| Author | Message | ||
| jtussing
Member Username: jtussing Post Number: 56 Registered: 12-2006 |
I thought I'd start a thread here so that we stop dirtying up Shim's FTC thread. The question to discuss here is: Why do some (most?) Alembics have a tailpiece that appears not to be centered against the neck laminates? Some examples: Shim's beautiful bass Pierre's stunning Stanley Clark Mica has offered on several occasions that the tailpieces themselves are not perfectl symmetrical to begin with and the tailpieces are mounted in the optimum place for setup and playability, not where they will look the best aesthetically. While I'm sure there has been an error somewhere in the past with a tailpiece, in most cases her explanation completely satisfies me. It has not satisfied everyone, so let's discuss here! Regards, Jim | ||
| crgaston
Advanced Member Username: crgaston Post Number: 349 Registered: 11-2005 |
Mine looks like it's going to be off center a little bit, just based on the holes. What the final product will be, I have no idea. I am of two minds about it...on one hand, we have come to expect symmetry in manufactured items, and something being off-center like this can be percieved as a sign of shoddy attention to detail. On the other, I think it is evident that Alembic is NOT lax when it comes to craftsmanship. I mean, do we imagine that the elves spend countless hours on every other aspect of the instrument, then blindfold themselves and play a drunken game of "pin-the-tailpiece-on-the-Series" as a finishing touch? Of course not. In all honesty, I never noticed any other tailpiece being off-center until it was pointed out to me. A small part of me will be occasionally annoyed by the fact that something is off-center, but for the most part it won't bother me. What I am curious about is an explanation of the effects an off-center bridge has on playability vs. one that is centered. I can't see how it would make much difference, but I don't build instruments, either. The only thing I can think of is that with the wide variety of string spacings available, there will be slight amounts of human error in the hand-filed slots of both the bridge saddles and the tailpiece. Therefore, the location of the bridge, after filing, should be in the place with the least amount of average deviance from straight for ALL the strings. Other than that possibility, I have no clue. What's yours look like, Jim? | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4270 Registered: 6-2000 |
Thanks Jim. It is much more appropriate to keep the general discussion about tailpieces in the gereral discussions area. I have more than once explained that the tailpiece is not a decorative part of the instrument. It serves an important function. The better aligned the strings are from the tailpiece to the bridge, the better the sound and sustain from the strings. The striaght line from the future string is easy to determine for tailpiece placement. There is too much focus here on the tailpiece itself. It isn't a part floating in space, unrelated to the rest of the instrument. Take a look at a bass with tailpiece that is not centered compared to the neck laminates. Notice that if the tailpiece were centered according to the neck laminates, the strings would pull to one side, and they themsleves would cease to be centered. This would be visually much more disturbing than the tailpiece location. So what you are noticing by virtue of the tailpiece placement is the very slight variation from the center of the neck laminates to the actual center of the bass, spread out over a typically 48" length. We do not consider this variation a defect. As for Pierre-Yves' bass, he posted his bass on November 14 on a Showcase thread. It seemed he was enjoying his bass, until December 6, when he posted about the tailpiece being off center. The next day I responded to him, even offering that I felt his was more off center than usual and I offered the have a new assymetrical tailpiece made to improve the look. I haven't had any communication from Pierre-Yves regarding this offer, except for in his thread where he stated, "Well, it's not so important, for me the sound is perfect, the tailpiece can wait, as the heaven !!!" Pierre-Yves' statement "we are waiting for an objective and honnest answer from Mica" seems strange to me, language barriers aside, because I felt I have addressed the matter not only objectively and honestly, but rather timely as well. Charles, I was hoping you would see in the photo I posted after our tailpiece centering telephone discussion that indeed, the center mounting hole is farther to the treble side compard to the point of the tailpiece, so the amount of off-center viewing you should be anticipating is very little. Although the instruments we make are expensive, they will never be perfect. You could pay twice or thrice the cost we charge now, and still they would not be perfect. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4272 Registered: 6-2000 |
