| Author | Message | ||
| rusty_the_scoob
Junior Username: rusty_the_scoob Post Number: 26 Registered: 6-2008 |
Hi, All. I need detailed pics of Alembic bass bridges, please - similar to the one that was unfrozen in this thread: http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/74715.html?1262576366 But I need as much detail and as many angles as possible. And how are they attached to the body? Threaded inserts similar to a Gibson? Or some other method? | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1037 Registered: 5-2006 |
Something like this?     | ||
| rusty_the_scoob
Junior Username: rusty_the_scoob Post Number: 27 Registered: 6-2008 |
Those are great, thanks! Do you have any from the pickup side? And some idea how the bridge itself attaches to the body? Looks like threaded inserts but I'd love confirmation. Also - how do the two Phillips-head screws raise and lower it? Do they thread into the bridge itself or only into inserts in the body? Is that an adjuster nut between the body and bridge? | ||
| spose
Advanced Member Username: spose Post Number: 296 Registered: 5-2002 |
my 76 series one bridge bolts into a threaded brass block mounted in the body | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1038 Registered: 5-2006 |
Those are threaded inserts indeed. Here are some other pics:        | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 6542 Registered: 6-2000 |
To complete the study, here's the underside of the bridge:  The height screw is retained by an aircraft fastener. The height screw can be mounted in a sustain block or in threaded inserts. | ||
| eddie_rittigliano
New Username: eddie_rittigliano Post Number: 6 Registered: 12-2009 |
thanks alot ive been hesitant to reset my bridge , but with this information, im thinking maybe my bass doesnt much like me to thumb thump her, but i have been thinking if i raised the strings a touch maybe she would comply..........? | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 6543 Registered: 6-2000 |
First make sure you don't need a truss rod adjustment - that's the primary place (Joey's post in the Must Reads section is a, well, must read). Then once the bow is set to your liking, raise or lower the bridge height. | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1344 Registered: 9-2002 |
You can read my post in the MustReads that Mica graciously noted; I also posted a link down the page in the 'Miscellaneous' section labeled 'Fender Bass SetUp Guide' that will get you in the ball park as well. The Fender adjustments are a great generic setup that will serve as a great starting point if it doesn't suit you exactly, and serves to make you think of set up in numerical terms. IF you're new to adjustments, remember to take SMALL steps: 1/2 a turn on the height screws, a 1/4 turn on the truss rods, and so on, will feel like noticeable changes in the feel. More than that are BIG jumps. Alembics, however are the perfect instruments to use to teach yourself how to adjust your action: -The one piece bridge moves as a whole, instead of one saddle at a time. -Obviously, there's no neck bolts! So, there's no change in the neck to body pitch to worry with. -The double truss rods are especially useful on more-than-four-string axes. -The adjustable nut allows you to raise and lower at the head end: Almost everything else you'd be into a new nut, or at least filling in the slots and re-filing your string slots. -And with the nut and bridge, if you remember how many turns you put on the screws, WHEN you turn it into a log the first few times like I did, you can put it right back and start over . . . like I did . . .many ...many... times! J o e y | ||
| oddmetersam
Member Username: oddmetersam Post Number: 57 Registered: 7-2008 |
Flip, I love your detail shots. Beautiful lighting. Did you use a macro lens? Mica, I'd love to be able to adjust my dual truss rods, but Joey's post notwithstanding, I'm very reluctant to mess with my baby without really knowing what I'm doing. I know you guys at the Mothership are super-busy, but what about a clinic at the factory some time, or make tech sessions an integral part of the Alembic gatherings? I'd like to learn from someone intimately involved with our basses in particular. | ||
| oddmetersam
Member Username: oddmetersam Post Number: 58 Registered: 7-2008 |
Joey, I actually started typing my post above while you were clarifying. My apologies. The bottom line for me is that my 6 month old Alembic still buzzes just a little bit; this after two trips to SF Guitarworks (which I recommend, otherwise). I don't slap or pop and can live without micron-close action. Between raising the adjustable nut, raising the bridge and/or adjusting the truss rods, I'm afraid I might make things worse.... | ||
| rusty_the_scoob
Junior Username: rusty_the_scoob Post Number: 28 Registered: 6-2008 |
Thank you all very much, especially Mica for the underside shot and FC for the gorgeous and detailed pics! I understand how it all works now. In case you're curious, I'm restoring and modding an old EB3 (currently an EB0 but not for long!) to match the bass that Phil Lesh used from about 1970 through the Europe '72 shows. They no longer make the Gibson bridge, but the bass still has the threaded inserts. Hopefully my machinist friend can work some magic! http://www.flickr.com/photos/danfcrea/sets/72157616140553831/ | ||
