| Author | Message | ||
| ursusaltered
Junior Username: ursusaltered Post Number: 28 Registered: 5-2010 |
I am looking to trade my Mk balance long scale for a short or medium scale balance. If anyone is interested please contact me. My bass is in mint condition, gorgeous superb walnut top. email for pics at jonnydecker@hotmail.com Thanks and I pray that one comes around Jonny | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 849 Registered: 1-2008 |
Is that your bass on Ebay??? | ||
| ursusaltered
Junior Username: ursusaltered Post Number: 29 Registered: 5-2010 |
No way! Much more beautiful! | ||
| ursusaltered
Junior Username: ursusaltered Post Number: 30 Registered: 5-2010 |
http://alembic.stores.yahoo.net/noname4.html | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 850 Registered: 1-2008 |
Oh my!!! That IS nice. I'm interested in acquiring a Balance K, so I'm curious as to why you want to trade a LS BK in favor of a shorter scale BK. I was assuming that the BK design addressed the issues that other LS body styles seem to have (long reach and neck heaviness). | ||
| ursusaltered
Junior Username: ursusaltered Post Number: 31 Registered: 5-2010 |
Neck dive isn't the issue at all. It is perfectly balanced. I am a really little dude and I prefer shorter scale these days. Either 32 or 30.75! I traded a 5500 benavente bass for the MK. So I was just throwing the idea out there. I absolutely love the bass! I will get use to playing it, if I don't get any offers! No loss hear. I will post some pics in the gallery, because at any rate, it is freaking gorgeous! Pics won't ever do it justice! | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 851 Registered: 1-2008 |
Are you just looking for a BK shorty (don't think I've ever seen one) or any shorty (like a SC)??? | ||
| otis
Advanced Member Username: otis Post Number: 271 Registered: 10-2008 |
Jon, Here's one for ya: http://cgi.ebay.com/Alembic-Sig-Stanley-Clarke-Bass-/170643121742?pt=Guitar&hash=item27bb1f664e Frank | ||
| ursusaltered
Junior Username: ursusaltered Post Number: 32 Registered: 5-2010 |
Now that ya mention it, I don't know if I have ever seen one either! But hey it is worth a shot. I would consider a sc as well! | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 852 Registered: 1-2008 |
Email sent... | ||
| ursusaltered
Junior Username: ursusaltered Post Number: 34 Registered: 5-2010 |
Replied! I don't know if I am gonna get rid of this bass. I had a change of heart unless someone has a ss mk or a ms! Thanks! | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 853 Registered: 1-2008 |
I'd hang on to it as well. From what I understand, the Balance K has the best ergonomics of any of their body shapes. Has anyone heard of a short scale Balance K being made??? | ||
| 2400wattman
Senior Member Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 883 Registered: 11-2005 |
Mik, here's one. http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_stormy.html | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 723 Registered: 4-2004 |
Jonny, I really dig some of the youtube clips you've posted in the past. Regardless of what comes next, I wish you all the best on your quest..... From what I've seen, Alembic has made several 30.75" basses with their "Darling" shape~ it's a lot like their BalK shape. I haven't bothered to A/B the two body shapes, but I think the Darling shape is a little more symmetrical due to less neck-dive. I think one of Alembic's European dealers have one on their site.... | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 855 Registered: 1-2008 |
Sweet... it exists!!! I watched the FTC on Stormy, but didn't realize it was a short scale. For this body shape I think I'd prefer a medium or long scale (it's not like you can run down to Guitar Center and try one out!!!). I'm keeping an eye on the Ebay one... I'm the only one to make an offer so far. I REALLY like my Brown Bass, so it's not a big deal if I can't find a Balance K right away. | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 1266 Registered: 7-2003 |
Ursus: IMHO, the balance K's have the best general ergodynamics of the Alembic bodies I've played (Standard, small standard, Bal K, Spoiler). However, the reach issue is noticeable on the Balance K (as it is on standards). I owned a 32" balance K and found the reach surprisingly long, compared to the 32" Spoiler I had before. When I finally got to measuring, I found the medium Bal K had about the same reach as a full scale Jazz. It's a matter of how far the bridge sits from the butt of the bass. It was never a problem for me, but I can imagine a long scale Bal K might feel like a bit or reach (I have smallish hands, so holding proper position on lower frets can be a challenge). Like Mike, I have a BB and it just fits like a glove. Ironically, I don't like other basses in anything less than long scale, but the short scale on the BB just feels like the right scale to get the most out of my hand techniques with all that tone sensitivity. Good luck with whatever you decide. Bill | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 156 Registered: 11-2009 |
