| Author | Message | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2689 Registered: 6-2002 |
Alembics are expensive musicians tools of their trade. So do you endeavor to keep yours in pristine condition or not worry about it and let it wear its road worn look with pride? Whenever I've seen close ups of pics and videos of Stanley's basses on stage they all look immaculate. I've not seen any close ups of jimmys so It would be instating to get his view. That raises another questions like , have Alembic made a new instrument that they have given a road worn look and would they do that? Jazzyvee | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 2111 Registered: 10-2003 |
I protect mine from damage, but normal wear and tear isn't something I worry about at all. It shows that I love the instrument enough to play it a lot. John (Message edited by 811952 on January 07, 2012) | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 1608 Registered: 6-2002 |
Jazzy, This probably isn't what you mean by road worn, but I searched the forum for "dragged". Here's a quote from Mica's post #718 from the archives (2003): "My favorite shipment to Norway included a bass that was to look like a Harley (there go those motorcycles again) that had been in an accident. We painted it all black with lots of chrome hardware. Then, we tied it to a Fat Boy and drove it down the street. It got scratches, gouges, a pebble or two imbedded and was just what the customer wanted." Mike | ||
| pauldo
Senior Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 737 Registered: 6-2006 |
Prior to owning an Alembic, I remember telling myself that "If I ever had an Alembic I would polish it everyday". Now that I am an owner for 20 some years, I do not polish it everyday, there are belt buckle scratches on the back, a hole from relocation of the strap button, checking on the finish and embarassingly enough, some serious witness marks from the strings on the pickups from a frustrated bassist . . . . That being said - I value my bass tremendously, I am never going to sell it so for me the 'showroom' appearance isn't a requirement. It's more like that sweater/ pair of pants that are worn, stained and faded - but feel oh so right. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2691 Registered: 6-2002 |
Dadabass i had a vague recollection of thst but couldnt find a reference to it. I wonder if there are any pics of it? | ||
| jimmyj
Advanced Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 331 Registered: 8-2008 |
Ha! I was about to say Alembic will do whatever you are willing to pay for but I wonder why that "dragged" bass didn't make Featured Custom Of The Month? Maybe we can persuade Mica to post a pic for us? I do my best to take care of my traveling basses (been wearing my belt buckle on the side for about 100 years - truly geeky) but they inevitably pick up bumps and bruises. It's like having a Ferrari as your daily driver, no way to protect it from everything unless you leave it in the garage. But I'm more of a 'function over form' guy and despite their somewhat complicated electronic design these instruments have been amazingly solid in that regard. Having said that, I've just had a couple months off the road so my main touring bass is at HQ getting refinished. Yipee! Jimmy J | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10493 Registered: 5-2002 |
Mike; nice use of search words! Jimmy; a refinish! Very cool! And to turn your words back around on you, "maybe we can persuade Mica to post a pic for us"! | ||
| tncaveman
Member Username: tncaveman Post Number: 51 Registered: 2-2011 |
A "road worn" instrument that is created to look like it had been around the block is lame to me. I recently saw a $2000+ Jaco model Fender Jazz that was made to look like his and I thought it was pretty funny some one would buy it. Sure it played OK, but if I'm going to pluck down the cash, especially for a "new" instrument, it isn't going to be a fake. I have a friend w/ 3 1950's Strats and they are original and played. They are the real deal. Not pretty, but oh so sweet. Personally, I have had a Rick for 31 years and it basically looks the same as when I bought it. I believe in taking care of a "tool" but not trashing it on purpose. And - I don't wear belts - this stems from scratching my Rick a long time ago. Steve | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1796 Registered: 9-2002 |
I'm fortunately past the point where I'm afraid of a little mark here or there, but I keep both of mine very clean. I'm careful (they never sit on a stand, they're always in the case when not in use), but it doesn't keep me up nights. I do always polish/buff the frets when I change strings (about twice a year anymore, when I also lemon oil the fingerboard), I do like shiny frets. Otherwise, every once in a while, I wax 'em (Meguiars Gold Class) or use the Quik Detailer (both of mine have the hard, gloss finish). No more than I play anymore, the brass bits stay clean. I'm afraid I don't get the 'distressed' finishes either. I don't like them for me, as they remind me of when things that looked like that were all I could afford to play ! J o e y | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2243 Registered: 5-2009 |
I agree with Joey here , I do not understand why someone would want"Worn looking" when it's NEW either, but then we all like different things and that makes the "World" interesting.I keep mine in the case as well when not in use. | ||
