| Author | Message | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 944 Registered: 7-2003 |
Hi everybody: After a painful two year hiatus between Alembics, I just paid for a used Brown Bass. I had no idea I'd be so charged when I bought another Alembic. I played a Spoiler last Thur at NJ Guitar and Bass and caught the fever. That wasn't the bass for me, but I very quickly stumbled across the short scale I've always wanted. I'll post pix when it gets here. It's been funny being a lurker around here for a bit. But it's good to be an owner again. Now, to pay for things, I've got to let go of a few basses. Keep an eye out on For Sale or Trade for an Ampeg AMB1 (mint in amberburst), an '02 MIA Jazz bass (near mint with Lindy Fralins) and at least one other bass. Bill | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 768 Registered: 9-2005 |
Welcome back, congratulations, and... don't let this one go!!! | ||
| kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 624 Registered: 8-2003 |
Welcome back! I went a bit longer than that between Alembics, but now I'm the proud owner of a matched pair of '82 Series 2s and life is goooood bass-wise. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5499 Registered: 5-2002 |
Brown Basses are great instruments; congrats! | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 946 Registered: 7-2003 |
Thank guys. I'll post some pix once it arrives (Mon, I think). | ||
| artswork99
Member Username: artswork99 Post Number: 90 Registered: 7-2007 |
Congrats on the bass Bill. I've been lurking for a while now and ready to join the ownership ranks as well! Regards. | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 948 Registered: 7-2003 |
Well, here it is - the new guy:    and, sort of an unexpected surprise. I'm contacting the seller (an auctioneer) to see if I can authenticate the autograph --  I've only played it a few minutes, but it has a great feel and sound. I don't know why this is the first short scale Alembic I've owned. Bill | ||
| rraymond
Advanced Member Username: rraymond Post Number: 307 Registered: 6-2002 |
Bill, I hate to say this, but look here: http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/16404.html?1119315749 I hope this isn't yet another of Austin's basses that's gone walking... | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 950 Registered: 7-2003 |
Thanks Reid. I just Emailed Austin. I'll let you all know what I hear. | ||
| lidon2001
Advanced Member Username: lidon2001 Post Number: 335 Registered: 4-2005 |
Good catch Reid; I was about to suggest a celebratory pizza for Bill. Hope it works out for all. | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 951 Registered: 7-2003 |
I still want pizza. Unfortunately, Austin's email appears outdated. I've emailed Mica and Susan to see if they can help me get in touch with Austin. If anybody else can do so, please have him get ahold of me ASAP. The seller was a 1000+ feedback individual on ebay. I did check the Alembic site before purchasing and, finding no Brown Basses listed among Stolen Alembics, figured I was OK. (Austin's stolen custom is listed there, so I'm hoping that's a good indication). I'll let you know when I hear anything else. In the meantime, pizza and bassplaying... Bill | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 952 Registered: 7-2003 |
I still want pizza. Unfortunately, Austin's email appears outdated. I've emailed Mica and Susan to see if they can help me get in touch with Austin. If anybody else can do so, please have him get ahold of me ASAP. The seller was a 1000+ feedback individual on ebay. I did check the Alembic site before purchasing and, finding no Brown Basses listed among Stolen Alembics, figured I was OK. (Austin's stolen custom is listed there and this one's not, so I'm hoping that's a good indication). I'll let you know when I hear anything else. In the meantime, pizza and bassplaying... Bill | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5502 Registered: 5-2002 |
Bill, Art has been in touch with Austin about a similar problem with another bass; you may want to send Art an email. | ||
| artswork99
Member Username: artswork99 Post Number: 94 Registered: 7-2007 |
Oh goodness... email sent back to you Bill. | ||
| artswork99
Member Username: artswork99 Post Number: 95 Registered: 7-2007 |
I know exactly how you feel. | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 953 Registered: 7-2003 |
Ain't life grand. | ||
| artswork99
Member Username: artswork99 Post Number: 96 Registered: 7-2007 |
Bill, Here's a more current profile of Austin with the user name as darkstar01. http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/20540.html?1187355343 | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 775 Registered: 9-2005 |
Well doesn't that just suck for everyone. It's clearly Austins' Brown bass... the figuring on the wood, the writing on the back of the headstock... Boy, doesn't this suck for everyone. My condolences to Bill, Art, Austin, and everyone else involved in this sad and twisted story. My heart goes out to all you guys... and I hope the people involved in these crimes get the HARSHEST possible punishment. Stealing dreams is no small crime. As bad as this is -and it's bad- it's good that club members are looking out for each other. Without this, it would be a lot worse. Better to find out the dismal news now rather than later. | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1780 Registered: 3-2004 |
I don't know, guys. My recollection of Austin's report was that Dark Star was stolen, but that his other Alembics were not. -bob | ||
| darkstar01
Member Username: darkstar01 Post Number: 79 Registered: 6-2005 |
