| Author | Message | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 970 Registered: 2-2011 |
I just put a deposit down on my first custom build! It will be a Europa II 34" 5 string with a Knobby Headstock, 5A Quilted Maple on front & back with the front book matched to center. The accent wood will be Vermillion & the core wood Walnut. The body & headstock will be a 2 tone transparent "Bluemoon" color like Steve Woods Europa. The neck will be unpainted trough the body up to the headstock. The neck will be anchored by a 3/8" Ebony laminate with a Maple veneer & Vermillion laminates on each side & Maple for the main neck wood. It will have blue LED's on the side with a dimmer pot inside the electronics cavity with an access hole in the backplate. The neck markers will be abalone ovals. The logo will be silver inlaid with mother of pearl & ablone. All backplates & truss cover will be continuous wood. The electronics will be Series II without the selector switch. I never run on just one pickup so I have no use for the switch. The jacks will be side mounted. The bridge & tailpiece will be plated in Ruthenium & the tuners will be Cosmo Black Gotoh's. When I saw Steve Wood's blue Europa I fell in love! I showed the picture to my wife & told her if I ever got a custom Alembic this is what I wanted it to look like. Her reply was "Get it!" I never dreamed I would one day be placing an order for a full custom build, but with my wife's support & encouragement & many conversations with Susan & friends, it has today become a reality! I want to give a thank you to Steve Woods for the inspiration & for answering all of my questions about his bass. I also want to give a special thank you to Jazzyvee who was instrumental in helping me decide which electronics to go with. I couldn't decide between Series I or II & he has both & was able to educate me on the differences & strengths of each. It was his Series II Quilted Maple Europa that made me fall in love with that body style. A shout out also goes to my Texas Alembic Brothers, Mike Moore, John Terry, Olie Oliver, Doc Greene, Robert Kramer, & Wayne McLemore for your advice & encouragement! The Alembic Community is a wonderful blessing to be a part of! We come from all walks of life with different religious & political views, but are able to come together & support each other becuause of our love for these amazing instruments the Wickersham family & employees at The Mothership produce! It's an honor to be a part of this amazing group of people! Last, but certainly not least I want to thank Jim at Guitar Rez for his help in facilitating the build & making my dream come true! He has been a joy to work with & I know he will be there to help me through the process. Please forgive my Oscar acceptance speech to announce the pending birth of my new baby, but this is my first custom build & I'm just a wee bit excited!! And now, in the immortal words of Robin Trower - "If you stand in the light, you get the feel of the ride And the music that plays in your ears In your head you can hear, a voice so sweet and clear And the music that plays in your head As it flows up from the ground Taking all who hear that sound Close your eyes, its about to begin!" | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 3067 Registered: 5-2009 |
Rusty, Congratulations ! I will be watching your build thread . I am happy for you as well . | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 971 Registered: 2-2011 |
Thanks Wolf! I can't wait to see the build thread begin too! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 11207 Registered: 5-2002 |
Congrats! This sounds like a wonderful instrument; I love everything you've listed. The blue moonburst is probably my favorite color, and will look great on the quilt. I also like the choice of Walnut for the body core. | ||
| rjmsteel
Advanced Member Username: rjmsteel Post Number: 208 Registered: 7-2008 |
Congratulations to you also Rusty. That will be one incredible Series II. Good to have such positive support at home too! | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 972 Registered: 2-2011 |
Thanks Dave! The Walnut core was Susan's suggestion. I told her I wanted good attack & clarity on every note & she said Walnut was the wood for that. | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 973 Registered: 2-2011 |
Thanks Richard! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1486 Registered: 5-2006 |
Gonna be awesome, congrats! | ||
| artswork99
Moderator Username: artswork99 Post Number: 1912 Registered: 7-2007 |
Congratulations Rusty!! | ||
| flpete1uw
Advanced Member Username: flpete1uw Post Number: 203 Registered: 11-2011 |
Rusty, Wow! That’s going to be sweet! The Europa / Series 2 setup is a beautiful combo. Looking forward to the build updates. Best of luck! ~Pete | ||
| bonesrad