| redcloud
Member Username: redcloud Post Number: 98 Registered: 5-2011 |
I don't understand the attraction to "road worn". They are even doing it to acoustic guitars. I don't mind normal play wear of my own doing. It seems silly to buy something with "mojo" marks that weren't earned. | ||
| wishbass
Member Username: wishbass Post Number: 95 Registered: 5-2011 |
Blame it on the blues scene(at least that's how it is in the Northwest).I have friends whose bandmates complain that their basses look "too good", and don't have that "seasoned look of a blues veteran".What a load of crap.Worry more about the sound, cause the looks are all personal taste. | ||
| jimmyj
Advanced Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 332 Registered: 8-2008 |
I agree, the "pre aged" Fender concept is just plain weird. It cracks me up that they are a pattern - all aged exactly the same. HA! It's a movie prop. Like a newly constructed "House Of Blues" with all the pre-rusted tin. Simply silly. I have a brother-in-law who does finish carpentry work up in the bay area, really high-end stuff in beautiful homes. He once had a client who, after his extremely detailed work, brought in a team of "specialists" who beat the woodwork with chains to make it look old. Insanity. Somehow though, the idea of the custom ordered "distressed" Alembic makes me giggle. Obviously it's a "look" the guy wanted or needed to fit the look of his band. But it's kinda cool he needed it to be an Alembic. Nothing phony about the TONE! Jimmy J | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1799 Registered: 9-2002 |
Well of course you could that 'old barn wood' look: Just build one out of that wood that someone brought in that used to be a mantle, a door, whatever, pressure treat it, then after it's finish sanded (we do have to guard against splinters!), add the metal bits (to my mind, black chrome that's been walnut hull-media blasted for just a few seconds) and Ron's electronics. Throw it in the case and call UPS. With all this 'green-itis' that's going round, instead of killing yourself to be politically- and legally correct as far as wood sourcing (no small feat to get that all correct in a very poor and corrupt Third World where most of the good stuff comes from), why has nobody seized on the idea of building from 'recovered' wood? Anyone who's bought or restored or rummaged around in the attic or behind the walls of even 50's vintage homes is usually amazed to be looking at lumber that's just not available today. And it's already aged ! Even re-used bricks are sought after, so why not wood? A lot of it would not be suitable, but on the other hand it doesn't take a lot to build guitars. J o e y | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1326 Registered: 6-2002 |
Here's a cool bass made with boards from the old ole opry stage:  | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2693 Registered: 6-2002 |
I try to keep all my instruments in good condition as far as possible. My alembics are immaculate but that's probably more to do with the fact they haven't been gigged heavily. The Orion guitar has been gigged a lot and the matt finish has rubbed into a lovely gloss finish in parts which I really prefer as it brings out the quilted maple more dramatically. I may even take it to Jaydee to get it all buffed to a High gloss finish. I would try hard to keep them all From getting battle scarred but like jimmy says even ferrari's get weathered so I just hope to minimise knocks etc and buckle rash. I think the coloured ones would show damage more easily than natural wood ones. Jazzyvee | ||
| redcloud
Member Username: redcloud Post Number: 99 Registered: 5-2011 |
Elwood, now that bass is cool. Any more pics. Who made it? | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1130 Registered: 10-2006 |
My philosophy is that you should do everything you can to keep your instruments pristine - but also that you should use them, which will inevitably leave some marks. The important thing is that said marks are honest wear to a played instrument, which is OK. Buying - and usually even paying a premium for - a pre-damaged new instrument is beyond my comprehension. As to reusing wood, my grandfather once (some time in the 1st half of the last century) tore down a house that was, then, old and abandoned, and found that the kitchen walls were sheathed with cherry planks. Of course he grabbed a couple, and stuck them in the barn. Many years later (the wood was in Grampa's barn before I can remember, & this was when I was in college) my dad added a fireplace to the house, and extended the raised hearth with benches/storage spaces the length of the room. In order to do this, he got the cherry planks out of the barn & ripped them down to 28" wide! The last few years I've been after him to let me make new ones of cherry plywood, with an eye to (someday) a 12-string Series guitar with one-piece cherry top & back. We don't need no stinkin' BTC! Anyone else like the idea? Peter | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 2112 Registered: 10-2003 |
