The most awesome Custom Europa in the Universe!!!

[the_8_string_king]

Thanks for the compliment on the Bocate top, by the way.  I'm quite pleased with it, and think it holds up pretty favorably with the other pretty awesome tops you see floating around here -and that's no small thing!  There's no shortage of awesome looking Alembics... but I really feel this one is right up there with the best of the best!!!

[tbrannon]

Mark,
 
I've read the whole thread, but it's kinda daunting, please excuse me if you've answered this before.
 
How come you chose to have the neck pickup slanted?
 
Toby

[the_8_string_king]

Hey Toby!
 
It was a matter of form accomodating function.
 
You see, for many years, my fantasy, my dream bass was a 7-String with a 3-octave (36 fret) neck.
 
Then one day, lo and behold I saw a picture of such a beast -a Conklin Sidewinder with 7 strings and 36 frets.
 
When I looked at the picture of this bass, I found that it had only one pickup; and there wasn't really much of a place for a second pickup... at best, a second pickup might be able to be positioned right next to the... well, it was more a less a bridge pickup... positionwise.  And then, what would be the point?
 
So, when I decided to commission Alembic to make my dream bass, I modified this original concept slightly -by adding an extra string, and cutting back the fingerboard 5 frets.
 
So my bass has the same range as a 7-string with 36 frets.  Now, I wanted to leave my bridge pickup as close to the normal spot as possible... but the treble end of the pickup is displaced by the extended fingerboard.
 
So that's it.  The slant is just the result of pushing the treble end of the pickup out of the way of the extended fingerboard.

[tbrannon]

Makes total sense now that you've said it- I don't know why I didn't think of that myself.
 
~thanks

[rob_the_fiend]

Hello Mark.
Would you mind if I used your bass as inspiration for a double neck I'm drawing in AutoCAD?
 
I have been looking through this site for a year now, since a friend showed it to me,and I have let my mind throw ideas around.
Your bass is one of three Featured Customs that have been my inspiration.

[the_8_string_king]

Hi Robert.  I'm sorry, I missed your post until... well, just tonight.
 
I'm pleased you appreciate my 8-string, and certainly don't mind your using it for inspiration and/or source material.  A few additional pictures can be found here: http://club.alembic.com/Images/397/21729.html?1130250188
 
Between that thread and this one, most questions that one would be inclined to ask regarding the bass have been asked and answered... but if you have any others, feel free to ask!

[thedavidkeith]

Holy Sh(t that thing scares me.  It's obviously bigger and stronger than me, and far better looking.

[rob_the_fiend]

Thanks Mark.
 
I find things that are extreme, and over the top, facinating. Your Extended Range Bass certanly qualifies.
 
The double neck I'm drawing is getting nearer completion, as is the single neck I'm also drawing.
 
The single neck is pretty much an Essence, with an extended upper horn, and a squashed omega.
The omega is possible due to the entire action,(tailpiece, bridge, pups and fingerboard),
is pulled out of the body. It's so all the frets are accessible.
 
 
And I just love the omega cutouts. So I had to have it... heh.
 
Robert

[terryc]

Do you gig this bass??
Looks awesome..wondered who 8 strings of power belonged to

[rob_the_fiend]

Hey, Mark. I posted a pair of renderings of the ideas I've had based on your bass.
 
http://club.alembic.com/Images/402/49807.html?1206676855

[robinc]

not enough strings!