| Author | Message | ||
| crazykiwi
Junior Username: crazykiwi Post Number: 13 Registered: 10-2005 |
I'm sitting here with my Series 1 and loving the standard point body shape but noting the headstock dive. I was wondering if anyone ever asked Alembic to make a headless bass? (Message edited by crazykiwi on March 15, 2006) | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 803 Registered: 6-2002 |
Another sugegstion would be to use a WIDE strap, preferably with a roughened back. That should help keeping the bass balanced. Of course Alembic sells the Alembic of straps - check the online store - but you may find it a little pricey. | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 2332 Registered: 9-2002 |
Brother Steve i don't have the intention to dive into a doen't-does-doesn't-does discussion. That would be pointless. It is YOUR feel and experience with the bass and I have a fully respect for that. Though that experience and feel is worth anaysing for the sake of your playing eagerness. There was once a statement of our Brother Joey that said "playing Alembics with the original designs (Standards and Small Standard)asks for some learning". I suggest that you hold your bass with the strap attached only on the upper horn. How does it balances? On a wrist-watch lay-out (and for a right handed bass): does the neck pointed 1hr? 1:30? 2? Alembics seldom (maybe even never) "dive" in the sense it goes to let say ...huh 3:30hrs. However! You can FEEL it as a "dive". Like I said earlier in other threads: the neck position of Standard Alembic shapes versus YOUR body is radically different than any other bass you played. The neck "as a whole" is situated more to the side of your body. That will result in a need for more "reach". The "Alchemy" bass here  is a Series II Standard shape 5 string with a 35" scale. Go figure the arm-reach you need! Though I refer to Brother Joeys statement: it needs an "attitude" to play those old designs. I am 1.90m tall and I have no problems. Our brother James (Mathumb)is "Black short and handsome" (that one still makes me laugh) and still a Series Standard body addict. SO we both manage that "reach" and ...to be honest...I don't know how I do it but it is ...well ...huhuhuh...different??? THan the other basses I have. I agree that Alembic more recenter body-styles are giving more playing comfort for those who are used to fenderish styled bodies. But I wouldn't use the word "dive" for the old Alembic body styles. Just some thoughts. Paul TBO | ||
| crazykiwi
Junior Username: crazykiwi Post Number: 14 Registered: 10-2005 |
I think you guys are a bit sensitive. My post was meant as a light hearted enquiry about custom requests, not a dig at Alembics. This is after all the dreaming forum isn't it? FWIW I have 4" wide padded leather straps on all my basses and the hollow body makes the Series 1 lighter than the sig series and certainly a load lighter than my Elan 6. The headstock dive isn't an issue but it did get me thinking. If the word from on high is "no" then lets leave it at that, eh? | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 2333 Registered: 9-2002 |
Oh well ...I talk too much ... | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 804 Registered: 6-2002 |
And it is of course a valid question whether someone has ever asked for a headless Alembic. There is always the series of basses built in Japan in the 1980s, which were licensed to have the Alembic name: they had bolt-on necks and behind-the-bridge tuners. Strictly speaking they weren't headless, as they had a small peghead (see here: http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/21220.html). Here you can find the official word from Mica: http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/10964.html - unfortunately the link in the top posting seems to be invalid. And here's the original brochure for the basses: http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/14782.jpg | ||
| crazykiwi
Junior Username: crazykiwi Post Number: 15 Registered: 10-2005 |
Wow! OK they're not exactly headless but I never knew those basses existed before  . Thanks for mentioning them. From the look of Mica's post, it suggests that the bridges (with the alembic logo) were also sourced in Japan. If someone placed an order for a headless series 1/2 how would Alembic approach the issue of hardware supply? Would they make their own or outsource it from somewhere like ABM? | ||
| alembic76407
Senior Member Username: alembic76407 Post Number: 442 Registered: 5-2002 |
here lately there has been a few headless alembic's , and it hurts to see the pictures | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3163 Registered: 6-2000 |
