Author Topic: 89 Elan 4 Str (Read 5417 times)

jazzyvee · « **Reply #30 on:** June 19, 2010, 06:41:10 AM »

thanks FC I found a shop selling R.Cocco's and bought a set of 45's
It's moved the neck significantly and now I have some adjustment both ways. I've adjusted it and will leave it for a day and check back to see if it has settled down then make some final amendments if needed.

Thanks for your advice on strings. :-)

Jazzyvee

bigredbass · « **Reply #31 on:** June 19, 2010, 11:05:33 PM »

JV, it's amazing the difference in tension between different sets of strings. On my Elan Five I've always used Markley NPS Roundcore Nickels (the Rocco Prestia strings). Last change, I put on D'Addario stainless XL's and had to chase the action for several days before I could put it back to where it was with the NPS strings.

So NEXT time, I'm going back to the NPS strings and leave well enough alone.

J o e y

jazzyvee · « **Reply #32 on:** June 20, 2010, 01:16:34 PM »

I tried the strings on the bass at rehearsal today and the heavier gauge and them being new sounded great. Very meaty and not as thin as the previous gauge.
However I do feel they are a bit abrasive to the touch so I could feel some resistance to sliding my fingers on them and also that made the finger noise too much for my liking. Hopefully they will wear in soon.

Thanks again FC a good choice in string my friend.
Jazzyvee

bigredbass · « **Reply #33 on:** July 13, 2010, 10:19:21 PM »

So did it settle down? Got it like you want it?

Thought I'd give you my setup numbers (bear in mind this is a low action, set up for a fairly normal guage-size string set). Get your capo, your feeler guages, and your ruler, and make sure you're tuned to pitch.

-clearance (unfretted) over the first fret, the same for the G side and the B or E side:
.025 inch / .635mm

-neck relief (capo the first fret and hold the string against the nearest fret where the neck meets the body, roughly the 21st fret on most Alembics):
.010 inch / .254mm

-string height over the 24th fret (unfretted):
G-string, 1/8 inch / 4 mm
E or B string, 3/16 inch or 5-6 mm

This is pretty low, and a very flat fingerboard feel. Any lower and for me it will rattle with a pick or if I get heavy-fingered. Actually inspired by an interview I read with Anthony Jackson discussing his setup (he's VERY particular) where he liked to run his nut a bit higher than most. My two Alembics are both long scale, classic taper fives, with the same strings, so they are set up exactly the same.

As always, there is no setup that's perfect for everyone, but it's important to be able to express your own setup in numbers. Then you can aim to get any and all of your axes to the same feel. If this does not work for you, at least these numbers can serve as a beginning to work up your own uniquely personal number set. As always, remember how many turns you made on the nut, bridge, and truss rod, so you can get back to where you were if need be !

Best of luck, and I just love that purple axe. Here's to Alembics in color!

J o e y

bigredbass · « **Reply #34 on:** July 13, 2010, 10:35:28 PM »

PS:

Looking at the pictures reminded me of something else:

Pickup adjustment is also subjective pending on the tone you hear, but I always start with Precision style pickups adjusted equally. After your setup is done, measure the distance from the top of the pickup shell on each end to the string directly above it. You'll end up with the two halves forming a shallow V shape, higher in the middle, to match the curve of the strings on their bridge saddles. This is your starting point. E or A string(s) boomy relative to the D and G? Lower that side. G sound a little thin? Raise that side of that shell, etc. After this is done, then raise or lower your pickups overall to fine tune your tone or gain. Of course this is better done with new strings.

A lot of times, especially with a used instument, you'll find P-pickups adjusted flat across both halves, which can leave you a little short on articulation or may make one string boomier than another.

Then you can save these pickup height numbers in your setup, as well.

J o e y

jazzyvee · « **Reply #35 on:** July 13, 2010, 11:53:09 PM »

I will give both those suggestions a try when I next sit down with the bass and have some time. The action has settled down but I still think it could be a bit lower. And the pickup stuff Joey rings home because the balance is definitely in need of adjustment.

Jazzyvee

wishbass · « **Reply #36 on:** July 23, 2011, 08:20:43 PM »

Jazzy, that is one sweet bass.You know,I've never been a fan of color, favoring natural finishes.However,after seeing the Elans in the showcase,I've quickly changed my way of thinking.I noticed this bass first (I looove quilted maple)and its rich color.This bass and others like it opened my eyes.As a matter of fact,I think Elans are the best Alembic bodies for color finish.The naturals are beautiful too,but color really suits them IMO.I love my red flame maple.It's a rich cherry red.BTW,what kind of music are you into?I've some idea from your threads you have a full plate.I wish I had more time to play in a band (I'm in sales-60 to 70 hrs some weeks).I'm just itching to play some blues infused funk/raggae/ska etc with some fusion swirled in =).

jazzyvee · « **Reply #37 on:** July 24, 2011, 09:58:51 AM »

Thanks Wishbass, first time I saw this purple bass for sale I let it go because I wasn't keen on coloured alembics. However I regretted it and when the purchaser, a forum member, put it up for sale again, I wasn't so stupid second time around. It's a great bass and the Europa electronics help to tame that brightness that maple has. Most of the music I play on bass is more Jazz-funk and rnb and an occasional straight ahead jazz gig. I don't do that many gigs these days but always hoping my fortune will change in that matter.

I'm really a guitarist but my bass is in my bones so I straddle both camps.

Jazzyvee

jazzboy621 · « **Reply #38 on:** September 22, 2011, 03:41:53 PM »

STUNNING COLOR!!!! BEAUTIFUL PIECE!!!!

jazzyvee · « **Reply #39 on:** January 06, 2012, 07:19:25 PM »

Some more photo's of my Elan 4 Bass. They are some of the photo's I took for a 2012 calendar I had printed with pictures of my guitars and basses.

Enjoy Jazzyvee

wishbass · « **Reply #40 on:** January 06, 2012, 07:23:42 PM »

Beautiful Jazzy!

billostech · « **Reply #41 on:** January 07, 2012, 04:40:03 AM »

Absolutely gorgeous, Jazzy. Congrats.

wookie · « **Reply #42 on:** January 08, 2012, 02:34:33 PM »

That bass is awesome! I read a bit about it and it seems to me like these basses are best in the 4 string persuasion. I've had issues with mine (a 5er) sounding thin with a B string. Maybe it's the pickups?

Anyway I think the color is sweet so congrats to whoever this is going to.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #43 on:** January 08, 2012, 11:34:16 PM »

Not sure what pickups you have on your bass but mine the P-type and the method of holding the pickup in place uses springs and a screw unlike my other alembic basses. I tend to play with my thumb on the neck pickup edge when playing a 4 string bass so on this bass this can cause that pickup to move closer to the body against the spring so increasing the distance between the pickup and the string which reduces the output of the E string. Then the edge of the screw hole can get caught on the screw and not always return to its original position. This i have found is the cause of the thinner sound on the E string this bass sometimes.

I should probably get a stronger spring.

Jazzyvee

a_martin · « **Reply #44 on:** January 16, 2012, 06:30:42 AM »

Hey Jazzy, I upped my offer if this bass is still up for sale.