| Author | Message | ||
| the_mule
Intermediate Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 177 Registered: 1-2004 |
Can anyone give a 'history lesson' about Alembic's neck laminates? Nowadays Purpleheart is the standard, Walnut (pinstripes) is used on the budget models (set neck construction) and Ebony is the expensive but sonically "best" option. But that's now, what about 10/20/30 years ago? I think it's confusing. My 1991 EVH Signature had a 3-piece maple neck without neck laminates. My 1980-ish Series I has two brown neck laminates, and I'm almost certain that they're not discoloured Purpleheart. Was Walnut or Mahogany ever used? Other woods? Maybe some owners of old(er) Alembics can tell more about even more exotic options? Thanks! Wilfred | ||
| rogertvr
Advanced Member Username: rogertvr Post Number: 237 Registered: 1-2003 |
I'm not sure how relevant this is to your post, Wilfred http://www.thewho.net:16080/whotabs/equipment/bass/equip-entwistlegear-74-85.html but in the 1976-1985 section there is some description of what Entwistle was using. Cheers, Rog | ||
| rami
Advanced Member Username: rami Post Number: 370 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hey Wilfred, I own a '77 Series I that has two brown-ish neck laminates... They are in fact Purpleheart. I believe that Purpleheart was always used, even back then. | ||
| bob
Advanced Member Username: bob Post Number: 273 Registered: 11-2002 |
Others here can provide more on the history, but I've heard an amusing story (from Mica) about how the ebony neck lams came to be, and have never seen it posted before... Once upon a time (i.e. I have no idea what year it was, but relatively recent in Alembic history), our friend David Fung ordered a custom with ebony for the neck laminates, primarily because he thought it would look cool (perhaps not his exact words). When Ron had it on the bench, they noticed on the oscilloscope that there was a much stronger contribution from the fundamental, and the first and second partials were more even in level and tended to reinforce each other - which of course seemed like a good thing, and since then they have been a special option. Since people are always thinking about how wood sounds, stiffness, and so forth, it's hard to believe there wasn't some consideration of that, but it really seems that it was originally done for looks more than as a conscious choice or experiment for tonal character. There's some chance my memory is a bit fuzzy, and it might have actually been Wayne, but I'm pretty certain it was David - and I'm sure that like myself, many of you are quite thankful! -Bob | ||
| wayne
Intermediate Member Username: wayne Post Number: 109 Registered: 5-2002 |
I can't take credit for being the first, but I sure won't ever own one without them from now on.... C-Ya..........wayne | ||
| malthumb
Advanced Member Username: malthumb Post Number: 263 Registered: 5-2002 |
I don't think they have always been purpleheart. I used to own 74-84 and the neck was maple with walnut stringers (not pinstripes). I also seem to recall other early vintage basses with some fairly intersting combinations of neck woods and stringers. Peace, James | ||
| 76ac070
Member Username: 76ac070 Post Number: 70 Registered: 5-2002 |
I had mine custom built in 1975 - 1976 and, because the neck was "shaved" and narrowed to suit my particular tastes, it is comprised of the primary wood being purple heart with walnut stringers. What an incredibly warm and "nasty" punch this combination provides. Oh, and the sustain is - shall we say - forever!? |