If your strap is padded it may not be helping if the part that touches your shoulder isn't suede - that's the part you need to "grip" the bass in place. Also, try wearing your bass higher if you have slung it somewhat low. I had a padded leather strap for a while that I got in Germany many years ago, it was made nicely. But since the leather was on both sides of the strap, even my little Essence went sliding around. Headless? Mom's position has traditionally been for instruments with pegheads. To get one made without would require her support. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1120 Registered: 7-2004 |
Charles: I was thinking the same thing. Of course all of those were home made modifications, so to speak. Paul: You're bad! LOL Bill, tgo | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 3492 Registered: 5-2002 |
"Mom's position has traditionally been for instruments with pegheads". That sounds like "the word from on high" to me. <g> | ||
| byoung
Advanced Member Username: byoung Post Number: 229 Registered: 12-2004 |
quote: Headless? Mom's position has traditionally been for instruments with pegheads. To get one made without would require her support. As many of us know (those with senior management, for certain!), If momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. | ||
| crazykiwi
Junior Username: crazykiwi Post Number: 16 Registered: 10-2005 |
LOL! OK, I'll take that as the final word on the subject. | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 695 Registered: 9-2002 |
You know, if I could get one of those Gene Simmons outfits with the big spikes coming out of the shoulder seam, I could just hook a hole in the strap and . . . . Seriously, the traditional Series shape just ain't gonna balance in long scale as well as medium or short scale, for which it was originally designed, if memory correctly serves me. Just no way you shove the fingerboard that far out in the body with the short bouts and expect it to balance like a Rogue or Europa. Save 2" back to medium scale, it's a big difference. Can NOT imagine this shape in 35 or 36 inch scale. But . . . this shape IS Alembic to me. I also knew I did not want to go back and forth from medium scale to long scale on my other basses. So I actually found a way to park my picking hand elbow along the top edge with the strap adjusted to the right length, and I was done. Now I'm 6'1" and wear a 44 long jacket, so it's a little long for me, but worth it. I would like to have another shape or two one day, but I could NOT have an Alembic without one Series-shaped axe. But that's me. BELIEVE ME, if momma's not happy, you'd be better off arm-wrestling Paul, Sr.! J o e y | ||
| jlpicard
Advanced Member Username: jlpicard Post Number: 400 Registered: 7-2002 |
Funny, I've never considered the neck heavyness as much of a burden and yes Joey, I absolutely agree with you, "this shape IS Alembic to me" too. the reach is/was more of a problem to me as I am 5'9" though not an insurmountable one. My compromise was to order my custom with a full bodied Balance Point (actually a heart omega variation) body which obviously has better balance because of the extended upper cutaway but at the same time still retains what is for me that big bodied classic Alembic vib. Nothing against the Balance K. I love it too perhaps for my future 5 string but as I am mainly from the old school of the 4 String, the large Standard body is THE Bass that I have lusted over in my dreams for many, many years. | ||
| jlpicard
Senior Member Username: jlpicard Post Number: 401 Registered: 7-2002 |
As far as a headless Alembic goes, I say Blasphemy! Off with his head! (The player that is, not the bass);) Just kidding! I own a Steinberger but to me, there's just not much to love or be inspired by a "form follows funtion" instrument totally devoid of any pleasing aesthetics. My Alembics are not only a joy to play and hear but I feel it is like looking at a fine piece of artwork. The high level of perfection I see excites me in a very subliminal way and pushes me onward toward achieving my own modicum of perfection. In short the level of beauty that I hear and feel AND see reminds me of what is possible and makes me feel obligated to be the best I can be. Does that resonate with anybody? Pehaps that is why musicians have commissioned aesthetic embellishments of all kinds to their instruments since the dawn of Music. The headless bass may balance better but I need my headstock please, with everthing that goes with it, both good and bad. To me, asking Alembic to do headless is like asking DaVinci to paint Picasso's "Three Musicians" P.S. what do ya know? I just made senior member with this post WOOHOO!!! | ||
