| Author | Message | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 981 Registered: 11-2003 |
Was wondering if this was still a go? Last I heard anything about it was a post from last fall. Anyone know if this is still going to happen? Alan | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7752 Registered: 6-2000 |
Yes, it's happening, finally. My regular precision sheeetmetal fabricator evaporated (I really hope he's OK) and I've had to shop for a replacement. Just last Friday we were paid a visit by the folks that are going to do the work, and we've set a new delivery date of late July/early August, so it will be pretty darned soon. The initial run is going to be 60 units (about half are reserved, including yours, Alan), and I plan on keeping them available so people can chose the mini power supply or the rackmounted one on new builds. Custom! | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 982 Registered: 11-2003 |
Mica, Awesome! Can't wait to get mine. I took my Series II out to an open mic last night, and had to take the DS-5R with me. Will be very convenient to have a smaller power supply for things like that. Thanks for the update! Alan | ||
| s_wood
Advanced Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 356 Registered: 5-2002 |
Mica, I should be down for two of these...right? | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7753 Registered: 6-2000 |
Yeah, yeah. I got a list! | ||
| tubeperson
Advanced Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 283 Registered: 5-2005 |
Please add me Your Tubiness to the list! Please!!!!!!!!. | ||
| sjhoffma
Advanced Member Username: sjhoffma Post Number: 236 Registered: 5-2008 |
Mica, please add me to the list, I still need a power supply for 76 series 1  | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 983 Registered: 11-2003 |
BTW, at said open mic last night we were asked to play Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly." I have to say, I never envisioned playing that song on my Series II Entwistle Replica when I ordered it! ;-) Alan | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7754 Registered: 6-2000 |
Got it, Steven and Sam. That sounds like a Kodak moment, Alan! You can literally "light up" the stage with the LEDs. | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 984 Registered: 11-2003 |
Mica - it was a Kodak moment. I literally had folks coming up to me just to look at the LEDs. And I have to admit, the other bassists there were in awe of the craftsmanship, as well as the tone. All I was using was my Mesa Boogie Walkabout Scout, and it still cut through. Alembic. When you absolutely, positively have to cut through the mix. For everything else, there's Master Card! ;-) Alan P.S. Homemade corn chowder tonight, all produce locally sourced. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2498 Registered: 5-2009 |
Hello Mica , Will the new ones be the same dimensions as the blue ones ? How will the face be laid out as far as connections . etc..? Same as the Blue ones? What color will the new ones be ? I should be on the prepaid list . Sorry for all the questions... LOL! Wolf | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7756 Registered: 6-2000 |
You're on the list, Wolf, paid and everything! The layout is very very similar to the blue ones, but there's a new stereo/mono switch since Switchcraft really discontinued the other connector we were using. I'm pretty sure these are going to be all black, but I could change my mind at the last minute. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2499 Registered: 5-2009 |
Thanks Mica. I am sure that these units will be great when released. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2945 Registered: 6-2002 |
Jazzyvee (Message edited by jazzyvee on June 05, 2012) | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 5162 Registered: 7-2004 |
Mica wrote: "I'm pretty sure these are going to be all black, but I could change my mind at the last minute." I only have two words: "Clown Vomit"  Bill, tgo | ||
| darkstar01
Senior Member Username: darkstar01 Post Number: 418 Registered: 6-2005 |
is it too late to claim one of these to go with my 6 that's in progress? that would be awesome. even if it is in clown vomit. | ||
| jseitang
Advanced Member Username: jseitang Post Number: 315 Registered: 6-2002 |
As someone who has various working projects going on at Alembic, please count me in for this too as well. Jimy | ||
| jon_jackson
Intermediate Member Username: jon_jackson Post Number: 128 Registered: 12-2008 |
I'm still interested. Jon | ||
| dnburgess
Senior Member Username: dnburgess Post Number: 682 Registered: 1-2003 |
FWIW I think they should be the original blue colour. Everybody knows them as "little blue boxes". Why confuse things? | ||
| lmiwa
Advanced Member Username: lmiwa Post Number: 325 Registered: 2-2008 |
Still interested! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7758 Registered: 6-2000 |
