| Author | Message | ||
| ttwatts
Junior Username: ttwatts Post Number: 25 Registered: 9-2004 |
I am thinking of putting together an order for a new Buckeye Burl triple omega Bass. I would like to have mother of pearl lightning bolt inlays along the darkest fretless fret board that can be found. But, and here's the tricky part, I would like to have red Fingerboard Laser LED's behind the mother of pearl inlays and have them touch sensitive so that they can flash independently during a solo's. Can this be done? Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated!! ttwatts | ||
| tmoney61092
Advanced Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 232 Registered: 9-2008 |
only problem... Alembic doesn't do inlays on fretless instruments, otherwise, sounds incredible ~Taylor Watterson | ||
| ttwatts
Junior Username: ttwatts Post Number: 26 Registered: 9-2004 |
Shame!! Could be a extremely profitable endevor! What a spectacular show that would be!! ttwatts | ||
| tmoney61092
Advanced Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 233 Registered: 9-2008 |
well, i would always shoot them an e-mail, i just remember reading that a while ago, so it could have changed ~Taylor Watterson | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 1723 Registered: 6-2002 |
Yeah I read something in an old thread about fretless fingerboard inlays affecting the tone as you slide over them. Jazzyvee | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1416 Registered: 2-2005 |
I had this discussion with Susan when I ordered my fretless. Inlays can cause a change in the tone and feel on fretless instruments. The different materials cannot be kept perfectly smooth which affects the feel and potentially the tone. Likewise the notes moving between unlike material has an effect on the tone. Keith | ||
| darkstar01
Intermediate Member Username: darkstar01 Post Number: 173 Registered: 6-2005 |
this is just my opinion, but i find the fact that alembic would "refuse" this, and anything for that matter, to a paying customer.. a bit ridiculous. i remember when i was still trying to finalize my custom, this topic came up. the answer was something along the lines of "we don't like to do inlays on a fretless because it could affect the tone". i've had fretless basses with inlays and there is very little effect. my point is, i think alembic goes a bit overboard with demanding what they will and won't do. i mean, we've all seen the "we won't use maple fingerboards,".... but just look at the one in progress. don't get me wrong, i love and respect alembic. but my feeling is if someone who is paying them to make their dream instrument, they should do their best to help the customer, and not tell them "no" or "it's possible, but...." to any idea. just a thought. | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1417 Registered: 2-2005 |
I wasn't flat out told they wouldn't do it. I don't have a problem with the folks at Alembic saying no. With discussions I've had with Alembic the reason they say no or really discouraged something is dissatisfied customers in the past. Since I don't custom build basses very often and am spending a lot of money I defer to Susan and Mica on things like this. I have played some fretless basses with ghost frets. I could feel the change in materials and personally didn't like it. I don't expect the transition to ebony and something else to be any different than what I experienced with the ghost frets. Keith | ||
| pauldo
Advanced Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 312 Registered: 6-2006 |
. (Message edited by pauldo on October 17, 2009) | ||
| ttwatts
Junior Username: ttwatts Post Number: 27 Registered: 9-2004 |
Thanks All for your thoughts! ttwatts | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 6425 Registered: 6-2000 |
For anyone that has asked for a Maple fingerboard, I say we don't like Maple fingerboards on Alembics and that while it's possible, we don't think it's a good idea. It's not unheard of, I can think of at least a dozen instruments made with Maple fingerboards over the years. For fretless basses, we prefer them to be blank fingerboards since that's how they sound best and it's not a point up for argument, anyone can clearly hear when you slide over wood and then slide over mother of pearl. It's less obvious with inlaid wood lines, but they require more care, as the wood and glues shrink at differing rates, the board needs to be levelled more frequently. There is at least one thing that we flat out say NO to: Small Standard body with long scale neck. As it is, there's only one person right now that we will make a medium scale Small Standard body for, for everyone else, it's short scale. We have made a few instruments and have discovered along the way what things work, what things do not work, and what things are of little consequence. Even though it's your custom instrument, and you're paying the bill, it's still an Alembic. As for your original question, Ken, I'm not certain that I entirely understand your request. You want the inlay to light up when you are touching the inlay or based on something else? | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 1730 Registered: 6-2002 |
That's certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons Mica. I guess the only person getting a medium scale small standard body is Stanley Clarke. I wonder, have you got to my emails concerning a price for 3 position Q-switches and other stuff? If so I'd love an idea of cost please. Thanks Jazzyvee | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 6427 Registered: 6-2000 |
Actually no - Stanley plays only short scale. I don't see any email from you. We did have trouble with our mailserver, so it may have been munched. Kindly resend your request and I'll attend to it. | ||
| ttwatts
Junior Username: ttwatts Post Number: 28 Registered: 9-2004 |
Mica, You hit the nail on the head. That is what I was requesting. Do you think it is possible? Thanks ttwatts | ||
| gregduboc
Advanced Member Username: gregduboc Post Number: 226 Registered: 11-2008 |
Triple Omega with Buckeyed Burl??? Who would buy that????  Oh yeah, me!!  Good luck! Greg |
