lozbass

Maine was very solid stuff - decent tone and nicely made. The brand seemed to be fairly short lived, and as everybody else has said, the peak period seemed to be late '70s and early '80s. The company did use some aluminium domed drivers - these were Altec Lansing (421 8H) in the 15" bin (an exponential horn if I remember correctly). Altec produced some superb drivers along with Gauss, Electovoice, JBL and Cerwin Vega at the time. If the gear that you're looking at has the Altecs, I'd certainly give it serious consideration.

Oh and Bubinga, if you don't go for the pink jazz, please let me know, I'd have that without further consideration

[quote name='AndyTravis' post='861429' date='Jun 8 2010, 08:27 PM']I know LozBass has just got a Pink Nordy - hoping he tires of it quickly and offers it to me![/quote] Haha - it's gorgeous - I shall whiz it round to the shop when I get a chance. Proper hand-built, boutique quality and attention to detail - Nordys are thoroughly recommended!

Pink - just looks fantastic on a bass. Late '50s early '60s Americana - I even play better on a pastel coloured bass.

I just bought some strings from Voxpop (and a few months ago, bought a lead). Transactions were extremely easy - great packing and really rapid delivery - thanks!

Bought a Nordy P from Kevin - the bass is stunning, exactly as described (new and in perfect condition) - delivery was superfast and communications a real pleasure - thanks!

Sold a Castle full flight case to Steve yesterday - it couldn't have been a more friendly and straightforward deal. Steve went the extra mile to pick up the case and we had a good chat as well - a perfect buyer cheers! (edit for spelling)

Very nice indeed but an ambitious BIN price. The cocobolo looks like a beautifully figured piece but it will add to the weight considerably

Excellent - thanks: works surprisingly well!

Get a pro to do it. I've experienced this previously and Alembic warn that some shrinkage is likely in the first year or so on its boards. A delicate touch with a file is required and most luthiers will have a template to assist the process and protect the board. The work shouldn't be (very) expensive - £30-50 should cover it.

Wowza! Another stunner chez Molan - well done that man! This is one of the coolest ACs around IMO - love the colour

Wow Clarky, your recent acquisitions are giving me some serious GAS (and not a bit of envy!) I've not had the pleasure of trying a Nash but the '63 looks absolutely lovely - just begging to be played. I'm going to have to sort myself out with a chance to play a couple of Nashs - yours has the appearance of a much gigged but cared for classic. Tremendous work!

Wow Clarky, your recent acquisitions are giving me some serious GAS (and not a bit of envy!) I've not had the pleasure of trying a Nash but the '63 looks absolutely lovely - just begging to be played. I'm going to have to sort myself out with a chance to play a couple of Nashs - yours has the appearance of a much gigged but cared for classic. Tremendous work!

[quote name='Clarky' post='852400' date='May 31 2010, 10:17 AM']Out of interest, which long-sclae Alembics have similarly simple tone arrangements to a Spoiler...others have mentioned that the really 'high end' Alembics have some kind of isolating block under the bridge and hi-fi electronics which mean the bass can sound - for want of a better word - a bit clinical (I want a straight ahead rock sound!)[/quote] That's a good question and one to which I don't have a ready answer (I'll do a bit of research!) It sounds a bit weird to talk of 'high-end' Alembics (they're all stratospheric!) but I know what you mean. The sigs and up tend to have a bridge block (a big piece of brass bolted into the body into which the bridge is fitted) - the idea is that this contributes to the distinctive tone of an Alembic...I'm not at all technically knowledgeable but those versed in physics can probably provide an explanation. The electronics also undoubtedly add a lot - I don't necessarily find them clinical (though it's such a subjective term) - indeed, with all the filters and boosters open wide, they sound huge! I'm trying to be objective here too - I've never heard any other bass with such an enormous, dynamic, ringing tone - no problem at all for big, brash, clanging rock.

Some great threads/polls ecently OTPJ - cheers! 1. Gibson Ripper - heavily modified in the early '80s 2. Alembic Series II custom small standard 3. Status Series II (1986) 4. Fodera Imperial MG5 (no longer with me) 5. Alleva Coppolo LG4 sonic blue 6. Celinder Vintage Precision 7. Alleva Coppolo LG4 3TS 8. Alembic SC buckeye burl 9. Sei Flaboyant 5 headless (no longer with me) 10. Fender Jazz Masterbuilt fretless (no longer with me) Of course, the order of the above can change on a whim! Pictures of all around on basschat here and there.

Very lovely Clarky - Alembic seem to be able to source (consistently) some of the most outstanding timbers and the facing on yours is outrageously beautiful. Spoilers are fantastic little basses - super comfortable, great tone and the unique Alembic build philosophy/execution. Give an SC a chance - you never know (balance apart, I think they're lovely!)

With the kind of budget that's available, I'd be looking at one of the boutique alternatives to a US Fender J (second hand and probably on BC). There are some real bargains around just now - in the past few months I've seen Bachus, Moon, Sei, Overwater, Shuker etc. J types (in great condition) at and sometimes well below 900. Maybe you really want to have Fender on the headstock (no problem with that) but it is possible to get a really good handbuilt J at a decent price. There's also every chance it will look, play and sound every bit as good as/better than a Fender too (highly subjective I know). Whatever you do, I'd save around 60 from the budget for new strings and a really good pro set-up (to your personal preference).

Wow! Absolutely stunning - congratulations. It's not really to my taste, however, the whole instrument is beautifully executed. I don't think Overwaters get the respect and recognition that they deserve around here