| Author | Message | ||
| the_8_string_king
Advanced Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 271 Registered: 9-2005 |
As you know, I've already spec'd a comprehensive list of details regarding my 6-String custom -in the E-mail confirming my purchase on 12/12/06. That list covers virtually everything. There are just a couple little things that've popped up. Very short list. (1) Most importantly, I saw a thread recently that showed an Alembic tailpiece/bird that was significantly off-center. (In "Showcase", in Pierreyves "Stanley Clarke Signature Deluxe 2004" thread.) I don't recall ever seeing noticing another Alembic with an off-center tailpiece like that, and I assume it's a rare anomoly? But one of my character flaws is that I'm picky about stuff like that, and, even with the BTC, it'd bother the heck out of me if the center didn't like up with the join-line (even though it will hopefully be invisible or near-invisible). So please keep this in mind. Now I would really like/love/prefer the bird -which is what I've spec'd. However, if you're not certain you can nail it, I'd ask to switch to the block -which I'd still want to be centered too, but which would not be a noticable if it were slightly off-center (since it doesn't have a little "pointer" in the center). Also, I'd really like it if we could put 5 screw holes in the tailpiece, if it's not too much trouble; it would give me a lot of emotional security. (2) I think I'd like to have that "ferrite bead" thing... the thing that reduces interference from cell-phones and stuff. Is that extra? (3) As mentioned in the original and subsequent E-mails, I'm interested in the "welded palladium" Switchcraft jacks. Are these extra, and if so, how much? Depending on what you tell me about the Omega/reach issue, I may switch to a Balance K Point body or a Europa (if still an option) and apply the $300 from the Omega to a Switchcraft and/or side-mounted jack. That's pretty much it! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3895 Registered: 6-2000 |
1. The tailpiece placement entirely depends on playability and its position is determined by the person doing the setup for playability. I'm certain that we won't nail it - if you look closely at the tailpieces, they are not perfectly symmetrical, they are rarely dead-center. It's rare for them to be as off as it was on the bass you refer to (which I note in my reply on that thread). Here's something to consider - if the strings are placed correctly, they will be straight. If you center the tailpiece to the joint on the BTC, and the strings come in crooked, that would look more distracting. I feel that the minor amount most tailpieces are off center shouldn't be a concern in your case - especially since you are bookmatching to center and you've requested straight grain near the center to make the joint less visible. If you like the overall look with the bird shape, then go for it. If you don't want the point indicator, then choose either the bar shape (like Rogue) or the half-moon (like Epic). 2. There is a ferrite bead installed in every non-Series Alembic, so that's already a given. It's primary function is to make it possible to use wireless. Sorry, your cell phone will still interfere, so don't wear it while playing. 3. The welded palladium jacks are the side-mounted jacks we use. If your order has a side-mounted jack, you will automatically get one. If you are using a face-mounted jack, they are welded solid silver contacts. Both versions are awesome. | ||
| the_8_string_king
Advanced Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 272 Registered: 9-2005 |
(1.) I DO like the look of the bird overall... got's the classic Alembic look I want this bass to have. So, bassed on your comments, I'd say lets stick with it. (2.) The ferrite bead comes standard, but it's function is to give me the option of wireless... okay, cool! (3.) I got the impression on some previous thread that the "welded palladium jacks" were a new option that is a big upgrade from whatever else you use; but if this is not so, if the face-mounted jack is comparable or virtually as good, then I'd probably just stick with what I have, to keep it simple (which is having the jack on the front, for the sole reason that it's less expensive... $200 retail, I think?). So I guess at this point, I'll just stick with the plan, unless for some reason something would cause you/the builders to think that the tailpiece would be SIGNIFICANTLY off-center. In the absence of any reason to expect this, let's just stick with the bird. Thanks for getting back to me so quickly, so I can mentally rest in this area, and not think/worry about it any more! | ||
| the_8_string_king
