Alembic Balance K "inspired" (semi-replica) build

[Rôckhewer]

Hi there folks.
I have always had a thing for Alembics.
Back in the day ('80s) my dream bass was John Entwistle's Spyder bass(es)
These days I find myself enamored to the Balance K body style. (They developed in about '04 I think).
To me, it's one of the sexiest basses out there.
But I don't think I have ever, really had a spare $20K laying around that I was willing to drop to have them build me one!

So, I am going to build myself one
(Or.... a close approximation thereof.)

Specs:

String #: 5

Body type: HIPPIE SANDWICH (of course)

Neck: 7 or 9 pc. laminated
Neck wood: flame maple, wenge, bubinga.
Body wing wood: flame maple core, wenge pin stripes, bubinga accent stripes, hard maple pin stripes.
Top & back panels: figured black walnut
front, bookmatch to center
back, bookmatch to neck

Fretboard : probably wenge, 34" or 35" scale.

Bridge: Hipshot D with self made tailpiece. ...(unless I get a wild hair & make the bridge myself too)

Pickups: 2 EMG TWX soapbars
(no, I cannot afford Alembic electronics! anyway...I like EMG just fine )

Tuners: either Hipshot ultralight, or Gotoh

here's a pic of my woods, including all the "veneer" I cut.

check out how the top panel grain flows with the body shape:

note: that cardboard is Not my pattern or anything....it's just a rough cutout to look at wood through.

That's all for now, I gotta get some sleep.

 

[Rôckhewer]

BTW. ... For anyone who might be unfamiliar with the Alembic - Balance K...
this is one:

this one has a plain omega cutout.
I'm thinking of doing a heart omega.

 

[Delusionati]

This is for sure the kind of build I like to follow.

I hope I'm the only one who thinks so, but the heart-shape omega looks a bit testicular to me? Maybe it's just me.

 

[Rôckhewer]

HAAHAAAA! too funny!
dang, .... sure didn't have to wait long for that!
(see.....I wondered if anyone was gonna see that....that way)
Honesty, it's just the fact that my cardboard cutaway is a bit....malformed? Also because you see it in the positive vs negative spatial perception.
Here, try this.... (although now you're gonna be looking for it)

 

[Gilmourisgod]

You beat me to it! Been pondering a build like this for years. The K style is Alembics finest offering IMO, and among the most beautiful basses ever made. The image you posted above is one I post every time a "most beautiful bass" thread comes up. There is a company that sells full size drawings for this bass, are you working from scaled photos?
Oh, so subbed.....

Edit:
Looking at your photos, looks like you have the drawings I was referring to. What's the name of the company? Have to scrounge through my bookmarks otherwise.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

"Testicular" is not what springs to mind on the heart omega shape, more the other end of the gender spectrum in my eyes! Bass porn for sure. I will freely admit that as a Hetero male, that hourglass body shape hits me somewhere primal. Some basses just look male or female, that's definitely female to me. Neck through or bolt-on?

 

[ctmullins]

Holy hell, that is dead sexy. I am so subbed!

 

[Jon Clegg]

Bridge: Hipshot D with self made tailpiece. ...(unless I get a wild hair & make the bridge myself too)

DO IT! An alembic-inspired bass deserves a bridge painstakingly built from brass stock.

BTW Glad to see you starting a new build drool

 

[ctmullins]

That is such a gorgeous body shape - ergonomic, sensual, and elegant at the same time. But the one thing that bothers me about it is the vulnerability of the tips of the omega. I'm in the habit of setting my basses on the floor without using a stand; for that reason I've been mounting two strap buttons on the rear so the instrument stands up on its own. Has this been a problem for any Alembic owners? Is it unthinkable for an instrument of this caliber to not be cradled securely in a stand? Is it all in my head?

 

[Jisch]

I would never put a bass like this on the ground (or even in a stand) except in very controlled situations. In my hands secured by strap locks or in the hard shell case, there is no in between for me.

 

[HaMMerHeD]

I'd either have it in a case or on a Hercules stand.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I'm hoping you will tone down the typical Alembic "knob-itus" shown on the cocobolo example. I think once you get beyond 4 knobs and a couple switches, you have crossed over into Phil Lesh territory. The heart omega is indeed very fragile, though as laminates i would assume less so than solid wood. I was planning on toning it down a little at the bridge end and adding a little omega cutout at the headstock. Can't wait to see this progress, it will be a great tutorial for me and others who love the design.

 

[mansjasont]

Further to @Jisch ... I would never put a bass this nice on the ground... I would put it in a stand, but I only use Hercules stands (like this one Hercules stand)

Edit: haha sorry @HaMMerHeD didn't mean to copy

 

[Jisch]

I use those stands in my studio and in the living room (I actually use less secure stands in the house), but outside my house, it's case only.

 

[Jon Clegg]

I'm hoping you will tone down the typical Akembic "knob-itus" shown on the cocobolo example. I think once you get beyond 4 knobs and a couple switches, you have crossed over into Phil Lesh territory. .

True, that would make a Les Paul Recording have knob envy.

 

[ctmullins]

I'd either have it in a case or on a Hercules stand.

ugh, don't get me started on hercules stands....

 

[ctmullins]

@Rôckhewer - as Alembics are notorious for being heavy, will you be doing any chambering in the body wings to combat the weight? I would, but I'm curious about others' perspectives.

 

[mansjasont]

@ctmullins Just curious.. what do you have against Hercules stands

 

[Gilmourisgod]

For anybody else contemplating a similar build, here's a link to the Guitarplans Unlimited site. They have plans for both 30" and 34" scales.
Alembic 34
Alembic 30
The plans shown are considerably "dumbed down" from what you actually receive as far as dimsensions. Rockhewer: what did you think of the plans?

 

[ctmullins]

@ctmullins Just curious.. what do you have against Hercules stands

It's a poor implementation of a great design. Critical components of the mechanisms are made from a type of plastic that does not hold up to use or to heat.

I treated myself to a double Hercules a couple of years ago. It wasn't cheap. After two years of light gigging use, it's unusable.