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

[PortlandBass77]

whaaat? Alembics cost $20,000????? I was thinking more like $5,000 to $8,000.......

Anyways this sounds like an awesome build idea, +1 sub.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I have (obviously) never held a balance K, or even seen one in person, but this is one of their smaller standard body shapes. I played a Stanley Clarke series 1 years ago, and it was a beast. Clarke makes it look like a guitar, but he's huge. I've also played a Spoiler, and that was just on the heavy end of average. I like mohogany as the main body wood with exotics for the face veneer, shouldn't be overly heavy. I think the overall balance is more important than weight, I hate neck divers. Curious to see how this build weighs in.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

You might get one used for $8000, sky's the limit on new depending how fancy you want it. My ultimate dream bass is a 4 string Balance K strung BEAD with nickel silver hardware and cocobolo top. Not happening in this lifetime, so I'll have to build my own approximation like Rockhewer.

 

[Tom Howland]

I love the tone of Alembics, Had a friend who was a dealer. This was back in the late 90's early 2000's. they are crazy money.
I remember lusting over a 5-string. Till I found out the price tag was $15,000.00

 

[justjake]

awesome build idea !..............subbed.

 

[mansjasont]

@ctmullins Weird... I've used Hercules products for 10 years now and have never had a failure, and more importantly I've never had an instrument fall off the stand and get damaged.

 

[Obese Chess]

whaaat? Alembics cost $20,000????? I was thinking more like $5,000 to $8,000.......

Anyways this sounds like an awesome build idea, +1 sub.

Frequently more than $20,000.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

Frequently more than $20,000.

More frequently, less.

Series I & II, will cross into 5 digits, depending upon options, most Standard and Signature models are less than $10k.

 

[MVE]

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?

Actually, Alembic invented the body point specifically to stop people from standing their basses up without a stand as they were getting a lot of repair orders for broken head stocks from lazy guys that didn't bother with a stand. Lol

 

[Barbaric.Eric]

100% Sub'd! Can't wait to see progress

 

[Rôckhewer]

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

I'm afraid you might just be absolutely right!

BTW Glad to see you starting a new build

Thanks man!

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.

Yep, The EMG TWX 's have a push/pull vol. pot to switch between single & dual coil, and a tone....for each (2)
so yeah, 4 knobs and 1 switch.. ( pickup selector )

as Alembics are notorious for being heavy, will you be doing any chambering in the body wings to combat the weight?

The Balance K body is also smaller than other Alembic's though....so, we'll see when I get close to the point of no return... I'm doing a bookmatch to center top, so I'll have the neck mostly shaped and the wings cores shaped & glued on before the top goes on, so I can get a good idea of weight before it's too late to chamber.

Rockhewer: what did you think of the plans?

They seem to be the right shape anyway.... they're what I'm using..... (sorta)

 

[Rôckhewer]

whaaat? Alembics cost $20,000????? I was thinking more like $5,000 to $8,000

according to their bass price list they start at $6400 for a 4 string Excel or Epic and go all the way up to $34,000 for a 6 string Classico Deluxe!
And those are base prices....before any exotic wood upgrades!
for instance.....
They charge $2300 extra if you want Coco bolo!
Yeah, they're proud of their stuff.

 

[Rôckhewer]

"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?

It is definitely one Sexy instrument!
Being a big fan of the female posterior, it strikes me in similar fashion.
aND it will be a neck-thru.

 

[wraub]

Absolutely watching this.

 

[buldog5151bass]

OP - any thought of putting more of a personal spin on the shape - make it your own?

That is some beautiful grain btw.

 

[spectorfreak]

whaaat? Alembics cost $20,000????? I was thinking more like $5,000 to $8,000.......

Anyways this sounds like an awesome build idea, +1 sub.

Frequently more than $20,000.

You don't have to spend 30 grand to get an Alembic, the base price for the cheapest model is 6400, but litterally EVERYTHING is extra, and expensive [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Obese Chess]

like a Porsche!

 

[Rôckhewer]

You don't have to spend 30 grand to get an Alembic, the base price for the cheapest model is 6400, but litterally EVERYTHING is extra, and expensive [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

IRRELEVANT! Even at $6400 the price is prohibitive to me right now & may as well be .....
(read in Dr.Evil voice): One million dollars !
Besides, this is not a "debate the price point of Alembics"... thread....it's an Alembic replica BUILD thread.... so.... how 'bout I get on with that, k?

 

[Rôckhewer]

OP - any thought of putting more of a personal spin on the shape - make it your own?.

Good question..... the body is going to remain just how they designed it... However, I am seriously considering using MY headstock design....
now, does it "go" with the body in an aesthetically pleasing way? meh... debatable.
But it does serve the purpose of making it mine.
At the same time, keeping the body original, preserves the the purpose(s) of why I'm even building this. (which I might get into in detail later).

 

[Rôckhewer]

So like I said before, I resawed a bunch of stock to make the veneers to laminate to the core for the accent stripes.
I set up my band saw as square and true as I could make it.
This tall fence works great for re-sawing!