| Author | Message | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 721 Registered: 4-2004 |
Pierre, your forensic analysis of the last two images does absolutely nothing except to prove that the photos were in fact shot from angles. | ||
| pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 854 Registered: 11-2006 |
I think we should stop taking me for a fool. I will prove what I watch when the bass will be there. Here, the biggest problem is when you said what's wrong with Alembic, you end up with 2 / 3 of the club on his back with a few exceptions. | ||
| toma_hawk01
Advanced Member Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 379 Registered: 9-2009 |
P, You know what...? I think Alembic, Inc. knew you were going to be a very tough customer to please from the start. My hat goes out to them... for simply trying. I said enough... Peace and Love, Hal- | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 684 Registered: 9-2008 |
How can you say that is a angle issue on photo, Folks? Check the headstock's back shot again and dare to say that right tuning machines are not closer to the edge than the one at left... That issue may be not as disturbing as it looks on picture, but they are simply not symetrical. May be that the angle made it looks worst than it really is, but it is there, no question about it. It is not a question about the superiority of that brand, we all agree on that (specially Pierre-Yves who owns a bunch of Alembic basses), he is just pointing out minor ou cosmetics defects that are there indeed. No one can blame a consumer for expect the most from who we all believe be the top of this market. This criticism is due to the respect we all have to Alembic (and by the price they have). But I don't want to build that up. He likes it and will love it when get it finally at his hands, despite any of these minor flaws, and he is on his own right when gets upset by the delays or comunication issues. Hugs everyone and lets our buddy expose his impressions on that experience (it will be certainly usefull for new consumers). | ||
| pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 857 Registered: 11-2006 |
just one word Mario: THANK YOU  | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 4877 Registered: 7-2004 |
I agree that this isn't just an optical illusion caused by camera angle. The placement of the tuners are definitely asymetrical. But, like the "non-centered tailpiece" issue that has been the subject of a previous discussion, I wonder if there may be a reason for this as, after all, the nut and the strings themselves are asymetrical with the A & E strings being substantially thicker than the G & D strings. Still an absolutely gorgeous bass. Bill, tgo | ||
| pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 859 Registered: 11-2006 |
Hi, the bass will be at home this evening, I will go in few time at UPS center in Geneva. These picture show the straightness from the back. I hope it will not be visible to the naked eye and I hope it will also and especially to correct the defects for future instruments.  | ||
| tubeperson
Intermediate Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 177 Registered: 5-2005 |
Pierreyves: The minute flaws show the real heritage of the instrument. Even G-D had a flood. Don't worry about anything except for the sound. It is awesome!!!!!!!!. I would u hum acquire your bass in a minute and add it to my Alembic family, by hook or by crook!! Great Bass. | ||
| tubeperson
Intermediate Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 178 Registered: 5-2005 |
Pierreyves: The minute flaws show the real heritage of the instrument. Even G-D had a flood. Don't worry about anything except for the sound. It is awesome!!!!!!!!. I would uh hum acquire your bass in a minute and add it to my Alembic family, by hook or by crook!! Great Bass. | ||
| bassjigga
Advanced Member Username: bassjigga Post Number: 384 Registered: 8-2005 |
I'm surprised at how defensive everyone is of Alembic. They are great instruments without a doubt, but i think at $17,000 for a bass, one is well within their right to expect perfection... | ||
| toma_hawk01
Advanced Member Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 382 Registered: 9-2009 |
I disagree with the last statement. Money is relative... What's a lot of money to some, is nothing to others. Wood is natural and didn't come from a mold. You can get perfection from a mold, but I doubt it would be worth much, nor would be called custom. As long as the thing plays to perfection, and the appearances is not obvious to the eyes, I think it should pass inspection. I don't think it affects the music quality one bit. However, I do agree P has the final say, and he has every right to make case, but to keep to continue posting pictures get annoying, so if that's his thing, I am moving on!!! Peace and Love, Hal- | ||
| tubeperson
Intermediate Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 179 Registered: 5-2005 |
Even the finest diamonds and leathers have flaws. Certainly people do. This is not a defensive response, believe me, there are things I prefer about other basses as compared to Alembics and Alembic itself. When you deal with natural products and try to manufacture them into someting else, one has to accept a certain amount of "defect". It's a part of the natural experience. Even Steinbergers, which I enjoy have defects. Is there blind loyalty to the brand? Yes I sense some of that in the club postings. That is wonderful, that people get so wrapped up about a tree or several trees that emanate a sound we enjoy. Better than shooting people! | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 697 Registered: 9-2008 |
Well, that is not CNC made for sure... | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 957 Registered: 5-2002 |
I wonder if that is because of wood being a living thing and as the bass gets made, the wood might shift a little bit so that when it's carved, it no longer follows straight lines along the wood joins. What matters to me is not so much the minutiae of the aesthetics of symmetry, but how the whole instruments works as a unity of its parts. I haven't check for perfect symmetry in my Series I, but it sure does have perfection of feel and tone. | ||
| tmoney61092
Senior Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 705 Registered: 9-2008 |
