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jseitang
Junior
Username: jseitang

Post Number: 35
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 2:02 pm:   Edit Post

anyone had any experences with 32 inch?
the next alembic i'm planning is 32 inch and i wanted to know what peoples opinions are.
thanks
adriaan
Advanced Member
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 283
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 2:07 pm:   Edit Post

Just great.
pas
Junior
Username: pas

Post Number: 14
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 3:38 pm:   Edit Post

I've had 3, still have two & as Tony the Tiger would say, "They'rrrre great!"
tkotmk42
Junior
Username: tkotmk42

Post Number: 24
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 7:21 pm:   Edit Post

I am of Japanese descent and have small hand / short fingers. I found regular 34" scale to be too taxing, especially with standard point body.
Now that I have 32" scale bass, I would never go back to 34".
It is all good. Many of my friends played my bass commented on how much easier it is to play and how good it sounds. Then again, they don't own Alembics...
flaxattack
Intermediate Member
Username: flaxattack

Post Number: 122
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 7:32 pm:   Edit Post

let ya know in 3 months,,, just ordered mine
bassman10096
Senior Member
Username: bassman10096

Post Number: 588
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 8:57 pm:   Edit Post

Depends on the size of your hands. Mine are smallish and fingers are not especially broad. I believe that makes a 32 perfect for me - Easier to reach further, but not so small that my fingertips are too wide for the narrower fret spaces in the upper registers.

Bill
kungfusheriff
Intermediate Member
Username: kungfusheriff

Post Number: 136
Registered: 8-2003
Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 11:33 pm:   Edit Post

I'm six-foot-one and 160 with big hands and short fingers, and the one full-size Alembic I've played recently (MK Standard) felt enormous, in large part because of how far forward the bridge is set.
My ex-Spoiler 4, which had a 32" scale, fit me really well. My short scale Small Standard fits even better with no loss of tone on the E string. Never tried a medium scale with a B string...is that among your plans?
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic

Post Number: 1499
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 12:49 am:   Edit Post

Oh huhuhuhuh ...brother Jeff ...3 months ...3 ...three ????????
Mmmmm ...don't hold your breath on it!!!
But hey ...it's nice to have this really optimistic people around.
I would make that 6.

Paul the bad one

yep ...that was bad just kidding
the_mule
Advanced Member
Username: the_mule

Post Number: 230
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 1:47 am:   Edit Post

My EVH is 32" and it's very comfortable to play. Actually, it's the most comfortable bass I've ever played, and that includes the rest of my versatile Alembic 'Rat Pack'. No matter how big or small your hands are, you can't go wrong with 32" IMHO.

Wilfred
dadabass2001
Advanced Member
Username: dadabass2001

Post Number: 225
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 5:02 am:   Edit Post

My '81 Distillate and my '73 Guild Starfire are both 32" and both are easy to love. Stanley Clarke spec'ed his basses for 30.75 scale. I won't argue with him. :-)

Mike
davehouck
Senior Member
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 777
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, August 27, 2004 - 5:36 am:   Edit Post

On my 32", the lower registers are more comfortable. On my 34", my fingering in the higher registers is more precise. The best solution is to have at least one of each <g>.
kevin_k
Member
Username: kevin_k

Post Number: 86
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Friday, August 27, 2004 - 7:21 am:   Edit Post

I have short fat fingers...I played similar 32" and 34" 5-string basses...No longer have the 32"...I worried needlessly about moving to a longer bass...I would try all the different sizes I could, if I was undecided. Then go with your gut feeling.

Later,

Kevin
bassman10096
Senior Member
Username: bassman10096

Post Number: 597
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Friday, August 27, 2004 - 8:10 am:   Edit Post

I've always favored shorter scales in a 4 string. My old Spoiler was and my new bass is a 32" 4 string. I love, em. Very easy on the lower frets, precise, but manageable on the upper. However, I'm leaning toward a 34 (even a 33?) when I Alembic builds my 5 string. Not because of sound, but because of the greater ease of fingering the upper registers on a 34.

