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dtrice
Intermediate Member
Username: dtrice

Post Number: 135
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 11:08 am:   Edit Post

I've been wondering what is the effect on sound and balance of chambering the bodies of Series instruments. I assume that there is a weight benefit, but how does it effect tone? My understanding is that for these instruments the neck (laminate count, wood combination,etc.) is the main contributor to the tone. With active electronics, the body wood does not contribute to tone like with passive electronics. But my question basically is, would a Series sound different or balance differently with a solid body? If so, in what way. Thanks.
jseitang
Advanced Member
Username: jseitang

Post Number: 219
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 12:26 pm:   Edit Post

very much so. i have a series II solidbody, and it has a more direct sound as oppsed to a regular series bass with the chambered body... the regular one have amore open sound in my opinion. stick that element with the series electronics, and you pretty trippy bass sound. the solid body resonates a bit differently since there is no "air space" for the sound to travel.
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 652
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 12:52 pm:   Edit Post

The best bass I've ever played (soundwise) had a chambered body, Wilfred can take it over from here...
the_mule
Senior Member
Username: the_mule

Post Number: 692
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 1:59 pm:   Edit Post

bla

(Message edited by the_mule on October 30, 2007)
the_mule
Senior Member
Username: the_mule

Post Number: 693
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 1:59 pm:   Edit Post

It really does make a difference. I've owned several Alembics, all but one were solidbodies. The little blonde Series I is indeed in a league of its own, soundwise. And not just because of the electronics. Even acoustically it's very obvious.

Wilfred
the_8_string_king
Senior Member
Username: the_8_string_king

Post Number: 903
Registered: 9-2005
Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 4:20 pm:   Edit Post

Uhhm... okay, guys, I'm curious at this point... but NOT clear on the opinions... which sounds better on the Series... the solid body or chambered body?

Wilfred, your little blond Series I that's "in a league of its own"... it is a solid body, or does it have a chambered body?
the_mule
Senior Member
Username: the_mule

Post Number: 694
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 9:26 am:   Edit Post

Oh, sorry, I can see that I wasn't very clear.
Blondie has a chambered body and I really think that there's more 'air' in her tone.

Wilfred
somatic
Member
Username: somatic

Post Number: 69
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Sunday, November 11, 2007 - 9:20 pm:   Edit Post

With active electronics, the body wood does not contribute to tone like with passive electronics.
I see no reason why that would be so.

I have two shorties, a S1 with the hollow internals and a Clarke Deluxe, but apart from the maple/PH 5 ply neck there is nothing else in common so I can't comment on differences. The top/rear on my S1 are much thicker than an acoustic guitar for example and there is almost no acoustic noise when the body is rapped with knuckles, so I'd guess the tonal contribution is minimal.
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 895
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Monday, November 12, 2007 - 4:26 am:   Edit Post

"With active electronics, the body wood does not contribute to tone like with passive electronics."

I beg to differ on this point. I have both played and listened to moderator Dave's maple topped and walnut topped S1's. I can definitely tell the difference between them. The maple top is much brighter and the walnut top is rounder. So the while neck woods have the most effect on tone the top woods do have a pronounced effect. Otherwise why is coco bolo so popular?

Keith
811952
Senior Member
Username: 811952

Post Number: 1207
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Monday, November 12, 2007 - 7:32 am:   Edit Post

Cocobolo's gorgeous, in addition to sounding great.. :-)

I think if anything, a chambered body would adversely affect fundamental sustain (if you can hear it acoustically, then energy is being dissipated) but not so much the overtones (where Cocobolo shines). With a fairly rigid neck-through, a pound of brass under the bridge and series components, I think any losses resultant from the "loud" chambered body are more than mitigated. :-)

I'd love to hear Series guts in a true solidbody, but it would be effectively "chambered" by the time you did enough routing for Series guts to fit!

Of course, after spending a fair amount of time with my Hofner I'd be interested in Series guts in a true hollowbody... (I need to borrow Paul TBO's stocking first!)

John
dtrice
Intermediate Member
Username: dtrice

Post Number: 140
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Monday, November 12, 2007 - 8:53 am:   Edit Post

I got that information from the Alembic website. It says: "On our neck through body instruments, the top and body woods have very little effect on the tone. Since the strings don't go over a neck joint, the sustain is increased and the body's influence over the tone is lessened." You may want let them know that that statement is false.
adriaan
Senior Member
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 1682
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, November 12, 2007 - 9:28 am:   Edit Post

Daniel, I wonder where you found this exact quote - "With active electronics, the body wood does not contribute to tone like with passive electronics." - It sounds like two statements got mixed up. Plus, with Alembic you don't have the option of passive electronics, so it doesn't make sense anyhow.
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 896
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Monday, November 12, 2007 - 9:34 am:   Edit Post

False is kind of a strong word based on a subjective quote. "... and the body's influence over the tone is lessened." What is lessened? As I said the neck woods have the most effect but the body woods are very much involved in the tone. So much so that I can readily hear the difference.

The subject of woods has been discussed here in the past. I am not the only one who can tell the difference in the sound of a bass with different top woods. Does it have as much effect as going with let's say ebony over purple heart in the neck? No, but if you compare the same neck recipe with various body woods you can hear the difference.

Keith
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 5677
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 - 10:48 am:   Edit Post

Mica talks about body woods here.

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