That's a G&L ASAT bass, made from the Opry floor. Cool. And of course Taylor has their pallet guitars.. As for recovered building materials, in this part of the world there is a lot of oak to be had, but it is some really HARD stuff! I've thought about using some on a few projects. You simply can't buy comparable quality at a lumber yard these days! To me, "road worn" is simply a lie, just like autotune and lip-syncing to yourself in concert. Our world has been shaped by marketing to such an extent that kids just assume there is nothing else. *sigh* Now get off my lawn! ;) Having said that, I can understand not wanting to be the guy with the obviously "new" instrument when everyone else is playing instrument that have a few years behind them. Heck, I bought my Lakland so that I didn't stick out in an R&B (the old kind, not the modern kind) band playing an obviously modern Conklin or Alembic bass, and I've certainly been guilty of abusing instruments in the past (and probably will be in the future, but not the Alembic). Ironically, my G&L (which I've shipped to The Bass Emporium to trade) is the most road-worn instrument I have recently owned, but the natural finish completely camouflages the worn spots and finish-checking.. John | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1329 Registered: 6-2002 |
There's one other picture of that ASAT bass about 3/4 of the way down this page: FenderAvenue.com G&L's are solid, they seem to take wear well without much complaining ;) | ||
| nnek
Member Username: nnek Post Number: 71 Registered: 8-2009 |
It seems honest wear takes too long for a lot of people these days... This is a pic of my first series G&L L1000 with a couple decades of gig wear. I was actually horrified by the wear and at one point put a piece of protective tape over the burn through. The tape then looked worse for the wear so I gave up.... a couple years ago a guitar player remarked about the wear and was amazed that I was the original owner and it was indeed all my own wear from my heavy thumb work while anchoring the fingers on the pickup. (there's a lot more wear on this bass where the finish got thin in the dark burst area from my arm but no buckle rash at all  | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1132 Registered: 10-2006 |
Someone - I think Washburn - made a run of accoustic guitars out of oak from the pews they took out when they redid the Ryman after the Oprey moved to Opreyland; each one came with a certificate & a nail from the pew. Peter | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10500 Registered: 5-2002 |
Peter; I love your idea of a 12-string Series guitar with one-piece cherry top & back! | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1133 Registered: 10-2006 |
Thanks , Dave; talked to him again today, and he finally seems to be warming to the idea - but either he or I have faulty memory; today he said it was poplar. Still..... Peter | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1749 Registered: 11-2004 |
The reason I bought an Alembic was for the sound and mine has a couple of surface finish dings but no hard wearing to the instrument. It gets it's regular maintenance twice a year, oil the board, strings etc(just done it all this weekend!)which keeps it looking fine. Distressed instruments..why?? to satisfy the obsessiveness of someone who thinks he will sound like Jaco if he has his replica bass..I think not! I mean you wouldn't take a sander or gouges to a old Steinway piano or Stradivarius violin if it was immaculate | ||
| eligilam
Advanced Member Username: eligilam Post Number: 351 Registered: 2-2006 |
I bought my Stanley SD new in 2006. I was reeeeally obsessive about keeping it in immaculate, out-of-the-box condition for about 3 years...scuffs and checks simply didn't occur, because I was doing the equivalent of playing it in a Haz-Mat suit. Eventually, some wear marks developed on the pickups and one of my kids knocked it over and dinged the back of the neck. It actually felt liberating to finally have some mild imperfections on it. After that I was much more lenient on myself when playing. Then, I busted it out at some gigs and shared the glory with the masses. These days, the Stanley gets even more playing time than when I first got it. Sounds better and better, too. | ||
| benson_murrensun
Senior Member Username: benson_murrensun Post Number: 569 Registered: 5-2007 |
"Road worn". Hmmm, I have a Harley, I have an Alembic, I have some rope, I could.... Yeah, right. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2249 Registered: 5-2009 |
How about "BUG BLASTED" Tie the bass to the front end and let the unfortunate insects create a natural work of art , then send it to " spray" and a nice clear coat to preserve this natural MOJO ! | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2250 Registered: 5-2009 |
WOW , my last post was at "HIGH NOON " ! | ||
| smokinbear
Intermediate Member Username: smokinbear Post Number: 129 Registered: 11-2008 |
"High Noon".......Way better than 4:20pm. Who wants to wait that long? Take care to take care when using your instruments but gosh some honest wear ain't no thing. Paying for it ....Crazy. | ||
| count
Junior Username: count Post Number: 29 Registered: 10-2003 |
My "Tiran-worn" series I has lots of dings and dongs, and I don't think Tiran used his oil and cloth that much. ;) My dad keeps bugging me about tidying it up, but my cousin who has a 52' P-bass says he will hang me up from my eyelids and force me to blink if I as much as come close to it with cleaning equipment.. Needless to say his bass has a proper roadworn look. I'm not really sure what to do, tidy it up or let it age with grace. | ||
