| Author | Message | ||
| the_mule
Junior Username: the_mule Post Number: 37 Registered: 1-2004 |
Hello y'all, as some of you already know I'm very pleased with my Orion 4, but I just have to admit that it won't be my last Alembic. At some moment in the (hopefully not too distant) future I'll jump on the 'custom train', and it might very well be with the Orion model as my starting point. This is not only for financial reasons. As I said, I love the Orion, and especially the sound of a set neck instead of a neck through instrument. But I'm not ashamed to admit that I just can't justify paying more than $5000 for my custom Alembic, both to myself and the 'senior management'. At the moment I'm thinking towards a fretless 4 or 5-string Orion with a birdseye maple top (or maybe buckeye burl), purpleheart accent laminate, purpleheart neck laminates, standard omega body and crown peghead shape. But this 'dreaming of...' ain't why I started this topic in the first place. At the moment I'm very curious about other people who might have (had) the same ideas, and I'd love to see how those ideas materialised. Please show me (us)your 'budget customs'. I also would appreciate comments, suggestions and advise... Thanks alot! (Message edited by the_mule on April 08, 2004) | ||
| the_mule
Junior Username: the_mule Post Number: 38 Registered: 1-2004 |
Right, I was thinking (dreaming?) about this overnight, and my ideas are becoming more and more specific already. I still have some doubt between 'set neck' or 'neck through', but visually (with the Standard Omega body shape) and because I own and enjoy an Orion already, the Essence really is the better option: ESSENCE - 4-string - Fretless with maple side lines - Medium 32" scale - Standard Omega body shape - Crown peghead shape - Essence electronics (with Q-switch) - Mahogany body - Birdseye maple top with purpleheart accent - Purpleheart neck laminates What do you think? BTW: I would still love to see pictures of customs based on the Epic, Orion & Essence... Thanks alot! | ||
| dnburgess
Advanced Member Username: dnburgess Post Number: 225 Registered: 1-2003 |
The 3/4 size body might look good with the med. scale. | ||
| the_mule
Junior Username: the_mule Post Number: 39 Registered: 1-2004 |
You may be exactly right there. Now that you mention this, another option actually is a shortscale fretless Orion with a small standard body, like a blonde Stanley Clarke model: ORION - 4-string - Fretless with maple side lines - Short 30.75" scale - Small Standard body - Crown peghead shape - Essence electronics (with Q-switch) - Birdseye maple top with purpleheart accent - (maybe) Birdseye maple back laminate - (maybe) Deluxe Purpleheart neck laminates Now I'll just have to make up my mind... (Message edited by the_mule on April 09, 2004) | ||
| dadabass2001
Intermediate Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 109 Registered: 6-2002 |
I bought it used, but a very nice instrument is my fretless Epic with knooby peghead, Hipshot drop D tuner, ghost frets, flame maple top, and red side LEDs. I absolutely love the side LEDs (can't beat em for playing in a dark bar.) Mike | ||
| the_mule
Junior Username: the_mule Post Number: 42 Registered: 1-2004 |
Sounds really nice! Before the Paul-brigade tumbles in screaming for them: do you have pictures? | ||
| dadabass2001
Intermediate Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 110 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hello Wilfred, Here's the club link: http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/3173.html?1043362572 No big shots, but my whole Alembic family is represented.  Mike | ||
| rraymond
Junior Username: rraymond Post Number: 50 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi Wilfred, Six years ago I did exactly what you're thinking about, I ordered a custom built Orion as my first custom bass from Alembic. Here's a link: http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/888.html?1024595319 It's back at the Mothership now having more goodies applied to it. Take it easy and dream on Alembic brother! Reid Raymond | ||
| the_mule
Junior Username: the_mule Post Number: 43 Registered: 1-2004 |
Wow, those are both very nice examples of Orions with a personal 'twist'. Thanks Mike and Reid! Well, I've had a lot of time to think about this today (working in the garden on a free day isn't a very difficult job in the head department) and now I'm almost sure I want to go with the Orion-based custom as described a few posts back: - 4-string - Fretless with maple side lines - Short 30.75" scale - Small Standard body - Crown peghead shape - Essence electronics (with Q-switch) - Birdseye maple top with purpleheart accent - (maybe) Birdseye maple back laminate - (maybe) Deluxe Purpleheart neck laminates I've noticed it's very tempting to let the visual aspect 'overrule' the sound and playability you're looking for when you're building yourself the custom Alembic of your dreams in your head. But I really prefer the woody characteristics of a set-neck instrument and I now have a walnut top/maple accent/mahogany body fretted Orion that I absolutely love. The little blonde fretless Orion I'm seriously considering should definitely have a maple top/purpleheart accent/mahogany body/maple back laminate(?) AND different electronics for optimal tonal versatility altogether. And visually they'd also be different like night and day. Would be a nice pair... (but who knows what I'll be thinking of tomorrow) | ||
| rraymond
