| Author | Message | ||
| slarty
New Username: slarty Post Number: 8 Registered: 2-2006 |
I really like the extra "blank" space of a 20- or 21-fret bass because it makes the way I slap much more comfortable. Can the standard body shapes, such as Rogue or Spectrum (which I like for bass, if possible) have their frets reduced so that there's much more space between the pickup closest to the neck and the end of the fingerboard? Also, I've been kind of stuck with one soapbar pickup because other standard configs put the neck pickup under my hand, where it constantly jabs me. But I'm also wondering if, once space is gained by reducing the number of frets, it's worth it to try a compact JJ config, where the neck pickup is moved toward the bridge to maintain the clear space. Actually, I'd really like a compact Series pickup config, but I wonder to what degree it's possible to reduce the Series pickups' footprint. I'd be willing to give back a bit of my slap space on a reduced-fret bass for the sake of getting Series, but it looks like the Series config will eat up too many inches. If I'm splurging on this level of custom bass, I'd like to go the whole nine yards pickups-wise, though I might have to settle for an Alembic single soapbar (which they make, right?) | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4479 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi Slarty, Alembic can surely put the pickups in different paces and give you less frets if that's what you want on a custom build. They will also be able to advise you on what affect the pickup placements will have on your bass's tone. As for the pickup footprint, the hum cancelling pickup can be placed inside the body of the bass leaving the front with more space for deciding on pickup placement. A good place to read through for research is here in the Factory to Customer thread. http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/631.html?1428935722 Check out also the custom archive. I found this one with the pickups moved closer to the bridge giving more "slap space between the fretboard and neck pickup.. http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_rio.html | ||
| slarty
New Username: slarty Post Number: 9 Registered: 2-2006 |
I had no idea they could reduce the hum canceling pickup's footprint to zero. Moving the neck pickup down next to the bridge and reducing to 20-21 frets would easily achieve what I'm after. My priority is ergonomics, so if I lose some tonal flexibility due to moving the neck pickup, I can totally live with that. That is, unless the crowded pickup config dramatically defeats the Series's usefulness and makes it a waste of money, which I doubt. But if so, I'd just go with less fancy electronics, which I've been happy with on my Alembics in the past. It's just that this is my dream design, which I might actually be able to afford this year, so I want to max out my desires here. I had to sell off my previous Alembics because they were secondhand (read: affordable) with stock configs. I have physical issues that require ergonomics to be just so, and even then I have to mount my bass on a mike stand with an Mbrace. | ||
| moongerm
Intermediate Member Username: moongerm Post Number: 180 Registered: 8-2013 |
Wow Jazzy I never knew the hum x could be buried, so to speak. Slarty, something else to consider; I love to slap like you but I also play lots of other styles as well. My first Alembic was a used 83' Distillate with the neck pickup 1/2 and inch away from the end of the fingerboard. It is also similar to how Stanley Clarke had his older basses neck pick up positioned I believe (someone correct me if I am not accurate). That bass made me change my slap style for the better. Having the neck pickup close to the fingerboard meant that I must then thumb over the neck pickup and pluck in between the bridge and neck pickups. Being that the pickup height can be sort of close to the same as the fingerboard height, it felt just fine. I soon found myself not missing using my thumb on the fingerboard very quickly. Plus with thumbing over the neck pickup I was getting a fuller sound. Are you sure you want to forego the 24th fret? Anyhow best wishes on your dream design. Just my two cents if it helps in anyway. Peace, Brian | ||
| slarty
New Username: slarty Post Number: 10 Registered: 2-2006 |
I don't like thumbing over the fingerboard, but over the "blank space." Also, I thumb perpendicular to the strings, not parallel, and usually with an open hand. That lets me pop with all four non-thumb fingers in various combinations as well as do percussive slaps on muted strings with the side of my hand with a quick wrist rotation. I think I've only ever seen Flea slap this way, but it seems natural to me, though I can't double-thump from this position, as the thumb never "hooks" under the strings. My preference for the 4-string, short scale, reduced-fret, no pickguard, Stingray-style configuration comes about after a long evolution. I live with the limitations, no problem, because it's either this or no slapping. I've sacrificed sonic flexibility to maximize comfort due to some physical issues, but I'd like to recover as much of that sound flexibility as possible by going with an Alembic in my preferred physical configuration. It's unfortunate that I'll have to spend so much money to do this, as I've always liked production basses, such as the Fender American J, just fine. But then I'm happy to be able to rationalize an excuse to splurge on a custom Alembic. | ||
| gearhed289
Junior Username: gearhed289 Post Number: 41 Registered: 5-2004 |
I know exactly what you are talking about slarty. I don't slap a lot, but when I do, I have a hard time on most 24 fret basses. I'd love if my Distillate had 21, or 22 max. But, I'm working around it for now. | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 1125 Registered: 4-2004 |
I'm not sure if moving the humcanceller off the same plane as the pickups is still recommended or practiced... The other alternative, if you're going for Series I electronics (no CVQ) would be to do anniversary electronics w/ a 5pin. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 8534 Registered: 6-2000 |
Actually, the humcanceller works best when it is located between the single coils. We can put them essentially in one cavity - with no walls between the pickups. To find out the best path, I'd need to know the scale length you are after, and the measurement of blank space you need. |
