| Author | Message | ||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 623 Registered: 6-2000 |
Here's a photo o fyour Thunderbird:  Here's a quick look at modifying the body for better upper fret acces (in addition to the heel carving):  And to make sense of it all, here they are together for comparison:  I think it's important to keep the lower horn sort of "chunky" looking. My mom was totally into the idea of the Alembic logo on the body where the Thunderbird is (without pickguard of course) and she'd do the painting of "Alembic" on the peghead liked we discussed. | ||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 632 Registered: 6-2000 |
Here's a quickie version of the lower horn starting at the 17th fret, but ending where the original one does.  Remember I said it was done quickly - it's not entirely smooth or anything, but it should be enough fo ryou to tell yes or no on the concept. | ||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 759 Registered: 6-2000 |
With three pickups, you can't have the 24 fret fingerboard:  With three pickups, we won't modify the shape of the lower horn from the original. If you keep just two pickups, we can do 24 frets and also do the required mods to the shape to keep some upper fret access available to you. | ||
| diptixon
New Username: diptixon Post Number: 4 Registered: 11-2002 |
All, any update on this project?? have been following and would love to see the results... Danny | ||
| s_wood
Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 51 Registered: 5-2002 |
I'll leave it up to Mica to explain exactly where in the construction process we are. The idea behind this project was to violate the laws of nature by marrying my 2 favorite basses -- Alembics and old T-Birds. I love the T-Bird's body shape, so I didn't want to modify it too much. I also wanted to capture the essence of the T-Bird's tone, which is largely a function of it's all-mahagony neck and body, and the unique placement of the 2 pickups -- so we copied those things, too. Then, we added the versatility of Alembic electronics and the overall quality and vibe that they build into everything. After many conversations with Mica, we've chosen to go with 2 pickups and 22 frets. There was no way to keep the original T-Bird shape (or something close to it), add 3 pickups and expand the number of frets past 20. I chose 22 frets over the 3rd pickup. After Mica played around with my T-Bird long enough, she decided and I agreed that the all-mahagony body and neck should produce a very warm and bassy tone. The T-Bird's brightness is a function of its pickups, and the combination of Fat Boy pickups and 2 filters should allow me to dial in all the bass I could every want, thus making the third pickup unnecessary. So, it's a T-Bird body (w/a 1/8" thick 5A quilt top for the pimp factor), 2 Fat Boy pickups with 2 filters, 2 3 position Q switches, a volume and a pan control. I'll keep the club posted. | ||
| s_wood
Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 52 Registered: 5-2002 |
I'll leave it up to Mica to explain exactly where in the construction process we are. The idea behind this project was to violate the laws of nature by marrying my 2 favorite basses -- Alembics and old T-Birds. I love the T-Bird's body shape, so I didn't want to modify it too much. I also wanted to capture the essence of the T-Bird's tone, which is largely a function of its all-mahagony neck and body, and the unique placement of the 2 pickups -- so we copied those things, too. Then, we added the versatility of Alembic electronics and the overall quality and vibe that they build into everything. After many conversations with Mica, we've chosen to go with 2 pickups and 22 frets. There was no way to keep the original T-Bird shape (or something close to it), add 3 pickups and expand the number of frets past 20. I chose 22 frets over the 3rd pickup. After Mica played around with my T-Bird long enough, she decided and I agreed that the all-mahagony body and neck should produce a very warm and bassy tone. The T-Bird's brightness is a function of its pickups, and the combination of Fat Boy pickups and 2 filters should allow me to dial in all the bass I could every want, thus making the third pickup unnecessary. So, it's a T-Bird body (w/a 1/8" thick 5A quilt top for the pimp factor), 2 Fat Boy pickups with 2 filters, 2 3 position Q switches, a volume and a pan control. I'll keep the club posted. | ||
| ganque
New Username: ganque Post Number: 9 Registered: 3-2003 |
how is this thing going... i was interested | ||
| s_wood
Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 72 Registered: 5-2002 |
The basses are still in the "build" stage... I'll leave it up to Mica or Val to provide a more comprehensive update. I promise I'll keep everyone posted as things progress! | ||
| lindoom
New Username: lindoom Post Number: 4 Registered: 1-2004 |
how is this thing going...i was interested also | ||
| basstard
Member Username: basstard Post Number: 96 Registered: 3-2003 |
Yeah, it's been a long time since the last update... Is the project still alive? | ||
| s_wood
Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 83 Registered: 5-2002 |
Yes, the project is still alive! I"ll leave it to Mica or Susan to explain exactly where we are, but as for myself I sure hope to get the thing finished in a few months. | ||
| jeff
Junior Username: jeff Post Number: 41 Registered: 12-2003 |
Steve, This sounds like a really cool project and I hope we get to see more pictures soon. My favorite Gibson bass was the EB-O because of its warm and deep bass tone, and it looks cool. Your Thunderbird should have that tone in spades plus a whole lot more. Good luck! Jeff | ||
