Author Topic: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize) (Read 1680 times)

David Houck · « **Reply #15 on:** July 26, 2009, 03:52:17 AM »

Nice to look in on this bass again!

georgie_boy · « **Reply #16 on:** July 26, 2009, 04:06:42 AM »

Is it just me..........or is there no pickup selector???

the_mule · « **Reply #17 on:** July 26, 2009, 06:46:11 AM »

You're right. It's hiding in the body cavity. Was removed from the lower horn to take it out of the way when slappin' and poppin'. I might put it back where it belongs some day, just need a new brass plate and a pointer knob for that.

Wilfred

pauldo · « **Reply #18 on:** July 26, 2009, 07:23:55 AM »

Wilfred -
You have abeautiful bass and you took some great pictures of it.

I have a question (I hope it is not too imposing) - your posting name the mule what is the inspiration for it?
The Foundation series?
Gov't Mule?
? ? ?

the_mule · « **Reply #19 on:** July 26, 2009, 09:47:38 AM »

Hi Paul, thanks for your kind words.

My nickname The Mule isn't Asimov related, but indeed inspired by the band Gov't Mule, especially their The Deep End project/tribute. Those two albums, the 2CD/DVD concert registration and the documentary are a real inspiration and they gave me the final push towards switching to the bass, leaving my guitar playing days definitely behind me. Actually I am also a civil servant, and I can be quite stubborn (or so people say), what makes the Government Mule reference even more fitting than I'd like to admit!

Wilfred

pauldo · « **Reply #20 on:** July 26, 2009, 02:44:59 PM »

Wilfred - that's very cool. You can't be a fool if you listen to the Mule!!

Allen Woody obviously was a great bassist - given all the people that showed up on the Deep End projects - fer cripes sake even Joey Arkenstat was there!!!!

the_mule · « **Reply #21 on:** September 29, 2009, 02:16:56 AM »

Got Joey's (Mike's) album Bane a few weeks ago on the 'Bay, nice adventurous music, although sometimes lacking a bit in direction.

I've switched strings again. I just missed being able to dial in the extremities of the Alembic sound that roundwounds reveal and the Tomastics just cover up a bit too much. As a long time fan of Francis 'Rocco' Prestia I found a couple of sets of his signature strings (Dean Markley NPS Roundcore) on the 'Bay and after two weeks of testing I think they're absolutely fantastic.

I also solved a case of uh oh, I might need the electronics upgrade. The bidge pickup, with its volume + filter + q all the way up, produced a ear piercing and amp threathening high frequency noise ever since I bought Blondie back. I just chose to avoid those settings for quite a long time, but finally decided to try to do something about it. Fortunately adjusting the pickup height (closer to the strings, didn't expect that) and some minor tweaking of the trim pots for the bridge pickup, solved the problem completely. I dare to say that Blondie sounds better than ever, and also the volume balance between strings has drastically improved. Great stuff!

Wilfred

the_mule · « **Reply #22 on:** May 06, 2011, 07:18:06 AM »

This afternoon I received a long awaited and very welcome package from Alembic, and I decided to go ahead with the job instantly. It took a few years, for various reasons, but now the pickup selector switch is finally (back?) on the lower horn as I intended. Thanks to Mica for the help in making sure I got the parts. Blondie has been upgraded! Wilfred

(Message edited by the_mule on May 06, 2011)

sonicus · « **Reply #23 on:** May 06, 2011, 08:01:55 AM »

Excellent job!

lbpesq · « **Reply #24 on:** May 06, 2011, 08:30:02 AM »

Feels good, don't it!

Bill, tgo

the_mule · « **Reply #25 on:** May 06, 2011, 08:36:48 AM »

Thanks and yes, but it will take some time to get used to. I don't know better than to switch between pickups with the volume controls. But it looks great and also the mute position of the switch will come in handy.

Wilfred

rustyg61 · « **Reply #26 on:** May 06, 2011, 03:33:56 PM »

Beautiful bass Wilfred! What does the writing on the truss rod cover say?

the_mule · « **Reply #27 on:** May 07, 2011, 01:14:36 AM »

Thanks! The writing says Series I and imagine my exitement when I noticed that in the pawn shop I rescued this baby from. Went there following a lead from a fellow bass player on a Dutch internet forum who knew I was an Alembician. Managed to haggle the price down a few hundred euros more because the bridge pickup wasn't working. Digging up the pickup selector for the first time solved that problem!

Wilfred

rustyg61 · « **Reply #28 on:** May 07, 2011, 01:24:51 AM »

I've never seen an Alembic in a pawn shop! That has to be like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow or winning the Lottery! Congratulations!

dela217 · « **Reply #29 on:** May 07, 2011, 05:27:23 AM »

That's real nice. I also would have moved it back to the traditional position.

Im thinking of moving the switch on my custom Alembic made for me. The switch is grouped with the other controls. It REALLY bothers me. After having the bass for 11 years now, I still reach for the horn to put it on standby!