Member Username: rraymond Post Number: 51 Registered: 6-2002 |
That's definitely a sweet Orion you're planning Wilfred. I can't imagine how nice an Alembic fretless must sound. (I've got an old Fender Japanese Jazz Fretless that I've upgraded the heck out of to get it sounding good.) Speaking of night and day, here's a pair for you, my Orion with my 1980 Series I which I snagged off Ebay a year ago. http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/1887.html?1033365519 Good luck in the garden, I'm doing my best to avoid that sort of work today! ;-) Reid | ||
| the_mule
Junior Username: the_mule Post Number: 44 Registered: 1-2004 |
That's a great pair indeed! Is it possible to point out the differences between your Orion and Series I SOUNDWISE without the influence of the Series I electronics kicking in, at basic settings? I'm especially interested in sustain, high/middle/low response and tone (both plugged and unplugged). BTW: what extra 'goodies' are going to be applied to your fine Orion at The Mothership? | ||
| rraymond
Member Username: rraymond Post Number: 53 Registered: 6-2002 |
Howdy Mule! Follow this link to an in-house discussion of the phenomena which we call "tone" and the implications of set-neck vs. neck-thru construction. It is detailed there better that I ever could here! http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/8953.html?1081569899 Regarding your question and with respect to my personal experience, I'd have to say that as Mica said, the neck-thru's have more of a smiley face sound, whereas the set-necks have more mid-range. This is true unplugged also, and my neck-thru's have greater sustain as well. Plugged in, the Series I sounds like, well an Alembic, without any finagling of the electronics or effort on my part. The Orion gets that "Alembic" sound, but I have to dig in to make it as apparent as on the Series I. As always, YMMV. As far as upgrade goodies to the "Big K", I'm having the pickups replaced with Fatboys, a Q switch and sustain block added, oval fretboard inlays added, and for pure "pimp factor" I'm replacing the bronze logo and script with gold one's, and in homage to Keavin's #12, I'm having the old bronze logo mounted to the body down at the point. For some reason, I'm fascinated by that. Weird hunh? At any rate, welcome to the fold, I hope you get that 4-string fretless built, and if you do, don't forget to post pictures! Reid | ||
| the_mule
Junior Username: the_mule Post Number: 46 Registered: 1-2004 |
Hi Reid, that's some very nice upgrades you're describing. Don't be too hard on yourself, 'weird' just isn't the right term, it's 'individual' and that's something really Alembic-like to be looking for. Thanks for the useful information about the Orion vs. the Series I BTW. I'm almost sure that the 'little blonde fretless' will be build some day in the near future, and if that's the case, I'll be spreading the news and a flood of pictures like crazy over this entire board I'm afraid... (moderators beware!) edit: Hmmm, that's CAVEAT MODERATOR isn't it? (Message edited by the_mule on April 11, 2004) | ||
| kmh364
Junior Username: kmh364 Post Number: 32 Registered: 9-2003 |
Mule: Ther's nothing "wrong" about going with a Custom based on an Orion or other "budjet" Alembic model. I personally wanted a (relatively) light-weight high-end Jazz Bass-style instrument versus the traditional heavy neck-through instrument. The Orion fits the bill nicely. I fell in love with the "East Meets West" Custom O'Month, but the dealer that had it wanted way too much for an instrument that was banging around the shop for more than six mos. Instead, I found a dealer willing to discount heavily and I ordered my own version of the same. This time, however, I got it loaded-up with all the features lacking in the "original" for about a grand or so more. Without realizing it initially, I may end up with the most heavily customized Orion in history, LOL! Cheers, Kevin | ||
| the_mule
Junior Username: the_mule Post Number: 48 Registered: 1-2004 |
Hi Kevin, the 'budget' thing is meant 'tongue in cheek' off course and certainly there's nothing wrong about a custom bass with a nice / friendly financial starting point, isn't it? I'm following the progress on your bass in the factory to customer-section, it's promises to be a great Orion altogether! | ||
| the_mule
Junior Username: the_mule Post Number: 49 Registered: 1-2004 |
Not really on-topic here, but these are the lyrics to the Jethro Tull song that's in my head alot lately! JETHRO TULL - ORION Orion, won't you give me your star sign Orion, get up on the sky-line I'm high on my hill and I feel fine Orion, let's sip the heaven's heady wine Orion, light your lights: come guard the open spaces from the black horizon to the pillow where I lie. Your faithful dog shines brighter than its lord and master Your jewelled sword twinkles as the world rolls by. So come up singing above the cloudy cover Stare through at people who toss fitful in their sleep. I know you're watching as the old gent by the station scuffs his toes on old fag packets lying in the street And silver shadows flick across the closing bistro. Sweet waiters link their arms and patter down the street, their words lost blowing on cold winds in darkest Chelsea. Prime years fly fading with each young heart's beat Orion, won't you make me a star sign Orion, get up on the sky-line I'm high on your love and I feel fine Orion, let's sip the heaven's heady wine And young girls shiver as they wait by lonely bus-stops after sad parties: no-one to take them home to greasy bed-sitters and make a late-night play for lost virginity a thousand miles away. | ||
