| Author | Message | ||
| Michael Ichiyama (ichinumba9)
Junior Username: ichinumba9 Post Number: 12 Registered: 10-2002 |
I'm not sure if this is possible but this is my idea for my custom Epic. Any info, suggestions, or opinions from you vets would be much appreciated. - 34" scale Epic 2(but with Series I electronics, the body will probably have to be enlarged from what I know) -5 piece neck with 2 ebony laminates -four piece laminated body consisting of: 1/4" coco bolo top(I hope this counts for the January special) 1/8" Bocate accent 1/8" ebony accent Mahogany or Ash back -Polished brass or maybe gold hardware and sustain block -No inlays on fingerboard except at 12th fret- custom inlay -continuous wood back plates and trussrod cover -regular Epic finish coat -strap locks well I think that is it. Any critiques are much appreciated and if anyone has an approximate price tag I would sure like to hear it. Thanks. | ||
| Valentino Villevieille (valvil)
Junior Username: valvil Post Number: 44 Registered: 7-2002 |
Lots of options here... As spec'd out by you , I think that bass would have a list price of around 10,000$, if you include the gold hardware. Not counting the cost for a lager Epic body or the inlay at the twelve fret ( I think Mica's the one who can really tell you how much) I come up with 9290$ in the Alembic custom quote generator ; I used a rogue model as a starting point, as I've found out that it's a good one to start from ( unless you want front & back coco bolo, then a Mark King Deluxe is a good starting point in my opinion); as Mica pointed out in another post, the 1/8 inch laminate of ebony would add 450$, so that brings it to 9740$. If you order by the end of January as you know the coco bolo top is free, so that's not included in the price. The inlay at the 12th fret would likely be 200-300$ at least I think, but I'm sure it would depend on the complexity of it. That's quite a bass. I wouldn't say there's much room for critique, as we all have our tastes to satisfy; I would , however point out a couple of things: A) the continuous backplate option, seems a bit of a waste if you 're not going to have a back laminate and B) Coco bolo looks great under a glossy finish. I have coco bolo basses both in glossy polyester and polyurethane satin finish, and I do like them both for different reasons...I like how the glossy finish makes coco bolo shine and brings out all the little detail in wood that you'd be hard pressed to see if it were just satin. Plus it looks great on stage if that matters to you; and I like how I can feel the wood grain under my fingers in my satin finish bass, and the understated elegant look of it. Well, here's my take on it, I think you're on the right path Good luck and have fun, I'm sure whichever way you go, you'll love it Valentino | ||
| Valentino Villevieille (valvil)
Junior Username: valvil Post Number: 45 Registered: 7-2002 |
I almost forgot... that's gonna be a pretty heavy bass...oversized shape, coco bolo top, ebony neck lams, ebony accent, but you probably knew that , right?  Valentino | ||
| Paul Lindemans (palembic)
Intermediate Member Username: palembic Post Number: 196 Registered: 9-2002 |
HI MIchael, I can imagine the guitar. I agree with brother Valentino about the backplates. A suggestion could be to choose another type of wood for the backplates. If the coco-bolo comes for free ;-) why not try to make the back-plates in coco-bolo. It gives a stylish design "echo" with the front capping? Or keeping the backplayes in brass but with some nice "engraving". See on that purpose Ingmar Putz's SII "dragonslayer" somewhere in the showcase. Another idea that you have to consider is the use of something to identify your new axe. I remember brother Rami saying something like that: If you go for a custom work, it's always word to put your name/initials on it in a very stylish "inlay-way". For instance: your family-name sounds japanese to me. Isn't there a japanese sign that symbols your name? But (yes my old "but" again) that's maybe precisely what you wanted to do on the 12th fret. Take care! Paul PS 1: the site place with the georgeous "dragonslayer" is http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/1459.html?1037581699 PS 2: Valentino it seems you can handle those quotes very well. Would you mind taking a peep at my dream? It's in this department under the "humble" bass. I'm afraid it's a lot of customizing so the standard "quoting" doesn't work. At least: I couldn't do it. (Message edited by palembic on January 21, 2003) | ||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 630 Registered: 6-2000 |