Austin, I've got you on the list and the 6-string marked to ship with the DS-5. Jimy, I have you on the list now. I have you on the list from before, Jon. Loch, I've got one reserved for you on the list now too. | ||
| darkstar01
Senior Member Username: darkstar01 Post Number: 419 Registered: 6-2005 |
thanks mica! | ||
| abidu
Junior Username: abidu Post Number: 23 Registered: 7-2004 |
Mica, please add me to the list, I need a power supply for my series 1.Thanks! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7779 Registered: 6-2000 |
Things are really cooking on this project now! Dad has been test fitting the parts to the prototype chassis:  (Erik was contributing the brainstorming with his crayon drawing!) They are going to be retro BLUE with a black front and back panel. A few key changes: 1. Dual switchable voltage, just like is on the DS-5R. 2. Modular IEC connector for power. Muuuuuch easier for travel and also repair. 3. Most components are mounted on a new printed circuit board (represented by a metal plate under my dad's hand). Whopiiiie! Like I said, things are really cooking, shipping should be in 30 days or less. | ||
| jon_jackson
Intermediate Member Username: jon_jackson Post Number: 134 Registered: 12-2008 |
Excellent news! | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2520 Registered: 5-2009 |
Cool! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7784 Registered: 6-2000 |
Circuit cards arrived today!    | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7785 Registered: 6-2000 |
Chassis were also delivered today!     The blue sleeves should be here on Friday or Monday. Giddy! | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2530 Registered: 5-2009 |
They look beautiful ! | ||
| dlbydgtl
Intermediate Member Username: dlbydgtl Post Number: 128 Registered: 7-2008 |
Count me in. Perfect for theater! John | ||
| jon_jackson
Intermediate Member Username: jon_jackson Post Number: 137 Registered: 12-2008 |
A Factory To Customer for the power supplies! Excellent! | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 1374 Registered: 12-2004 |
Just curious; this seems to only have one resistor, but the schematic from: http://alembic.com/club/messages/395/60881.html?1246843699 ...has two. Also, the board seems to use diodes to construct a bridge rectifier, instead of a packaged one. I promise to answer amateur programmer questions (I'm sure this is elementary stuff, but I'm not a "hardware guy"-- interested, but little time/too much ADD already) in return. Bradley | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1884 Registered: 11-2004 |
Hand built byoung..hand built...no short cuts with Alembic | ||
| room037
Senior Member Username: room037 Post Number: 451 Registered: 9-2003 |
One register is used for power indicater LED on far left side of the front panel, that I think. Two register for stereo-mono SW are mounted on the switch. Eiji (Message edited by room037 on June 29, 2012) | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7787 Registered: 6-2000 |
Eiji is right, there's only one resistor on the PC card is for the LED, but there's another two on the switch. On a PC, it's quite easy to put in 4 diodes (and it takes up less room than the bridge). The bridge saved effort on the non-PC board version. On the DS-2, there were 4 diodes, but they were soldered to terminal strips and it was not fun.   I remember that there's folks that like to see the back too. If you've got one of these reserved, look for an email in the next few days with an invoice. Next week we've got vacations to work around, so the run will be started on July 9th. The only physical change is the switch, which is traditional chrome... we didn't want to wait until they show up next week to get the sample made. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2531 Registered: 5-2009 |
Mica ,_____ A work of Art! with a capital A ! Completely Swell ___ | ||
| jseitang
Advanced Member Username: jseitang Post Number: 317 Registered: 6-2002 |
SO FINE. | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1886 Registered: 11-2004 |
Nice neat units, obviously it will be better for Series owners to use one of these in conjunction with their rack units if they want to use other stand alone amplifiers eg at backline supplied venues. Me..I shall just keep installing the 9 volters in my MK Signature | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2990 Registered: 6-2002 |
I wonder if alembic have considered an external PSU for non Series basses? Jazzyvee | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 3204 Registered: 10-2002 |
I doubt if it's worth the effort Jazzy. My basses get fresh batteries once a year but the old ones have never crapped out on me. Even the LED batteries last longer than 12 months. I would imagine people playing more than once or twice a week may have to change more often but I don't suppose it would be too much of a hardship. Graeme | ||
