Author |
Message |
briant
Intermediate Member Username: briant
Post Number: 105 Registered: 12-2004
| Posted on Monday, February 11, 2008 - 3:54 pm: | |
I hate this forum. :-) :-) All the wonderful pictures and cool basses have me lusting after another Alembic and I don't even have #2 in my possession yet! I really need to find and play an 8-string Alembic to push myself over the edge with this. I need to experience the feel and tone of the instrument myself. However this is what I’m thinking about: 8-string (octaves – not 8 individual) 35” scale Knobby headstock Triple Omega body 2 purpleheart, 1 ebony neck stripes w/maple Ebony fretboard – JPJ symbol as the only inlay at the 12th fret like the “Riff King” COTM Red side LEDs Buckeye Burl bookmatched to center top (as close to this general coloring as possible: http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/40154.html?1202737705 ) Mahogany core Buckeye Burl back Continuous wood backplates & truss rod cover Silver logo w/shell inlay Chrome hardware Bird tailpiece Signature Electronics + master bass and treble control I believe it is time to start saving all my gig money and anything else I can put aside. |
davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck
Post Number: 6206 Registered: 5-2002
| Posted on Monday, February 11, 2008 - 8:01 pm: | |
Sounds really nice!! |
jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko
Post Number: 1638 Registered: 10-2002
| Posted on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - 4:26 am: | |
You've been reading my mind Brian ;-) The only differences would be making it a 10 string 34 inch scale, wood pickup covers, nickel plated hardware and lose the extra controls. Maybe go for 3 ebony laminates and flame maple core. I haven't found the signature electronics package lacking in any way so the master bass and treble would be a waste for me. Also, using a wood as incredible as the blue buckeye's we've been seeing lately cries out for an all wood front, plus THG knobs to match. All I need to do now is find around £12,000 (roughly $24,000) !!!!!! Graeme |
basstard
Intermediate Member Username: basstard
Post Number: 161 Registered: 3-2003
| Posted on Thursday, February 21, 2008 - 5:20 am: | |
One of my dream Alembics is also an octave-tuned 8-string with Triple Omega body. It goes like that: 8-string tuned BEAD Triple Omega body Knobby headstock Maple neck (I don't think I'll ever afford that optional ebony - I'm an underpaid Pole, lol) Ebony fingerboard without inlays Mahogany core Flame Maple top Almost Black (see-through) finish AXY p-ups Essence elecs + Q-switch (to keep it simple) Chrome hardware, backplates and truss rod cover It would be my Gothic bass! If I ever afford it, that is... |
rob_the_fiend
New Username: rob_the_fiend
Post Number: 3 Registered: 10-2007
| Posted on Thursday, February 21, 2008 - 10:12 am: | |
basstard, if you are after a gothic look: A triple omega version of Val's Bird of Pray might be just the look you want. http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_bop.html but how to do it... |
keurosix
Advanced Member Username: keurosix
Post Number: 248 Registered: 10-2005
| Posted on Thursday, February 21, 2008 - 6:19 pm: | |
Brian, I once owned the John Judge double neck: 8 string and 4 string fretless. (Now owned by Christian in Germany.) It's a 34" scale Series 1 1/2. Mostly a Series 2 body with custom electronics and Series 1 Q switches. the necks are maple with 3 purple heart lams. The 8 string is real clean and very powerful sounding. It has some nice custom electronic features like a series parallel PU switch and a stereo split treble / bass output which made the bass come alive! Something to consider? I wonder if you will need a 35" scale with an ebony lam. Unless all your other basses are 35" scale probably not. The low E string on a 34" scale is pretty strong, and chords are a lot easier on the shorter scale too. Besides, the high octave strings may get real taught and stiff at a 35" scale making it harder to play. I remember fretting the 8 was even more unforgiving of sloppy technique being so clean. If you are going standard tuning even a shorter scale might work best, say a 32" medium scale? Anyone with octave bass playing experience who could help with their views? Good luck in your dream bass design! Kris |
briant
Intermediate Member Username: briant
Post Number: 117 Registered: 12-2004
| Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 - 4:32 pm: | |
I like 35" scale basses quite a bit. The high tension and really tight string response is just great. I'd play this thing with a pick - always. I might consider doing a 34" scale but nothing shorter. The short scale 12-string basses that I've played in the past feel way too "mushy" under my fingers and the response time of the strings is a little slow for some of the faster lines that I want to play. I should really start saving for this bad boy... it would be so wonderful. |