The MK and Brown Bass were stolen on a seperate occaision, a little more than a week ago. I'm trying to work all of this out. Austin | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1574 Registered: 2-2006 |
So you've had 3 Alembics stolen? | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1781 Registered: 3-2004 |
Yuck! Okay, well that answers that question. sorry... | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 955 Registered: 7-2003 |
Here's an update. I think the news is all good. The Ebay seller who sold me Austin's Brown Bass stepped up to the plate and refunded my purchase price (fwew!). It's my understanding he's been in touch with Austin's Mom and wheels are in motion to get the Brown Bass back to Austin. I, on the other hand, never really had the BB I thought I'd get. And thank heaven I found out about the problem right away, literally within hours of receiving the bass. Thanks (sincerely) to everyone here who played a part in identifying and addressing the problem - Reid, Mica, Susan, Art, Tom others who looked out for me and for Austin's interests. As unpleasant and unnerving as the experience began, my faith in people and appreciation for the Alembic community came through it all stronger than ever. On yet another positive note, Mica and I just finished spec'ing a Brown Bass I'll be having built. More on that as time goes by. I think I'll start a new thread at some point with thoughts about rejoining the ranks of Alembic owners (This thread has baggage, you might say.). Bill | ||
| rraymond
Advanced Member Username: rraymond Post Number: 310 Registered: 6-2002 |
Bill, I'm glad things are working out for you. I hope also, that Art has found his way into Alembicland and that Austin's wayward basses found their way back home. I felt a lot of trepidation when I made the post above, but my gut told me it was the right thing. One thing that's kind of funny, is that it wasn't the Victor Wooten signature on the back of the headstock that made me remember that bass, but the grain in the walnut top. I'm not religious, but I have to believe that there's a seriously bad karmic place that people who steal other people's instruments go to. I hope everything works out for you guys. It sounds like we'll be watching a Brown Bass FTC thread before long! Congrats! Reid | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 841 Registered: 9-2005 |
Hey Bill, that's great that you're getting your $ back, Austin's getting his bass back -sure hope he gets "Dark Star" back- and you're getting a new Alembic Brown Bass. A thought... have you seen and/or played one of the the new "Balance K" basses? I just got my brand new MK Signature Deluxe in that shape -and it's incredibly awesome. I strongly recommend it... it's awesome looking and incredibly comfortable and ergonomic. It didn't cost anything extra (aside from the omega cutout)... if you check the price quote generator, it's a no-cost option (if you're getting a Signature Bass -which is basically what a Brown Bass is... with Anniversery electronics). I think it would be really cool to get a Brown Bass with the Balance K body... I don't think they've done one yet, (if) so, yours would be the first! Also, since you haven't had an Alembic in a while, I want to make sure you're aware of a relatively new and extremely awesome option: Ebony neck laminates! Even one will do wonders for your sound, increasing the low end response and sustain in a way you have to hear to believe! If you want more info, ask around -or consult the experts, Mica and Susan! Best of luck with your project, I'll look forward to seeing it when it hits FTC! Take care, Mark | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 959 Registered: 7-2003 |
Thanks guys. Mark: Interesting suggestion about the Bal K body. I actually gave some thought to "What if you did all the Brown Bass woods, oil finish, short scale in a Balance K instead of a small standard?" (Are you invading my mind? What else am I thinking?). As much as I love trying untried stuff, Austin's bass convinced me that I really like the small, symmetrical body + short scale and crown headstock. Combined with the walnut facing and oil finish, it's a really nice, very compact (which I like about shorties to begin with) throwback to the Alembics of old - before the really glamorous woods and incredibly deep gloss finishes were part of the Alembic look. On the Balance K body - I love them. They are ergonomically great and a fantastic design that combines new and old and appears to have really taken off. I'd love to own another Bal K (chokes back tears) -- http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/12133.html?1094104551-- if the cards get dealt that way. But the traditional look of the small standard body and the fact that it's just a little shorter than the Bal K made up my mind for this bass. When I ordered my S2, I was thrilled with the look, feel and sound (Still gives me chills to think about). But there are always things you choose not to have because of what you choose to get. The Brown Bass is a lot of the things I had to forego in designing the Bal K bass. As much as I wish I still had my Bal K, I'm unbelievably blessed to get to make these decisions all over again on another Alembic. Bill | ||
| lidon2001
Advanced Member Username: lidon2001 Post Number: 339 Registered: 4-2005 |
Congrats Bill, My only suggestion is 70's pickup spacing and a dummy hum cancellor, or maybe full series prep. Can't wait to see it. T | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 960 Registered: 7-2003 |
Tom: 2 questions - (1) What do you mean by 70s spacing? and (2) How on earth did you get hooked up with Uncle Bob's (located 10 min from my house, but definitely not from yours)? I don't picture I'm going to upgrade to Series, so the added expenditures (and don't they also need to make the body a bit thicker?) probably don't make sense for me. Bill | ||