| xlrogue6
Advanced Member Username: xlrogue6 Post Number: 218 Registered: 8-2002 |
The only time my battery has ever crapped out and killed the output was my one and only playing-on-a-float-in-a-parade experience, and of course it didn't matter because A: I was pretty much inaudible anyway and B: even if I was audible it was only for a few seconds. I've been more vigilant about checking my batteries since then! | ||
| sjhoffma
Advanced Member Username: sjhoffma Post Number: 251 Registered: 5-2008 |
Magnifico! Can't wait till they ship! | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2539 Registered: 5-2009 |
Jazzy, I think an external power adaptor for non-Series Alembic instruments is a marvelous idea, in fact I have already had that conversation regarding such. My idea was to use TRS jacks/cables on a non stereo non series alembic instrument to bring in 9 volts externally. if I remember correctly I was told that the modifications will vary from various models .This has actually already been done with some other active electronics instruments. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2995 Registered: 6-2002 |
The one of the many good things about the DS-5 is that the bass always gets the full power it needs each time it is used so will always be running at design capability. With less than brand new batteries you never know if you have full capacity at any time and although I don't recall ever having a battery go down on a gig, I have at home, and once they get to a particular level the drop into unusable distorted sound happens pretty quickly. Whatever solution I think would still need to allow the existing battery to be available as backup like in the series stuff and be cost effective which I think many come into your point jacko. Shame there wasn't one added to this new DS-5... :-) Jazzyvee | ||
| charles_holmes
Intermediate Member Username: charles_holmes Post Number: 180 Registered: 3-2009 |
gotta have one, I'm tired of taking mine in and out of my rack | ||
| lembic76450
Advanced Member Username: lembic76450 Post Number: 318 Registered: 5-2002 |
Mica, did I miss the price being stated, or is that a subject for a phone conversation? | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7794 Registered: 6-2000 |
Retail is $595, but I'm offering a prepaid discount for direct orders. Email me for details (actually, I'll email you, Kenn). | ||
| lembic76450
Advanced Member Username: lembic76450 Post Number: 319 Registered: 5-2002 |
Mica, I'm in, I left a phone message a few minutes ago... | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7796 Registered: 6-2000 |
Thanks, got it! | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3008 Registered: 6-2002 |
Any reason why the the mono socket is not marked on this new version as it is in the older versions? Jazzyvee | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1905 Registered: 11-2004 |
Pardon my ignorance on these units but which socket do you use if you switch to mono?. Am I assuming that the bass socket is the neck pick up and treble is the bridge or have I got that completely wrong as well??(I have a 'battery' Alembic by the way) | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3009 Registered: 6-2002 |
On the rack version of the PSU, there is a label marked "mono" underneath the bass socket which is for use when the unit is switched to Mono. In actuality, when switched to mono you get both pickups out of the bass socket plus you still get the bridge-only pickup only through the treble socket. I don't know how the old blue box is configured and whether there is a stereo/mono switch is on the back or it get switched depending on which jacks you use. I 'm sure an owner will confirm.   Hope that helps Jazzyvee | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1906 Registered: 11-2004 |
cheers for that jazzyvee | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7797 Registered: 6-2000 |
Vince is correct about the traditional operation. Now both output jacks supply a mono signal when the switch is in the mono position, and there is no crosstalk. | ||
| stenobass
New Username: stenobass Post Number: 8 Registered: 9-2011 |
Hi Mica, I would like to order one of these too, can you add me to the list or should I email you? Thanks! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7825 Registered: 6-2000 |
Today we finally sent the first group out the door! More leaving tomorrow. We should everything that was preordered shipped by the end of the month. Thank you very much for helping to make this project possible! | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 990 Registered: 11-2003 |
Awesome. Can't wait to get mine. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2572 Registered: 5-2009 |
Thanks Mica ____Great , I am excited now__ my heart dances ! | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2573 Registered: 5-2009 |