I've found that, for me, neck width and thickness are just as important as scale on a 5 string. Alembic's "Comfort taper" 5 string fingerboard 1.875" nut, 2.930" 24th fret) width is a bit wide for me. However, Alembic will build what you want on most models for no extra charge.

I like the width and thickness Ibanez uses on its Soundgear 5 strings better (1.77" nut and 2.6" 24th See http://ibanez.com/guitars/guitar.asp?model=SR405 for an all dimensions diagram). Others have said the same. I plan to try a number of other 5 string necks and dimensions before I'm ready to order, but having owned an Ibanez 5, I'd say it's pretty close to what I want.

The other variation I've considered is building the neck assymetrical, with the thicker part under the low strings. I think that might relieve a little thumb fatigue, but I'll have to find and try one with that shape before I decide.

Bill

somatic
Junior
Username: somatic

Post Number: 14
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 7:46 am:   Edit Post

32" scale length is fine, except perhaps for a low B. None of my Alembics are 32's (both 30.75) but my Kubicki is, and I find the short scales easier to move about on and just more fun to play.

(Message edited by somatic on August 28, 2004)
bsee
Advanced Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 238
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 8:25 am:   Edit Post

For the low B on a 32, wood really matters. Or maybe it's age? I played a new MK std 5 in 32" and thought the B felt and sounded awful. I bought a '90 Persuader 5 in 32" and the B both feels and sounds excellent. They were basically the same woods (mahogany core, figured walnut top), but the age and the purpleheart in the neck of the Persuader must be making the difference. I also think that you can't expect to get a great B string tone on light strings and shorter scale. You definitely need a meaty B string to get good tension.

Just my experience...

-Bob
flaxattack
Intermediate Member
Username: flaxattack

Post Number: 130
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 9:13 am:   Edit Post

well i hope i dont have that problem on my mk5- coco bolo body and ebony/purple heart lams in the neck
flaxattack
Intermediate Member
Username: flaxattack

Post Number: 131
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 9:29 am:   Edit Post

i too liked the ibanez neck that i had on my edb605- i used that as a model for my mk5- the important thing is not necessarily the width adn scale of the neck, but the shape. my custom is going to be 1.75 nut .182 edges(std is.150) and 2.45 at the 24th fret- app .470 spacing but i might increas to .500 shortly
BUT- per advice of my dealer steve at superbass- i am having the neck "shaved" which should reduce that neck thickness by about 1/8th inch. of course the other problem i had with the ibazed neck? it moved if i sneezed on it
bassman10096
Senior Member
Username: bassman10096

Post Number: 605
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 2:18 pm:   Edit Post

That's funny. My Soundgear neck was like a rock. Had it moved around a lot I wouldn't have considered it as a model for other projects. Glad I heard that, though...
dnburgess
Advanced Member
Username: dnburgess

Post Number: 310
Registered: 1-2003
Posted on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 3:07 pm:   Edit Post

Brett - totally off the subject - I see you are in Australia. Are you on the Green Square Music mailing list? (www.greensquare.net) We have ocasional Alembic specials and promotions, as well as passing on the Alembic monthly specials.

David B.
bsee
Advanced Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 240
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 3:15 pm:   Edit Post

I played the soundgear 1300/1500 model for a while and the neck was very flexible, but I don't remember having to tweak the action all that often. I think that a small neck will be just fine with the right amount of ebony or purpleheart there to keep it stiff. The shorter the scale, the easier it will be to keep it straight, though maybe the 2-3" difference between short and long scale isn't enough to really matter.

-Bob
malthumb
Advanced Member
Username: malthumb

Post Number: 275
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 6:08 pm:   Edit Post

I had a 32" scale Series II 4 string a while back. Wonderful instrument. It would have been my main bass if I didn't have a real need for a 5 string in my church band. That's why I ordered my 5 string with Series II electronics. I was a little nervous about the idea of a 32" scale with a B string, so I ordered my 5er with 34".