Advanced Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 274 Registered: 9-2005 |
Now that I think about it, however, I REALLY much prefer to have 5 screws instead of just 3. Now it might be the case that it would be easy/easier with the block tailpiece, but harder/impractical/impossible/not recommended with the bird. In such a case, I'd prefer the block with 5 screws. | ||
| pierreyves
Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 54 Registered: 11-2006 |
hello folks!! May have a translation in french pleeeeaaaase ? | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3937 Registered: 6-2000 |
We've made literally thousands of basses with 3 tailpiece anchor screws. It will have to be custom milled for you to include more. What are you trying to achieve with the additional screws? I ask only because it's not something that comes up often. In recent memory, only Bob's custom Rogue had more than three anchor screws. Just so I don't misundertand what you're asking for, the block usually refers to the bridge block which is the chunk of brass that the bridge mounts to. This is attached to the body with one wood screw. This is a bar tailpiece:  This is a half-moon tailpiece:  This is a bird tailpiece:  | ||
| bob
Senior Member Username: bob Post Number: 794 Registered: 11-2002 |
That's funny, I don't even remember asking for that. I did ask for two in the sustain block, but that was only because I was planning to try some much lighter blocks. I just don't recall having any concern about the tailpiece coming off, and certainly have never heard of such a case. I'm not sure there's any point here, Mark. -Bob | ||
| the_8_string_king
Advanced Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 313 Registered: 9-2005 |
Mica, I'm going to be perfectly honest with you. My interest in having 5 screws... you could maybe sorta call it paranoia -which is probably a little too strong (but in the general ballpark)- or perhaps more just a certain mentality... an "overbuild" mentality. 3 screws doesn't seem like much. If one of the 3 is ever comprimised for any reason, the pressure on the remaining two... Please don't be insulted. I know Alembic... I know you folks know your stuff, and I strongly suspect you've most likely never even had one "only 3-screw-related" problem with a tailpiece. It's just to cater to my not-necessarily-justified ideosyncratic quasi-paranoid concern. (But no one charged me a "catering to my 'not-necessarily-justified quasi-paranoid concerns'" fee on my quote, did they?) So lookie here. The request for more than 3 screws was predicated on the assumption that it would be very simple to accomodate, and would involve little more than the cost of a couple extra screws and a minute or two of time. If this is an incorrect assumption (as my sometimes dense/thick self is currently getting the impression it is...?) then please withdraw the request, and I'll just "get over it." While I'd feel a little better if my preferred bird (or alternatively, the "bar") had 5 screwholes like my Europa or 4 screws like Bob's Rogue or Jeff's Dire Wolf, I know Alembic'll give me an instrument that'll most likely never have an issue, and that'd you'd take care of if it did. Let's cut to the chase. It would make me feel better to have 4 or 5 screws -BUT ONLY IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S EASY FOR ALEMBIC TO DO. I realize the pricing structure for your instruments assumes certain standards, and any/each deviation may decrease your profitability. I DON'T WANT THAT. So let's be clear. I know full well that whatever you get me will be awesome, that there's little likelyhood of any problem -due to your awesome standards and quality control- and that any problem that did occur would be fixed. I get the impression it might be an imposition, if so, consider the request withdrawn. I DO NOT want Alembic experiencing anything other than smooth sailing with this custom. This bass is pretty much all standard Alembic options, and it'll be awesome with those options. Please be clear, ANY and ALL additional REQUESTS I've made are MINOR DETAILs subject to your discretion predicated on the assumption that any such details entail little to no effort on Alembic's part. I'm CERTAIN I'll be 100% satisfied with the bass with the specifications already listed on the intitial order. This is my main issue. The second is making sure it's a good experience for Alembic. The 5 screws, and the control configuration -which thread I'm headed to next- are a distant 3rd concern, much less important than the 1st two things! (I'm not going to bring up this topic again.) | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3939 Registered: 6-2000 |
