| Author | Message | ||
| dtrice
Junior Username: dtrice Post Number: 16 Registered: 10-2006 |
Hi, I am already an Alembic owner so I have the basic questions about overall quality safely answered. I am already planning my next Alembic (although in all practicallity this may not happen for two to three years) but I'd still like to get some imput about getting a bass made with Series electronics. What are ya'lls'(hey, I'm from the south) thoughts about them. What are the pros/cons of I or II. What is the main differences in sound from them verses Anniversary electronics. I've heard Series instruments before (i.e. John Paul Jones and John Entwistle, etc.) but I've never played a Series instrument and I would like to know what kind of difference it makes to tone so any advice you can give me would be appreciated. The more the better! Thanks. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2026 Registered: 7-2004 |
I'm a guitar player, so I can't help you much about basses. As the owner of both a Series I and non-Series Alembics, I can tell you they are both great. If the typical guitar is a Ford or Chevy, the non-Series is a Porsche, and the Series is a Ferrari. There are only two possible cons I can think of regarding Series instruments: cost and weight. Bill, the guitar one | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 735 Registered: 6-2002 |
To paraphrase from elsewhere on the forum, the series pickups are single coil and have been described by several members as having an "open" sound. Be sure to read the FAQs and Must Reads section as well. Mike | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 1024 Registered: 12-2002 |
Well series electronics are stereo for one & the advantage is there's a Vol/filter/"Q"swich per pickup & tone flexibility is almost unlimited when you mix them.....check out stanley's gear set-up http://www.stanleyclarke.com/gear_pg.htm | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1459 Registered: 3-2004 |
The answers so far have been good, but I think it's hard to get the picture in such a brief context. In terms of control, Anniversary and Series I electronics are the same (if you upgrade the Anniversary Q-switch to a 3-way). Series II adds a master volume and the continuously variable Q controls. These three setups are all stereo -capable where you can route each pickup through a unique signal chain to their own amplifiers or recording channels. The important differences, in my mind, are as follows: 1. Pickups. The Series packages use wide-aperture single coil pickups with a dummy hum canceller located a few inches from the actual pickup. There is a set of internal pots to adjust the balance between the pickups and the hum canceller for maximum noise reduction. The Anniversary package comes with regular-aperture pickups. The hum cancellers for these pickups are built into the housing. An upgrade to FatBoy wide-aperture version is possible. As previously mentioned, the single coil pickups are described as having a more open sound. I would say they are more articulate in the upper frequency ranges that complete the character of the tone. 2. Electronics. Series electronics are powered through the 5-pin cable. While the controls are similar to the Anniversary package, the guts behind them are not the same. The additional headroom in the power system for the Series package should translate into lower noise from the onboard preamp. Not that the Anniversary package is noisy, but that the Series package is as quiet as rack-mount gear. You can run Series electronics on batteries, but they eat them up very quickly. Non-Series electronics run relatively low power. A single 9v will give you months of service. I wish we could run the Anniversary circuit at 18v, but Alembic hasn't offerred that as an option. Also, the CVQ (continuously variable Q) controls are only available as part of the Series II package. If you want that level of control, you have to go to the top. There are differences in standard options between these instruments, but they can all be added or removed between the models. Things like plated hardware, LEDs, and wood recipes can all be upgraded on the "lesser" models. In the end, it's up to your ears and your needs. Your profile says that you own a Spyder. As such, you know what Anniversary electronics sound like. Do you ever use them in stereo? If not then you might not really appreciate the subtle differences between Anniversary and Series electronics. I believe the Spyders came with AXY pickups, you might try the relatively inexpensive path of ordering a FatBoy pickup and installing it in your Spyder to see how you feel about the wide-aperture tone. This should get you closer to the Series sound. Either that, or get to a dealer with a Series bass in stock where you can hear it for yourself. | ||
| dtrice
Junior Username: dtrice Post Number: 17 Registered: 10-2006 |