Another important point: the tailpiece is installed with wood screws. If you prefer the look of skewed strings from the bridge to the tailpiece with a centered tailpiece, simply move the tailpiece slightly. I'll be happy to offer any advice for this procedure if you need assistance. | ||
| lidon2001
Advanced Member Username: lidon2001 Post Number: 292 Registered: 4-2005 |
I ask this only for the sake of discussion and because it's in my head: In the wonderful video posted recently here, it was stated that building guitars is actually done with/by numbers. The tendency here is that the tail piece is towards the treble. What in the numbers causes this, and can they, the numbers, be checked/manipulated in the process to help minimize this offset? I try to go through the process, neck blank, fingerboard attached, body wings in place, routed, then setup. What in numbers, and where, cause this? Just curious, T (edit for spelling: "i" before "e", except after "c"...) (Message edited by lidon2001 on March 11, 2007) | ||
| crgaston
Advanced Member Username: crgaston Post Number: 350 Registered: 11-2005 |
Yes, Mica, I do see that, now that you point it out. It is indeed going to be minimal, and will in no way detract from the instrument, in my opinion. I was initially a little concerned when I called you, but you have more than set my mind at ease. This is starting to become a bit of a tempest in a teacup, I think. Y'all do great work. Keep it up. P.S. Did you get my email about the strings? Charles | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 714 Registered: 2-2005 |
I'm sure I will be corrected but I don't think it is the tail piece itself. You are dealing with a hand carved neck. This means there can be some variation from the original center line when the laminates are glued and the final center line after carving is complete. The bridge and tail piece are centered to the post carving center line if I understand things correctly. Keith | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 477 Registered: 3-2004 |
Perhaps those who are concerned will move their tails and then live with a bass that performs with less ease than built? I will confidently leave well enough alone and take Charles's teacup reference and get me some right now. | ||
| pierreyves
Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 84 Registered: 11-2006 |
Mica: in fact, it's not absolutly important, I would just to say...you know what I mean. For me, (it's the last time I write this), if I paid several tousand of dollars, I'm waiting for perfection. I never read the answer of Mica or I don't remember, but I don't want to touch the tailpiece. I'm very happy with my SC deluxe wich sound like my old series I and best. | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 546 Registered: 12-2004 |
Tom, Might be a trick of the angle, but http://www3.alembic.com/img/inst/valval_tailpieceL.jpg Looks to be off center to the bass side. I think that the biggest issue is that the bird tailpiece fairly shouts, "Here's the exact center!!!" Bradley | ||
| jtussing
Member Username: jtussing Post Number: 57 Registered: 12-2006 |
crgaston wrote: "What does yours look like, Jim". Assuming that you're talking about my tailpiece :-D, it's not built yet so I don't know! But if my strings line up with the bridge straight and if that lines up with the fingerboard within the specifications I made, then I couldn't care less whether the tailpiece "looks" centered next to the neck laminates. Thanks! | ||
| jtussing
Member Username: jtussing Post Number: 58 Registered: 12-2006 |
byoung. I agree with the bird tailpiece shouting. I'd also guess this is largely angle. If you look you can see the inside edge of the tailpiece at the top of the pic and the outside edge of the tailpiece at the bottom - that means the pic wasn't taking from directly overhead. Regards, Jim | ||
| jtussing
Member Username: jtussing Post Number: 59 Registered: 12-2006 |
Mica, you WERE honest. I'm an optimist when it comes to people (even the French) <--humor folks, just laugh - and am hopeful that Pierre did not really mean to accuse you of being dishonest. Your point about the strings looking even more off if they didn't match the bridge is brilliant. Never thought of that. Folks, think what it would look like if your tailpiece was perfectly centered and all the strings (especially the ones on the right) moved SLIGHTLY RIGHT to attach to the bridge in the appropriate locations, and then continued straight again up the neck. It would look far worse than an off-center tailpiece. Regards, Jim | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 1401 Registered: 4-2004 |