| kmh364
Junior Username: kmh364 Post Number: 34 Registered: 9-2003 |
Mule: I understand completely. While I've wanted an Alembic forever, I was totally unprepared for the pricing and discount structure of Alembic ownership. When I first saw the "East Meets West", and it's relatively low MSRP of $4299 (old Alembic price structure ca. pre-3/03), I figured I could get it for the $2,000-2,500 range. Boy, was I wrong! When the best discounted price I could get was $3,400 (subsequently lowered to $3,200 + S&H), I decided to have a similar one built. Much to my chagrin, the price had risen to $5,200 or so! I found a dealer who would discount heavily and I waited for the "homerun" Alembic monthly special before I ordered. By that time, I had a chance to peruse other customs, and I wanted to add further options. It got to the point that Susan had to reign me in so that the thing would get completed, LOL! Needless to say, my "budjet" Alembic, while nowhere near the price of most of the Customs you see here on this site, doubled in list price over the original. Thank God for Steve over at Superbass.net for his awesome discount! He made the thing affordable. I think that with the exception of the 5A top, Ash body, ebony FB and custom electronics with JZ activators, there isn't one area of this bass that I haven't tweeked. It should be (for me at least) the ultimate set-neck! BTW, the Tull reference was not only cool but apropos as well! | ||
| groovelines
Intermediate Member Username: groovelines Post Number: 163 Registered: 4-2003 |
Wilfred, Dreaming it all up is the easy part, I like your ideas. I was lucky to find this one "off the rack", this was a dealer order, they had for about a year before I bought it. Seemed like a good starting point for me, I wasn't ready to get away from a "traditional" looking bass. Orion 5, crown peg head Bird's Eye Top, some subtle flame and buryle too! side LEDs and Europa electronics. I've wondered what this would be like with purple heart pinstripes in place of walnut, not the thicker neck lams. I think the pinstripes are somewhat more elegant.  showcase link, not better pictures, but bigger http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/4492.html?1080442173 Kevin, I bought mine from the same dealer that has "East Meets West". I did get to play it, it's is a really nice bass, but it was pricey, even the eventual discount they offered to you was more than I paid for mine. Timing is everything, who knows what they'd be willing to do if it's still on the wall for another six months... Mike | ||
| kmh364
Junior Username: kmh364 Post Number: 38 Registered: 9-2003 |
Mike: A couple of guys played that thing...all said it was nice. Unfortunately, Marcus Morgan didn't wanna deal on it. With the discount I'm getting on the new bass, If my dealer had it I would have gotten an awesome deal as "East Meets West" had the "old" pricing. Oh well, coulda shoulda woulda. It did disappear off the site after they had it a year. I don't know if they sold it, or just took it off the site. It really is a mixed blessing...even though I'm paying more, I'm getting a much tricker bass. Kevin | ||
| the_mule
Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 53 Registered: 1-2004 |
Well, my custom adventure will have to be postponed for a while I guess. I just closed a deal for an EVH Signature 4-string! This will be my second Alembic, but *deo volente* not my last, so... I'll start a new thread in the more appropriate forum 'owning an Alembic' soon! | ||
| groovelines
Intermediate Member Username: groovelines Post Number: 164 Registered: 4-2003 |
Wilfred, Ah, decisions. decisions...buying an EVH is probably a lot easier to do than finalizing a custom order, can't wait to see what you're bringing home, congratulations. Kevin, I haven't been by the shop in months, most of their Alembics dropped off of the website. Remember the huge MK D'lux 5 string? It was ebay last Fall for a rediculous buy now price of less than $4k. Wonder where it went to... Anyway, it's all about what feels right and no regrets afterwards. I can't help but imagining diferent versions of a MK on a weekly basis - pun intended. adios, Mike | ||
| kmh364
Junior Username: kmh364 Post Number: 43 Registered: 9-2003 |
Mule: Pix...post 'em when you got 'em, LOL! Mike: I'd be interested in what the EMW sold for, if indeed it sold at all. Marcus was adamant about waiting for his price. He refused to deal...I guess he thought the thing would command a high price because it was a Special O' Month. Ultimately, he did me a favor. My bass does cost more, but it will be the way I spec'd it, not the way some music store wanted it. | ||
| dean_m
Advanced Member Username: dean_m Post Number: 300 Registered: 7-2002 |
Hey Mule, Alembic built this custom Orion for me. It's pretty standard outside of the Elan electronics that I had them do. Bubinga top with a maple stripe, mahogany body. Whatever you decide to do, for fretless, the filter is a must!!! I leave the truss rod cover off for last minute adjustments when needed. Peace, Dino  | ||
| the_mule
Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 61 Registered: 1-2004 |
Dino, that certainly is a nice Orion. I'll keep your suggestion in mind when I place my custom order, which will definitely be a fretless. As I said, it will take a while, first I'm going to enjoy the EvH Signature (only two days away)... |
