| Author | Message | ||
| Googe Endeveronte (goooge)
Junior Username: goooge Post Number: 31 Registered: 8-2002 |
I have always thought that alembics had 0 neck angle-but the featured construction "Hotfudge" looks like it has a neck angle (the joiner shot.) trick of the eye? anybody? | ||
| Paul Lindemans (palembic)
Member Username: palembic Post Number: 69 Registered: 9-2002 |
Hey Googe, am I seeing this good: you posted at 04:29 in the morning? Woooooooaaaaaah! It's afternoon here! Can it be that I'm missing something in your message? Ought there to be a picture? Maybe I misinterpret the question. I'm not that fluent in english. Paul | ||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 336 Registered: 6-2000 |
Here's the picture Googe is referring to. As far as I know we've almost always made our guitars and basses with a body draft angle. I've seen a few early examples and customs that didn't or used a smaller angle than we've been using for the last 25 years. | ||
| Googe Endeveronte (goooge)
Junior Username: goooge Post Number: 32 Registered: 8-2002 |
I hate to be stupid-what is a body draft angle? | ||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 340 Registered: 6-2000 |
It's the angle you're referring to - the difference between the plane of the fingerboard gluing surface and the top of the body. I think we're using 2 different terms to describe the same exact thing. | ||
| Googe Endeveronte (goooge)
Junior Username: goooge Post Number: 33 Registered: 8-2002 |
thanks Mica- is the angle "severe" like on a gibson? I dont remember any angle on the few times I have played an alembic. (thus my question in the first place) thanks! | ||
| Joey Wilson (bigredbass)
Junior Username: bigredbass Post Number: 12 Registered: 9-2002 |
Googe E: Alembics actually have three angles: 1) The 'neck angle' you mention (or 'draft angle' term that Mica used) is a construction method used to raise the string height at the bridge 2) ... so that the angle where the strings cross from the bridge to the tailpiece is greater. This tends to give greater sustain by creating more 'downforce' (to use a racing term) on the bridge. The separate tailpiece (and the brass sustain block in some models) boosts sustain as well. 3) The 'third' angle is the headstock pitched down from the plane of the fingerboard. Again, this makes more 'downforce' on the nut, adding sustain. It also simplifies restringing as this allows the builder to eliminate the string trees used on Fender-style instruments. The tree arrangement can't possibly deliver a uniform loading to the nut. GOTOH has even begun building staggered-height tuning keys to attempt to compensate for this. These construction methods are neither cheap or common in most basses. If you set out to build the very best, they are, however, the ONLY methods you would use. Combine this with the laminated necks and slab ebony fingerboards, it's no wonder The BigRedBass seems to sustain forever, even at low volume. I am continually delighted by the insight manifested in the construction of my bass. Joey Wilson |