seems to me that we pay for custom basses that SOUND better than all the rest. The fact that man makes them by hand and not machine means that no 2 are alike even if they were matched wood for wood etc, To assume that one is paying for "perfection" is totally between pierre;s ears. I dont think there should be any whining on this if the strngs line up correctly- das it! thats the important thing which stamps have more value? the ones that are not like all the others. it is better to sound good than let a microscopic difference burn ones gut. id be happy to either of these basses. but one thing for sure- alembic does the best work i have seen and they stand behind the product my cotm had to be repaired due to a finish problem one phone call- one photo and a please send it back to us and it took 7 months to stabilize before they felt confident to send it back to me. my second custom had a major unfortunate booboo. one phone call,a check of the work order, please send it back-we will make you another.most importantly, i kept this between almebic, myself and 3 other club friends who agreed to not go public until all were ready. im grateful to have an awesome bass in direwolf and i could care less if the tailpiece didnt line up- | ||
| bob
Senior Member Username: bob Post Number: 829 Registered: 11-2002 |
Wow, I just can't believe the discussion this has generated, and in my opinion it is much ado about nothing (perchance someone said that before...). What an incredible waste of time and energy. There simply is no way to achieve perfect visual symmetry, with the instruments under discussion. I happen to have a Rogue with a bar tailpiece. No little bird point to line up with the neck lams, but yes, the screw holes can be used as a reference to decide that the tailpiece is shifted a little off center. So I cover the tailpiece with my hand or something, and you know what I notice next? The strings themselves don't line up with the laminates. On my 5 string, the E is pretty nicely centered over one, but the D is almost off the edge of the corresponding one. Without even looking at the tailpiece, this is grossly asymmetrical - and that's exactly as it should be, given that I want even spacing of the strings across the width of the neck, and some of these are a lot fatter than the others. Sure, you could make the tailpiece itself asymmetric. Then, what you would end up with is the point of the bird neatly centered on the neck lams, but the center string (on a 5) would sit in a tailpiece slot that no longer lines up with the point of the bird. Which would look really stupid. Even with the simplistic bar, you could shave a little off one end so that the overall bar appeared centered, but then you have to make a choice between having the screw holes evenly positioned between the strings, or lined up with the laminates. The strings themselves are not going to line up with the laminates. Therefore the slots in the tailpiece are also not going to be aligned with them (unless you want all the strings to bend coming of the bridge, which would also look really stupid). This has nothing to do with manufacturing quality, or even the fact that these are handmade instruments, and no apology from Alembic should be necessary. It simply is not possible. | ||
| pierreyves
Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 85 Registered: 11-2006 |
"What an incredible waste of time and energy" Yes bob, like you say but not like you write..;o) (Message edited by pierreyves on March 11, 2007) | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1512 Registered: 3-2004 |
When my custom bass showed up, one of the first things that struck me when I took it out of the case was the position of the headstock logo. It looked to be clearly a couple mm off center and bothered the heck out of me for a few days. As I bonded with the instrument, I came to accept this as part of hand craftsmanship. Sure, I'd like it if it were more centered, but it is what it is. I think the issue here is one of expectation more than one of craftsmanship. The only issues I had with my bass were the surprises. If we can get enough of this information into the FAQs and what have you, the surprises will be reduced and people will know what to expect when they open the case. As far as the tailpiece being off to the treble side, I suspect it is because the strings are spaced evenly edge-to-edge. That means the strings are more toward the treble side of the neck, so the tailpiece follows. | ||
| grateful
Intermediate Member Username: grateful Post Number: 186 Registered: 12-2004 |
When this discussion first started, I checked my Further and it too features a not quite centred tailpiece. Doesn't bother me at all: it is just further proof of how hand-built these wonderful instruments are. Mark | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 1081 Registered: 12-2002 |
when i bought my bass i knoticed the string slots slightly off a bit so i filed in some new slots to set them straight & the tail peice seems to be perfect also!  | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2183 Registered: 7-2004 |
