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Alembic Club » Dreaming... for now » Archive through October 06, 2007 » Archive 2004 » Archive through November 22, 2004 » Fender/Alembic Hybrid « Previous Next »

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echo008
Junior
Username: echo008

Post Number: 48
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 7:21 am:   Edit Post

Hi,
Basically I want to replace the neck on my 1978 Fender jazz (which BTW already has a heavy Warmoth Neck on there) to an Alembic neck. Now I know obviously Fender has a bolt on neck (and I know Alembic does not offer bolt on necks) , I was wondering if it were somehow :-) possible to have Alembic "Set " a new neck in its place! (yes I am completely ignorant as to how this would happen).... as well as maybe doing a few other upgrades.
any help would be appreciated.
- Tom
bsee
Intermediate Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 195
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 7:41 am:   Edit Post

No offense, but why? There must be something really exceptional about the body and/or electronics that you would consider that. For my money, it's got to be a better investment to locate a used Orion or a Spoiler/Persuader to get the whole Alembic package, including both the wood and the electronics. Depending upon what other upgrades you're thinking about, the balance could shift even more.
echo008
Junior
Username: echo008

Post Number: 49
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 7:44 am:   Edit Post

Hi,
No offense taken, I was looking around for a new replacement neck... and I just wanted to see what it would entail if it were possible for Alembic to do it.
- Tom
flaxattack
Intermediate Member
Username: flaxattack

Post Number: 113
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 8:23 am:   Edit Post

just buy the whole alembic
its just a fender
echo008
Junior
Username: echo008

Post Number: 50
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 8:33 am:   Edit Post

Yes I have owned Alembics and will again!
but its not just a fender... its my Fender and I just wanted to see if it was possible, thats all.
smokin_dave
Intermediate Member
Username: smokin_dave

Post Number: 176
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 10:48 am:   Edit Post

I see what you are saying and I think it's an interesting question.I would think that they would have to saw the thing in half to put the slot in for the neck.I think it would be cool if they can do it.I would like to have them make one of they're Alembic/Jazz basses for me like they made for a client over sea's a while back.I love the mid 70's Jazz bass.
echo008
Member
Username: echo008

Post Number: 51
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 11:00 am:   Edit Post

Hi smokin dave
I definitely dig there Jazz bass style as well theres two great examples here http://www.psst.co.uk/bassworld/photos2004/043ALEjz5csq02.jpg
and also
http://www.psst.co.uk/bassworld/photos2004/043ALEjz4w03.jpg

You are probably correct about them having to saw the body in half to go "neck through" instead of the "set neck"... its probably more trouble than it worth overall, cost wise going neck through.
- Tom
jacko
New
Username: jacko

Post Number: 10
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 6:19 am:   Edit Post

Why not buy a genuine replacement jazz neck from fender and save up for a new/used alembic.
echo008
Member
Username: echo008

Post Number: 52
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 7:38 am:   Edit Post

Hi,
Cause I was looking for something different.... ultimately it seems to be the way to go though. Maybe a Moses graphite replacement.
- Tom
groovelines
Intermediate Member
Username: groovelines

Post Number: 185
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 5:30 am:   Edit Post

Tom,

Good luck with getting Fender to provide a replacement for you. A freind of mine has been the sole owner of a Jazz, registered with Fender when he purchased it. Fender flatly refuses to replace the neck; something about mis-matched serial numbers = massive record-keeping confusion and rip-off bandits buying genuine parts...
I'd appreciate a heads up if you find a way around this with Fender, my friend is very fond of his Jazz as well.

adios,
Mike
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 338
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 6:23 am:   Edit Post

It might be easier to get a neck from Fender than Alembic, LOL! Never say never, though...anything is possible.
smichaels
Junior
Username: smichaels

Post Number: 20
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 6:51 am:   Edit Post

I would look for a used Modulus Graphite neck for your strat. Moses necks are very much affected by humidity and weather changes...they also have qualitly issues. The graphite they use is a spray on powder vs. Modulus' layered graphite fabric. I have heard stories of Moses necks being shipped overseas and literally disentegrating when the package was opened.

Sean
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 341
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 7:06 am:   Edit Post

Another alternative is to have a good luthier make you a neck. My guy (Steve's Studio in Colonia, NJ) does it. He's so anal though, it may take FOREVER for him to make you one (Alembic is MUCH faster, LOL). He's still working on scratch-built guitars of his own design for 20 or more years because he's waiting for the wood to "stabilize". Just my two cents. Good luck no matter what you decide to do.
echo008
Member
Username: echo008

Post Number: 53
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 7:33 am:   Edit Post

Thanks guys for all the input... I am not really too fond of the Fender Replacement necks Ive seen so far (All Parts, Mighty mite etc.) and I would not even bother trying to get in touch with Fender.
But I have looked into Status graphite and Modulus replacements and while being a little bit more money they seem to be the best bet so far.
I just recently saw an Alembic/Modulus graphite Bassstar neck for sale on ebay but it looked pretty beat up (the fretboard was seperated from the Graphite). too bad Alembic does not make these anymore!