If you're getting a 4 string, go for the 32" and you'll be fine. If you're looking for a 5, hopefully someone else on the board has experience with a 32" B string.

Peace,

James
bkbass
Member
Username: bkbass

Post Number: 58
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 6:57 am:   Edit Post

I have two very hot rodded spoilers in 32"medium scales.The fretless one is a five string.Both have very narrow string spacing.Both are strung with very light gauge strings(.30-.90)on the four string and (.30-.105)on the five string the lighter gauge B-string experiences none of the typical problems associated with tension/length issues.In fact I don't have to adjust my attack at all on the B-string no flatulence whatsoever.However,the bass is made out of solid Purple Heart top,body and neck with Paduk neck stringers(3 on a 7 piece neck)and a Paduk accent stripe on the body.I believe the B-string behaves so well because of the overall mass of the instrument it's heavy but balances ok when strapped lower(not up around one's neck)oh yes,and the body shape is modeled after an Oasis shape which has the same hips and waist of a Stanley Clarke model but with a slightly larger upper and lower horns.Originally the strap button was positioned on the upper horn but I put a second one approx.1" in from the neck heel proper and it balances much,much better.All of the older model shapes where intentionally made to balance at the 3 o'clock position and these are no exception.Also it's been my observation that when comparing a 4 string to a 5&6 string of similar models the E-string always sounds a little sweeter on the 4 than on the 5 or 6 strings(34"scale)that same sweetness overall exists on a 32"compared to a 34"regardless of which string it is.Any one else have similar experience with that sweetness difference between a 32" and a 34"?
somatic
Junior
Username: somatic

Post Number: 16
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 7:36 am:   Edit Post

Brett - totally off the subject - I see you are in Australia. Are you on the Green Square Music mailing list?

I am now. Cheers.

However,the bass is made out of solid Purple Heart top,body and neck with Paduk neck stringers(3 on a 7 piece neck)and a Paduk accent stripe on the body.I believe the B-string behaves so well because of the overall mass of the instrument

Wow!. Do you have any pix?
I'm having a custom made down here, and I'm discussing with the luthier which woods I'll have it made from. Most of my selections so far have been from the heavier types such as wenge and purpleheart for exactly that reason. The first will be a 30.75" 4, but I'd like a low B 5 and this has given me some confidence to try it.
groovelines
Intermediate Member
Username: groovelines

Post Number: 191
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 9:58 am:   Edit Post

Jimmy,

If indeed you are planning on a custom order from Alembic and depending on the peghead selected, (especially with the 'crown'), you could order the peghead reversed: 2 on top, three on bottom and get a little more "pull" on the 32" B. just a thought...
811952
Advanced Member
Username: 811952

Post Number: 242
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 12:55 pm:   Edit Post

The tension of the B string is the same regardless of the distance from tailpiece to peg. The tension is determined by the tuning as it relates to the speaking length of the string. A longer distance from tail to peg gives the string more stretch (a given elasticity over greater distance) and conceiveably more energy loss. I've played a TON of basses over the years, and I don't think the length of the string tailpiece to peg really matters, but that the angle of the strings over the bridge does sometimes make a difference. Neck and body wood(s), on the other hand, are everything. I would imagine a beefy neck with ebony lams and the right gauge of strings would yield an imminently useable (and relatively tight-sounding) B. So, I personally wouldn't be inclined to lose any sleep over which side of the head the tuners are located, except for aesthetics. One thing you might experiment with is stringing up a 32" BEAD and seeing what that feels like, keeping in mind that the tension of a 5th string will make the whole apparatus feel a bit tighter and the B sound a bit better...

John
bkbass
Member
Username: bkbass

Post Number: 60
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 1:40 pm:   Edit Post

No pix of any of the family just yet.I figured I'd wait till this next one is done.

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