Don't like the bird tailpiece looking off-center in comparison with the neck lams? Two easy solutions: 1. BTC top; 2. Get a set neck. Problem solved. I'll think I'll call this the Shakespeare thread: Much Ado About Nothing. Bill, tgo | ||
| bkbass
Intermediate Member Username: bkbass Post Number: 130 Registered: 11-2003 |
This months Bass Player Magazine with Mike Watt on the cover has for the retrorama featured instrument a 1976 series I. As far as I can see the tail piece is off center. That was thirty years ago. | ||
| terryc
Member Username: terryc Post Number: 97 Registered: 11-2004 |
My opinion...alembics are built firstly to sound good, the second point is they look good BUT it is the first point which is most important. All the other manufactures hide there imperfections with paint but you know those little quirks are what makes alembic unique along with all the other attributes associated with these fine instruments. Tail pieces off centre(however small) strings lining up with laminates, I think my MK standard has a slight deviation on the tuner holes but I don't care, it still turns heads when I play it and it sounds great. I know the gripe about paying loads of money and expecting perfection but this is earth not utopia, if it were we would all sound like jaco, stanley, king, wooton et al. I have never noticed it on mine but I don't a central laminate, just walnut pinstripes. | ||
| bassjigga
Intermediate Member Username: bassjigga Post Number: 157 Registered: 8-2005 |
We are dealing with hand-made hardware, not CNC machined stuff. I'm sure they could spend the time to make sure the tailpiece were 100% symetrical and that the strings properly lined up, and that it was centered when mounted. But this would probably increase the cost of the hardware 2 to 3 times. Even being slightly off center, I prefer the strings to be in the right place and Alembic still has the best hardware of any bass I've had. | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 555 Registered: 12-2004 |
The hardware is cut in a CNC machine. Bradley | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1326 Registered: 6-2002 |
... but the setup is done by hand. But perhaps the slots for the strings are hand-cut? | ||
| bassjigga
Intermediate Member Username: bassjigga Post Number: 158 Registered: 8-2005 |
Oops! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4296 Registered: 6-2000 |
Most hardware is cut on a CNC machine, but it is finished and sanded by hand, introducing variations. Some hardware is even cut by hand. Please remember there are larger strings on one side of the hardware, this itself introduces some strange optical effects. This is exagerated by our style of spacing the strings edge-to-edge at the bridge, but even center-to-center spacing has the change in diameter effect. The setup is done by hand, the slots are cut by hand. Please notice that the center of the playing area of the instruments (sighted by the edge of the string to the edge of the fingerboard) is even. | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 560 Registered: 12-2004 |
Looks like pedantic boy (me!) got a taste of his own medicine. Thanks for the clarification, Mica. Of course, I was mostly (technically) correct.  I suggested to Mica that Alembic offer a "visually symmetric tailpiece option" and it shouldn't cost more than $2000 or so. (Since it would amount to trial and error.) Bradley | ||
| jalevinemd
Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 552 Registered: 12-2003 |
It's funny...I have always considered myself anal beyond comprehension, especially when it comes to my beloved instruments. And until this thread, after nearly 3 years, I never noticed that my Little Bear's tailpiece is off center by a couple millimeters or so. Still one of the best playing, sounding and looking guitars ever! Given the fact that they're completely handcrafted I would think this to be the rule rather than the exception. Like one of the bone radiology attendings in my residency used to say "there are no straight lines in nature." When I find subtle flaws (in just about everything!), my wife always tells me that "imperfection is beauty." Regards, Jonathan | ||
| tkotmk42
Junior Username: tkotmk42 Post Number: 38 Registered: 5-2002 |
My first bass had tail piece placed bit offcenter. On my next bass, I asked Mica to place the tail piece 'dead center' in relation to the neck laminate. You can see that my bass's tail piece is dead center of neck laminate... I think they can center it with bit of effort on their side. I am greatful for Mica and the team for making mine dead centered. mine is here http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/2140.html?1117209090 | ||
| pierreyves
Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 87 Registered: 11-2006 |
