John's pipe dream Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Alembic Club » Dreaming... for now » Archive through October 06, 2007 » Archive 2005 » Archive through October 12, 2005 » John's pipe dream « Previous Next »

Author Message
john
New
Username: john

Post Number: 1
Registered: 9-2005
Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 6:35 pm:   Edit Post

Hi all,
I've been reading up on all of your wonderful Alembics and would love to draw on your experiences and opinions. Just dreaming for now, but... here's my dream:

Design goals: (1) Light weight (is under 9 lbs possible?); (2) Perfect balance
Must haves: (1) Balance K; (2) Fretted ebony fingerboard
Would likes: (1) Fan peghead (2) Dark top with some curvy grain (walnut? bubinga?)
(3) Neck sandwich: maple, ph, ebony, ph, maple (variation on Mike's "false start" neck at the top of this thread: http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/14252.html?1124711683)
(4) 32" scale

Some questions:
Is a 5-string with a 32" scale going to have a totally limp B-string?
What are the best wood choices for keeping the weight down?
What are the best design choices to ensure perfect balance standing or sitting?
Thanks!
-John
pace
Intermediate Member
Username: pace

Post Number: 174
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Monday, September 19, 2005 - 2:56 pm:   Edit Post

Hey John! Welcome to "the club"....

Check out Jeff's Dire Wolf bass (hopefully he'll chime in)~ a lot of the specs are similar to what you're going for (32" 5string, light body core, comfy/balanced body shape, dark top, etc etc).....

Hope to see a FTC thread with your name on it!!!

-Mike
flaxattack
Senior Member
Username: flaxattack

Post Number: 599
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 - 1:51 pm:   Edit Post

my 5 string direwolf is a 32 and a can tell you and val will back me up
my b string is as tight as my e- not at all floppy and actually i found it tighter than my 34in orion
even alembic was surprised
dark woods tend to be a bit heavier- check with alembic on weights- maple,ebony is a wicked heavy wood as is purpleheart.mahoghany and ash are lighter body woods, top woods- i am a coco bolo guy.
my bal k is under 9 lbs...
elbow and tummy tucks will also reduce weight
the balance k in my opinion is the best balanced bass i have ever seen- its like it knows where to sit-
while it is certainly your option on the peghead...i think the bal k head is more aesthetic than the fanhead would be. if you look at kevins bal k there is a photo in the thread of a mock up with a cone peghead.
john
New
Username: john

Post Number: 2
Registered: 9-2005
Posted on Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 8:21 am:   Edit Post

Thanks Mike and Jeff! I was pleased and surprised that Jeff's Dire Wolf is both 32" scale with a tight B string and under 9 lbs. And what a beautiful instrument! Makes the dream even harder to resist!
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 2390
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 5:16 pm:   Edit Post

Hi John; welcome to the group!
flaxattack
Senior Member
Username: flaxattack

Post Number: 605
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Saturday, September 24, 2005 - 7:58 am:   Edit Post

dreams come true john.......

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration