| Author | Message | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3570 Registered: 6-2002 |
Just a random observation that got me thinking so I thought i'd share it. On the series basses the knobs and switches are aligned on lines that seems parallel to the centre line of the instrument, whereas on the signature instruments based on them have the knobs on lines that is angled away from the centre line of the instrument body. It got me wondering what the practical reason was for the different approaches to knob layout. Also the brown basses seem to be parallel to body centre too but I guess that's to mimic the series brown basses Stanley used to have in the past. As with all things Alembic, I'm sure there is a logic behind it. Series 1 http://alembic.com/club/messages/16271/18483.html?1361485906 Series 2 http://alembic.com/club/messages/16271/41122.html?1182027166 Signature http://alembic.com/club/messages/16271/16368.html?1320955206 Brown Bass http://alembic.com/club/messages/16271/113006.html?1315948770 Any idea's, speculations, conspiracy theories or facts welcome. jazzyvee (Message edited by jazzyvee on August 14, 2013) | ||
| cje
Intermediate Member Username: cje Post Number: 138 Registered: 5-2009 |
I'd think that it's what's attached to the knob inside the electronics cavity that might be dictating their position (at least a little), in addition to all the other stuffed crammed into the instrument that has no knob to show for it! I know that determining the controls layout on my Further was one of the more laborious and stressful parts of my build. I had extremely detailed ideas, and Mica, Ron, and team artfully matched up my esthetic desires with the physical realities of putting a spaceship inside a guitar. This image doesn't even include the Roland guts, but you can see the amount of creative energy that went in to making it a reality.  | ||
| jalevinemd
Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 864 Registered: 12-2003 |
I've owned/own several vintage BC Rich guitars. Specs and such are all over the map. The saying was that it depended on how much tequila the boys had been drinking on any given day. Our Alembics are made in the herb friendly state of CA, so who knows. Hahahahahahahaha.... | ||
| cje
Intermediate Member Username: cje Post Number: 140 Registered: 5-2009 |
With Alembic, you can be assured that it is a "precision decision." | ||
| jalevinemd
Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 865 Registered: 12-2003 |
All kidding aside. I've got two custom Alembics, both with the same Darling electronics. Yet the knob layout is quite different. In fact, on the burl guitar you can see that the bottom right knob doesn't even line up quite right with the others. I honestly never noticed this before. Seeing it now doesn't bother me, but I can't postulate a reason for it other than "poetic license."   | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 2020 Registered: 9-2002 |
Aha ! Now a parallel enigma to why aren't my strings centered' up with the neck inlays. j o e y | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 3405 Registered: 10-2002 |
probably best not to mention misaligned tailpieces right now ;-) Graeme | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3573 Registered: 6-2002 |
Before this thread diversifies, I would prefer if it didn't stray into a quality control thread. I wasn't implying misalignment or fault, merely wanted to find out if there was a practical ergonomic reason for the differences in placement of my knobs. Jazzyvee | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 3406 Registered: 10-2002 |
Sorry V :-( There are quite a few F2C threads where folk have had custom layouts e.g. flax's 'scarlet' and hal's tomahawk so I don't suppose anything is set in stone as far as layout goes. probably what's easiest for the electronics but they can change . graeme | ||
| pauldo
Senior Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 1038 Registered: 6-2006 |
Handmade instead of 'cookie-cutter' CNC production = beautiful. | ||
| jalevinemd
Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 866 Registered: 12-2003 |
Jazzy, Apologies. Guess I misunderstood the original thread. | ||
| that_sustain
Advanced Member Username: that_sustain Post Number: 236 Registered: 8-2012 |
With my palm wrapped around the curve of the bass..every knob variation fits all the fingers on my hand(including the multiple angles of the bass, treble..and Q switches). Medium scale bass for a medium size guy. I think Alembic has technique in mind with their placement of the knobs. | ||
| jzstephan
Intermediate Member Username: jzstephan Post Number: 165 Registered: 1-2012 |
 Here's how Mica did the layout for my knobs. | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 3407 Registered: 10-2002 |
I never tire of looking at your top wood John. Wasn't your layout skewed to account for the side mounted jack? graeme | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3577 Registered: 6-2002 |
Now wouldn't it be cool to have a tailpiece that matched that dark wing shape. jazzyvee | ||
| jzstephan
Intermediate Member Username: jzstephan Post Number: 166 Registered: 1-2012 |
Yes, side jacks xlr and 1/4". The wings are going to make the Skyway trem fly, Jazzy.  Me too, Graeme | ||
| that_sustain
Advanced Member Username: that_sustain Post Number: 239 Registered: 8-2012 |
You know it's a luxurious bass when the bridge hole has a burl laminate. |
