| Author | Message | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1379 Registered: 6-2000 |
Now the bass is in the setup department for the logo inlay:   This is the time to decide on gold hardware. | ||
| bassman10096
Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 58 Registered: 7-2003 |
Mica and Val: Thanks for posting these pictures. Mica - You were right - This body design looks much better in coco bolo than in the mahogany sample pix you sent me. I think this will be the body style I order in a month or two. Thanks again. Bill Sterling Kevin - Your new bass looks as good or better than your present bass (which I really liked the looks of). What made you decide to upgrade to S2 electronics? Hope you are as pleased with it as I would be. Bill | ||
| bob
Intermediate Member Username: bob Post Number: 104 Registered: 11-2002 |
Great peghead. Sometimes I'm convinced you guys "culture" these grain patterns to fit... | ||
| basstard
Member Username: basstard Post Number: 69 Registered: 3-2003 |
What. A. Beauty!!! Can't wait to see that bass when it's finished... | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 851 Registered: 9-2002 |
Yes ...wow ...I really like this body-style. I know the balance point is changed but is also the body made more ...well ...how should I put this ...euh ...lady-like ...euh ...narrower!?!?!? Help! Bob : didn't you heard?? They "breed" them! Paul the bad one | ||
| senmen
Intermediate Member Username: senmen Post Number: 176 Registered: 7-2003 |
Hi Kevin, hi Paul TBO, hi guys, I have to agree: this body shape is really gorgeous. Normally I donīt like that much those extreme offset bodystyle (except the Spyders of course), but this one looks really great.... Paul, how are you? Long time no see... Oliver (Spyderman) | ||
| kevin_k
Junior Username: kevin_k Post Number: 15 Registered: 4-2003 |
Thanks to all for your kind words. This bass has been a long time in the making. I post some pictures of the predesign stage. The body is 3/4, that's why it appears "slim". It's a 34" scale with ebony neck lams, which ends up being rather neck heavy. So the big difference is the extended balance point design. Susan even made a mock up before this went into production. The tough decision was which design to choose. I selected the longer horn to address any balance issues. Believe me I wish I could build them both. | ||
| kevin_k
Junior Username: kevin_k Post Number: 16 Registered: 4-2003 |
 | ||
| bassman10096
Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 59 Registered: 7-2003 |
Kevin: Thanks for posting the drawing. The mock-up I saw appears to have been the shorter-horned version. I actually think I like the longer horn better aesthetically. It's more graceful. The line of maple laminate peeking out from under the coco bolo on the horn adds nice definition to the horn's shape. I too am concerned about balance, plus I really prefer a longer bass that brings the lower frets closer in to the center of my body, because having shorter fingers forces my wrist into an uncomfortable bend when I reach for the lower frets. I struggled with which body shape would work best, plus I prefered to avoid the weight of a standard-size body. I wanted something that had the classic Alembic look (I'm an omega fan) but still addressed the other issues. I considered several trade-offs, including a full-sized balance point or even a Rogue body. I even messed around with redrawing the horns on the small standard to add length (I had no luck envisioning a redesign of the 3/4 body - I'm definitely not destined for a guitar design career.). When Mica showed me the picture of the mock-up you mentioned, I saw potential, but didn't like the top horn. If I understood you correctly, you selected the longer version shown in the drawing you posted. The more I look at the picture of your bass, the more I like it. The longer top horn looks kind of elegant and seems like it balances nicely with the size of the offset between where the two horns join the neck. Mica said she thought the horn looked something like the Europa top horn. I think the picture of yours makes it look a little straighter. Hybrid or not, I like it and am interested in having one made in coco bolo as well. I'm not sure about the peghead design yet (considering fan or something custom), but yours looks great. Now - What would it look like with a point bottom? (Just kidding). Enjoy. Bill | ||
| kevin_k
Junior Username: kevin_k Post Number: 17 Registered: 4-2003 |
Bill, I did choose the longer horn. After comparing each drawing side by side, the shorter horn seemed to end to soon. I was even considering the shorter one had it not been for my concern about balance. The reason for the Series II upgrade was that I heard from somewhere around here that they are pretty good electronics. I figured why not, I won't regret it. The only decisions I have left is whether or not to upgrade to gold hardware. I could buy a superfilter with the money instead. But not having to polish the brass would be nice too. I still can't wait to see the entire bass so that I can get the complete picture. Kevin | ||
| bracheen
Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 98 Registered: 11-2003 |
Kevin, I can't wait to see the completed bass, though less anxious than you no doubt. I've always loved the Omega shape but I especially like the 3/4 body that you've chosen. Sam | ||
| bigbadbill
Junior Username: bigbadbill Post Number: 46 Registered: 10-2003 |
That is a REALLY nice bass; I've often wondered what a standard or 3/4 body would look like with a longer horn (even thought of designing it a couple of times)but now I know; beautiful and unusual. Can't wait to see the finished item! | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 864 Registered: 9-2002 |
Yes ...this is truly a very nice template to start from. I'll keep it in mind!!!! Thanks for the info! Paul the bad one | ||
| groovelines
Intermediate Member Username: groovelines Post Number: 143 Registered: 4-2003 |