| trekster
Member Username: trekster Post Number: 93 Registered: 7-2004 |
I've got to chime in on this (better late than never).. ok.. The headless desgin is interesting, and I *could* see an Alembic like that. However, that being said, I would only ask that you do NOT make it so that it has to use double-ball strings. Something that clamps a normal string at the headstock is much preferable. I have a mid 80's Yamaha BX-1 that does that, so I can use my preferred strings (DR's). I have also heard that there are many who think the Steinberger's that were built later with the regular (full) body sound better. One other thing too.. my Yamaha is probably the closest that would be to a Alembic headless..since it is solid maple and esentially a neck-thru instrument. I do recall seeing a pic of a BX-1 on ebay once that had it's black paint stripped.. actually had nice wood underneath. Cheers, --T | ||
| davr35
Junior Username: davr35 Post Number: 45 Registered: 12-2004 |
I think headless basses should be left to Status or Steinberger but to each his own it would be very interesting to see | ||
| somatic
Junior Username: somatic Post Number: 43 Registered: 11-2003 |
I'd love a headless Alembic or a Status with Alembic electronics. Best of all worlds. | ||
| georgie_boy
Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 99 Registered: 8-2005 |
Just ordered a set of STATUS round core strings for my SERIES------30 50 70 90 I'll keep the club posted on the outcome, but the idea of a STATUS with ALEMBIC guts would be the ideal IMHO G | ||
| bigideas
Member Username: bigideas Post Number: 89 Registered: 1-2004 |
David King (www.Kingbass.com) builds very nice headless basses and lists Alembic as a pickup/eq option. His knowledge of Alembic products seems a little.. wonky. Then again, I can only find one bass in his gallery that has what appear to be Alembic activators. If you look at the bottom of the page it's the one marked Dann II. Still really nice basses. here's a review of one: http://www.bassplayer.com/story.asp?storycode=12430 | ||
| edwin
Intermediate Member Username: edwin Post Number: 169 Registered: 5-2002 |
I have one of David's early basses (a fretless 5) and it is the most comfortable instruments I have ever played. It also sounds simply amazing. I have 3 basses I will never get rid of: a 78 Series I, a '67 Starfire and this fretless. If anyone is thinking of that kind of design, you owe it to yourself to check out his work. It's simply exquisite! I think he would probably use more Alembic guts if his customers wanted to pay the premium. Edwin | ||
| haddimudd
Intermediate Member Username: haddimudd Post Number: 165 Registered: 6-2002 |
It is a question floating around in my head for a while, too. Obviously Mark King had his Status designed after the SC Alembic. Personally I like the looks of the SC shape much better and surely I would prefer the Alembic electronics, not to forget the Alembic quality craftsmanship. But when I fancy about a short scale bass, it is because I would want it to be as compact and managable as possible, so any way of keeping the size of the instrument at a minimum is worth a thought. I was curious if there was any way of having a headless Alembic still look good. It surely would have to be a design yet to be found. I think it took me many years to get used to the headless looks of Status, but today I like them better than the headstock Status models. And while it is me dreaming for now, I am sure I will bring up the issue whenever I am a rich enough bastard again to discuss my next Alembic project (and be it only to find out that I don't like it that way in the end). Hartmut | ||
| jsaylor
Junior Username: jsaylor Post Number: 37 Registered: 11-2006 |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMzXtizKcXY Just found that. I'm not sure if it's an Alembic or not, but with the leds it could quite possibly be one. I'm not loving it, but I guess it would look better in person. I want to know if thats an Alembic. -Jordan | ||
| somatic
Member Username: somatic Post Number: 51 Registered: 11-2003 |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMzXtizKcXY Just found that. I'm not sure if it's an Alembic or not, but with the leds it could quite possibly be one. I'm not loving it, but I guess it would look better in person. I want to know if thats an Alembic. It's a Status Kingbass, probably the only other instrument to rival my GAS for Alembics. http://www.status-graphite.com/ | ||
| jsaylor
Junior Username: jsaylor Post Number: 38 Registered: 11-2006 |
Oh thank G-d. A headless Alembic would be...possibly horrible. Theres just something about the Alembic logo on the headstock. | ||