Bob that was a great explanation. Except for the three-way Q switches I thought there would be a larger difference between Anniversary and Series I controls. So the main difference lies in the pickups and the power supply. Are FatBoys single coil like the Series'. I'm unlucky enough to live in a state with no Alembic dealers, so it is very hard for me to actually play any. Is it possible or even recommendable to possibly have Anniversary electronics upgraded to Series I specs? Could the bass even recieve the new electronics? One of these days I need to take a trip to Bass Central (where I had a good experience with purchasing my Spyder) or somewhere and just spend like two days just playing different Alembics. But that is easier said then done. | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1475 Registered: 3-2004 |
Bass Central does usually have a great inventory, but there have to be a couple dealers closer to you than that, no? Will Gunn left TN, but how about the Texas dealers? Well, with regard to pickups, the FatBoy is the same construction as the AXY pickups but using the larger Series pickup magnet. They are not single coil. Upgrading an existing bass to Series electronics is probably not cost effective even in the rare case where it is possible. The Series bass is built with a thicker body to accomodate the electronics and most non-series basses are not thick enough to take it. Someone else recently asked about th eupgrade and I think the requirement was a 1.75" thick body. I suspect you'd be looking at something like a $5K job if the bass could take the upgrade, but I could easily be off by 50%. | ||
| dtrice
Junior Username: dtrice Post Number: 18 Registered: 10-2006 |
Well I played my first Alembics at Larry Morgan music in Garland, Tx but they are no longer an Alembic dealer from what I hear. I lived in Houston for a while and visited Parker music but didn't see any Alembics on the racks at the time, but I haven't checked back in about a year. Yeah, I had a feeling that the upgrade to Series would be pretty steep. At $5000 I'd be well on my way to just buying a whole new bass. Maybe a nice quilted maple Dragon's Wing...at least dreams are free! | ||
| groovelines
Senior Member Username: groovelines Post Number: 442 Registered: 4-2003 |
Daniel, Not sure what the commute might entail, but Guitar Resurection, North Austin, has a handful of Alembics, though I don't recall seeing any Series basses. The closest would be a really sweet Brown Bass (Anniversary electronics). It thumps like nobody's business. | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1064 Registered: 2-2006 |
Daniel, I believe jorge is coming to Dallas on th 10th maybe ya'll could car pool. Would be a great chance to play sveral differant models. (Message edited by olieoliver on January 24, 2007) | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1065 Registered: 2-2006 |
The link above, Dallas, didn't work at first, I have corrected it. | ||
| dtrice
Junior Username: dtrice Post Number: 21 Registered: 10-2006 |
I heard that Jorge has been in Oklahoma City lately. I'll have to plan a way for me to get there. Also I'd need to call hotels for good prices on rooms. We'll see. Maybe if not this time, maybe it will go well and there will be more? | ||
| jorge_s
Intermediate Member Username: jorge_s Post Number: 119 Registered: 8-2002 |
Actually I have been in Arkansas but I am in New Orleans a lot. My house is still there (and almost repaired!). So shoot me an e-mail Daniel if you want to play mine and see what you think. | ||
| dtrice
Junior Username: dtrice Post Number: 23 Registered: 10-2006 |
I was also considering either a DW or a Triple-O Series bass. Does anyone know the specific differences in weight or balance between the two? I already have a spyder and was just reflecting that maybe I should get something a little different? What do ya'll do when picking new Alembics do you guys pick your favorite design and play with it or do prefer the variety? | ||
| tubeperson
Junior Username: tubeperson Post Number: 37 Registered: 5-2005 |
If you love to torture youself with weight, get a Triple O with Coco Bolo and Ebony laminates. You'll taste your privates every time you pick up the bass. Plus they are very difficult to play sitting. | ||
| dtrice
Junior Username: dtrice Post Number: 26 Registered: 10-2006 |
This is just a question about my Alembic. I want to run it in stereo, so I plugged it in through my rik-o-sound box to split the signal. Only the treble went through however. What kind splitters do you guys use? | ||
| kenbass4
Advanced Member Username: kenbass4 Post Number: 224 Registered: 10-2003 |
Daniel, Did you flip your stereo switch from mono to stereo? I'm assuming you're using your spider. Ken | ||
| dtrice
Junior Username: dtrice Post Number: 27 Registered: 10-2006 |
Yeah, I'll try it again this. Maybe I hooked up something wrong in my signal chain. But the Rick-o-sound box should work as well as any Y-splitter right? Any Rick lovers out there know? | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2105 Registered: 7-2004 |
Before I sold my Ricky 360/12, I used the Rick-O-Sound box on my '76 Series I. It worked perfectly. Bill, tgo | ||
| dtrice
Junior Username: dtrice Post Number: 28 Registered: 10-2006 |