Intermediate Member Username: bonesrad Post Number: 101 Registered: 5-2002 |
The Europa has always been my favorite body design. Series II electronics will make it really shine. I'm really looking forward to seeing this bass come together. Bones | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 11208 Registered: 5-2002 |
Attack and clarity were what I was thinking when I read that was your choice, especially in combination with the Maple. | ||
| 5a_quilt_top
Intermediate Member Username: 5a_quilt_top Post Number: 189 Registered: 6-2012 |
Another maple Europa - cool. I'm a sucker for quilted maple. Should be an excellent addition to your already formidable arsenal. Congrats! | ||
| mtjam
Member Username: mtjam Post Number: 90 Registered: 11-2011 |
Congratulations! I am also a big fan of the Europa body and Series 2 electronics. Can't wait to see your bass come together! | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 974 Registered: 2-2011 |
Here's a crude Photoshop rendition of what it will look like. I had to piece together parts from 3 different basses & then clone the paint to make this so it's not perfect but it gives you an idea of what it will look like. This one has chrome hardware, but the Ruthenium will be slightly darker.  (Message edited by rustyg61 on October 15, 2013) | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 975 Registered: 2-2011 |
Here's the neck recipe, the body halves will be painted but the neck will be natural. Mine will have continuous wood back plates too.  | ||
| jzstephan
Intermediate Member Username: jzstephan Post Number: 196 Registered: 1-2012 |
Please post a link to this alledged blue moon Europa. | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 976 Registered: 2-2011 |
http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/13602.html?1118944266 | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 977 Registered: 2-2011 |
Here's the finished bass I fell in love with -  | ||
| hammer
Senior Member Username: hammer Post Number: 420 Registered: 9-2009 |
I love the combination of the color, body and headstock. Beautiful | ||
| hammer
Senior Member Username: hammer Post Number: 421 Registered: 9-2009 |
P.S. Way to go with the continuous wood backplates. Susan had to convince me to add them to my build but I have not regretted it. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3669 Registered: 6-2002 |
I think she was right to convince you on. It would be a shame to break up all that beautiful quilting with brass back plates. Plus it will bring the weight down as well, wood instead of brass. My series I has burl maple and has brass backplates and you can imagine how much better it would have looked if the original order was for continuous backplates. http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/149990.jpg And with continuous wood backplates it will look something like this but blue. http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/105154.jpg Congratulations on your custom order, I'm glad to be of help. Jazzyvee | ||
| pauldo
Senior Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 1060 Registered: 6-2006 |
Wow Rusty! Major score! Congrats to you. p.s. yes I am green with envy. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 5565 Registered: 7-2004 |
Congrats Rusty. Now sit back and enjoy the ride! Bill, tgo | ||
| tncaveman
Advanced Member Username: tncaveman Post Number: 203 Registered: 2-2011 |
Man - that's going to be sweet. Give you wife a big hug from all of us!!! I got shot down for a getar build :o( But she did let me get a used Anderson (it's pretty sweet too). I still need to post up some pics. And she did let me buy two used Alembic basses before that - so, my other half isn't too mean. Stephen | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 978 Registered: 2-2011 |
Thanks everyone! I'm really looking forward to watching this come together in the Factory To Customer! I really wanted the continuous wood backplates & was thrilled to find out that they now come standard with Series II electronics! Jazzyvee, all of your Europas are gorgeous! I actually like the contrast between the wood body & brass plates. I don't think it looks bad at all! Stephen, I let my wife read your comment, she's a keeper for sure!! It was actually her idea, I set up all my gear to take a picture after I got my Schecter 5 string & my wife counted that I only had 9 basses & guitars & said I needed one more to have an even 10! I wasn't even thinking about getting another bass & told her the only thing I would even consider getting would be an Alembic 5 string. The Schecter is nice but it feels like a toy compared to my SCSD! So she said go for it! I still didn't give it much thought until I saw the picture of Steve Wood's blue Europa & when I showed it to her she again told me to get it. So me being the wise man I am, first for marrying her, & now for heeding her advice, decided I should not let this amazing opportunity slip away! | ||