Logically, a Rogue, Elan, or Europa would have the bridge set at almost the back of the body, and the strap lock of the front horn of my Europa sits between the 13th and 14th frets, further forward than on a Balance K model. I have zero issues with reach on my 34" scale Europa. My standard Series bodies (Both older ones, which means their necks stick out about an inch less from their bodies than the newer ones do) are a noticably harder reach on the first fret, but not too bad, once you are used to it. The Europa balances perfectly on a wide or narrow strap, and has easy reach, as good or better than a Balance K in my opinion - Hey, unless you own one, it is hard to get a play on one, your right! I do think they are spiffier body shapes, as I really like Omega cuts. But for playing ease, I would have to bet the above mentioned shapes may be a touch easier to play than a Balance K. (Message edited by poor_nigel on May 21, 2011) | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 157 Registered: 11-2009 |
Got a burst of energy and edited the first line out of above post. It was not stated properly and might have offened someone. I'm not on a strong regiment of pain killers anymore, so I have no excuse for being rude these days. Damn! It's tough working without a net. (Message edited by poor_nigel on May 21, 2011) | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 1268 Registered: 7-2003 |
Tom: You got the design implication relating to bridge placement exactly right. You never hear about balance issues with Fender basses, do you? Bridges just about hanging off their butt ends is why. The converse of the "long reach" issue is also true: Full-on short scales (think EBO and Mustang) with bridges relatively close to the bottom of the body tend to make playing far up the scale uncomfortable, as your wrist is forced to bend backward and (in my case) the forearm runs into my gut! Anyone for lap bass guitar? | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 856 Registered: 1-2008 |
Hmmmm... now I'm rethinking the idea of a Balance K. Long reach (and neck dive) was the reason I got rid of my Standard Point Series I. I probably could have dealt with the neck dive, but chasing the end of the neck was exhausting. | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 860 Registered: 1-2008 |
Jonny and I made an even swap: I sent him money and he'll send me the bass (LOL). We'll see how I get along with the Balance K design. If you see it back up for sale in a couple weeks... there ya go!!! | ||
| artswork99
Moderator Username: artswork99 Post Number: 1502 Registered: 7-2007 |
Congrats Mike! Hope that you like it. Art | ||
| eligilam
Advanced Member Username: eligilam Post Number: 322 Registered: 2-2006 |
Mike, you're definitely becoming one of the most "experienced" Alembicians here...Series standard, brown bass, now balance K. Awesome variety of electronics and shapes to have fiddled with! Hope the b.K. suits you well... | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 183 Registered: 11-2009 |
That is a better than average MK, to say the least. New pictures and more reports are awaited. Congrats on acquiring such a pretty bass! I definitely want to know how it plays for you. | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 868 Registered: 1-2008 |
It should be here Thursday. As luck would have it... I'm off Thursday!!! So we'll have some "alone" time. | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 875 Registered: 1-2008 |
She's here!!! It has a STUNNINGLY beautiful top and I love the Heart Omega. The balance is purrrfect. I've gotten used to my short scales (poor me!!!) so the long scale definitely seems long, but the reach is not that bad (certainly not the issue I was having with the Standard Point). Interestingly, it is noticeably lighter than my Brown Bass (the BB is thicker). I'm not the set-up junkie that Joey is, but I do enjoy performing the initial set-up on an Alembic: within an hour or so I had it just the way I like it. As many advances as Alembic has made, the one I think we take for granted is the adjustable nut. Being able to tweak that end of the neck can really make a ton of difference. I've always used 95s on my long scale basses, but I may try a heavier gauge (they feel really thin after using 105s on the BB). The electronics somehow seem more responsive than on my SC Standard... the SC has a Maple neck while the BalK is Maple and PH, so maybe that's the difference??? I know it's just day 1, but I think this will be a keeper. I'll post pics when I have a little more time. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1871 Registered: 5-2009 |
Congratulations ! | ||
| artswork99
Moderator Username: artswork99 Post Number: 1509 Registered: 7-2007 |
Mike, Glad to hear it was good for you upon arrival. Again, congratulations! |
