
 
 I used to own this bass. When I bought it in the early 90's from Gruhn guitar, it was set up as both necks being bass... both tuned with the lowest note being an E.  When I called Rick Turner to inquire as to its history he suggested that if it were his he would turn it into a baritone guitar on the shorter neck..and it wouldsound just like a great big acoustic guitar. He gave me the name of a guy at D'Addario strings to contact as to string guage suggestions. I liked the idea because i thought it silly to duplicate the 4 strings from neck to neck.
   When I first got the bass both necks were horribly bowed with super unplayably high action. Eventually the solution ws to place my foot squarely at the middle of the neck/body, grab the top of the neck with both hands and pull as hard as possible while someone else adjusted the truss rod. It worked great.
Loved the bass but it was an albatross of sorts... too heavy for constant live play but in the studio unecessary as no one can see you have a doubleneck.