Kevin, Wow. I've been anticipating news regarding the new body template since our discussion some months ago in another thread. What can I say, it's killer. I have noticed an increase in the number of postings with the balance point body, I think the 3/4 scale is tempting.... What did you do with the MK? Mike | ||
| kevin_k
Junior Username: kevin_k Post Number: 18 Registered: 4-2003 |
The MK has been in my possession since it was completed back in June 2003. Since I was not happy with the balance Susan told me to hold onto it until she could make me a new one, as shown above. Susan has truely been so kind to me. I will be sad to see it go though, after playing it for the past half a year, it really grew on me. | ||
| kevin_k
Junior Username: kevin_k Post Number: 19 Registered: 4-2003 |
 | ||
| kevin_k
Junior Username: kevin_k Post Number: 20 Registered: 4-2003 |
This guy really likes his job. For future refernce here is the mock up. This is the shorter horn version made back in October 2003. FYI: 3/4 Omega Custom Balance Point 34" scale | ||
| bracheen
Intermediate Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 105 Registered: 11-2003 |
Boy, I'd love to be left alone in that room for a couple of days! | ||
| davehouck
Advanced Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 303 Registered: 5-2002 |
I think you would find that a couple of days wasn't enough <g>. | ||
| groovelines
Intermediate Member Username: groovelines Post Number: 144 Registered: 4-2003 |
I'm in a sad, sad state when even the mock up looks tempting....ah, geez, Paul are through with that stocking yet? | ||
| bracheen
Intermediate Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 107 Registered: 11-2003 |
It seems that this Alembicitis is not only chronic but progressive and irrepairable. | ||
| bigbadbill
Junior Username: bigbadbill Post Number: 49 Registered: 10-2003 |
Hmmmmm, why is it I want every new Alembic I see? The more I look at that shape, the more I like it, and I liked it an awful lot to begin with! Either I need a lottery win or there's going to be another in the queue for that stocking..... | ||
| bassman10096
Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 60 Registered: 7-2003 |
Me too. Judging from everyone's words it sounds like Alembic might potentially have a new body model. I love the appearance and it seems like the smaller, lighter body with the longer horn may offer a neat solution to some problems (balance, reach to lower frets) that I (and maybe others?) have with the traditional point and omega styles. Best of all, in my view, it looks like a really sexy new take on the look and style of a traditional Alembic! This style has also grown on me a great deal with a few days of looking at it. I'm definitely ordering my bass in this body design. Bill | ||
| malthumb
Intermediate Member Username: malthumb Post Number: 144 Registered: 5-2002 |
I'm really liking this body, too. I've always been a fan of the "traditional" Alembic Standard Point and Standard Omega, as well as the Heart & Stinger variants. I like the Rogue and Europa, but would opt for one of the Standards any time I had a choice. I've also always preferred the Crown peghead to any of the others. Having seen this design, I wouldn't be surprised if my next custom was a 3/4 Heart Omega with the longer horn and a cone headstock. Don't know when that might happen, but it might happen. | ||
| davehouck
Advanced Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 304 Registered: 5-2002 |
As long as were voting <g>, I too find this body style very attractive. | ||
| eastcoastepic
Junior Username: eastcoastepic Post Number: 16 Registered: 10-2003 |
Agreed, very nice....not too big, not too small, seems to have great balance, and visually quite different from anything else out there. I can see myself in a nice fretless version in the near future........... Sam, is there a cure to the chronic, progressive, and irrepairable symptoms???? Please respond ASAP, as I feel the itch coming on again............. | ||
| bracheen
Intermediate Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 109 Registered: 11-2003 |
Sorry Chris, no cure. All you can do to relieve the symptoms is Alembic aquisition therapy. Sam | ||
| basstard
Member Username: basstard Post Number: 70 Registered: 3-2003 |
*gasp* It's... STUNNING! When I saw the mockup I drooled all over the keybord of my computer (and on my shirt, too). I imagined it as my dream bass, with flame maple body wings and cocobolo top, maple/purpleheart neck, custom elecs (vol, pan, low-pass filter w/q-switch + bass & treble controls) and chrome hardware... And "old-style" (pre '97, I guess?) cone headstock (the bigger one, like on early Rogues)... Oh... My... God... I WANT IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gotta check lotto numbers (my bank account isn't ready to fulfill this dream yet)... | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 873 Registered: 9-2002 |
Yep ...the longer upper horn version is absolutely fantastic. I'm a long time Standard body fan and those bodies are huge, sometimes too huge. I also like the Rogue but that body is IMHO too small. I think what we have here, is what our friend the late Robert Palmer would sing about: "the best of both worlds". However.... I think there is MORE to it than just a 3/4 body and a longer upper horn. It could be my eyes but is that body not a little bit "slanted"???? It seems that were the body curves reach their deepest point into the body it is not on the same place compared to each other (gosh ...this is really not easy to write in english). See?? Paul the bad one PS: anyway ...the more I see it ...the more I like the style. A template to keep!!!! | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 306 Registered: 7-2002 |
Yes Paul TBO, the body curves are not symmetrical like on a regular standard,.. as Kevin pointed out this is a 3/4 size version of the Balance Point Standard shape (with omega), not the traditional standard shape...make sure that stocking of yours is pulled up and not over your eyes when you read...  Valentino P.S. I guess I should admit that the guy above who "really loves his job", as Kevin very accurately put it, and sporting the sardonic/moronic smile is yours truly...although now I look different...;) |