-34" scale Epic 2(but with Series I electronics, the body will probably have to be enlarged from what I know) It will have to be extensively modified to hold the Series I electronics. -5 piece neck with 2 ebony laminates This is certainly possible, though we haven't made one on a set neck yet, so its contribution to the fundamental sustain isn't quite known in this application. My mom added an Ebony neck laminate to her Tribute guitar, but she hasn't finished it yet. -four piece laminated body consisting of: 1/4" coco bolo top(I hope this counts for the January special) 1/8" Bocate accent 1/8" ebony accent Mahogany or Ash back Order in January and the January Special applies. The arrangement of the colors of the wood will be very attractive. I vote for Mahogany body. This is a part where it's really all about personal taste. For my taste, I'd probably omit the Bocate laminate, or maybe replace with a Maple veneer. But since this won't be my bass, you'll have to figure out what look suits your style best. -Polished brass or maybe gold hardware and sustain block Polished brass is included, the gold plated is $840 extra on an Epic. -No inlays on fingerboard except at 12th fret- custom inlay Valentino's right - it depends on the design. 2 initials in a silver oval runs $400 so you can get some idea how your design's complexity compares. -continuous wood back plates and trussrod cover Continuous wood backplates aren't possible to make without a back laminate. Paul's idea of a matching wood backplate can be very attractive. It's $300 for a wooden backplate. The continuous wood truss rod cover on a set neck is a bit more difficult to make - it isn't flat on the underside. Instead of $150, it's $300. -regular Epic finish coat We're actually discontinuing the Epic finish soon and it doesn't look very good on Coco Bolo. -strap locks That'll be fine. I think it's also important to learn what you want the bass to sound like. Can you describe the setting you'll be using it in or an idea of the type of tone and versatility you expect? We should address if any of the cosmetics will negatively impact the tone you're after. | ||
| Michael Ichiyama (ichinumba9)
Junior Username: ichinumba9 Post Number: 13 Registered: 10-2002 |
Thanks guys for responding. A few questions after reading your replies. Do the MXY pickups try to emulate the single coil pickups but with advantages of the hum-cancelling or are the single coils in a whole different ball park. I have 4 basses right now and I am sort of trying to build an arsenal of tonally different basses. My current bass list is: Fender Jazz w/EMG PUs, Fender P-Bass, Epic 4, and Pedulla Pentabuzz fretless. So I am looking for something that will add to my tonal buffet. I guess what I am wondering is if I can get a different variety of tone out the MXY PUs by adding different electronics options such as filters or Q switches, etc. If I can then I wouldn't mind keeping the MXY's because I would think it would be easier to build and a little less out of the pocket. Question on the finish. How does the polyester satin compare to the Epic natural finish and would it cost extra. I really like the more natural look than the high gloss. I am trying to contact my dealer(Guitar Showcase) to set up an appointment to come visit Alembic and hash out all the details, maybe next week sometime. Thanks again. | ||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 637 Registered: 6-2000 |
The Series I and II are just totally different, they have their own unique sound. When you're at Guitar Showcase, you can try a bunch of basses with the same pickups (AXY and MXY) and different electronics and learn how the electronics options sound. The staff at Showcase is very well versed in Alembics, and can probably offer you some additional advice. The Epic finish is a thin polyurethane that looks similar to an oil finish. The satin polyester finish fills the wood completely and is rubbed out by hand to a wonderful satin lustre. It looks best on light colored woods - not so great on Coco Bolo or other dark woods as fingerprints show up. It does look cool when it's very clean. To upgrade to polyester finish on an Epic is $350, whether it's satin, gloss, or a combination rubout gloss with a satin neck. We are going to discontinue the polyurethane finish soon as an option. The Excel, Epic, Orion and Rogue models will add the polyester as a standard feature, and the prices will be adjusted accordingly. | ||
| Michael Ichiyama (ichinumba9)
Junior Username: ichinumba9 Post Number: 14 Registered: 10-2002 |
Are AXY and MXY PUs different tonally or just in shape? | ||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 638 Registered: 6-2000 |