Why did you sell your 360/12? I would love to have one or a 370/12 in the future. I'll try the Rick-o-Sound again. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2125 Registered: 7-2004 |
Daniel: Don't get me wrong, the 360/12 is a wonderful guitar. The problem, for me, was the width of the fretboard. The 360/12 uses the same neck as the 360, it isn't widened at all to fit the 12 strings. As a result I found the string spacing to be too cramped. It was very difficult to play arpeggios cleanly. Instead I'm now using a Fender Strat 12 into which I have installed Alembic pickups, filter and 3-way Q switch. The neck is significantly wider than the Ricky, and thus, for me, far more playable. I do miss the Ricky "jangle" though. Nothing sounds better on the intro of "Mr. Tambourine Man" than a Ricky. Bill, tgo | ||
| dtrice
Junior Username: dtrice Post Number: 30 Registered: 10-2006 |
I can imagine. I wonder if it would be proper to have Alembic fashion a body and neck and install Rickenbacker pickups. Using specific combinations of wood, wouldn't it be possible to replicate the unique Rick sound but with the feel and craftsmanship of Alembic? I was considering doing something similar with a 4-string bass. To me that would be the ideal instrument, because Ricks are favorite sounding basses, but I can't get used to their feel. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 4812 Registered: 5-2002 |
I believe the general answer is no, Alembic does not put non-Alembic pickups and electronics in their instruments. | ||
| 2400wattman
Advanced Member Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 290 Registered: 11-2005 |
Daniel, my band plays the Southport Hall every 3-4 months and you are welcome to come and check out my Series 1 through my rig ( F1-x+Super Filter into a Crown K-2 into an SVT).Now I don't know about anybodyelse but that should give you a pretty good idea about Series basses. | ||
| dtrice
Junior Username: dtrice Post Number: 32 Registered: 10-2006 |
After doing some thinking. I noticed that according to the quote generator, I can get a series I bass and add LEDs & Ebony Lams. and upgrade to Series II electronics for like $3,000 less than just buy a Series II with the same set up. I mean is gold hardware and continous wood back plate worth another $3,000? I don't think it's really necessary, or am I not considering something? I'd rather save the $3,000 and spend it on something else. I've heard that since Series instruments are powered by continuous power (rather than battery) the LEDs operated all of the time. Is true or is this an option? I was wondering if Alembic could add a dimmer knob, so that I could control how bright they were. Is this possible? The Quote generator told me I'm looking at about a $20,000 bass [retail better less!  ], so let the saving begin! By the way I'm planning on a Triple-O with Quilted maple top and ebony laminates. Anybody have a better recomendation? I can't wait to have my $15,000-20,000 ready. I just hope for no more prices hikes, please. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4417 Registered: 6-2000 |
Usually the Series I and II instruments have the LEDs come on when the 5-pin cable is inserted. You can have a brightness control installed or an on/off switch (but there's already alot of controls on a Series II so keep that in mind). You can power the Series I/II by internal batteries, but the LEDs do not illuminate when you use the batteries and the 1/4" jack. The difference between a Series II and I is that the Series II will have goldplated hardware instead of chrome plated hardware, continuous wood backplates instead of chrome plated brass, inlaid logo with shell instad of a sterling silver logo, side LEDs, CVQ instead of 3-position Q switches, and a master volume. We always think it's better to spend on the sound before the decorations. | ||
| dtrice
Junior Username: dtrice Post Number: 34 Registered: 10-2006 |
Thank for taking the time to answer my questions, Mica. While I do enjoy the cosmetic effect of gold hardware and continuous wood backplate I don't believe they make any tonal difference and do not justify price for me. But let me clarify what I am wondering, If I ordered a Series I and upgraded the electronics to Series II, would it be fair to say that tonally I would indeed have a Series II? Basically a Series II in Series I clothing? Or is there something dealing with tone that can only be obtained by ordering a Series II outright? Thanks for any advice! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4435 Registered: 6-2000 |
A Series I with Series II electronics is just that: a Series I with Series II electronics. It really shouldn't sound any different than a Series II, but it wouldn't be accurate to call it a Series II. Wooden backplates will be lighter weight than the plated brass ones. | ||
| dtrice
Junior Username: dtrice Post Number: 35 Registered: 10-2006 |
Understood, Mica. Thanks a lot for your imput. I'm going to start saving for it now. I can't wait for my next Alembic project. |
