lozbass

[quote name='molan' post='596204' date='Sep 12 2009, 12:29 AM']Wonder who bought it and whether it might be heading over to the UK as well? [/quote] Not me sadly - I hope it finds its way over here

Are you sure this is nitro? Maybe it was a special job (or maybe some of the Fender experts on here know a lot more than I do). It is a very lovely bass though. As for value, I'd say around £1400-1500 at the most in the current market

Some good advice above I'd say. 1. I think you need to do a lot of testing to find a bass that feels good/comfortable and easy to play 2. A short-scale won't necessarily help you to improve your playing more rapidly - if however, you find the bass comfortable (short-scale or not) and you suffer from less aches, then you're more likely to want to pick up the instrument and practise for longer 3. Some people complain that some short-scale instruments have a slightly dull tone and less sustain in comparison to their longer-scale counterparts. In my experience, a lot depends on the bass. I have three short-scales and one is relatively dull sounding (the other two are fairly expensive and sustain extremely well) 4. I've spent a lot of time working out exactly what suits me - for a long while, I thought that my stretch problems were caused by scale length. I now believe that this is not the case. It is general neck (and other) dimensions- in terms of nut width, string spacing, depth of the neck, profile along the neck and board, action and string tension - that need to be taken into account. I am perfectly comfortable playing on very slender, shallow 34" scale, four string basses, especially with low action and low string tension. I have problems with pretty much any five string bass, or wider or chunky necked four strings. My favourite basses, however, are shallow, narrow necked four string short-scales I hope this helps and good luck - there's no real substitute for trying out a lot of basses (it's fun too)

'Pity it's in Manchester - a grim, grey and hostile dump. I speak from experience - I live in it. Edit: oh yeah, and if there's any old hippies knocking about on these pages, Gong and Steve Hillage are on at the Academy 2 on Saturday night. Trippy gig then off for a curry in Rusholme (Manchester's saving grace).

I ended up with a custom full flight case for my Ripper - this was back in the day and was necessary for constant gigging. The bass still lives in it and I had the case re-foamed a couple of years ago. There are extra-large (wide) cases around and a little extra padding should suffice for the slender body. I know that Gibson and Epiphone have offered re-issue Rippers and I'm fairly sure that Epiphone provided a case - it's probably worth contacting an Epiphone dealer. A full flight case will be expensive and they're monstrously heavy. My case weighs around 25lbs without the bass.

[quote name='Les' post='590552' date='Sep 5 2009, 12:27 PM']Err...if it doesn't make the grade, will it be for sale (...scrabbling down back of sofa)? Thought about it a few times, but couldn't quite pull the trigger. It was my first real bass age 16 so sentimentality comes in. I have no idea how much it would be worth to be honest.[/quote] It was a joke really, I simply can't justify any more basses. These are lovely though - I'd hang on to it for sentimental value (in fact, I have a couple of basses around that are retired but I don't want to part with). If the Mustang is in decent condition, it could be worth a few bob. The competition models are pretty rare in themselves, and you certainly don't see a lot of the orange version (very much a colour of its time!)

[quote name='Les' post='590514' date='Sep 5 2009, 11:45 AM']Yes, that's the one. Trouble is, now I've played it again I remember why I retired it. Gonna give it a shot at the next gig but I have my doubts to be honest.[/quote] I played one recently and really enjoyed it (I learned on a Mustang). I must admit though, it didn't really hold up too well by contemporary standards, and against a 'ray it's going to struggle I suppose. Very cool look though. Err...if it doesn't make the grade, will it be for sale (...scrabbling down back of sofa)?

Just lovely - is that orange with slightly deeper orange competition stripes? I love these things - one of the coolest basses around, and especially so with the early '70s colours and stripes

Thanks Peter - an extremely kind offer! I'm in Manchester so not a million miles away. The problem for me at the moment is time (work is crazy). I should be around more in a few weeks and would certainly love to take you up on the offer of the ACG trial. I'll PM when I'm more free and if convenient for you, I'll pop over and bring the Alembic. Cheers, Loz

[quote name='jakesbass' post='590445' date='Sep 5 2009, 10:20 AM']I can testify to the same a huge +1[/quote] Me too - I've had some really lovely custom and boutique basses but it's Alembic that does it for me. I've not had a 20th Anniversary but they look gorgeous