| oddmetersam
Advanced Member Username: oddmetersam Post Number: 325 Registered: 7-2008 |
Rusty, acquisition of this fabulous instrument couldn't be happening to a nicer guy! What a great, well thought-out combination. After seeing knobby headstocks in person I can say that is one of the "sleeper" options to get. Can hardly wait to see the in-progress shots and the finished masterpiece. Congrats in advance. -Sam | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 2053 Registered: 9-2002 |
Congrats, Rusty. We Texans (both those of you still at home in Mother Texas and expat oilfield trash like me in Tennessee) must represent ! Good for you to get an Alembic in Color. Really dig the blue. As I've often said, even with the stupefying collection of Martian wood in the shed in Santa Rosa, the natural finished axes just look b-r-o-w-n , and Bob is just a fabulous paint guy, so why not? I'm sure that you were blown away by just how encyclopedic Susan is in her knowledge of these instruments, I know I was, and EVERYTHING she suggested for my Elan was spot on. Amazing. And oh yeah, the wood back plates are the way to go, lighter and better looking: It's one of those things that absolutely floor most people who've never seen them. The coolest part of it is that after it's all said and done, not only is it your Alembic in so many ways, but then it dawns on you that there is not another one exactly like it in the whole world. How cool is that? J o e y | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 980 Registered: 2-2011 |
Thank you Sam, you are too kind! Jazzyvee sent me a video of you playing his Series II at the Gathering & that helped me decide on the electronics. The range of tone form his Europa is incredible! I have always loved the old school look of the Knobby & I think it works very well with the 3 on top / 2 on bottom combination. | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 981 Registered: 2-2011 |
Thanks J o e y! We had quite a few Customs Of The Month at our Texas Gathering in June & I'm hoping to add one more to the next Gathering! You should make plans to come back to the homeland & visit us at our next Gathering! If our crew remains the same, mine will be the only painted Alembic there, so I would love the company of the fabled "Bigredbass!" Red & blue would look nice together! I've always loved Alembics for their gorgeous exotic woods, but when I saw Steve's blue Europa I HAD to have it! Blue is my favorite color, my truck & 2 Harleys are all blue, but I have never had a blue bass before. Yes, Susan is AMAZING in her knowledge of Alembics & what woods to use to get the sound you want. She also has great taste! I was trying to decide on which headstock to use so I sent her a mock up with 3 different ones to ask her opinion. I was leaning towards the Knobby & my wife liked it best too, but I didn't tell Susan that & without hesitation Susan sad absolutely the Knobby! I like having the logo exposed instead of under the strings & the knobby is a classic! She is also very accommodating to try to get exactly what I want. I asked her if they can make the CVQ controls with a center indent like they have on the pan pots so I can have a point of reference other than full on & full off, & have the center boost at 8dB so it is the same as the Q switch on my SCSD, then I can fine tune from that point. Alembic doesn't have a CVQ like that but she is checking to see if they can have them made. You are right, I will have a one of a kind bass! It was inspired by Steve Woods' Europa, but I have tweaked it to make it my own! I think ALembic's logo should be a snowflake because no 2 are exactly alike! | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 1083 Registered: 8-2005 |
My dear friend.....as we speak nearly every day, I'm so pleased for you, and just glad that Lissa agreed to let you have a Custom. Personally, I'd have moved the front pup closer to the neck, but that's just me. I've got vermillion and walnut in my Series 1 and the combination is great!!! Speak to you tomorrow!! George | ||
| growlypants
Member Username: growlypants Post Number: 60 Registered: 3-2011 |
Congrats, Rusty! I look forward to pix of the work in progress! | ||
| jon_jackson
Intermediate Member Username: jon_jackson Post Number: 184 Registered: 12-2008 |
The series II / Europa combination is terrific (while you probably already considered it, I use the pickup selector switch for its "standby" function as much or more than to select an individual pickup). Your selections will result in a beautiful instrument you will enjoy for a long time. Congratulations. Jon | ||
| tubeperson
Senior Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 450 Registered: 5-2005 |