| lindoom
New Username: lindoom Post Number: 6 Registered: 1-2004 |
WASSUP WIT DAT THUNDERBIRD THERE!!!!! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1958 Registered: 6-2000 |
Back on the radar:  Mike and Susan have been in full force. With the smaller reverse Elan peghead, it should balance a little better. I think this planning phase is just about wrapped up, once yu guys nail down the 20/24 fret thing, the chips will start flying! | ||
| s_wood
Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 91 Registered: 5-2002 |
Great news! How many frets are depicted in the drawing above? Do you think that more than 20 or 22 frets would be inaccessible, given the body shape? | ||
| susan
Moderator Username: susan Post Number: 68 Registered: 5-2002 |
Steve, Good phone meeting today, 20 frets are depicted and we're making the changes we discussed. As Mica said, "the chips are going to start flying". Mike loves new projects like this. More posts to comein the next few weeks. -susan | ||
| s_wood
Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 92 Registered: 5-2002 |
Right. We will go with 22 frets, and to slighlty improve access to the upper frets we will move the neck out one fret beyond where it joins the original T-Bird's body. One of the challenges of this project is that the original T-Bird, as cool as it is, has some serious ergononmic flaws. Because of the large headstock and "reversed" body design on the original, the T-Bird is notoriously neck-heavy. The body design also creates terrible access to the T-Bird's upper frets -- it's hard to play much past the 17th fret. Alembic would never design a bass with these kinds of design problems. But, the whole idea behind this project was to build a bass that looked like the T-Bird, but with Alembic's build quality and electronics (not to mention 5 strings). With that concept, there's no way the thing won't be neck heavy and afford decent access to the upper frets. We can tweak it, though, by using a small headstock, Hipshot Ultralight tuners and tweaking the neck/body joint. T-Birds are cool. Alembirds will be cooler - and they will sound amazing! Can you say "growl?" | ||
| basstard
Intermediate Member Username: basstard Post Number: 113 Registered: 3-2003 |
Sooo... It's gonna be a 5-string??? It's gonna be helluva unusual bass - can't wait to see it happen!!! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2019 Registered: 6-2000 |
The neck of the Alembird:  And the top will be this wood:  | ||
| s_wood
Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 94 Registered: 5-2002 |
Wow! I better get to work and re-learn "The Real Me!" | ||
| dannobasso
Intermediate Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 163 Registered: 3-2004 |
I love it Steve! I see an Alembird in my future! In black of course. Fantastic top. You will be one happy customer. Danno | ||
| basstard
Intermediate Member Username: basstard Post Number: 119 Registered: 3-2003 |
Danno - black with black hardware! Now that would be a gothic bass! | ||
| jeff
Member Username: jeff Post Number: 72 Registered: 12-2003 |
Steve, It's great to see that work on this very interesting project is progressing. And, once again Mr. Wood, you have somehow managed to secure another awesome piece of wood for your bass! Is this because the Wickersham's cannot help but bestow these honors upon you because your name is Mr. Wood, or is it because you have acquired one of the world's best collections of Alembic basses? Speaking of awesome basses, are you tired yet of your Series II in Quilted Cocobolo? http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/2889.html?1060212764 Mine needs company. | ||
| s_wood
Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 95 Registered: 5-2002 |
Here's how to get the killer wood out of Susan and Mica: make a HUGE pain in the ass out of yourself, and wear them down. It works for me! | ||
| susan
Moderator Username: susan Post Number: 77 Registered: 5-2002 |
Okay, just so no one gets the wrong idea, Steve is just kidding. I'm sure he knows how to be a HUGE pain in the ass but Mica and I have never seen it. | ||
| johnnybassboy
New Username: johnnybassboy Post Number: 2 Registered: 10-2004 |
Hey Steve, John from Seattle... do you still have my Maple series II? What all is your quiver these days? | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2054 Registered: 6-2000 |
Wasn't really thrilled with the Rosewood fingerboards, then Bob dug up this relic that Mom thought would be perfect for your project:  This is a chunk of Braz. Rosewood we've had stashed for abotu 30 years. It's not wide enough for a top, even an Essence. Got more wavy grain than usual for a fingerboard, so thought we should check with you first if you wanted us to use it.  Close-up look, hard to tell much for the plan view. Let mom know if you want this or have something else in mind. | ||
| the_mule
Advanced Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 312 Registered: 1-2004 |
30 years old Braz. Rosewood? I would surely know what to do, but I'm not entitled to answer for Steve... ;-) Very interesting project BTW! Wilfred | ||
| s_wood
Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 96 Registered: 5-2002 |
Is this a trick question? Why would anyone say no? The stuff is beautiful - let's do it! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2077 Registered: 6-2000 |
At first Chip thought the Maple pinstripes in the neck were too faint. But then he realized we were bookmatching to center, now he wants to keep the original neck:  He even has the veneers on the peghead:  |