Hi all, Thanks again - on aesthetics, I've got to say I don't think there's much to choose between the Fodera and the Alembic - very different basses but both lovely in their own way. The facings on the new one are really superb - Alembic seem to have a penchant for sourcing some of the most lovely timbers. The Alembic has a super skinny neck and the narrow (Stanley) taper - 1.5" I think. These small Alembics feel a bit like a toy after playing a full-size instrument ('nice toy though). I'm a massive fan of filter based pres and the signature electronics don't disappoint (I haven't tried the ACG/East filter pre yet but must do soon - I've been thinking of fitting one in a Jazz). V8 - congratulations on the Series 1 - the preamp in the Series basses is out of this world - an infinite variety of really usable tones, and simply huge presence and definition. I can imagine what playability is like too - there's really nothing quite like an Alembic in my experience. The flats should come off this weekend if I get a chance. I have a couple of sets of Newtone Platinums. They were custom wound at 35-92, so yes, ultra skinny. I specced round cores for even lower tension but the strings came on hexagonals - no problem - they're sufficiently bendy! I had them gold silked at both ends too (so they should look pretty when fitted). They were originally for my standard small body but haven't been fitted yet - I'll get a set each onto the Sig and Series and report back. The strings should permit some super fast Stanley type runs and bends...but alas not for me...I'll just chonk out the same tired, artless old riffs that I've relied on - and screwed up - for the past thirty years. Back to it - the bass is too lovely to put down for long!

Thanks to all for the lovely comments - the Fodera is really gorgeous but at least there's a chance of me playing the Alembic. In fact, I can't really stop playing it - it's so much fun even with the flats (not really my favourites on a bass like this). I know that 4000 and myself aren't alone with the Alembic fanship and this bass reinforced what I already knew. Build quality is genuinely out of this world and the finish is amazing. I think it was 4000 that first used the term here, but 'functional art' couldn't be much more appropriate. There'll still be a tear as I tape up the Fodera's carton, but I honestly couldn't be happier with the Alembic - there are many brilliant builders out there but Alembics just do it for me - they even smell fantastic!

Well thanks, but no need to be jealous, at least you could get a tune out of it!

I'd put it back in its case for a month, then take it out and see what you think when you've had a bit of distance. I've chopped and changed a lot and then ended up back where I started. I've also had a break from basses the tone of which I wasn't too pleased with, then been blown away a few months later. Just an idea, but maybe save the money for now and see how you feel after a short hiatus. If however, you're not happy if you're not spending money (I'm a big offender), then go ahead - you shouldn't really go too far wrong with Nordys and, personally, I'd risk the solder breaks

Some may have seen my recent ad for the Fodera Imperial MG5 - it was with great sadness that I finally had to admit that I was struggling too hard to play it (a result of wrist rotation issues) In an attempt to soften the blow, I've just had this delivered. The short-scale should help considerably (I really only use short-scales or very skinny necked long-scale fours now). It's currently wearing flats but I'll sort that out this weekend - it sounds lush anyway (as you might expect) It's an Alembic SC Deluxe - nothing too fancy - just lovely top and back laminates (and red side LEDs) It's taking my mind of the departure of the Fodera rather nicely

[quote name='Rich' post='586648' date='Sep 1 2009, 04:48 PM']I covet that Wechter (yes?) acoustic. Want it.[/quote] It can be yours for the paltry sum of £950...(please PM if interested!) Now back on topic...that Beech topped Wal is a bit of a stunner - I've bookmarked it

The week before last, Gibson Rippers Last week, Alleva Coppolo LG4 [quote name='jakesbass' post='588000' date='Sep 2 2009, 09:23 PM']My Alembic pisses on anything I've ever played.[/quote] This week, what he said

I think you might like these (and I'm more than a bit envious!) I had a bit of a shock after a year of playing boutique basses almost exclusively - I went back to my old ('70s) Jazz and it's stonking. Beat up, too heavy, 'get a whole set of feeler gauges down the neck pocket - but it just sits there in its case in all its glorious simplicity and blows your head off whenever you drag it out. 70s Fenders get a lot of really bad press but I'm a big fan - 'sure, there are bad ones, but in general, with a good set-up, they can play as well as anything out there, sound better than most of it, and then there's the cool factor! IMO opinion, two very good buys for Molan!