Author Topic: Yet another 96 Maple Rogue (Read 623 times)

wideload · « **on:** August 07, 2003, 05:47:12 PM »

After many years of Alembic lust (unrealized due to financial concerns!) Rose has joined our family. I was amazed at the depth and clarity of her sound. The treble switch is great for a quick change from fingers to pick. She replaced a Peavey TL-5 that I thought was just fine. I am ashamed of my ignorance, but I'm glad I was able to make the change. Yes, this is the Rogue from ebay with the ramp. Larry

elzie · « **Reply #1 on:** August 07, 2003, 06:33:03 PM »

First off, Larry, welcome to the club! It is nice to have you here.

Second, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Just hang out and be sure to check out all the threads. Don't be afraid to jump in either. We are not a judgemental group. Okay, maybe the mental part was a lie......

That is quite an extraordinary looking bass! Make sure to get the serial number and register with Mica as the new owner. I too bought my Alembic from ebay, so don't feel bad

Paul II

dean_m · « **Reply #2 on:** August 08, 2003, 07:00:04 AM »

Who you calling mental??? Where else in the world would a guy named Dino be referred to as brother Paul the fake one/the artist formerly known as Dino. HA!!!

Hey Larry,

Welcome to the club!!!! What a beautiful bass you've got there!! Congratulations!!! We are a wacky bunch but a lot of fun!!! Don't be surprised if they start calling you Brother Paul. BTW-The other Brother Paul the bad one, will be welcoming you soon.

Peace,
Dino bptfo/tafkad

zitologist · « **Reply #3 on:** August 08, 2003, 09:18:56 AM »

Ha, Nice Bass. I just began construction of a ramp for my Essence six and Epic 5. How is your ramp fastened to the body?

wideload · « **Reply #4 on:** August 08, 2003, 09:52:37 PM »

I wish I could be of more help. The ramp doesn't show any screws front or back. It seems to be a block of ebony set to about pickup height. My guess is that its glued with construction adhesive, but I don't know if its sunk into the neck lams. Since Rose is still new to me, I shy away from chiseling it out to find the true method of fixation (anyway, Home Depot doesn't have another block of ebony to replace it!). I have found it helpful, as the Alembic has such a range of tone even based on right hand position. The ramp helps me explore that. Good luck with your project! Larry

rami · « **Reply #5 on:** August 10, 2003, 07:28:33 AM »

Congratulations on your new Rogue Larry, she's a beauty.

I've never seen anything like that ramp before - I'm not quite sure I understand it's function.

If in fact it was factory installed, maybe Mica could provide some insight.

Rami

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** August 10, 2003, 02:36:50 PM »

Rami; here is a link Paul Boulet provided in an earlier thread.
http://www.garywillis.com/pages/bass/bassmanual/theramp.html
I think its primary purpose is to serve as a continuous thumbrest between the pickups.

palembic · « **Reply #7 on:** August 11, 2003, 01:04:25 AM »

Hi there gang!
Larry: welcome from this side of the pond too.
We Pauls are the most fantastic people you can meet especially when they play Alembics (except for the other Paul who is always more fantastic - a joke I can run for hours).
Anyway welcome! And indeed a nice bass!

Paul the bad one

(Message edited by palembic on August 11, 2003)

zitologist · « **Reply #8 on:** August 11, 2003, 10:17:53 AM »

Dave, the ramp is actually there to keep your fingertips a uniform distance under the strings to keep you from digging in too much. This is more of a problem if you tend pluck with your fingers straight, as opposed to angled, like if you were plucking an acoustic bass with the string sliding past the side of your fingertips. If you watch the way Gary Willis plucks contrasted with Stanley Clarke or Jeff Berlin, you can see how the ramp makes things more comfortable. It feels like you are playing over the fingerboard.

mikedm · « **Reply #9 on:** August 11, 2003, 11:22:20 AM »

Zito's explanation lines up with what I've found out about ramps. Another use: a friend of mine has a clear poly ramp set betweent the neck pu and the end of the neck of his Rogue. He uses mostly when slapping and popping - it aids in keeping his right hand finger tips closer to the strings when popping. Sounds wierd, but he explains that the string height at that position it too high, even with the action set incredibly low. BTW, his ramp is not fixed but milled expertly to fit snugly in location, this allows him to remove it when cleaning his bass.

ps - Larry, nice looking bass. If thats quilted maple, it's awesome, nice red swirls.

Mike

David Houck · « **Reply #10 on:** August 11, 2003, 12:02:44 PM »

Thanks Zito and Mike. I guess I didn't focus on that factor since it doesn't seem to be an issue with my technique (not that I don't have plenty of issues to work on ). But I'll keep that in mind while practicing the next few days.

5stringho · « **Reply #11 on:** December 22, 2006, 12:24:41 PM »

It doesn't matter how you get one, as long as you get one! (LEGALLY, of course!!!) Beautiful Bass. Enjoy and welcome.

Ho....

tbrannon · « **Reply #12 on:** December 22, 2006, 12:44:36 PM »

speaking of pickups and pickup heights- looks like you've got all of the pickup screws mounted on top. I'm pretty sure that 2 per pickup are supposed to be below the surface to set and secure the height-

I'm sure others will chime in here- I'm a relative newby to Alembic ownership myself, but I'm pretty sure 2 of those screws (per pickup) should be mounted below the surface of the pickup with the other 2 on top to secure the pickups.

EDIT: ooops, I didn't realize this was a 3 year old bumped thread.

(Message edited by tbrannon on December 22, 2006)