This is excitement similar to seeing MRI images of your child to be born. It's ALIVE!!!!!! Congrats and enjoy the experience. | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 982 Registered: 2-2011 |
Thanks George! The front pup is in the same location as it is on Coco, I can't move it any closer with the truss cover there. | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 983 Registered: 2-2011 |
Thanks Jon! I have a mute switch on my tuner with a footswitch, so I don't need the standby function either. It's just one more knob to get in my way. | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 984 Registered: 2-2011 |
Thanks Dan & Steve! | ||
| 12stringwilson
Intermediate Member Username: 12stringwilson Post Number: 113 Registered: 12-2008 |
Congrats, Rusty. I look forward to watching/reading about the build. | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 985 Registered: 2-2011 |
Thanks Brent! | ||
| adriaan
Moderator Username: adriaan Post Number: 3055 Registered: 6-2002 |
Shaping up to be a wonderful instrument. Enjoy the ride! | ||
| jzstephan
Intermediate Member Username: jzstephan Post Number: 197 Registered: 1-2012 |
http://www3.alembic.com/img/DET_L_oceanburstL.jpg Oceanburst | ||
| stout71
Intermediate Member Username: stout71 Post Number: 174 Registered: 7-2011 |
Gotta love Ruthenium! | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1638 Registered: 5-2002 |
Congrats! A Series II Europa is my current dream bass. Can't wait to see this one come to life. | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 986 Registered: 2-2011 |
Love the Oceanburst John! Jerry, yours is the only other bass I have seen the Ruthenium on & it looks great! I love your custom knobs too & have contacted Roger at THG about making me some too, but I haven't come up with a design yet. Thanks Edwin! I think it's going to be an amazing bass! | ||
| s_wood
Advanced Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 370 Registered: 5-2002 |
Killer, bro! Welcome aboard! | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 987 Registered: 2-2011 |
Thanks Steve! They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so I hope you are flattered & don't mind me copying your masterpiece & tweaking it to make it my own. | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 1008 Registered: 2-2011 |
I spoke to Susan last night & she will be looking at wood samples next week & sending me pictures for my approval. Once I approve the wood they will begin construnction & start the Factory To Customer thread. So it really is "About To Begin!" | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1915 Registered: 2-2005 |
Rusty, As Jimmy said the 5th conductor is the shield. Split out the shield into two conductors. One goes to the connector shield lug and the other to pin 1 on the 5-pin XLR. After that just match a pair of wires to to pins 2 and 3 and pins 4 and 5. This keeps the signal wires as a twisted pair and the voltage pins as a twisted pair in the cable. The Neutrik part numbers are NC5FRX-B and NC5MX-B. Keith | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 1012 Registered: 2-2011 |
Thanks so much Keith! & thanks for respecting Jimmy's thread & moving over here to mine! Rusty | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 1033 Registered: 2-2011 |
Mica just sent me wood samples pictures which look amazing! The Factory To Customer thread should be coming soon! It just got real!!! | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3707 Registered: 6-2002 |
Exciting stuff Rusty, I'm happy for you. :-) Jazzyvee | ||
| s_wood
Advanced Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 373 Registered: 5-2002 |
Wood selection is the fun part!. I'm excited for you, and envious. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3708 Registered: 6-2002 |
So now Rusty you will find out how much of the virtue of patience you posess. :-) Although I mine was not a custom build. The three months or so that elapsed between buying the bass from a forum member and collecting it from Mica was excrutiating. So building from scratch... yep it's gonna take some patience. I will be watching the factory to customer thread thread as keenly as if it was my own custom build since it's so close to mine. Jazzyvee Rather you than me. :-) | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 1034 Registered: 2-2011 |
Steve, you've been through this process once or twice, so I may have to lean on you for support! Jazzyvee, you were instrumental in helping me decide what I wanted on this bass, so you are definitely part of the process! | ||
| bassjigga
Advanced Member Username: bassjigga Post Number: 388 Registered: 8-2005 |
This is probably my favorite colored paint finish. Look forward to the build thread. | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 1035 Registered: 2-2011 |
