| Author | Message | ||
| frank
Junior Username: frank Post Number: 25 Registered: 12-2005 |
I was wondering how the distance between the pick-ups and the strings effects the tone or anything for that matter, and some general tips or rules for adjusting the height of the pick-ups. Also what is the general consensus on neck relief (where do you want it, do you want any?) | ||
| frank
Junior Username: frank Post Number: 26 Registered: 12-2005 |
  (Message edited by davehouck on February 13, 2008) | ||
| frank
Junior Username: frank Post Number: 27 Registered: 12-2005 |
  (Message edited by davehouck on February 13, 2008) | ||
| frank
Junior Username: frank Post Number: 28 Registered: 12-2005 |
  (Message edited by davehouck on February 13, 2008) | ||
| frank
Junior Username: frank Post Number: 29 Registered: 12-2005 |
I also need to insure it, how do i go about claiming its value? | ||
| frank
Junior Username: frank Post Number: 30 Registered: 12-2005 |
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| funkyjazzjunky
Member Username: funkyjazzjunky Post Number: 61 Registered: 5-2007 |
1st, tell us about that wonderful bass. What is the top wood? (Walnut?) What is the back wood? (Koa?) | ||
| frank
Junior Username: frank Post Number: 31 Registered: 12-2005 |
Top is walnut, maple veneer, purpleheart veneer, mahogany body. (I believe) | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5126 Registered: 6-2000 |
There is one rule on adjusting the height of the pickups: don't break the pickups by adjusting improperly. Make sure you read about the springless pickup height in the manual first. The pickups look close the height we use on a new setup for a bass with one preamp. This is because the neck pickup will be louder than the bridge pickup since it's up where the string moves more. So we set the heighth lower than the softer bridge pickup and the pan/blend control doesn't have significant volume change as you go between the pickups. However, there's nothing that says you have to do it that way. It's very difficult to describe the difference in sound that changing the pickup heighth produces, though you'll surely be able to hear a difference. We think the best thing to do is to leave it alone if you're satisfied, or explore if you're not or even if you're just curious - you can always set the heighths back to where they were. As far as relief goes, most players seem to benefit from at least some small relief in the neck. This is a broad generalization of course. There's many players who like a perfectly straight neck too. It's more dependent on your individual technique and the force you impart on the strings when you play. All this is probably not much help, since I just want you to experiment on your own and come to your own conclusions since every player is different. Others will likely give you some advice based on their own experiences. And I do think you're right about the woods, Frank. It's a nice piece of Mahogany on the back. | ||
| white_cloud
Advanced Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 301 Registered: 11-2007 |
Wow, that is a nice bass! In fact its beautiful! I would try to have the neck as straight as I could get it and then take it from there with the subsequent bridge, nut setup adjustments to get the action of your choice! If you want some neck relief try to shoot for having a slight relief from the first fret to the eighth/ninth - the rest of the neck being straight! I would also totally agree with Micas post about the pickup heights! | ||
| frank
Junior Username: frank Post Number: 32 Registered: 12-2005 |
I bought this used, hence the case, so I don't have the 1/4" wrench needed. right now there is relief from the first fret to the seventh. It plays beautifully in the low range but the action is too high and the intonation is off in the higher ranges. What kind of Walnut top is this? It seems like there is some flaming beside the neck where it meets the body and in between the pick-ups. and it has this great "coco bolo like" figure (for lack of a better description) that I haven't seen all that often with Walnut. The pictures don't do the bass much justice, the top is not so pale in real life. | ||
| frank
Junior Username: frank Post Number: 33 Registered: 12-2005 |
This bass doesn't have a preamp in it does it? | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 969 Registered: 2-2005 |
Frank, Yes it has a preamp. All Alembics are active instruments. The 9V battery is in the main control compartment and is switched on and off by the 1/4" plug. So be sure you unplug it when not in use. Keith | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1798 Registered: 6-2002 |
Just read Joey's Post on Setting Up Your Bass - that's all you really need to know on how to set action and relief, in a surprisingly short text. You'll be surprised how much room for adjustment you have on an Alembic, and what you can do yourself without having to go to a luthier. I sometimes get to the point where I'm dialing in some extra height on the action, because playing can become a little too easy. And sometimes that little bit of controlled string rattle is just the thing you need. | ||
| frank
Junior Username: frank Post Number: 34 Registered: 12-2005 |
Ya, I checked joeys set up guide out, and am excited to start my set up. Can anyone tell me about that walnut top though? Whats the deal with it It seems like there is some flaming beside the neck where it meets the body and in between the pick-ups. and it has this great "coco bolo like" figure (for lack of a better description) that I haven't seen all that often with Walnut. | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1799 Registered: 6-2002 |
Paul TBO's Series I/II "Bonnie" has similar effects in the walnut top, depending on the lighting. I've seen her in the flesh, and she actually looks pretty bland if there isn't enough light - but check out the glorious colours and figuring in some daylight pictures! | ||
| white_cloud
Advanced Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 303 Registered: 11-2007 |
Frank, The Walnut top is distinct, but this is not unheard of with this type of timber. Walnut, by nature, can be very individualistic and striking in its appearance - a real favourite with many fine cabinet makers! The action looks really high and I would expect you to be able to vastly improve this along with the intonation with little trouble! Go for as straight a neck as you can with the strings of your choice fitted and then adjust the bridge, nut and pickups to suit your playing style. Vey nice bass! Oh, and by the way give her a real good clean and dont forget lemon oil for the finger board - theres a beautiful bass underneath the dust mate! John. (Message edited by white cloud on February 13, 2008) | ||
| frank
Junior Username: frank Post Number: 35 Registered: 12-2005 |
Thanks a lot everyone! This was a big help. I have two exams this week so I probably won't get to it till the weekend, I'll let you know how it all goes. One thing i'm lost on though is how much to claim the bass is worth for insurance purposes. I go to school in Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada) and I can't find anyone to appraise it. I was robbed last semester and now I'm nervous to keep it uninsured. Help! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6214 Registered: 5-2002 |
How much you insure it for may depend on the type of insurance you are getting. I have my basses and rig insured for what it would cost me to replace them. For instance, I had my F-1X preamp insured for around $400 for a while since that's what they were trading for on Ebay. When the going price for a used F-1X went up to $500, I increased the insurance value to $500. So, for me, I would insure it for what it would cost me to get another one. If you wanted to insure it for what it would cost to get a new one, you could probably do that as well, though it would probably cost you more to do so. Again, it depends on the insurance agent you are dealing with and the type of policy you are talking about. Since I gig with my basses and rig, I have a commercial policy. So if I had a nice five string Orion with case and I thought it would cost me say $1,500 to replace it with one in similar condition, then I would add it to my policy at a value of $1,500. You may want to run a search on this site for "insurance" since this topic has been discussed several times and a number of people have made some very informative posts on the subject. |