A regular AXY and an MXY are identical inside. The AXY mold can accomodate wider aperture magnets like the FatBoy pickups. I don't think any of the basses at Guitar Showcase right now have the FatBoy pickups. Originally we made the Series I/II pickups and the mold is about as small as you can make it. The humcancelling pickups have always had a magnet about half the width as the Series I/IIs. We just used the same mold until our models got smaller, and the big pickups looked, well, big. The MXY is the smallest possible size for the magnet and coil and looks so much better on the Essence. | ||
| Michael Ichiyama (ichinumba9)
Junior Username: ichinumba9 Post Number: 15 Registered: 10-2002 |
I have questions about the sustain block. Which laminate does it anchor to? Do you think whatever it anchors to has the most influence on the tone or is it all the laminates together that influence tone the most? Oh yeah, Terry at Guitar Showcase set up a visit for me next Monday and I am going to Guitar Showcase today to try the basses out that he has there. I can't wait to visit you guys and see where all the magic happens. | ||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 641 Registered: 6-2000 |
We heard from Terry and got the appointment set up so we're expecting you next Monday. The sustain block is anchored to the core/back wood. I don't think the sustain block cares what it's anchored to, it's so much more massive that any of the woods its affect isn't influenced by the body woods. See you soon! | ||
| Michael Ichiyama (ichinumba9)
Junior Username: ichinumba9 Post Number: 17 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hello again. I was wondering if you could shed some light on Alembics philosophy on pickup placement. I was wondering because I play fingerstyle for the most part and on my Epic I found that I like the tone and feel of striking the string right in front of the bridge pickup. However, it is hard for me to play the E string at that position without the pickup as an anchor. So I was wondering if moving the bridge pickup just a little towards the neck would seriously altar the tone? I would not want to lose any of that Alembic tone. Thanks again. P.S. Just wondering if you have any tight, straight-grained, low-contrast coco bolo for the top. | ||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 652 Registered: 6-2000 |
The main philosphy is to place the pickups as far apart as your technique will allow. This gets you the most variation in tone between the pickups. If you like the sound of the pickups where they are, you might want us to build a small thumbest ramp for your anchor unless you find the pickup is in your way at all. I suppose the affect on the tone wil depend on exactly how much "a little toward the neck" actually is. We have just about every flavor of Coco Bolo available. I'll work with Chip to pull some straight grained low-contrast pieces for your visit. You're looking for a darker overall color? | ||
| Michael Ichiyama (ichinumba9)
Junior Username: ichinumba9 Post Number: 18 Registered: 10-2002 |
Yes, Darker overall look to the coco bolo. Thanks. | ||
| Michael Ichiyama (ichinumba9)
Junior Username: ichinumba9 Post Number: 20 Registered: 10-2002 |
Oh, just to mention, the custom inlay I was thinking of at the 12th fret is a simple Infinity symbol. You know, the sort of squashed figure eight laying on its side. Not sure how much that would be? | ||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 664 Registered: 6-2000 |
Here's that thumbrest we talked about yesterday for your reference:  | ||
| Michael Ichiyama (ichinumba9)
Junior Username: ichinumba9 Post Number: 23 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hello, First I just want to say thanks for everything yeterday. I'm so glad I made the trip to see the shop. Its good to see family style businesses in this day and age of big corporations taking over. About the thumb rest, thanks for sending the picture so I can get an idea, but I think I will stick with my original plan and just move the bridge PU closer to the neck by half a PU width. Maybe you could ask your Dad if it will be alright( I read stuff about pickup placement and harmonics and stuff like that) I'm not sure. Also, if it is not to much trouble I was wondering if you could post a picture of the coco bolo top I selected for my bass. Maybe with the body template outline chalked in. It will help keep me company in my sleep when I'm dreaming of my future baby. P.S. one more thing, I forgot my envelope with all my notes and Alembic brochure there. I guess you can just send it down with the bass when its done. Again, Thanks for everything. | ||