| lidon2001
Advanced Member Username: lidon2001 Post Number: 340 Registered: 4-2005 |
I grew up in 'Tosa, and my dad bought me my first real bass from Bob & Dennis, 1978 Ric 4001 Jetglo new for $450 for my 17th birthday. 70's pickup spacing is like on Stanley's bass, with very little room between the neck pickup and the end of the neck. People complained of not being able to slap easily so they moved the neck pickup back to allow easier finger access when slapping. But I think moving the pickup this far toward the bridge would change the sound too much. I like a nice thick dub bass sometimes, and moving the neck pickup as far forward as possible should help this, I would assume. Plus with the dummy hc, it keeps the series look alive at minimal cost for "wanna-be" series owners like me. I can't find the pics of the first of the BB series being made that had the spacing with the dummy hc, so here's my short scale BalK with said spacing again (yes, it needs a flitzing...):  (Message edited by lidon2001 on September 28, 2007) | ||
| lidon2001
Advanced Member Username: lidon2001 Post Number: 341 Registered: 4-2005 |
And dont' forget 3 way Q switches. | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 961 Registered: 7-2003 |
I like the 70's spacing. Maybe the 3 ways, too (personally, I found the CVQs pretty hard to calibrate in my own mind - too many variables). Thanks | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5531 Registered: 5-2002 |
If I remember correctly, stock Brown Basses, unlike regular SC's, have the required thickness for the upgrade. But then I don't recommend relying on my memory. | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 858 Registered: 2-2005 |
Dave, The BB is the older small standard body shape which is thicker and a little different in shape than the regular SC's. I also recall this additional thickness is enough to handle Series electronics. Keith | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 962 Registered: 7-2003 |
I wouldn't mind a bit of extra beef to boost lows either way. If it made the bass more readily convertible to Series, that's a bonus. Thanks for the info. | ||
| artswork99
Intermediate Member Username: artswork99 Post Number: 119 Registered: 7-2007 |
That's great Bill. Congratulations on your BB. I look forward to seeing the Factory to Customer thread when/if you start one. Things on this end are in the final stages of getting Austin his MK ("The General") back to him. I have been the caretaker of it since it's purchase at GC (9/6) and an IM to Austin on the same night. After talking to Austin's Mom she agreed that it may be better with me than back at the store. They require additional legal documents to prevent them from selling it... I'm sure they would have held onto it under the circumstances now that they have discovered the situation but there may have been many more hands on it and I must say "Nice Bass Austin" - it has been safe and sound here. I play it and have only lowered the bridge 1/8 inch with no other adjustments. I place it in its case when it's not played as I can't look at it for long periods of time, you understand. I hope this week will bring a resolution, if not it is coming very soon and I'm totally prepared and covered by GC on the return and refund (at least that's what they are saying - I'll let you know). The Alembic community has proven to be a friendly, knowledgeable and compassionate network of people whom I am proud to be associated with. I look so forward to becoming a true member when ownership of a bass takes place for me. It's going to be a great 50th birthday present with quite a history behind it! Best to everyone, Art | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 845 Registered: 9-2005 |
Hmm. Art, maybe you should consider going all the way, and getting a custom for your 50th. If you opt for the least expensive (neck-thru) model -the Essense- in a 4 string (that's what you want, right?) you get an awesome bass with lots of options... I think maybe it's an extra $100 to get custom neck dimensions. Treat yourself to just one or two custom options (upgrade to Europa or Signature electronics, get an Ebony neck laminate, and/or Coco Bolo... whatever YOU like) and get the right special of the month, and it's not TOO bad... you deserve it!!! Just a thought. Bill... I've seen your old Balance K Series before... but I didn't note your name/didn't realize it was YOURS. Quite a stunning beauty. If you don't mind me asking... why did you sell it? (That's actually an assumption... maybe I should ask what happened to it...) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5535 Registered: 5-2002 |
Art; as far as I'm concerned, you are a "true member" of the community. | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 963 Registered: 7-2003 |
Mark: Thanks. I needed to reorganize some finances because my oldest was starting college at NYU and a couple of other major expenses were looming. Do I wish I had held on - maybe - but life goes on. I did some other interesting things in the meantime (including building a cocobolo homebuilt) and now I have the privilege of selecting the details for a new Alembic. It's pretty cool the second time around, too... Bill | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 846 Registered: 9-2005 |
What Dave said! | ||
| artswork99
Intermediate Member Username: artswork99 Post Number: 120 Registered: 7-2007 |
Mark, there's always a chance. We'll have to see what is in my cards for the future. Thanks for the support Dave, you know I feel the need to make it official with the real deal. |
