| Author | Message | ||
| David Willard (dreamer)
New Username: dreamer Post Number: 2 Registered: 1-2003 |
I figure that the first thing I need to decide is the body shape. Since I play now and have been a fan of the Spector curved-body bases for some time, a good starting point is the Spector inspired body shape of Autumn Delight. I saw that this bass began life a SI. Does this have to be the case? For example, if I wanted Europa electronics would I use the Europa as a starting point for price? | ||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 609 Registered: 6-2000 |
We can put that body on any neck through model for a custom order. Upgrade woods are double the price since the top is doubly thick to allow for the curvature. The shape itself doesn't have a standardized price, so I'll quote it along with the rest of your specs as you progress to the other decisions you need to make. | ||
| David Willard (dreamer)
New Username: dreamer Post Number: 3 Registered: 1-2003 |
I had a couple of revelations last night. I think the pictures of the Burl Redwood that are posted for "Matt's Custom 4 String" (in Factory to Customer) and a post from Rami to be sure to have your name engraved or some other way to personalize it are the main drivers. My background has always been toward electricity, I was an electrician in the Navy and I am going back to school for electrical engineering in the summer. Right now my dream is shaping up with this theme. I am leaning toward some type of "active-looking" red top wood, possibly the burl redwood, ebony neck lams, ebony headstock with inlaid Alembic logo, red side LED's and some type of original fret inlays (probably some type of electrical symbols or something similar). The overall red and black theme are like positive and negative electrical connections. | ||
| Paul Lindemans (palembic)
Intermediate Member Username: palembic Post Number: 180 Registered: 9-2002 |
Hallo David, welcome! A black and red bass where the colours are still the natural from the wood itself?? Seems as a good concept to go ! Paul | ||
| David Willard (dreamer)
New Username: dreamer Post Number: 4 Registered: 1-2003 |
I have been doing some reading and have come up with a couple of questions. 1). I thought I read somewhere that cocobolo is not considered an upgrade for the Europa, is this true? I looked on the Europa options page and it is $800. 2) When ash is used for the main body is there any issue with neck heaviness, since the body is so light? 3) Is it possible to order a bass with no inlay's, then send it back to have the inlays done at a later date? If so how does the cost on doing the inlays after initial construction compare with doing them during construction. Thanks. | ||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 621 Registered: 6-2000 |
1. I've got so much to update on the website. Coco Bolo is not an additional charge on the Europa and the Signature Deluxe models. 2. There is no significant concern because the main contributor to balance is the position of the upper strapholder. On any model with a longer upper horn (Essence, Europa, Rogue for example), it's essentially a non-issue. I suppose on a body like the Small Standard it would be more of a concern. 3. Sure, but you'll probably want ot hol doff until the bass needs refretting as it will have to be refretted to do it properly. You're probably looking at $350-450 additional labor and fretting work on top of the price for the inlay. | ||
| David Willard (dreamer)
Junior Username: dreamer Post Number: 13 Registered: 1-2003 |
Mica- Please post the dimensions for an Essence. I am looking at some top woods and need an idea of what size I would need. Also include dimensions for bookmatch to center. Thanks. | ||
| Matt Bulmer (prime)
Member Username: prime Post Number: 64 Registered: 11-2002 |
Hi David I asked this question myself a few months back. That thread was moved to the archive, but here is a link: http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/2240.html?1037067600 I'm looking around for some nice burls for you. Let me know if there are any other types of figuring you might want if the color was right. | ||
| David Willard (dreamer)
Junior Username: dreamer Post Number: 14 Registered: 1-2003 |
Thanks, Matt. Whenever I ask a question I know it isn't the first time. I am sure Mica gets tired of answering the same questions over and over again. It's nice to have such a supportive club to fill in the gaps. The figuring isn't as important as the color. I am looking for a dark red, almost a blood red with some type of dark contrast. The color of Mica's Kingwood Essence looks good, but all of the infomation I find on Kingwood says that it is purple. righteouswoods has some red and black Macassar Ebony that caught my eye, but I wanted to know some dimensions before inquiring. Thanks for your help. | ||
| Matt Bulmer (prime)
Member Username: prime Post Number: 65 Registered: 11-2002 |
No prob. This club is pretty nice. I don't think I've ever seen a club where the members don't come and jump all over you for asking a question that has already been answered. That's why I hang out here. Everyone here is very cool and helpful. Ok as far as the blood red color. Well there's Bloodwood. It is about as blood red as I've ever seen a wood get. I've only seen it used for accent lines and such but it is indeed BLOOD red. Also called Satine or Cardinalwood. And there is always Vermillion. You might want to try www.gilmerwood.com. They have some amazing woods there as well as pics of alot of different species of wood. The pic I posted of the Burl Amboyna was from them. I was considering getting a top and back set from them. EXPENSIVE though. It has to be brought out of the jungle on elephants, if you can believe it. Matt | ||
| Valentino Villevieille (valvil)
Member Username: valvil Post Number: 53 Registered: 7-2002 |
Bloodwood has actually been used by Alembic as a top. For an example of it check out this featured custom. http://www.alembic.com/info/hkguitar.html Valentino | ||
| Matt Bulmer (prime)
Member Username: prime Post Number: 66 Registered: 11-2002 |
THAT'S where I saw it. I knew I'd seen an instrument with a bloodwood top before I just couldn't remember where. It's been so long since I looked at that featured custom that I totally forgot about it. Thanks Valentino. Matt | ||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 660 Registered: 6-2000 |