| foth
Intermediate Member Username: foth Post Number: 125 Registered: 12-2004 |
Keavin's ol' #12 is occasionally headless, so he's put the Alembic logo on the body.  | ||
| jsaylor
Junior Username: jsaylor Post Number: 44 Registered: 11-2006 |
What do you mean occasionaly headless? | ||
| tbrannon
Advanced Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 243 Registered: 11-2004 |
If I recall correctly, #12 has been decapitated several times in accidents. Good thing his owner is good with repairs. I'm sure Keavin will chime in with some stories.... | ||
| haddimudd
Intermediate Member Username: haddimudd Post Number: 172 Registered: 6-2002 |
Maybe he can post a pic of the entire bass without the headstock. That would give us an idea of a potential headless look on an Alembic. Paul, I like your "occasional headless" ... | ||
| bigideas
Intermediate Member Username: bigideas Post Number: 101 Registered: 1-2004 |
I agree, Paul's bass is beautiful whatever condition it's in. For that matter Michael's bass is still beautiful, and it's head nearly came off. I think a headless Alembic would require a reinterpretation of the classic Alembics (small standard, standard point, standard omega) or the newer interpretations of those (balance k point and omega, and lil'darling) by Susan. She would be best able to come up with a design that embraced being headless and was very properly Alembic. Actually, I'm sure the Standard or K Omega could be reshaped quite nicely to accept a tuner/tailpiece at the butt end. As to the logo, have it inlayed on the bass somewhere. Having said that, short of wanting a headless Series bass, there are most likely a myriad of smaller builders that would build you an excellent headless bass and put Alembic guts into it (David King having been mentioned already.) I say no Series because I'm not sure if Alembic will sell you the Series electronics for a non-Alembic bass. The question becomes; do you want an Alembic that's headless or a headless with the guts of an Alembic? | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1796 Registered: 7-2004 |
Here are some headless Alembics   OUCH! Bill, tgo | ||
| haddimudd
Intermediate Member Username: haddimudd Post Number: 177 Registered: 6-2002 |
Well, the one in the below image almost resembles the headless Status KingBass. It looks much better than the Status even without the headstock. I don't think you would ever get a Status with fancy inlays. Quite frankly, I could see a headless Alembic design with traditional corpus. Hartmut | ||
| hifiguy
Junior Username: hifiguy Post Number: 30 Registered: 10-2006 |
That post two up just about made me cry.  Was it possible to heal her up? | ||
| jsaylor
Junior Username: jsaylor Post Number: 47 Registered: 11-2006 |
Wow, that looks horrible. The fact it doesn't have head is pretty bad looking aswell. | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 709 Registered: 6-2002 |
The cherryburst is club member Steve's and is chronicled in the thread titled "Why Is This Man Crying". The last links there indicates Steve's insurance opted to replace the intrument, reusing the electronics in the new one to be built. See this thread and click on the archive link at the top of the page. Club member Mike Bisch (ox junior) also had a headstock disaster, but had his Spyder repaired with a new cone headstock instead of the "V" headstock it originally had. Let's all be safe out there in the clubs  Mike | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 710 Registered: 6-2002 |
The cherryburst belongs to Steve Wood. Here's the thread discussing it. Click on the Archive link at the top of the page to see closeups (AAARGH). Steve's insurance decided to total the old bass and pay for a new one which will reuse the electronic guts of the original. Club member Mike Bisch (ox junior) also had a headstock removal (a Who Show twirling mic disaster) that was repaired with a switch to the cone headstock instead of the larger V headstock. Let's all be safe out there in the clubs... Mike | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 711 Registered: 6-2002 |
Two views of the same semi-helpful info... 12 and 6, in a plain brown wrapper! Mike, Sr. (This senior moment brought to you by tryptiphan and cranberries) (Message edited by dadabass2001 on November 25, 2006) | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 712 Registered: 6-2002 |
Let's all be safe out there in the clubs... (and avoid quadruple posts...DO'OH) Mike (Message edited by dadabass2001 on November 25, 2006) (Message edited by dadabass2001 on November 25, 2006) | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 905 Registered: 2-2006 |
