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daghdha
New
Username: daghdha

Post Number: 1
Registered: 3-2015
Posted on Tuesday, March 03, 2015 - 6:27 pm:   Edit Post

Loved seeing this today on Instagram
[link]

A very nice Knod to those crazy cats from the 60's ;)

(Message edited by adriaan on March 04, 2015)
mtjam
Advanced Member
Username: mtjam

Post Number: 269
Registered: 11-2011
Posted on Tuesday, March 03, 2015 - 6:49 pm:   Edit Post

Nice!
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 3944
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Tuesday, March 03, 2015 - 7:14 pm:   Edit Post

Very KOOOL !
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 1936
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 04, 2015 - 3:39 pm:   Edit Post

Wow, looks like we're all doing it, these days!

I'd love to see more pics of the rest of the bass.
hifiguy
Senior Member
Username: hifiguy

Post Number: 437
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Wednesday, March 04, 2015 - 3:56 pm:   Edit Post

What a cool bass. Bet it could tell some stories!
hieronymous
Senior Member
Username: hieronymous

Post Number: 1454
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Wednesday, March 04, 2015 - 4:48 pm:   Edit Post

That is awesome! Here's the pic:

dave schools
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8434
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Wednesday, March 04, 2015 - 5:29 pm:   Edit Post

I took a few other pictures during Dave's visit. Here's a couple:

Front
HGR pickups in custom 5-ply pickup rings that are slightly inlaid in the top, 20th Anniversary electronics, new tailpiece, bridge, block, and nut. We were originally going to cover the thumbrest holes with the treble pickup, but it was pretty far from the bridge. So we moved it closer to the bridge and filled the little holes with Bloodwood dowels.

back
Cut the backplate out and bound with Ebony. Also made a shelf for the plate and of course added threaded inserts.

battery
Inside it's all shielded with silver, and we built a nice little box for the battery.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8435
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Wednesday, March 04, 2015 - 5:31 pm:   Edit Post

Oh yeah! One with dad, too!

Dave and Dad
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 3946
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Wednesday, March 04, 2015 - 5:42 pm:   Edit Post

Beautiful work on the battery box. It is nice to see high levels of such craftsmanship even in an area that everyone does not see.

Wolf
daghdha
New
Username: daghdha

Post Number: 2
Registered: 3-2015
Posted on Wednesday, March 04, 2015 - 6:10 pm:   Edit Post

Just incredible!
moongerm
Intermediate Member
Username: moongerm

Post Number: 125
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Wednesday, March 04, 2015 - 7:00 pm:   Edit Post

Very nice!
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 1937
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 04, 2015 - 7:12 pm:   Edit Post

Beautiful job! Another Starfire achieves its potential!
bigredbass
Senior Member
Username: bigredbass

Post Number: 2336
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 04, 2015 - 11:13 pm:   Edit Post

H-G-R pickups ? ?

Joey
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 4416
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, March 05, 2015 - 2:20 am:   Edit Post

The wording in the article is a bit misleading as it states the bass is modified with Series 1 electronics, which I'm almost certain I've read that alembic only install the series electronics in their own basses. However In mica's comments here she writes that it has 20th Anniversary electronics.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8441
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Thursday, March 05, 2015 - 9:29 am:   Edit Post

The electronics are 20th Anniversary in this bass, but it's easy to get confused as the control layout is pretty much the same.

We're happy to install Series I or II electronics in other maker's basses, but we have to do the installation. With the calibration process, we can't sell them for remote installation.

HGR is the rounded corner, slightly longer humbucker-esque pickups like we put in the Darling, Skylark, and Kit guitars.
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 4418
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, March 05, 2015 - 9:41 am:   Edit Post

Cool thanks for clarifying that Mica.
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 306
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Sunday, March 08, 2015 - 11:47 pm:   Edit Post

Very cool!
I love the way my bass sounds, but I'm tempted to try this pickup setup. (Nice job on the pickup rings)
If memory serves, I think there might be at least one more Starfire awaiting the magic treatment. :-)
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 1938
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, March 09, 2015 - 8:34 am:   Edit Post

Is there something about the trapezoidal pickups that isn't working for you?
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8446
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Monday, March 09, 2015 - 12:47 pm:   Edit Post

Inside the HGR pickups have the same magnet as the traps we made for you, Keith, so only change it you like the looks.

The one slight improvement is that the HGR pickups have 4 mounting holes, so they can have the rigid no-spring mounting system.
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 308
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 - 12:07 am:   Edit Post

Thanks for the info Mica.
Edwin, there's nothing about the pickups on my bass I don't like…. in fact there's nothing about my bass I don't love! I entered into my bass build being open to trying different pickups, so if the magnet was bigger with the HGR's I might be open to trying them.
hieronymous
Senior Member
Username: hieronymous

Post Number: 1455
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 - 10:42 am:   Edit Post

Moonliner's amazing bass and then this one - I started regretting selling my Starfire I... Then I realized that I could still have my M-85 II Alembicized - maybe someday!
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 309
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Friday, March 13, 2015 - 2:46 am:   Edit Post

That's great you have an M85 II. I would love one of those!
I believe there is some historic significance with Alembic and an M85. Do a google search of Phil Lesh and M85 and you'll see a very intriguing instrument!
hieronymous
Senior Member
Username: hieronymous

Post Number: 1460
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Friday, March 13, 2015 - 11:43 am:   Edit Post

Yeah, I love the bass. Mine is fretless too, so there's a connection to the Phil Lesh Guild bass, but a major difference is that mine is one of the later solid bodies, so I think there might not be much room in there to play around with for electronics. I'm planning on starting a new thread in the "Dreaming" section eventually.

(Message edited by hieronymous on March 13, 2015)
daghdha
New
Username: daghdha

Post Number: 3
Registered: 3-2015
Posted on Monday, March 16, 2015 - 8:46 pm:   Edit Post

Mica, I've emailed you about this setup.
hieronymous
Senior Member
Username: hieronymous

Post Number: 1493
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Thursday, April 02, 2015 - 12:35 pm:   Edit Post

Wanted to link to the thread I started in the Dreaming section:

http://alembic.com/club/messages/402/207542.html?1427784285

And it doesn't hurt to bump this one to the top! Dave Schools & Alembic have just fueled the fire of super-charging our Guilds, be they vintage or new!

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