One of the goals of having this club is to make some great FAQs. So don't worry - you're helping make the website better for everyone. I've always loved the sense of community at Alembic - the internet makes it possible for everyone else to enjoy it too! Bloodwood STAYS red. Vermilion ages and get browner over time. It still looks reddish, but more of a brick red after a few years. There are so many beautiful woods in the world. My Kingwood bass looks more purple in real life (that was the only day it was in the sun). Now after a couple of years, it's alos aged a little more brown, though the purple color is still evident. | ||
| David Willard (dreamer)
Junior Username: dreamer Post Number: 18 Registered: 1-2003 |
After some more thinking I think I will lean a little more on personalization. I have had a few basses over the years and they have all had a feature that I liked. So I am thinking about getting some of those features combined in my Alembic dream. And I am looking for some ways to cut the cost a little. Instead of ebony neck lams I am thinking about getting a single doubly wide walnut laminate or maybe 2 regular ones separated by a thin maple veneer. This feature reflects back on the Ric that I had. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this type of laminate, or an idea what the cost would be. I will put up some more ideas as they firm up. | ||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 683 Registered: 6-2000 |
Walnut neck laminates will run the same as Purpleheart ($200-250 unless the model already has them). Walnut is not as stiff as Purpleheart, and will move more. This isn't really a problem, because you can adjust the movement with the truss rods, we just want you to be aware of this before we build it. Looking forward to learning more about your ideas. Combining your "best of" features means you're sure to like what we build, just like what Michael did on his last bass. | ||
| dreamer
Junior Username: dreamer Post Number: 21 Registered: 1-2003 |
To anyone's recollection has olivewood ever been used for a bass or guitar top? Is it even possible to get pieces wide enough for this? Evertime I see this wood I am taken in by the varying grains. | ||
| mdrdvp
Member Username: mdrdvp Post Number: 56 Registered: 7-2002 |
I've talked to a bassplayer last month while we were were sharing the same stage. He bought some olivewood in Portugal. He's having a custom Wal bass build with the olivewood as top. So I think it's possible. Manfred | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 568 Registered: 9-2002 |
Oh ... and one Olivewood lover over here! Could it be that olive-trees not easy get big enough to get the piece of wood needed for a guitar top? Just a guess! Paul the bad one PS: Brother Bob the Cook one and I agreed that olive-oil could be used as care for the neck. Well, Bonnies neck is always taken care of that way 2 times a year. It's more a work of patience because it handles less easy than lemonoil I guess (never found that oil here BTW) but taking care of her let me think of making a good salad in a meditteranean kitchen (maybe I should add some rosemary too LOL) | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1104 Registered: 6-2000 |
I have a few nice Olivewood kitchen untensils which I adore. Rarely do I find Olivewood lumber, and usually it's quite small. What you can find readily are veneer sets. When wood is as pretty as Olivewood, usually the best stuff gets thrown on the veneer saw for maximum yield. I guess it will be easier to find Olivewood lumber around the Mediterranean. BTW, for an Alembic neck through top, we need a board that's about 7-1/2 inches wide and 22 inches long and close to an inch thick. Set neck models and bookmatch to center options on neck throughs require wider boards. | ||
| mdrdvp
Member Username: mdrdvp Post Number: 57 Registered: 7-2002 |
I don''t know when I will see this guy again, but if I do i'll ask him where to get the wood. If you do a simple search on the internet you'll see that most the olivewood is used for kitchen untensils or religious stuff. You can buy a lot of kitchen stuff and a bucket of glue or send Mica a truckload of flowers, but you can also have a look at http://www.picframer.ca/olivewood%20to%20pau.htm Maybe our italian friends can help you. Manfred | ||
| dreamer
Junior Username: dreamer Post Number: 23 Registered: 1-2003 |
I have found some redwood that takes my breath away. I have been watching some posts and the redwood color appeals to me. I found this at Gilmer woods as recommended by Matt. I am concerned about the dimensions. This lists as 3/8 x 7 3/8 x 21 3/4. It seems to fit the specs for an Essence, but I am hoping to curve the body a little, like my Spector and the Autumn Delight dream from last year. Can anyone provide any assistance.  | ||
| dreamer
Junior Username: dreamer Post Number: 24 Registered: 1-2003 |
Can anyone provide any details regarding the dimensions of the boards in my previous post? Also what would the overall thickness need to be to get a curvature similar to a Spector NS. I just did an eyeball measure of mine and it looked close to 2 3/4 to 3 inches. If I could find a top wood and purchased it from some source other than Alembic would I need to have special storage to maintain a certain moisture content? | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1341 Registered: 6-2000 |
If you provide your own wood, we'll equalize it here with the other woods to be used in your bass. If you're supplying the top wood, it needs to be 1/2" thick to pull off teh curved body nicely (nears 1/4" at the edge so it looks "normal"). An Essence needs at least 6" width and 23.5 length will do most Alembic body shapes. We usually finish the thickness to 1/4" for an Essence top. Curving the body wasn't easy (we've only made 2 this way), so you'll need to talk with Susan about the custom shop time involved. | ||
| dreamer
Junior Username: dreamer Post Number: 25 Registered: 1-2003 |
Thanks. What about only carving the top like a Tribute guitar, and leaving the back flat? With some many ideas out there that have been made reality already and the limitless options, it is hard to stick with one idea. But I think I am getting there... | ||
| dreamer
Junior Username: dreamer Post Number: 27 Registered: 1-2003 |
Mica- Have you had a chance to check up on my email? I was wondering if you have any more information on my American Dream fretboard. |