| 12stringwilson
Junior Username: 12stringwilson Post Number: 48 Registered: 12-2008 |
Dan - That is an awesome project!! Please keep us posted on the progress. (Message edited by 12stringwilson on January 05, 2010) | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 636 Registered: 10-2006 |
Looks like fun, Dan; do you have Guild/Hagstrom p/ups, or are you going with Dark Stars? Peter | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 643 Registered: 5-2009 |
HI DAN! It is interesting to see that you are interested in PHIL LESH's old GIBSON EB3. I have found that in listening to Mr. LESH for more then the last 3 decades many being live shows and well recorded shows that;_______ that particular instrument had a sound that was very appealing to me. I can see that I am not alone in this observation heard some live shows from 1971 that were AWESOME . ( HARDING THEATER 1971 )___WOW). It was tragic that some terrible person stole that instrument. I also endeavored to start such a project WELL over a year ago . I have a HIP SHOT SUPERTONE bridge in stead of the OEM Gibson unit (designed as a replacement by HIPSHOT for such Gibson units). I have selected to install 2 Hammon Engineering "DARK STAR" pickups and quite possibly an internal "ACTIVE EQUALISATION" circuit.You can see that I will not be trying to completely replicate The Phil Lesh model and will be adding some of my own adaptations. The instrument that I am modifying is a LONG SCALE model. is yours long or short scale ? I am excited that others share the vision of this kind of project. SONIC REGARDS ! Wolf_____ (Message edited by sonicus on January 05, 2010) | ||
| rusty_the_scoob
Junior Username: rusty_the_scoob Post Number: 29 Registered: 6-2008 |
thanks! I can't wait to see your project, too, Sonic Wolf! Mine is short scale - 30.5". It's an actual 1969 or 1970 bass, and the bridge holes are slightly offset (the g-string side is a fraction of an inch closer to the nut) and threaded differently so they don't accept the Hipshot bridge that drops easily into the newer models. I'm planning to go with the Dark Stars, throw on some Pyramid strings and leave it fully passive for now, and possibly experiment with active preamps later. I want to do some fun things like use a push-pull pot to switch the pickups out of phase or series vs. parallel or something. I haven't had passive wiring in many years so it'll be something new and different! Mine is going to be more of an exact replica... I'm even having my mother re-create the psychedlic sun paintjob! Other challenges include building the pickguard and repairing the headstock logo. (Message edited by Rusty_the_Scoob on January 05, 2010) (Message edited by Rusty_the_Scoob on January 05, 2010) | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 644 Registered: 5-2009 |
Yes ," Pyramid Gold" strings would be the ones. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1039 Registered: 5-2006 |
@Samuel: I have a Sony DSC-W300 and used the Macro setting (no extra lens) @Dan: You're welcome, I love spamming this style pictures :-) | ||
| rusty_the_scoob
Junior Username: rusty_the_scoob Post Number: 30 Registered: 6-2008 |
Do you own all those basses FC? Wow, wow, wow and more wow if you do!  | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 645 Registered: 5-2009 |
rusty the scoob (Dan ) In retrospect perhaps an ALEMBIC bridge would work for you ? Custom tailpiece ? I love to tinker! l Like to keep ongoing projects in progress as well . it is so much fun ! I am thinking of going to have the original head stock on mine modified and laminated as well for strength reinforcement. I will most likely not have any logo at all but an inlay of my own design. I will post pics when there is anything interesting or note worthy to look at . (Message edited by sonicus on January 05, 2010) | ||
| rusty_the_scoob
Junior Username: rusty_the_scoob Post Number: 31 Registered: 6-2008 |
An Alembic bridge would be fantastic if it works! Would anyone mind measuring the center-to-center distance between the two studs of a four-string bridge? | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 481 Registered: 5-2002 |
I did up a bass like this (it was a pretty trashed 1961 or '62 EB-3) with Dark Stars and a Badass bridge. It sounded pretty good. I would say that onboard buffers would be a good idea to cop the 1970-71 sound. Sadly, I had to sell it due to medical bills. It had some of the first Dark Stars made. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 649 Registered: 5-2009 |
@ rusty the scoob ___ 3 " inches measured from the top with the bridge in the bass. measured with a tape measure (perhaps not the best tool for the job) | ||
| rusty_the_scoob
Junior Username: rusty_the_scoob Post Number: 32 Registered: 6-2008 |