David, it is absolutely my favorite color & the only color I would want for a painted Alembic! I never understood why anyone would want to paint these exotic woods until I saw Steve's blue Europa & as the drool began to pool, I finally understood! | ||
| alembic76407
Senior Member Username: alembic76407 Post Number: 738 Registered: 5-2002 |
Rusty, will it be ready in time for the Texas 2014 gathering?(when ever that is), looking forward to seeing and hearing it in action David T | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 1036 Registered: 2-2011 |
I certainly hope so David! Susan told me at least 6 months from the start date, but that could get held up if I get too crazy with inlays! | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 1038 Registered: 2-2011 |
A friend in England did this fake picture of me playing the new bass. I think it is scaled slightly larger than the actual bass will be, but it looks good in my hands!  | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 3459 Registered: 10-2002 |
no rusty - they really are that big. Once you've put your back out you can send it over to me :-) Graeme | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3723 Registered: 6-2002 |
I'm used to the weight of those basses so Jacko, I'll be waiting in the next position for the changeover in the bass relay.... :-)  JAzzyvee | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 1039 Registered: 2-2011 |
Jacko. I guess I better start my weight training now so I will be in shape when the bass arrives! Jazzyvee, you don't want my new Europa, it's not the dark wood you prefer! Love the relay pic though! | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3724 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hmm, Rusty my friend, I'll take any alembic that is gifted to me. But you make a good point. I do prefer darker woods and was actually just practicing on mine for my next gig and it did cross my mind about how much it would cost to have it sprayed with some kind of brownish tint on the front only. Like this http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/149988.html?1367116657 But I guess a smarter move would be wait till it needs a respray or get a cash windfall then send it back to mica to have it done. Jazzyvee | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3725 Registered: 6-2002 |
oops double post. (Message edited by jazzyvee on November 18, 2013) | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1662 Registered: 5-2002 |
Jazzy, admit it. A cocobolo Europa 6 Series II is in your future! | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 1040 Registered: 2-2011 |
Jazzyvee, I think your Quilted Maple Series II is stunning! It is the bass that made me fall in love with the Europa body style. If you prefer a darker color, I have never seen a tobacco sunburst Alembic, that might be nice! | ||
| s_wood
Advanced Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 377 Registered: 5-2002 |
Rusty, look here to see a tobaccoburst: http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_alembird.html The Alembird! | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 1041 Registered: 2-2011 |
Thanks Steve! I had never seen this bass! Another gorgeous Thoroughbred in your amazing stable! | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3726 Registered: 6-2002 |
Edwin, I can't see I'd ever have a need for a six string bass. For the music I play a 6 string bass isn't going to give me anything i need. Yes Rusty the series II, I love to bits and it is visually very stunning to look at but that is exactly the problem. It's visually too loud for me. :-( Darker colours blend me in visually better with the band and I currently feel quite self conscious with it on stage which is also a distraction for me. So I tend to use my other darker basses more. But I have it now and it's a keeper so I have to get used to it's visual impact or use it only for high profile gigs or recording. Jazzyvee | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 1043 Registered: 2-2011 |
Jazzyvee, you're a handsome man, I think the ladies would be staring at you even if you were playing a washtub bass!  | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 1092 Registered: 2-2011 |
It HAS begun! The FTC thread is up! http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/187185.html?1390255203 | ||
| ed_too
Junior Username: ed_too Post Number: 14 Registered: 3-2011 |
Rusty - I'm looking forward to watching your build - and of course the photos documenting the "opening festivities" like you did for your SCSD. Regards, Ed | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 1094 Registered: 2-2011 |
Me too Ed! I'm going to get a "mid build" peek at the bass in March when we fly out to watch our son run in the LA Marathon, but I will definitely document the unveiling of the finished bass too! |