i think "upset" is an under statement of how i would feel if i paid that kind of money for an instrument and it wasn't absolutely perfect...... ~Taylor | ||
| pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 860 Registered: 11-2006 |
so here's the latest news: blackwood bass is in my hands for several hours. I would firstly like to thank the whole team Alembic, especially the artisans who were able to produce a gem of an instrument of rare beauty. This bass is so pure, so perfect that I must be very grateful. There are some small flaws that can not be since this instrument comes something fantastic. I would also say that the experience of observation through the web and photoshop will allow Alembic to achieve perfection! When I opened the package, I held my breath so I did not realize she was finally here, and as I know her from all angles, including that of tailpiece I was primarily fascinated by this simple beauty. I plugged into my amp an hour ago and the sound is absolutely monstrous, huge, incredible, I've never had such a lot of sustain, is just amazing. There is everything as sounds, from crystal to the unctuous, as if Stanley was in my living room LOL! I will try to record something decent solo next week. I am extremely happy and relieved that my choice of wood is a pure success, to my taste. Yes I can say now that there is no default, there would indeed never have had if I had seen making my eyes on the spot and if I had not had time any scanner with my Mac. Right: a huge THANKS, this Alembic is the most fabulous bass I've ever played. (google translation)  (Message edited by pierreyves on June 08, 2011) | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 958 Registered: 5-2002 |
That's the best picture I've seen of this bass so far. The next step is a gig picture! It sure is a beauty (love the maple laminate in the body.) and I'm sure the sound is way beyond the appearance. If anyone comes to your gigs with a set of calipers and a protractor, just tell them to experience this bass with their ears instead of their eyes! | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2448 Registered: 6-2002 |
magnifique Jazzyve | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1883 Registered: 5-2009 |
OK . Congratulations ! I am happy that you are happy too ! | ||
| crobbins
Senior Member Username: crobbins Post Number: 879 Registered: 6-2004 |
Congratulations. | ||
| jay_r
Junior Username: jay_r Post Number: 17 Registered: 3-2011 |
If James Bond played bass, it would be that one! Classy! | ||
| rustyg61
Advanced Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 246 Registered: 2-2011 |
I love a happy ending!! Congratulations Pierre! It sounds like this was well worth the wait! | ||
| rustyg61
Advanced Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 247 Registered: 2-2011 |
Duplicate post (Message edited by rustyg61 on June 08, 2011) | ||
| pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 863 Registered: 11-2006 |
I have a question, if Mica may answer thanks. I have the following problem (which does not exist on the koa bass): when the pickup selector is in position "both pickups", when I turn the bridge pickup volume to 50%, the neck pickup volume staying on zero and when I gradually rises this one to 50%, I have a kind of free zone volume where the neck pickup sound does not appear. After the volume has exceeded the position of 50% or "midday" or 12, the neck pickup sound finally appears. If I reverse the situation, the problem remains the same but with the bridge pickup. On my koa bass, when I rise the volume of any pickup, the sound goes up regularly and normally. Whats happend? Any explanation ? Apart from this problem, the sound is monstrous .... | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2456 Registered: 6-2002 |
Pierreyves I think that problem means you need to send it to me as a christmas present. :-) I hope this gets explained and fixed quickly It is shame that such a beautiful bass is having problems. Pierreyves I pensent que des moyens de problème que vous devez me l'envoyer comme cadeau de Noël hahaha :-) J'espère que ceci obtient expliqué et fixe rapidement lui est la honte qu'une si belle basse a des problèmes. Jazzyvee | ||
| wayne
Intermediate Member Username: wayne Post Number: 192 Registered: 5-2002 |
Every Alembic I've owned, and every one I've played, behaved in the same manner you describe. The volume pots act in a more logarithmic or exponential manner rather than a linear manner. Kinda in the same way Decibels are measured - a doubling of perceived volume with each increase of 6-10 (or so) Decibels. I've always accepted it as part and parcel of the electronics design. Nothing else in the Alembic electronics chain acts the same way as all the others, so why should the volume pots? But then again, I run everything wide open and control my volume with my hands on the strings. Best of luck with a beautiful bass. C-Ya............wayne | ||
| pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 868 Registered: 11-2006 |
What I dont understand is that the volume is linear on the Koa bass and not on the blackwood bass in which the volume appears exponential. I can accept everything if I understand. This makes it much more complex settings. | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 702 Registered: 9-2008 |
In fact, if sound grows exponentialy we have to use logaritmic pots to change on same fashion. If Pierre-Yves is experimenting sudden change while increase volume this suggests that the Pots are linear, so it takes a long turn to start rising up the volume and suddenly jumps up near the end of its course. But this is really unexpected on any musical Instrument, are you sure about that? (it would be a very childish mistake) | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 703 Registered: 9-2008 |
to feel a volume pot as linear, as sound behave exponentialy we have to use a logaritmic (log) pot, but if it seems to change exponentialy, it means the pots are linear (lin). But this is hard to believe, can you check pots to see if they are log or lin? ps.: My Rogue's volume pot behave as expected, never felt it increase as non gradual | ||
| pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 869 Registered: 11-2006 |
how may I verify, what difference between log or lin pot ? Is it possible I have lin on the koa and log on the blackwood ? What has Stanley (for Mica)? |