tkotmk42, your bass soud best with e centered tailpiece ? | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 2081 Registered: 9-2003 |
I think both the neck and body blanks are roughed using a CNC machine as well. Then they must be shaped by hand. The hand shaping and the nature of laminated neck construction are the main cause of the slight misalignment between lams and hardware. Logically, CNC-cut bridges and tailpieces are NOT assymetrical per se (assuming the program is correct). Bottom line is that the nut, fingerboard, bridge and tailpiece are in as perfect of an alignment as they can be so as to keep the strings parallel to the fingerboard. I think Alembic achieves this in a fanatical way. Just think how you'd feel if your $6k Custom Shop Gibson had it's bridge and tailpiece misaligned with your fingerboard. While there's no visible neck lams to reference the bridge tailpiece to, the misalignment exists. Luckily, it's so slight that playability is not affected. Now THAT"S an an example of sloppy craftmanship that's unexcusable at this price level. Personally, I'd feel pretty sh*tty if this happened to me...ask me how I'd know, LOL! FWIW, the tailpiece on my Series I std. point has the same issue as Charles, Shim and Pierre-Yves. While it is a cosmetic/aesthetic issue, the strings are in perfect alignment and you'd be hard pressed to find a better playing (or sounding, for that matter)instrument. Mica's statements above are, IMHO, 100% correct. | ||
| bkbass
Intermediate Member Username: bkbass Post Number: 133 Registered: 11-2003 |
kmh364 call me,I've got to do a side by side comparision of the electronics. One day after work? Actually, we could also compare series 2,1 and signature for the sake of information. If you come up by me. I could also show you my entire collection of seemingly evenly spaced tailpieces. Who cares! The basses are the best there is out there. Every builder gets behind Alembic. IMHO they are the top of the mountain. It must be hard for Mica and crew to suddenly have to get this caught up in such a trite point when they could be doing so many other important things like taking more photos or answering techincal questions. As my previous thread mentioned this is an established construction method that has been worldwide accepted for over thirty years now. If it turns out that Stanley or King have crooked tailpieces how many members would put their hands in their pockets and walk away whistling? C'mon people let it go. I guess we will all just have to move around more when we play so no one will notice.lol! | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Intermediate Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 119 Registered: 10-2006 |
Well, Barry, that inspired me to go over to the COTM archive and take a look at Dragon's Breath - sure enough, it's a tad off-center. So, if it's good enough for Stanley........ Peter | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 478 Registered: 11-2003 |
I can verify that Alembic does indeed shape their instruments by hand - I've seen their employees doing it in person. They make their own sanding blocks, for example, which are designed to fit the hand of the craftsman using it. They also are built like accordions - they fit the contours of the instrument being carved/sanded. When they say handmade, sure, it's not one hundred percent handmade in the sense that they use machines to do certain things (e.g., the CNC machine, a fretboard cutting machine, etc.). However, they are carved and sanded by hand, and they are finished, fretted, and set up by hand. Their electronics are handmade (with the exception of the pickups which are wound using a machine designed and built by Ron Wickersham himself), and their preamps and superfilters handwired (I watched Mr. Stouffer doing this). Again, something I saw first hand, and a thing of beauty it was (and is). Perfection, IMHO, cannot be attained. It can only be striven for. If you achieve perfection, you have nowhere to go but down. This being said, what makes an Alembic the finest instrument on the planet IMHO is the relentless pursuit of perfection. This is no different than the chef who pursues the perfect dish, or the plumber the perfect faucet installation, or the woodworker the perfect chair. It is a never ending quest for the best that one can possibly make something, and again, I witnessed this first hand during my visit to Santa Rosa. Finally, I don't care if the tailpiece doesn't line up symmetrically. The tailpiece police aren't going to arrest me. The sound and playability police might if my bass sounds and plays like crap, and no Alembic I've owned before or since does. As far as I'm concerned, I'd rather have something play and sound good rather than have an unplayable and &%^tty sounding instrument, regardless of cost. I currently own 6 Alembic basses, with number 7 on the way. They are, to me, the finest bass guitar I've played in the 30 years I've played the instrument, period. Nothing else comes close in terms of quality, craftsmanship, and excellence. I have many basses that I love for different reasons, but nothing can touch an Alembic IMHO. My two cents, Alan | ||