| wishbass
Intermediate Member Username: wishbass Post Number: 131 Registered: 5-2011 |
Nothing wrong with doing whatever preserves it.The oldest antiques only lasted because somebody cared at some point.Dirt and grime won't help preserve it.That being said,you don't have to refinish it.Carnuba works great!As for your cousin,part of the whole "classic guitar/bass" schtick is the "roadworn" look. Nobody wants a roadworn Ferrari,or a beat up old '57 Chevy.Iwouldn't do anything that contributes to that look ......... | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 237 Registered: 11-2009 |
Nicolai, I would definitely do what I wanted to do with a bass I owed. You paid for it, so please yourself, not others. Personally, I am not a member of the 'road worn' camp. My old 1980 bass is in the shop with Jimmy's, waitin its turn for rebueatification. I was surprised when Mica told me she had several basses there getting refinished a couple of weeks ago. So there seems to be a few of us who like our basses looking nice. The next custodian of my ebony bass will be a happy camper. That is a fact. | ||
| count
Junior Username: count Post Number: 31 Registered: 10-2003 |
My bass has an oilfinish, so luckily all it needs are some rags and a squirt of oil. Figure I owe it that, thinking I will go for something in between of a full respray and letting it deteriate. Hehe.. Don't worry, Tiran's bass is in good hands. ;) Btw, what do the guys recommend as far as brands/types go.? | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 2148 Registered: 10-2003 |
Here's an interesting take on the road-worn thing. A bassist friend and I were at a musicians gathering yesterday and one of the guys stepped up on stage with his dad's ancient and seriously road-worn (the kind bought with years, not money) Jazz Bass. My friend automatically assumed it had been purchased that way, until I told him different. So have all these road-worn instruments ruined it for instruments that actually have been road-worn? I think in many ways they have. John | ||
| wideload
Intermediate Member Username: wideload Post Number: 185 Registered: 6-2003 |
The finish on my Alembic seems to hold up much better than previous "over the counter" instruments I've had, so wear is taking longer to develop. Not complaining at all - I try to take care of my bass, but I don't pamper it ( well, maybe a spa appointment for Valentine's Day).  | ||
| serialnumber12
Senior Member Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 940 Registered: 12-2004 |
a guitar is not a female .....so beat & fukkk it and wear it dowwn .....thats what playing it is all about. | ||
| jeramaya
Junior Username: jeramaya Post Number: 19 Registered: 7-2008 |
Um, ok. It's been interesting to read about both the so-called "road worn" instruments as well as the ones made out of used woods. My favorite was the bass made out of the Opry's floor. Cool stuff! As for my own Epic, I've been gigging with it since '96 and, aside from a recent fling with a Squier (laugh it up, fuzzball!), it's been my go to baby. But I don't baby it. There's buckle rash, some pick scrapes, and nice gouge in the neck pickup where my thumb has dug a healthy groove. Doesn't bother me one bit. It adds character. Plus, that's what a hammer is for! Cheers, J | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 830 Registered: 4-2004 |
For what it's worth, I logged a couple of hundred gigs on a '96 Élan before selling it to a fellow club member, and the finish was impervious to any sweat/acidity from its time spent w/ me.... Granted, I don't abuse my instruments, yet in the heat of the moment I didnt have any inhibitions..... | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 439 Registered: 2-2011 |
I'm a relative "newbie" here as my SCSD just celebrated her 1st birthday last month, so the newness hasn't worn off yet, and I hope it never does! As soon as I get home from a gig, my Alembic gets a bath before I do! I do a full polish on the finished wood & bridge, & wipe down the strings & fretboad to remove the sweat & grime from the gig. I can't bear the thought of "riding her hard & putting her up wet!" These amazing instruments are functional works of art that can "Take a licking & keep on ticking" so play them as hard as your style dictates, but I think they deserve the same TLC that the factory gives them when they are built & shipped out to us. I am still in awe every time I open my case at the pristine beauty that awaits my caress!! | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 1027 Registered: 8-2005 |
Well said Rusty!! But, when I get home at 4 am from a gig, there's no way it gets all that treatment until the next day. G | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 442 Registered: 2-2011 |
Sometimes I even polish her between sets! LOL! | ||
| tmimichael
Junior Username: tmimichael Post Number: 38 Registered: 3-2010 |
I agree with Georgie Boy...at almost 60 years old, and after working all week, setting up after work on Friday, playing 4 hours and then tearing down....AS MUCH AS I ADORE my new Series II....she waits until the next day to get cleaned and polished. But I sure am working through that bottle of Alembic Polish in a hurry!!! (Message edited by tmimichael on March 06, 2012) |
