| Author | Message | ||
| dubalbal
New Username: dubalbal Post Number: 10 Registered: 10-2004 |
i plan to purchase a new instrument , what do you think of this new balanced k model ? thank's folks | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 522 Registered: 3-2004 |
I played one and found it very comfortable, but do not own. There are only a few actual owners of them at this point, so your pool of experienced players will be quite limited. I don't know if you'll be able to find any over there, but they have started flowing into dealer inventories in the US over the past few months. | ||
| kevin_k
Member Username: kevin_k Post Number: 98 Registered: 4-2003 |
It's a matter of personal preference. If your main concern is balance and you are planning on 5 or more strings, then I highly recommend it. I had a 32" scale 5 string 3/4 body MK that never balanced by itself past 3:00. If you are going for a 30" scale 4 string bass, then I don't know if it is a necesasry option, unless you like the body style itself. Later, Kevin | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 692 Registered: 7-2003 |
I have one and like both the aesthetics (a lot) and find it's one of the most comfortable basses I've played. Mine's a medium scale 4 string, so balance was not a big issue in my choice. However, this bass is a lot easier to lug around on a strap than a standard (full-sized) point body. Of course it balances perfectly, but it feels lighter than my old J bass and the contours seem to fit my body and my movement perfectly as well. I have nothing but good experience with it so far. Very comfortable to play standing and sitting. I think it looks better in person than in pictures. Looks somewhat smaller in person than on the screen. Hope that helps a little. Bill | ||
| rklisme
Intermediate Member Username: rklisme Post Number: 146 Registered: 5-2004 |
Alain I never play standing up but mine has me standing again! I am going to have to do something about my gut though never new that it was such an intrusion until now. I have a four string and I am having a six string built as we speak. Mine are both long scales. I also own a Essence and find that the feel is somewhat simular but not quite the same. I love it, if only it would love me back! Rory | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 1804 Registered: 9-2002 |
Bonjour Alain, les K-balance sont plus petit. They are smaller although brothet Rory already has pointed out to me in another post that his Balance K 6 string is quite voluminous. I am used to play the old-fashioned standard body and as you've probably read around here: one has to get used to that. I played an Essence 4 of a Dutch friend and a 5 of another Dutch friend and I felt really uncomfortable with the soooooooooo small body 4 string. The 4 string Orion was better. There was also a Spoiler involved but that bass had a mdium scale neck and ...well ...THAT was uncomfortable to me too. It's all in the habits. Okay ...I REALLY try to call you ASAP and than you have to come over to my place. Well ...I only have 1 Alembic but ...you could TRY. Paul the bad one | ||
| dubalbal
Junior Username: dubalbal Post Number: 11 Registered: 10-2004 |
Thank's folks , i really appreciate your comments , so helpful . Well , i placed my order today with a mark king new balanced k model series 2 electronics , purpleheart laminated , 7 pieces wood neck , blue laser led's side and front switchable on/off separately or togheter, superb walnut , heart omegacut , 32 scale and 4 strings...did i forget something ? I just hope the body isn't too small , i actually own a spoiler . I'm a slapper and also play rock and i want to have the feeling to have " something" in hands . I hope i made the good choice ...My order is placed but my 50% money deposit tommorrow or next week , so if someone wants to make me change my mind for a regular body ( heavier ) , please tell me before it's too late...!!! Thank's again folks ps : I thank Edwin van huik for his advices and paul to have recommended him to me .!!! Paul , you scared me with what you said about the new k-body . May be you are confused with a mark king k model at soundstation store , if so i don't like this model either. MK new balanced k model are pretty new i guess and you can find one magnificent number at bill-bassman 10096 , super bass , i really love that shape . Can you tell me if you talk about this model too when you say you disliked it ? Tkx paul . We have to fix a rdv !!! come and eat at my home !!!!!!! | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 525 Registered: 3-2004 |
If you want heavier, here are a few thoughts: See what they can recommend for a heavier body core wood and/or laminates. The Series 2 electronics are pretty heavy as well, but they require the carving out of a lot of that body wood. You might also request a more massive brass bridge block. | ||
| poor_nigel
Senior Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 437 Registered: 7-2003 |
Hi Alain. You probably have six weeks, or more, before they actually begin work on your new bass. I believe people have changed their mind on minor and major points of design and materials during this period, and no harm done. I also believe that the Balance K was designed to be lighter than standard bodies. However, as Bob suggested, this can be altered by choice of core woods (Purpleheart core verses mahogany, etc.) or by requesting that spots normally hollowed out be left solid. Also, you could request a thicker body, like older Alembics had, where all the electronics are on one side, leaving the other side solid, and thus heavier. The staff at Alembic are very interested in making just what you want, so will discuss and accommodate changes before the actual building begins. I hope your new bass is everything you ever wanted in a bass. | ||
| dubalbal
Junior Username: dubalbal Post Number: 12 Registered: 10-2004 |
Poor nigel , thank's for your explanations . I don't really want a thicker body , the fact is that i'm a bit worried of the little distance between the top of the first mic ( close to the fretboard )and the top of the body , if you see what i mean ...there must be , as seen on picture from bassman superb bass , may be five centimeters...In fact , i wouldn't like to have the impression to play on a steinberger... ( remember this little body ? )... | ||
| poor_nigel
Senior Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 438 Registered: 7-2003 |
Alembic will accommodate whatever you need on the pickups and body, as long as no plutonium is involved. I obviously don't know what you mean in your post above. I keep a Steinberger for warming up on the way to gigs and they are indestructable and wash off easily, should the mood of the bar I am playing in turns unsavory. Bill's bass is an extreme beauty. However, the body is too small for me. I bet it balances perfectly, but I am more comfortable with a larger body. Everyone is different, afterall, and that is one of the better reasons to get an Alembic. It seems best for you to contact Mica and go over your issues, and I am sure she will get your bass just the way you want it. | ||