| terryc
Member Username: terryc Post Number: 98 Registered: 11-2004 |
by the way I checked my MK standard, it is offcentre..do I care..not one bit Just play the thing!!! | ||
| paulman
Advanced Member Username: paulman Post Number: 216 Registered: 2-2005 |
Dang, this is quite a thread! I must add that my Skylark's tailpeice is centered, but slightly skewed to the treble side. When I was evaluating the 2 Furthers to choose, I chose the one that had the tailpiece farther away from the bridge as the other one was so close the strings were rubbing (and bent) over the bridge. However the bridge on the Further I selected does appear to be centered, and these are the greatest guitars I have ever played so foo on where the tailpiece is at this point! | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1145 Registered: 9-2002 |
HEY . . . the locating screws on the machine heads on my BigRedBass are not rotated the same number of degrees ! ! ! ! Same thing on the screws on the back plate, sheeesshhhh ! ! ! You just wait till I get em on the phone! J o e y | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2192 Registered: 7-2004 |
The eyes on the Birds' Eye Maple top on my Electrum aren't symmetrical. And, CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS, the E string on the left side of my Series I guitar is MUCH THICKER than the E string on the right side of my guitar. And, (this is downright eerie, but I swear it's true), virtually ALL of my guitars have this SAME PROBLEM! UNBELIEVABLE! Not only that, but when my guitar is in tune the tuning machines DO NOT LINE UP EXACTLY!!!!! Somebody call Rod Serling. Bill, tgo | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 564 Registered: 12-2004 |
So, I talked to Mica, and we're going to do a custom tailpiece. And it is going to look positively, fully sick, I promise. It probably won't be centered, but it won't matter, since it won't be visually obvious. Bradley | ||
| terryc
Member Username: terryc Post Number: 100 Registered: 11-2004 |
to Ibpesq- you know know I have the same problem on my bass, they all say bass players are failed guitarists and only play one note at a time well that is where I have gone wrong!! I think I will put all the same thickness strings on my MK standard then it will look symetrical..so should it be all the thick ones, the next thick one, the next thick one or the thinnest!!! And horror of horrors those knob things are all work different too..where do you start to make everything the same!!! Such a dilemma!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL | ||
| paulman
Advanced Member Username: paulman Post Number: 218 Registered: 2-2005 |
This would drive Monk nuts! | ||
| terryc
Intermediate Member Username: terryc Post Number: 101 Registered: 11-2004 |
And to top it all..it is all made of different pieces of wood!!!!!!! | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 1470 Registered: 4-2004 |
for what its worth tailpiece is off center slightly on direwolf i could care less...... | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2345 Registered: 7-2004 |
I've always wondered about that phrase. Should it be "I could care less" or "I couldn't care less"? Both seem to be acceptable! Bill, tgo | ||
| kenbass4
Advanced Member Username: kenbass4 Post Number: 249 Registered: 10-2003 |
Bill, If you don't care, you "couldn't care less", because, well, you don't. If, however, you care, then, obviously, you could care less than you do, because if you cared less...oh, never mind.... This is what happens when you're married to a technical editor. Ken (TEO) | ||
| southpaw
Intermediate Member Username: southpaw Post Number: 167 Registered: 12-2004 |
That reminds me of 2 other terms of irk: Irregardless - Here's Merriam-Websters Definition (the last sentence says it all); Main Entry: ir·re·gard·less Pronunciation: "ir-i-'gärd-l&s Function: adverb Etymology: probably blend of irrespective and regardless nonstandard : REGARDLESS usage Irregardless originated in dialectal American speech in the early 20th century. Its fairly widespread use in speech called it to the attention of usage commentators as early as 1927. The most frequently repeated remark about it is that "there is no such word." There is such a word, however. It is still used primarily in speech, although it can be found from time to time in edited prose. Its reputation has not risen over the years, and it is still a long way from general acceptance. Use regardless instead. And my favorite: Hot Water Heater! Sorry for the digression, it's slow at work today. | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1289 Registered: 2-2006 |
