Author Topic: Kimberly's left handed/right hand stringing 5 and 6 string Epic's. (Read 577 times)

kimberly · « **on:** September 26, 2008, 01:40:45 PM »

My five and six, 96W10415 and 95W9196 respectively.

The 'fiver' is stock electronics with a body modification done by Mike Lull moving the bridge p/u forward 1/4 or so to add the Roland GK-3B midi p/u. An 'upside down' tailpiece and nut were fabbed by the factory and new saddles cut to support my left handed/right hand stringing playing style.

WLB-5 Lefty Epic 5-string bass

Top: Weng?
Accent: Maple pinstripe
Body: Mahogany
Neck: 5-piece Maple, 34 long scale, Lefty
Fingerboard: Ebony
Pickups: MXY56
Controls: Volume, pan, bass treble
Originally made for: Guitar Center, Dallas, TX
Birthday: December 17, 1996

The 'sixer' has also been modified by the factory, though much more extensively then my 'fiver'. To accomodate my playing style, a new tailpiece and nut were fabbed and installed by the factory. I also added a concealed hardware bridge and the bass has what appears to be a brass sustain block.

The electronics were also upgraded and consist of adding a low pass filter and three way Q-switch. I had originally wanted the East Meets West upgrade which would have retained my bass/treble controls with the addition of the low pass and Q, but due to 'space constraints' I opted to have bass/treble quick change switches added to broaden the tonal characteristics of the instrument. These function as center position FLAT, up position full OFF, lower position full ON. I'm very pleased with the results. This instrument is an absolute tone monster even without the full range bass/treble controls.

WLB-6 Lefty Epic 6-string bass

Top: Walnut
Accent: Maple pinstripe
Body: Mahogany
Neck: 5-piece Maple, 34 long scale, Lefty
Fingerboard: Ebony
Pickups: MXY56
Controls: Volume, pan, bass/treble quick change switches, low pass filter and three way Q switch.
Originally made for: A nice guy that lives in NC. I'm the second owner.
Birthday: June 30, 1995

In my original introduction message ( http://club.alembic.com/Images/397/35817.html?1180200399 ) I identified my fiver as being 'unmistakably male' as my perception of the instruments 'gender'. I find it interesting my sixer strikes me as being 'unmistakably female'. Perception, right, wrong etc. she's a real Sweetie.

Life is good.

artswork99 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 26, 2008, 02:34:15 PM »

They both look great! Congratulations on the recent modifications.
Play them Healthy!
Art

richbass939 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 03, 2008, 10:27:04 AM »

Very nice, Kimberly. I know you have spoken before about the fiver's headstock modification, but I forgot. Was it an option or a bear necessity (too lame for a LOL, sorry)?
Rich

kimberly · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2008, 02:51:41 PM »

Hi Guys,

Thanks Art!

Thanks Rich! How could I have forgotten this!? Pun pardoned btw.

My friend and I have been together for 28 years now. Most definitely an option and at the same time most definitely necessary, or at least it just wouldn't be the same without him. Couldn't tell you how many bars we've been in together. Brings to mind I'm now on the lookout for another 'upgrade' (a lady bear) for the sixer headstock for as we all know, the family that plays together stays together.

Six string debut. 10-03-08

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5kDzzpH-84

Best Regards,

Kimberly

new2alembic · « **Reply #4 on:** October 06, 2008, 07:48:48 AM »

Hello Kimberly. I was YouTubing over the weekend and typed in Alembic, guitars, basses, etc. And, guess what? I found you jammin. The performances were excellent. So today, I check in at the Club and find this post. So I decided to drop you a line to let you know how much I appreciated the performances. Keep posting and uploading to YouTube so all of us can continue to enjoy your incredible talent. Play them healthy.

Carl

kimberly · « **Reply #5 on:** October 06, 2008, 03:49:59 PM »

Hi Carl,

Thank you very much and I'm glad you liked my performances and I very much appreciate the time you took to drop me a line! It's nice to get the feedback, not to mention meeting new people.

What a gas it is to play solo! I'm glad I'm able to share them with you and everyone else that watches them. Just gotta love the Net!

See you around!

Best Regards,

Kimberly

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** October 08, 2008, 08:40:16 PM »

Nice siblings!

kimberly · « **Reply #7 on:** October 11, 2008, 03:36:10 PM »

Hi David,

Thank you very much!

Best Regards,

Kimberly

rami · « **Reply #8 on:** October 12, 2008, 09:55:55 AM »

Hi Kimberly,

I checked out your youtube videos as well. I really like your technique and phrasing. Clean, fast and very expressive - just great. I also really like the tone you get out of your Epics.

I believe Jimmy Haslip also plays left handed with the strings inverted. Really amazing stuff.

kimberly · « **Reply #9 on:** October 12, 2008, 01:29:10 PM »

Hi Rami,

I'm glad you like my 'style' and I appreciate your message. It's nice to get the feedback as I 'travel' this musical adventure I've been on for about the last two years. Round and around she goes, where she stops...

Needless to say I'm currently in the midst of a serious 'love affair' going on with my Epic's. Amazing tones 'stock', but as I'm beginning to 'tap into' the upgraded electronics on the sixer, I become even more amazed and endeared to the tonal properties and characteristics of the Epic model. And the best part of it all is I've only just begun to explore what I've 'gotten myself into' with the six.

Life is good.

Thanks for the heads up on Jimmy Haslip. I agree he plays some really amazing stuff. Only problem I have is as with most right handed players. I'm used to seeing right hand playing/stringing so to me, Jimmy is upside down and backwards.

Thanks again and take care!

Best Regards,

Kimberly

rami · « **Reply #10 on:** October 12, 2008, 04:10:34 PM »

I've seen old pictures of Jimmy Haslip when he was playing with Gino Vanelli. He had a regular right handed P Bass that he just simply flipped over and played left handed . Now of course, he plays these exotic customs that he strings right handed like yours. It's really cool to see someone play like that - it really messes with my brain!

P.S. I once had a chance to buy an Epic 6 brand new for around $1800 (before they shot up steeply in price) and like an idiot, I passed!

What a great Bass - I wish you many years of enjoyment and inspiration with them.

Cheers,

kimberly · « **Reply #11 on:** October 14, 2008, 01:01:58 PM »

Hi Rami,

Sounds real familiar. I started playing with a no name Fender copy, flipped over and played left handed. Same with my Jazz bass when I got it in '75. Fact of the matter is, my Epic fiver is the first bass I ever owned that's a 'Kimberly style lefty' per say. Hmmm...and now I have two! Sweet!

Thanks much for the well wishes!

Very Best Regards,

Kimberly