Thanks Mica ____Great , I am excited now__ my heart dances ! Whoops ,_____double post (due to file locking error) LOL (Message edited by sonicus on July 26, 2012) | ||
| jon_jackson
Intermediate Member Username: jon_jackson Post Number: 142 Registered: 12-2008 |
Got my tracking number yesterday. Oh boy! | ||
| lmiwa
Advanced Member Username: lmiwa Post Number: 331 Registered: 2-2008 |
Mine just arrived - VERY nice! Thanks Mica | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3080 Registered: 6-2002 |
Has the price for these been published? Jazzyvee | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1936 Registered: 11-2004 |
$595 is listed on this thread which at the current rate is £ 381.87 | ||
| lmiwa
Advanced Member Username: lmiwa Post Number: 332 Registered: 2-2008 |
To quote Mica from above - "Retail is $595, but I'm offering a prepaid discount for direct orders. Email me for details." | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 998 Registered: 11-2003 |
Just opened the box to mine today - what a great little unit this is! It will make it so much easier to take the Series II out. Thanks, Mica! Alan | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2589 Registered: 5-2009 |
When I opened my box and unwrapped mine I smiled a big grin ear to ear and thought " what a masterpiece of a little DS-5" and a surprise of a a sweet little extra. My BIG Thanks to Mica , Ron ,Susan, Mary and all those awesome world class craftsmen /craftswomen and artists at Alembic . Yay !!!!!! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7836 Registered: 6-2000 |
Glad they are all arriving safely. I'll be working on the new rackmount power supplies very soon (maybe even starting on Thursday). The fun continues! | ||
| jon_jackson
Intermediate Member Username: jon_jackson Post Number: 147 Registered: 12-2008 |
I second Wolf's comments. Not only the DS-5 itself, but the entire packaging had the same care and attention we have seen on Alembic products. Thanks for making these beautiful little units again. Much appreciated. | ||
| borisbass
New Username: borisbass Post Number: 2 Registered: 10-2011 |
Hi Mica Any rough idea when the rackmount power supplies will be available, and how much? Cheers | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3141 Registered: 6-2002 |
Are these ones available still? This is listed on the http://www.station-music.de/index.html web site. it's not listed as used so I presume this is a special order with the switch or new old stock.  Jazzyvee | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7855 Registered: 6-2000 |
I haven't finished the artwork for the rackmount power supplies yet, but I'm just a few decisions away from completion. I will be posting here on the Club just as soon as they are under production. There are more small DS-5 power supplies available. In fact, I plan to keep them as a regular product, so that new orders can choose which component they prefer, case size or rackmounted version. I have sent you an email, Vince. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7856 Registered: 6-2000 |
Oh, and Station Music bought some spare power supplies recently, that's a new unit pictured. | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 3248 Registered: 10-2002 |
"I have sent you an email, Vince." And I've spoken to Mica this week and it's all set for me to collect your parts when i visit the workshop :-) Graeme | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3145 Registered: 6-2002 |
Yep Cool thanks for the Email Mica, I'm just about to start my radio programme so will give you a call this evening when I get home. Are you 8 hours behind UK time and finish up at 4:00 West Coast time? Shameless plug coming. You can catch my Jazz Radio programme live on air every Tuesday from 18:00 to 20:00 on www.newstyleradio.co.uk I already have quite a few listeners from the USA, Texas, New York, NJ & Florida. If you have any of your own jazz recordings, I'd be happy to give them an airing here in the UK. Jazzyvee | ||
| stenobass
New Username: stenobass Post Number: 9 Registered: 9-2011 |
Hi Mica, I still have not received my small DS-5, can you let me know when it will be delivered? Thanks, Stefano | ||
| that_sustain
Junior Username: that_sustain Post Number: 44 Registered: 8-2012 |
I can only dream for now of pulling one of these out in a studio. Time stands still, as the engineer catches a first glimpse of the blue box. He's a little afraid of it's might..while being overjoyed. | ||
| moonliner
Member Username: moonliner Post Number: 57 Registered: 12-2004 |
Hi Mica, I think I might need one of these to power up my little project coming up! So excited! | ||
| bonesrad
Member Username: bonesrad Post Number: 92 Registered: 5-2002 |
Are there any more of these still available? If so, do you just call Alembic direct to order? Thanks, Bones |
