| Author | Message | ||
| grateful
Advanced Member Username: grateful Post Number: 202 Registered: 12-2004 |
I've been wondering about this for some time. Why do some instruments have the Alembic script logo and others don't? Why do some have a scrolled end to the fingerboard and others don't? Why do some have a solid brass bird but others have brass and ebony? Just curious! Mark | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 840 Registered: 6-2002 |
Well I guess it's because Alembic make custom instruments and buyers can make their specific choices about about how they want their personal instrument to be made. It's littlle more than, if you want it, ask for it and it shall be done as long as alembic consider it possible and it will not impair the quality of the instrument. Hope that helps. Jazzyvee | ||
| dfung60
Advanced Member Username: dfung60 Post Number: 248 Registered: 5-2002 |
There's a bunch of reasons you see all these variations. First of all, many Alembics are custom-built to the requests of the buyer. They'll have different preferences on things like logos, inlay, etc. Second, you see evolution of the instrument's construction over the 30+ years that Alembic has been making them. For many years, there was only the headstock logo but the name "Alembic" probably didn't appear anywhere but on the circuit boards inside! They were so distinctive that they were immediately identifiable by appearance (or completely un-indentifiable by rarity). I think the script logo was added to the headstock in the mid-80's, and it seems like it's gone away again lately. Most instruments have a brass bird tailpiece, but some of the early ones have that ebony piece underneath. I'd be willing to bet that this was probably one way of fixing an error in the thickness of the piece without recutting a new one. Getting the dimensions of bridge and tailpiece right on a through body instrument (where you can't shim the neck to adjust the angle) is always a challenge. The ebony spacer made a re-appearance a couple of years ago on some special edition (was it the Stanley Brown Basses?). There's also a lot of variation in things like the pickup appearance over the years. Originally, they were flat, unmarked tops and many were in caramel brown and other colors. Then it was unmarked black, followed by black with "Alembic" embossed into the surface. Then it was "Alembic" marked in gold foil. Each one is different, like a snowflake! David Fung | ||
| the_mule
Senior Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 619 Registered: 1-2004 |
"Each one is different, like a snowflake!" I love that metaphore... Wilfred | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 617 Registered: 12-2004 |
The ebony shim on tailpieces was because they had a hard time cutting brass of that thickness until they got a NC (Numerically Controlled) machine. | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1175 Registered: 9-2002 |
Because they can . . . . J o e y | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 530 Registered: 3-2004 |
Cause ooooh ....that's the way uh huh, uh huh, I like it uh huh, uh huh! Some actually look cooler without the script. This company is a true origional as far as making what the customer really wants. Other makers are buy off the rack only, see how it turns out, or we don't do that. They have been like a family to me since 1985 when I ordered my first custom. For some 12 steppin' type reason, I keep ordering and buying more. I wonder if they practice Silva mind control over there? | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1563 Registered: 3-2004 |
There's a pheromone built into the control cavity of each Alembic that coerces you to want another. Those older Series basses don't really ever need an electronics upgrade, they just want them back to the factory to refresh the pheromone supply. Additionally, there's a carefully embedded subliminal message in one of those ICs that comes out with the signal and reinforces the effects of the pheromones. It's only surpassed by the power of the Lay's potato chip. Danno, I'm afraid you're doomed to sin again and again. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2335 Registered: 7-2004 |
Bob: You figured it out. Ferrite bead my butt! LOL Bill, tgo P.S. I like mine without the word "Alembic" written out. Keeps 'em guessing. | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 531 Registered: 3-2004 |
See, I thought that it was more than just a wild impulse. Well, that's as good a reason not to get married. Imagine trying to explain that to the little woman! Now is there a way I can calculate the collective release of the chemical from 16 Alembics that I keep out all the time? I don't get as strong an effect from my Gibson, Ovation, Stambaugh, Dean, Fender, Schecter, BC Rich, Hamer and MM instruments. Maybe they really do have elves there that sprinkle the compound. I bet that's no oridinary ferrite bead either. It must be some sort of chemical amplifier! Al Gore should chuck that global warming thing and get to work on this! | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2338 Registered: 7-2004 |
While it may be true that Alembics are habit forming, it's too bad Alembic isn't like the stereotypical drug dealer: "Psst, come over here, the first one's free!" Bill, tgo | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1564 Registered: 3-2004 |
That would be sweet! It's almost like that, though. Here, try this beat up $1000 Persuader. Isn't it nice? Don't you want a $7000 custom now? Gotcha... | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 478 Registered: 5-2006 |
Ouch! | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 532 Registered: 3-2004 |
Someone check on Rami! He's up to several custom series 2 besides all the others. There must be an overwhelming saturation in the Canadian air! "Yeah, thats right.....now slap it aroun' a bit.........feels good don' it............now this one is juss a tase'...............now if you are feeelin' more manly...............I do have this one here an iss got dem el eee deez! Oh I see you know quality when you see it...............NO I do NOT do installments! What do I look like? Do I have fool written on my face?!!!!!! I'm still dreading that Series 2 phone call. Oh it will happen........someday.............some.........day........it.........will.......happen...........(when I snap my fingers you will awake and access your savings account). |