- Tom
adriaan
Advanced Member
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 276
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 7:35 am:   Edit Post

Another name that pops up often: Warmoth.
effclef
Advanced Member
Username: effclef

Post Number: 223
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 8:02 am:   Edit Post

Tom, there's always the possibility of finding a Fender Jazz neck of the right vintage on eBay or elsewhere.

EffClef
echo008
Member
Username: echo008

Post Number: 54
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 8:06 am:   Edit Post

Howdy
I currently have a warmoth neck on there right now and the neck dive is ridiculous, I think warmoth uses two heavy duty rods in there necks.
I have been looking to ebay for used vintage necks everytime one pops up its like $500.00 and theres 20 bids on it! maybe Im exaggerating a bit but you get the idea :-)
I will defintely keep looking to ebay though
- tom
smichaels
Junior
Username: smichaels

Post Number: 21
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 8:14 am:   Edit Post

I forgot about the Status replacement necks...those are very nice!
echo008
Member
Username: echo008

Post Number: 55
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 8:26 am:   Edit Post

They sell for around 500 I believe. and they are sold right off there web site. Ive never played a Status before but I cant imagine one would be disappointed if this was what you were looking for.
dannobasso
Member
Username: dannobasso

Post Number: 89
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 5:46 pm:   Edit Post

I had a Kubiki neck turned into a lined fretless and coated with Swedish epoxy. It sucked a mighty wind! The thing moved all the time. I often wondered about graphite necks and their stability. I passed on a Modulus because of the extra long scale. I think that Modulus make replacement necks for bolt ons. I prefer neck thru and set neck basses. Fender difinitely has it's place in the world. I have 2 of their guitars just not their basses. Some guys I know buy a neck and then have it shaved to siut their tastes. Good luck on your search.
Danno
echo008
Member
Username: echo008

Post Number: 56
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 6:54 pm:   Edit Post

Hi,
prices for Modulus replacements are expensive!!!!
here are the prices from stringit.com aqpparently they have these in stock

Maple GVJ4 replacement Neck, Clear Gloss, Maple Fingerboard
List 499.00

Bassstar“J” replacement Neck, Clear Gloss, Phenolic Fingerboard
List 699.00

Anyone else here have any luck with Moses graphite, i know they arent as stable as modulus, but aside from a few bad comments here and there they seem to be pretty good.
BTW my fender is not my only bass but I seem to go to it quite a bit. I am kinda hooked on the idea of getting a graphite neck right now.
- Tom
somatic
Junior
Username: somatic

Post Number: 21
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 9:25 pm:   Edit Post

Tom,

If you're interested in a graphite neck, go with a Status replacement, they're superb. Solid, beautifully made, stable and excellent customer service.

www.status-graphite.com
kungfusheriff
Intermediate Member
Username: kungfusheriff

Post Number: 162
Registered: 8-2003
Posted on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 11:42 pm:   Edit Post

echo,
The graphite thing has pretty much come and gone, as far as viable manufactured products are concerned--Modulus makes a few, and I for one have never heard a cross word about Moses necks, which are specialist equipment, before today. But while either would be "cool" it would totally change the character of your bass and you might not like the result.
My advice, FWIW, would be to send your bass to Roger Sadowsky and tell him 'make this bass right, I don't care what it costs.'
Then, after your credit recovers, start hunting for an Alembic, which is a totally different animal. Those two should satisfy most of your electric needs.
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic

Post Number: 1640
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Saturday, October 02, 2004 - 2:12 am:   Edit Post

Well ...I have to follow Somatic on this. Status necks are great although heavy. And indeed, I was inquiring about changing "Broomstrick's" neck and actually called Status. They were VERY helpful. I believe they also customize on what kind of fret you want: jumbo, normal, banjo, mandoline, fretless lined, fretless unlined.

Paul the bad one
echo008
Member
Username: echo008

Post Number: 84
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Saturday, October 02, 2004 - 7:12 am:   Edit Post

Kung fu sheriff, I have had dreams about having someone like roger sadowsky take care of what needs to be done to that fender, but I just got a new Brown Bass!!! so the fender has not seen alot of playing time, actually it has seens none at all, and I dont know when it will :-). The BB has made a Deep impression on me and I really dont want to play anything else :-)
but when/if the time comes I will look to Status or Modulus even though Modulus is in the 600-700 range they make a wood/graphite neck that I am very interested in.
- Tom

palembic
kungfusheriff
Intermediate Member
Username: kungfusheriff

Post Number: 167
Registered: 8-2003
Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 5:13 pm:   Edit Post

Echo,
I stumbled across a Frankenstein bass you might be interested in...'70s maple J neck with bullet truss rod mated to an unfinished Warmouth body and mystery-meat pickups and tagged at $479. It sounded terrible but played pretty nice. Keep the neck and dump the rest, and your total investment could be ~$250.
E-mail me if interested and I'll send you the store's contact info.
echo008
Member
Username: echo008

Post Number: 91
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 6:28 pm:   Edit Post

Hi,
thanks alot for the heads up!!!, if you want to email me the link please feel free, but my plans have changed somewhat and I doubt Im going to invest in getting the fender a new neck right now. I just recently bought a new Alembic. Im looking to get another if all goes as planned, so my budget (instrument wise) is going to be tied up for quite awhile.
but again thanks for looking out it really is appreciated :-)
- Tom

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