Phil Lesh got another new Alembic?

Started by mtjam, February 09, 2018, 04:38:49 PM

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adriaan

From what I can tell, you can adjust the individual saddles for height and inclination the same way as the pickups - four bolts over-and-under the cradle that rocks the saddle, screwing into the sustain block. The intonation adjustment is a bit puzzling with the two threaded bolts per saddle, but I'm sure there's a perfectly good reason for doing it this way.

edwardofhuncote

Another ingenious idea, realized.   8)

I'm wondering if in the future this might be an upgradable option? Seems like it  would only require swapping out the bridge block.

xlrogue6

Looks to me like the dual intonation screws on each saddle are there to lock the saddle in place--note that they oppose each other.

jon_jackson

#18
In the first close up of the bridge (DreamfyreBridgeNRL), you can almost make out a screw section in the front of the saddle section. From this, it appears to me each saddle section is mounted like a miniature pickup, with four screws per saddle section but two under and two over. Just like the pickups.


[-Posted a little late to be informative; Adriaan already figured it out.]
2011 Quilted Maple Dragon Wing, Anniversary Electronics
2007 Quilted Cocobolo Custom 5-string Tribute-body Bass ("Scarlet")
2006 Cocobolo SC Deluxe SS
2003 Quilted Maple Series II Europa ("Almost Twins")
1996 Flame Walnut Elan fretless
1994 Flame Maple Classico
1976 Walnut Series I SS

adriaan


elwoodblue

Quote from: xlrogue6 on February 10, 2018, 09:40:59 AM
Looks to me like the dual intonation screws on each saddle are there to lock the saddle in place--note that they oppose each other.


I'm trying to imagine working two hex wrenches in unison, seems like that would work well enough.
Of course I can also imagine Alembic's engineers coming up with something unexpected.

xlrogue6

#21
QuoteI'm trying to imagine working two hex wrenches in unison, seems like that would work well enough.
Of course I can also imagine Alembic's engineers coming up with something unexpected.

Actually, you would loosen the screw that pulls opposite the direction you want to move the saddle, then use the other one to move the saddle, then tighten the first one to lock--only one wrench required.

adriaan

Quote from: xlrogue6 on February 10, 2018, 04:10:21 PM
Actually, you would loosen the screw that pulls opposite the direction you want to move the saddle, then use the other one to move the saddle, then tighten the first one to lock--only one wrench required.
That does sound like the way that it would work. It's quite the change from having a bridge frame that sits perfectly still during adjustments, to one that requires a little fiddling; but no doubt that once set it will be as imperturbable as ever.

sonicus

I have been totally thrilled that Phil has been playing Alembic  instruments again . This is totally the icing on the cake perhaps . Is Mr. Jack Casady getting a new Alembic bass as well , that would be swell , If not, Oh well :) .

edwardofhuncote

Quote from: sonicus on February 11, 2018, 01:57:06 AM
<snip> Is Mr. Jack Casady getting a new Alembic bass as well...(?)


I don't know Wolf, but I would definitely sign that petition... that would be a fantastic finale' indeed! Maybe he could just send his recently reclaimed Starfire in for some modern mods.  ;D




edwardofhuncote

#25
Is it just my imagination, or is that bird tailpiece contoured a little more like the old-school mid-late 70's birds? 

Weight savings, or aesthetics?  The Will Gunn treatment?

For what it's worth, I like the raw brass look.  ;)

rv_bass

My guess is it's a weight thing.  Reduce the weight in the tailpiece to compensate for the increased weight in what looks like a larger sound block.

mario_farufyno

Not just a bass, this is an Alembic!

pauldo


sonicus

This bridge does look very interesting . Will this design be available as a general replacement or build option  soon or is this still in the experimental phase ?