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Alembic Club » Dreaming... for now » Archive through October 06, 2007 » Archive 2003 » Archive through January 29, 2003 » Soliciting electronics and materials opinions « Previous Next »

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David Willard (dreamer)
New
Username: dreamer

Post Number: 5
Registered: 1-2003
Posted on Saturday, January 18, 2003 - 9:45 pm:   Edit Post

Hi,
I would like some inputs for electronics and types of wood and their affect on appearance. I prefer simple controls without a lot of knobs and switches. But I like tonal versatility. I play mostly hard rock and some occassional blues. So I am looking for a tone that has a lot of bottom, with the occassional high notes. I also throw some distortion and wah in from time to time.

With regards to wood, I am looking for a top wood with red as the major color and some black contrasts. I had considered burl redwood, but I have been seeing some very bright cocobolo recently. The Spector I play now is solid maple and the weight gets tiring after an hour or two. I would like something a little lighter. I have considered ash, but the color is so bright and light I think it will take away from dark red and black look that I am trying to get together.

Also if there are any Alembic players in or near northern Ohio, drop me a line. I have yet to actually hold and be able to play an Alembic. Thanks. dw711@yahoo.com
James L. Martin (malthumb)
Junior
Username: malthumb

Post Number: 50
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, January 18, 2003 - 11:01 pm:   Edit Post

David,

If you are concerned about the weight of the bass, cocobolo may not be the wood for you. I've never heard a better sounding wood (I still think my 5 string is the best sounding bass I've ever heard) but it does make for a heavier bass.

As far as getting to hold / play an Alembic, how north are you in northern Ohio? I'm in Detroit. Roughly an hour north of Toledo.
David Willard (dreamer)
New
Username: dreamer

Post Number: 6
Registered: 1-2003
Posted on Monday, January 20, 2003 - 12:03 am:   Edit Post

Thanks James. I had thought about the density of cocobolo but there are two 5 string Orion with cocobolo and a mahogany core and the advertised weight is 9.5 lbs. The bass I have now is around 11.5 lbs. I don't know how the Orion compares in size to the Europa or the featured special Autumn Delight or to the Spector that I have now, but I think I can get a lot of wood features without going much over the weight that I have now.

To answer your question, I am in Sandusky. So I am about 1.5 to 2.0 hours to the metro area depending on where exactly you are. I just moved here from Novi, so I know the metro area pretty well. Sometime on a weekend maybe I can drop you a line and you can show off your goods to me. Any thoughts on electronics?
Paul Lindemans (palembic)
Intermediate Member
Username: palembic

Post Number: 193
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Monday, January 20, 2003 - 12:54 am:   Edit Post

Hi David,

what about the "Excel" electronics: 1 pick-up with volume, bass and treble.
Adding a second pick-up adds lower sounds but will add also a "pan"-pot in this set-up.
Maybe than it's a better idea to go for volume, pan, filter and Q-switch?

Take care!

Paul

PS: about woods, I think there are other reddish woods available than coco-bolo.
There are people around who would kill me on this but I can also imagine a nice 5A flamed maple with a nice translucent red paint?
David M. McKenney (david_mckenney)
New
Username: david_mckenney

Post Number: 2
Registered: 1-2003
Posted on Monday, January 20, 2003 - 2:31 pm:   Edit Post

Howdy! Youngstown, Ohio here. Have you tried your friendly neighbourhood Alembic dealers? There's bound to be a dealer listing somewhere on this website (mind you, I haven't been looking myself, but I also haven't bumped into one, either...). And, I can vouch for the dealer in Kent, Ohio, who has a lovely selection of Alembics in stock (including a RED, RED, RED vermillion-topped 4-string fretless set-neck).

My only words of caution for you: ONCE YOU HAVE PLAYED AN ALEMBIC, YOU CAN'T GO BACK TO ORDINARY INSTRUMENTS! There are Alembics, and the rest are planks. Hee hee!

Play nice,

David McK.
Matt Bulmer (prime)
Member
Username: prime

Post Number: 51
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Monday, January 20, 2003 - 2:41 pm:   Edit Post

USA Dealer Listing: http://www.alembic.com/family/usa_dealers.html

There are a number in Ohio.

Heed David's caution! No one warned me and I think I shall be forever biased.
David Willard (dreamer)
New
Username: dreamer

Post Number: 7
Registered: 1-2003
Posted on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 1:35 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks for the feedback on Ohio dealers. I just moved here and don't know where all of the towns are. Plus just because a dealer is an Alembic, doesn't mean they are knowlegeable. I lived in Virginia Beach for 4 years and the Alembic dealer there never had an Alembic in stock during the whole 4 years.

Paul-I like the idea of simplified electronics and maybe finding my own variation. I have read a few posts from people who really like the Excel sound. Do you have any opinions?
Paul Lindemans (palembic)
Advanced Member
Username: palembic

Post Number: 210
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Thursday, January 23, 2003 - 12:37 am:   Edit Post

Hi there David,

I think you should ask Mister EXCELlence about this: our brother Rami. See his collection Excels in the Showcase department.

Paul

PS: maybe an Excel with just 1 fat-boy and 1volume knob? VERY simple! Than you'll have to put it through a F1-X and a SF-2 (as preamp and filter) you will have a hell-uffa-sound to shape and knobs to tweak but ...a VERY simple bass!
;-)

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