| dubalbal
Junior Username: dubalbal Post Number: 13 Registered: 10-2004 |
thank's poor nigel...i'll think about plutonium...or a hand surgery to have 12 fingers at the left hand and 6 thumbs at the left...bye ... it's 22h30 here in belgium and my wife has a strong apetite for...her favourite bassist , so : let's go !!! | ||
| wideload
Member Username: wideload Post Number: 70 Registered: 6-2003 |
You know...Alembic is next door to a countertop distributor. Could an Italian marble Alembic be the next big thing? Larry | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 694 Registered: 7-2003 |
Hi Alain: Everyone has shared good information and opinions. I hope this is some help to you. Both Nigel and Bob made points about the weight of any Alembic depending on the particular woods used and also on whether the body is "hollowed out" or left solid. My bass was hollowed out, both to save weight and to make room for the Series electronics. However, others have had basses built solid and in heavy woods. This could easily make several pounds difference in the bass's weight. Depending on the woods used, it would also affect the sound and sustain. I agree with Poor Nigel: In my experience, Mica or Val can best help you sort out your preferences and suggest the best ways to get you the bass you are looking for. I would not delay in talking to them. Though there is often some time between your order and the beginning of construction - it will help the Alembic folks help you if they know you are still finalizing your choices. I think most customers change something (I changed a lot of things) after ordering. Lots of luck figuring out how to find your best "fit". Keep us posted on your progress. Above all - have fun! I never anticipated how enjoyable ordering and deciding on a bass (in that sequential order) would be. Bill | ||
| poor_nigel
Senior Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 439 Registered: 7-2003 |
Check this bass out. It looks kind of like a full-sized Balance K. Beautiful bass, too! http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/1240.html?1038074746 | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 410 Registered: 6-2002 |
Nigel, Looks like the earlier attempt at downsizing the Large Body called the Balance shape (sans K). I've seen descriptions like Balance Point, so that one would be a Balance Heart Omega. | ||
| dubalbal
Junior Username: dubalbal Post Number: 14 Registered: 10-2004 |
Hello Nigel , Bill and Adriaan , Tkx again for your precisions and advices . I looked at the link that nigel sent to me : it's a superb bass guitar and is precisely the size i'd like !!!!! This is not a new - balanced k model ? It looks a little bigger , perfect like this for me , what is the real name of this shape? balanced heart omega for sure 100%? By the way , following your advices , i'll surely call mica today because i can modify my order till first week of december !!!!!! Anyway i have to hurry a little bit ... | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 411 Registered: 6-2002 |
Alain, Uh, of course the original "Balance" shape was not so much an attempt to reduce the size, more to improve the balance - hence the name. I think the "Balance K" is kind of the 3/4 version of the Balance shape. And I'm with you in that the neck p/u looks kind of unbalanced so close to the edge of the body on a Balance K, especially on light coloured woods. | ||
| dubalbal
Junior Username: dubalbal Post Number: 15 Registered: 10-2004 |
Adriaan , Hi , so bill's amazing bass should be a new balanced k model that in fact is 3/4 size of a "regular" balanced model ? Do you have any picture of a 4 strings " regular" balanced model ? ...glad you understood what i meant by the p/u so close to the edge of the body , this is a bit disturbing me , i'm not used to that at all ...but it might be great...i don't know ... i hope i can see a 4 strings balanced model to compare and then , the choice will be made Thanks Adriaan | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 527 Registered: 3-2004 |
It looks like the big change in a balance model is that the upper horn is extended so that the bass hangs naturally a bit more head-up. | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 412 Registered: 6-2002 |
Check http://www.basscentral.com - they have quite a collection with lots of variations in body shapes. More eye candy on the German distributor's web site - http://www.alembic.de - you have to look for the body shape in the description, which is often not the same as the model listed. That should give you some ideas ... | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 1050 Registered: 5-2002 |
Here is what Mica has said about Standard verses Balance Point and Omega shapes: __________________________ "Our original Standard Point and Omega body shapes were designed as 4-string medium scale basses, and for the time (early 70s) were not considered neck heavy balancing at 2:30 on a clock face. For 5 and 6 string configurations and extended scale lengths these shapes didnt' balance as well. So Mike and I worked out the Balance Point, a shape meant to look very similar to the original shapes, but with the upper horn long enough to balance in 5, 6 or more strings. Typically, these hang between 1:30 and 2:00 (maybe 2:30 on a 36: scale 6-string). The balance is primarily dictated by where the upper strap holder is. On the Balance Point, it's up much higher than on the Standard Point family of shapes. To make it look right, I had to make the body even wider." _______________ Here is the first Balance Omega: http://www3.alembic.com/img/bp_page.jpg As you can see, the strap button is between the 15th and 16th frets; whereas on a standard body the strap button is around the 19th fret. | ||
| son_of_magni
Intermediate Member Username: son_of_magni Post Number: 144 Registered: 1-2004 |
Dave, how did you find that picture? That must be the twin of my claro walnut fretless balancepoint. Mica told me they made a fretted and a fretless prototype and mine was the fretless... I wonder if there are any old pictures of mine. - SoM | ||
| flaxattack
Advanced Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 277 Registered: 4-2004 |
feel free to visit the direwolf custom in ftc- its a 32 in scale 5 string mark king bal k | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 1067 Registered: 5-2002 |
SoM; I found it with the quotes from Mica I used, and I found them with a search. http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/2828.html |