I would imagine that you would have to hit the head pretty hard to snap it off like that. I've had a few basses get dropped even had one thrown acroos the room and never had that happen. OUCH! | ||
| haddimudd
Intermediate Member Username: haddimudd Post Number: 184 Registered: 6-2002 |
After playing around with some design options I now think that I would not want a headless Alembic. When comparing to the Status bendwell I think you can get a headstock similarily compact and yet true to the Alembic style. That is what I will pursue on any future "Bonsai" Alembic shorty project rather than any headless option. Hartmut | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 945 Registered: 2-2006 |
I have a MK-5 that has a smaller head than my other MK-5 on it. Here is a shot of the heads side by side.  You can see one is shorter, I assumu they can be made more narrow too. That is if you wanted to stay with a "crown" head. | ||
| haddimudd
Intermediate Member Username: haddimudd Post Number: 186 Registered: 6-2002 |
Yes, that's the direction I was looking at, and with my plans for a 4-string it would be even easier, I guess. Thanks for the pics. Looking good. | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 948 Registered: 2-2006 |
I bet a 4 could go even smaller. Here is a better shot of the head and one of the whole bass to give you a better idea of how it looks. This bass is a 35" scale and I get no neck dive at all on it. It does however have an extended upper horn which probably helps.   (Message edited by davehouck on December 07, 2006) | ||
| haddimudd
Intermediate Member Username: haddimudd Post Number: 188 Registered: 6-2002 |
I would try to go narrower and even shorter too and see how far the limits can be pushed to still remain true to the classic crown design. | ||
| 0vid
Junior Username: 0vid Post Number: 49 Registered: 4-2003 |
Well FWIW This is one of my basses I built and I use this a lot live. I do lots of sessions with people I do not know and the 1st comment is usually "he's got a steinberger, it's the 80's again". The balance is fantastic. I understand all about the problems of neck dive... one of my other basses I built is a telecaster shaped body with a long tele neck (like a G&L ASAT) and it dives so I have a special velcro clip to my waist belt and that works... But anyway, the headless: The body is bookmatched spalted maple top, sapele core, Bookmatched spalted back, the neck is an early Status off ebay (flipped the headpiece around to use as lefty), the electronics are 2 AXYs and separate vol and filter for each (photo is from when it was just finished, started with vol/vol/filter - it has 4 knobs now and is vol/filter,vol/filter, also photo shows fatboys, but I use AXYs now). The output jack is a Neutrik locking, the hardware is ABM. It was built in my workshop in NZ, where I used to live. It sounds very bright and this bass is my most comfortable to strap on ergonomically. I use a leather Slap Strap from Germany. Sound? Don't let anyone tell you that putting alembic pickups in a body gets you an alembic tone....it has the character but I have about 5 lefty basses now I have made with Alembic guts and they all sound different. This one is the brightest. Too bright for motown soul, but the filter cures that in an instant. It's got the hotdotz (fretfx) and this is one time Roz made a custom job for a headless. I found a new german company making some bass bridges and headless hardware... and they will make me custom lefty hardware so I will start another headless bass. www.ets-hardware.com/ I also do not pretend that this is anywhere close to my Alembic, my workmanship is OK but it is not quite commerical grade, but this is my bass and I like it a lot.  (Message edited by 0vid on December 08, 2006) | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1837 Registered: 7-2004 |
Ovid: I like it a lot too! Very professional looking. You should be proud. I'd love to see pics of other basses you've made and I suspect I'm not the only one. Bill, tgo | ||
| 0vid
Junior Username: 0vid Post Number: 50 Registered: 4-2003 |
weblink in email sent to you Bill. | ||
| somatic
Member Username: somatic Post Number: 52 Registered: 11-2003 |
Nice work Raymond. That spalt top is very attractive. A headless Status neck (presume composite) and Alembic electonics; sounds like a good combination to me. | ||
| 0vid
Member Username: 0vid Post Number: 51 Registered: 4-2003 |
Ya it's a Status Carbon Graphite bolt on, but an early one without the truss rod. This bass keeps its tuning very well though. My Conklin 7 funnily enough also keeps its tuning very well despite having that many strings. |