What kind of buffers would you suggest, Edwin? I did read that Phil had some sort of preamp(s) in it. I was thinking of using a Noll Mixpot, that allows you to run a blend control instead of the standard Vol/Vol setup, and buffers the signal so there's no drop in volume with them both fully on. But I'm open to more suggestions! Sorry to hear you had to sell it... sounds like a great bass! I was looking through pics of the history of Mission Control, Phil's Series 1 ish Osage Orange Alembic... it had a Badass II on it towards the end as well! I have one on a P-bass and it's great but does alter the sound quite a bit. I'd like to try to get closer to the look and sound of the original if possible. Thanks, Sonicus. Bummer, I need 3 1/8"! Sooo close. Anyone mind doublechecking with something more precise than a tape measure? | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 650 Registered: 5-2009 |
@ rusty the scoob 3" on the 81 Distillate & 3 1/16 on the 91 Essence ! (Message edited by sonicus on January 06, 2010) | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 651 Registered: 5-2009 |
And 2 7/8 " on my 97 SERIES II & 2 7/8 " on my Alembic Modified GUILD STARFIRE with a cast narrow bridge made in the mid 1970's when it was modified in the Old Brady St, Alembic location.I have kept that bass ever since ! I had 2 ; one of which I sold in 1978 . I am surprised that I got 3 different measurements . This time with a thin flat measuring tool ( better then a tape measure) | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 652 Registered: 5-2009 |
Ultimately to get a perfect measurement I think I would need to remove the bridges from the instruments and remeasure again. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 653 Registered: 5-2009 |
@rusty the scoob _ I have a SCHALLER Bass bridge with ROLLER SADDLES on a custom 4 string fretless that works quite well. What is nice about it is that because of the roller saddles you can space the strings anyway you like and not ever have to cut the saddles.It is my favourite bridge on a non Alembic Bass. | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1349 Registered: 9-2002 |
Rusty: IF your EB has the three threaded inserts those dreadful Gibson bridges mounted in, HIPSHOT (yes, those guys that make the UltraLight tuners, etc.) makes a new, modern bridge that uses those three threaded inserts, their 'SuperTone' bridge. Maybe too modern for a vintage look, but may be a useful choice, especially as it's a drop-in, direct replacement. www.hipshotproducts.com J o e y | ||
| rusty_the_scoob
Junior Username: rusty_the_scoob Post Number: 33 Registered: 6-2008 |
Thanks, Joey, but I bought one of those already and it doesn't fit.  I don't have the three threaded inserts for the dreadful Gibson bridge you're thinking of, I have two slightly-offset and more narrowly-spaced threaded inserts for an older, even worse design. Hmmm, thanks for all the measurements, Sonicus. This is sounding less promising. | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 2386 Registered: 6-2002 |
I'm pretty sure you can order a custom bridge from Alembic, or even send in the bass to have it made exactly to measure. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 654 Registered: 5-2009 |
Rusty the scoob__ That HIPSHOOT bridge that JOEY mentions in his post #1349 and I mentioned in my post #643 is also available in a 2 point Bridge;______ Maybe that will do it ? @ JOEY;______ your post in must reads regarding SET UPS is really excellent! | ||
| rusty_the_scoob
Junior Username: rusty_the_scoob Post Number: 34 Registered: 6-2008 |
You're right, there are two different Hipshot Supertones! I wish I had known about this sooner. http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_list&c=31 Both are two-point and look identical... I wonder which one I have. Hmmm... the model numbers are 5G410 vs. 5G400. 5G410 is the one that fits 1967-1973 and according to the eBay auction listing that is the one that I bought. My bass is supposedly either a 1969 or 1970, and it almost fits but not quite. Regardless, I'm a little concerned that even if it does fit, it won't sound right. I'd really prefer an alembic-style with tailpiece. (Message edited by Rusty_the_Scoob on January 07, 2010) | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 655 Registered: 5-2009 |
In that case for the sake of correctness to the intent of your project ; as adriaan said in his post #2386 Alembic might be able to accommodate you . I think ultimately that might be a good decision if possible. Custom ; ALEMBIC BRIDGE AND TAILPIECE ! | ||
| rusty_the_scoob
Junior Username: rusty_the_scoob Post Number: 35 Registered: 6-2008 |
I like this plan. Heeeeeey, Mica!? How would Alembic feel about making me a bridge? | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1145 Registered: 11-2004 |
I know that Charles (crgaston) had Michael Dolan build him a custom Alembic style tailpiece and bridge for a hollowbody that he modified. Found the thread... this might be an interesting read: http://alembic.com/club/messages/402/34976.html?1169515240 | ||
| 8teven
New Username: 8teven Post Number: 9 Registered: 1-2010 |
beautiful instruments...those are some cool pictures. |