| Paul Lindemans (palembic)
Advanced Member Username: palembic Post Number: 220 Registered: 9-2002 |
Michael, I hope you realise how lucky you are to have the possibility to visit the Alembic farm where they breed all those wonderful guitars! (LOL) Seriously, once a day will come that I'll do the same. Maybe I will not be able to order a guitar but I sure want to meet al those people. Keep the dream alive man! Paul | ||
| Valentino Villevieille (valvil)
Member Username: valvil Post Number: 55 Registered: 7-2002 |
Paul, I'm one of the lucky ones too. I live 45 minutes or so from Santa Rosa. It's so great to be able to go and visit or to bring your bass up for modifications or whatever. First, Susan, Mica & co are always very friendly and helpful; second, they have a lot of patience (they never kicked me out, even though my visits always seem to last 3-4 hours minimum); third, they'll jump though hoops to help you, if they possibly can, no matter what time it is. To give you an example, my last time up at Alembic was December 31st; I went to finalize specs on my new bass and made an appointment with Mica. Going up I decided to take my fretless so that Alembic could look & trace the ouline of my plastic electronics cover, and hopefully make me a brass one instead. I definitely did not expect them to tackle the job right away on the afternoon of the last day of the year; as soon as I told Mica what I wanted she asked James if he could make me a brass cover, and James very kindly said yes and did it on the spot and in very little time, so I went home with it. I was stoked, impressed, and greatful. Every time you walk into the Alembic lobby you have to stop and look ( or more accurately, gawk). You see about 10 or so different Alembic instruments hanging on the wall waiting to be shipped...needless to say, they are all gorgeous and you do kinda want to take them all home...Then Mica will go even further and bring out special Alembics to show you and for you to try...you may begin to understand why my visits tend to be so long. That last day I went, I found a large family that was visiting Alembic; Susan was beginning to give them a tour. A bass playing young man from the East Coast ( who I believe frequents the club as well) was visiting family in California with his mom, dad etc. So they all made an appointment to visit, and Susan cheerfully led them on a tour that lasted several hours, on December 31st ( a day when Alembic , like many other businesses closes early). I thought that was impressive, & I could tell that they were also impressed & greatful. Also, it's great to be able to go up and personally select the woods and to take a peek at your new bass in the works, ...something I'm dying to do now .. hopefully I'll go up again sometime this week if Mica tells me she has time to see me. Hope your dream comes though and that we'll see you on this side of the pond, Paul. Valentino | ||
| Paul Lindemans (palembic)
Advanced Member Username: palembic Post Number: 222 Registered: 9-2002 |
Valantino, that cheers me up! Can you believe you hang out here for the people? It's like you say: you go to Alembic for the people. Being part of my time a marketing teacher in high school the longer I see things happen the more I believe that for High ranked products and very specialised things, the product is not the thing but WHO is behind it! And i mean as well the salesforce, the handyman, the desiger and ...believe it or not ...also the people on this board. It' sone of my drives in living: going to the Alembic "farm" and check out the "breeds". Thanks friend! Paul PS: you seems to be up very late? It's 11:40 morning here? | ||
| Valentino Villevieille (valvil)
Member Username: valvil Post Number: 57 Registered: 7-2002 |
It's 2.54 in the morning here , yes very late or very early, depending how you look at it. Valentino | ||
| Michael Ichiyama (ichinumba9)
Junior Username: ichinumba9 Post Number: 25 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hello Mica, Any progress pics of my Epic? I just need a little eye candy to keep me going through the days. It would be nice to be able to peek at my baby on lunch breaks. if you know what I mean. | ||
| Michael Ichiyama (ichinumba9)
Junior Username: ichinumba9 Post Number: 27 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hello Mica, Hope you're feeling better. Just had a question on the electronics control configuration. Is there any restrictions on the layout? Maybe some suggestions could help me on that one. | ||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 782 Registered: 6-2000 |
I started a Factory to Customer thread for the updates on this bass. |