I wanted to understand why you wanted more screws than we've used on most of the instruments we've made (including Trip's 8-string). I can't think of a single tailpiece anchor screw failing since I started working here in 1987. I've never run across a repair to an instrument because of a failed anchor in the files as I've researched histories. I hope this helps put your mind at ease with over 13,000 successful 3-anchor tailpieces tailpieces. It's easy to say that adding a couple of screws equals a couple of minutes of time, you're correct only about the installation of the tailpiece. Someone still needs to machine it. Imposition? That's not the characterization I meant to convey. Even something that seems like a minor detail (remember our conversation about bookmatching the top and not the accent laminates to center?) can have consequences as far as how much time is needed to address it. It's just custom, and that's waht we're here for. On the Dire Wolf tailpiece, there's a practical and decorative reason for four anchor screws. Note the space between the D string retainer and the top edge of the tailpiece is too small to hold the screw. One off-center screw would look cock-eyed, so four it is. I'll find out how much additional time is needed to mill the holes and let you know. It may be small, and if it's within your budget and makes you feel better, then it's probably a good idea. | ||
| the_8_string_king
Advanced Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 318 Registered: 9-2005 |
Thanks Mica, I appreciate it, and no, you didn't convey any sense of imposition. But it's something that I want to be proactive about on my part. I want to stick with the bird, but I do like the bar; it might be the case that you can't do the bird, only the bar? Or that doing 5 screws on the bar would be x$ but 5x$ on the bird? Since you're looking into this for me, it might be good to find out IF 5-screws could be done on BOTH the Bird and Bar, and then, if the cost/price would be the same. My intuition is that the Bar might be quicker/easier/cheaper to to than the Bird (assuming the Bird can be done without any issues -in the first place). Thanks again. | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 538 Registered: 9-2005 |
If possible, assuming there is no price difference, I would prefer pickups with "ALEMBIC" on them to ones without Alembic; And I'd prefer ones with ALEMBIC in gold as opposed to ones without (again, assuming they're not more $). And I'd also prefer tuners with the "A" of Alembic on the back. Thanks! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4466 Registered: 6-2000 |
Sorry, the 6-string pickups are not available with gold stamping. The name appears engraved on the 6-string pickups. We prefer the tuners with the A on the back, but as you're following Shim's thread, you can see they are not always available. Most of the time, they are. (Message edited by mica on April 23, 2007) | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 539 Registered: 9-2005 |
I'm busted!!! Yes, that was a Shim reference -which I tried to discreetly sneak in! Yes, like Shim, I'd prefer the Alembic "A" on the Gotohs... but it's no biggie... I know they're the same!!! I'd PREFER the Alembic "A" version -if available. If not, I assure you you'll hear no sniveling from me on the subject. As far as the pickups... well, if it's not an option... then it's not an option. Thanks, Mica, you folks are the best. I'm glad I have the benefit of the my previous experience. I do not have even the slightest bit of doubt that my replacement 6-string will be utterly awesome, and that I'll adore it. It's like it's already done, and in front of me right now. It'll be done, and it'll be done when it's done, and it'll be great, and I'll love it! And life will go on until then! BUT HEY, WHY SHOULDN'T 6-STRING FOLKS HAVE THOSE WONDERFUL PICKUPS WITH "ALEMBIC" ON THEM??? (Just for the benefit of folks down the road!!!) But seriously, it's no biggie... not even a smallie!!! Thanks again for everything! Take care, Mark. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4505 Registered: 6-2000 |
We don't have an injection mold for the 5-6 string sized pickups yet. It's something that we plan on purchasing, but it won't be real soon (they are even more expensive than some Alembics!). Without an ABS plastic shell, I can't get the gold hot stamping done. I've seem people paint inside the engraved part, we don't offer that service. Someday, you can get a shiny new set of pickups when the gold stamped ones are available  | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 554 Registered: 9-2005 |
Maybe by the time I upgrade the electronics to Series I... assuming I can afford to do the prep for Series I!!! Thanks Mica, hope you TWO (three... ya know what I mean!) have a great weekend! |