My daughter is an english major at UT (graduating this year). She informed me that they are taught to NOT correct people when they see or hear an error in grammar unless they are teaching that person. Which is a hard habit to break for me, I'm terrible about always correcting peoples grammar. Guess I need to stop , even if they do act like they got no fetchin' up. It's slow here too! | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1434 Registered: 6-2002 |
In Dutch, willekeurig/onwillekeurig are both used for "at random". Willekeurig means "by choice", so onwillekeurig is the correct term, but it's too many syllables - so people use willekeurig most of the time. For a couple of years, I corrected manuscipts for school books, so I know correcting people is a difficult habit to break in normal life. - All credit for my grammar and spelling skills goes to the excellent school teacher I had at age 10. She had a raspy voice, but she certainly knew how to explain things very clearly indeed. | ||
| son_of_magni
Advanced Member Username: son_of_magni Post Number: 228 Registered: 1-2004 |
A wise luthier (I wish I could remember who it was) when asked about some minor imperfection on one of his masterpieces, said "If you see anything wrong with any of my work you are simply looking too close." I like to use "non-irregardless", sometimes that raises an eyebrow... (Message edited by son_of_magni on May 04, 2007) | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 629 Registered: 12-2004 |
How about the plane announcement, "Please wait until the plane comes to a complete stop." My other favorite is the double contraction: I'd've. Bradley | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1291 Registered: 2-2006 |
Wish we'd've thought of that. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1016 Registered: 10-2003 |
I think it's all about the string gauges requiring an asymetrical tailpiece. The lams in the neck are symetrical, so of course it "looks" off center.. | ||
| jtussing
Member Username: jtussing Post Number: 80 Registered: 12-2006 |
The thread that never dies! Just read all the recent posts. I love the fact that discussion around being picky with regard to tailpiece centering includes the sidebars critiquing word use! :-) The luthier quote was as funny as it was sublime! Personally, I like the custom, hand-made look and all the idiosyncracies that come with it. But there are all kinds of people in the world. Since these tailpieces are custom manufactured, Alembic could certainly make a decorative tailpiece that would appear perfectly centered and symmetrical regardless of the functional mechanics of the strings. It would have to be designed very late in the construction process and would certainly add cost and time. They probably should just consider making that an option and charging extra for it? Peace, Jim | ||
| jason
Moderator Username: jason Post Number: 49 Registered: 1-2007 |
Grammar Nazis are ubiquitous online. I was contacted by this guy: http://www.apostrophe.fsnet.co.uk/ While writing for this rag: http://www.theinquirer.net A couple million people read it, so I got about 300 e-mails for an apostrophe mistake. | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 753 Registered: 2-2005 |
Well Jason I guess that must be the friction in the sites byline of "New, reviews, facts and friction". :-) Keith | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5026 Registered: 5-2002 |
There's an Irregardless Cafe in Raleigh. Somehow Regardless Cafe just doesn't seem to work as well. | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1436 Registered: 6-2002 |
Excellent point, Dave. Anyways, I always liked Nonesuch Records. | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 755 Registered: 2-2005 |
Since irregarless is a double negative and therefore a positive shouldn't it be disirregardless. Keith | ||
| precarius
Intermediate Member Username: precarius Post Number: 140 Registered: 11-2005 |
Or irregardless'nt Mike | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1439 Registered: 6-2002 |
Ah, ye olde "Eats, Shoots and Leaves" ethic. | ||
| paulman
Advanced Member Username: paulman Post Number: 235 Registered: 2-2005 |
The irregardlessness of this thread astounds me. My tailpeices are still either skewed or centered, respective to the guitar I'm playing. And they still sound KICK ASS, regardless or irregardless (whichever is more appropriate) of the tailpeice, or this thread. I know some people that get really irate about the word irregardless. They feel it's totally unexpectable. | ||
| the_mule
Senior Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 644 Registered: 1-2004 |
I'd like to add that it's inexplicibly unexplainable at best, irregardless of the unexpectability... Wilfred | ||
| jason
Moderator Username: jason Post Number: 52 Registered: 1-2007 |
Enough, Wilfred. You are starting to sound like G.W.B his self You has misunderestimated our ability to send mexed missages in the internets. How is our children learning? | ||
| kenbass4
Advanced Member Username: kenbass4 Post Number: 250 Registered: 10-2003 |
"Inconceivable!!!" :-) | ||
| son_of_magni
Advanced Member Username: son_of_magni Post Number: 229 Registered: 1-2004 |
"How is our children learning?" Through a series of tubes! | ||
| the_mule
Senior Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 661 Registered: 1-2004 |
Hey, a fellow club member kindly pointed out to me that the tailpiece on my Orion is (almost?) perfectly centered. Irregardless of the fact that... (OK, I won't go there) ;-) Wilfred  (Message edited by the_mule on May 19, 2007) | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2382 Registered: 7-2004 |
Last night I got out my Aria RS850 - essentially an Alembic Series I Strat copy. Guess what? Asymmetrical tailpiece. It ain't just for Alembics anymore! Bill, tgo   | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1586 Registered: 3-2004 |
Geez, Bill, isn't that how you can tell it's a copy? Those 70's dupes from Japan got every detail right... I have to say that, since this thread has been around, I have yet to check to see if any of the tailpieces on my basses are centered. | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 653 Registered: 12-2004 |
Bill, The Aria got it wrong, though-- it's moved to the bass side, while the Alembic predisposition is for the treble side. Bradley Off to have my tongue surgically separated from my cheek. | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 1181 Registered: 12-2002 |
 this is almost perfect! | ||
| the_mule
Senior Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 663 Registered: 1-2004 |
Well, tailpiece centering is one thing, but pickup script deviation is a much bigger problem in my book. Some people have told me that it has a lot to do with camera angles, but I'm not prepared to accept that just yet. I'll post my thoughts in a separate thread... ;-) Wilfred | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2388 Registered: 7-2004 |
And they even misspelled "Olympic"! Sheeeesh!!!! Bill, tgo | ||
| terryc
Intermediate Member Username: terryc Post Number: 145 Registered: 11-2004 |
I want uniformity...same size screws for everything, same size strings, frets equidistant to each other and the whole guitar sawn from one block of wood.. I will then join Kraftwerk and become a robot | ||
| paulman
Advanced Member Username: paulman Post Number: 236 Registered: 2-2005 |
Kraftwerk? Now this whole damn thread has gone off center. "I'm the operator of your pocket calulator" - Kraftwerk | ||
| terryc
Intermediate Member Username: terryc Post Number: 146 Registered: 11-2004 |
How can one cope with the multiple irregularity of the grain of coco bolo or the many shapes with spalted maple. Can someone please inform nature that everything has to be straight without any deviation from the centre | ||
| jtussing
Member Username: jtussing Post Number: 87 Registered: 12-2006 |
I should have entitled this thread, "Everything you wanted to know about the personalities of Alembic lovers". What a bizarre sense of humor we all have! Maybe Mica et al should put a link to http://www.ocfoundation.org on the main page? Peace, Jim | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1347 Registered: 2-2006 |
Click the link, I must click the link. OH I don't want to......but ....but I must click the link..... | ||
| dfung60
Advanced Member Username: dfung60 Post Number: 252 Registered: 5-2002 |
Wilfred and Keavin - are those Maxima Golds on your basses? Haven't those been out of production for years now? Seems surprising to see two basses on the same thread with Golds. If you looked at my bass, you'd see my "Sub-Maxima Greys"! Hopefully no hamburger or onion ring residue, though. David Fung | ||
| alembic_doctor
Advanced Member Username: alembic_doctor Post Number: 276 Registered: 8-2002 |
Optima is now making gold strings. I recently had three sets iported. Not Cheap. But I'm glad to have them again. | ||
| the_mule
Senior Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 668 Registered: 1-2004 |
Hi David, well, it's actually the same bass, my Orion. I posted lots of pictures in the Showcase section, and that's where Keavin found one to spice up this discussion a bit more. The strings are Optima Golds. Living in the country next to Germany means that for me they weren't expensive at all: 34 euros delivered. I think they're keepers, they suit my Orion wel: look great & sound great... Wilfred | ||
| speicky
Advanced Member Username: speicky Post Number: 201 Registered: 3-2005 |
I am also a big fan of Maxima's / Optima's. I was able to pick up two sets of Maxima in a pawnshop just four weeks ago... at 13 Euros per Set, LOL ! However, each set contains four strings with different gauges... AAAARGGGGH, I need two more sets ! Christian |
