| Author | Message | ||
| the_mule
New Username: the_mule Post Number: 4 Registered: 1-2004 |
...my Orion 4 with serial# 99OW12156USA, especially to make sure which wood is used for the top. I'm told that it's Burl Walnut, but so far I haven't seen another example of an Orion (or any other model) with a similar top. Maybe there aren't many Orions and/or Alembics made with this choice of wood? Thanx, Wilfred   (Message edited by the mule on January 26, 2004) | ||
| adriaan
Intermediate Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 106 Registered: 6-2002 |
Ha die Wilfred, That's a really nice looking Orion with a special kind of a top! But I don't think it's what they normally call 'burl walnut' (see http://alembic.com/club/messages/2344/2989.html?1042161675). A burl could be the same as what we call a 'knoest'. Welcome to the club! Adriaan | ||
| xlrogue6
Junior Username: xlrogue6 Post Number: 45 Registered: 8-2002 |
Your top wood is sometimes called crotch walnut. As the name implies, it comes from the crotch of grafted walnut trees where the black walnut trunk meets the English walnut branches. My old Orion fretless 5, now owned by my brother in law, has a particularly nice example of this wood. Someday I'll get a digital camera and post pics....someday. (So all you Pauls can just put those mugs down Right Now!) Kent | ||
| the_mule
New Username: the_mule Post Number: 5 Registered: 1-2004 |
Thank you very much for the information so far, so maybe it's not Burl Walnut but Crotch Walnut, hmmmm, sure sounds different! Is this an official name, is it discontinued by Alembic as a top wood? I still hope that 'all will be revealed' with the help of the good people at Alembic, and what's in their files about 99OW12156USA ... And Adriaan: dankjewel! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1428 Registered: 6-2000 |
Valentino will look up the details on your specific instrument shortly, but I must tell you the type of walnut you have is known as "Grafted Walnut." Here in California, our native walnut is very good at growing in the clay type of soils we have, but the walnuts are small and not as tasty as the Persian or European walnuts. So the orchards are planted with the native walnut roots grafted to a more delicious walnut for the stem and crown. At the intersection of this graft, very interesting things happen. The graft in orchards is usually far below the crotch, sometimes almost at the ground, although I have seen the graft as high as the crotch before. | ||
| xlrogue6
Junior Username: xlrogue6 Post Number: 46 Registered: 8-2002 |
I grew up in a subdivision that was built in a walnut orchard--all the grafts in this particular orchard were at the crotch. There's an enormous tree in my parent's backyard (trunk diameter 3-4 feet) that should make some beautiful instruments if it ever needs to come down. Kent | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 326 Registered: 7-2002 |
Hello Wilfred, this is what our file shows: 1999 4 string Long Scale Orion bass California walnut top maple pinstripe mahogany body ebony fretboard Maple neck w/ walnut pinstripes Europa 4 peghead brass hardware Alembic Gotoh gold tuners gold strap pins bronze logo bird tailpiece Epic electronics completed 08/27/99 That's it. Valentino | ||
| lembic76450
Junior Username: lembic76450 Post Number: 19 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hey Mule, Welcome and beautiful bass. Since no one else has asked, is this an Asimovian? reference??? | ||
| the_mule
New Username: the_mule Post Number: 6 Registered: 1-2004 |
@ Valentino: thank you for the 'bith certificate' of my bass, I really appreciate your effort. Well, it's Californian 'Grafted' Walnut after all, the mystery is solved! But anyway, Alembic has done a fabulous job with this one! @ Lembic76450: I'm sorry, but I really don't know what an 'Asimovian' is..? Wilfred | ||
| adriaan
Intermediate Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 108 Registered: 6-2002 |
SF author Isaac Asimov? | ||
| lembic76450
Junior Username: lembic76450 Post Number: 20 Registered: 5-2002 |
Good catch Adriaan, that is who I was refering to. Wilfred, "The Mule" was a character in Isaac's "Foundation" series. We have a few SF related screen names here. Once again, welcome, and your bass again shows that we have close to home some truely exotic and wonderful woods. Kenn R. | ||
| the_mule
Junior Username: the_mule Post Number: 11 Registered: 1-2004 |
Sorry, double post! (Message edited by the mule on January 28, 2004) | ||
| the_mule
Junior Username: the_mule Post Number: 12 Registered: 1-2004 |
Ah, right, The Mule actually refers to one of my favourite bands: Gov't Mule. But now you've mentioned it, I remember that a long time ago (on another forum) someone asked me a similar question! It's also the name that I gave to my customised Guild B-301 bass, that's been more or less the reason why I started playing bass in the first place. For those interested, you might like to take a look at the pictures in my Webshots-album(s): http://community.webshots.com/user/themuleguitars Wilfred (Message edited by the mule on January 29, 2004) | ||
| bracheen
Intermediate Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 180 Registered: 11-2003 |
Very nice collection! I'm surprised that there's not an Allen Woody in the group. | ||
| smokin_dave
Member Username: smokin_dave Post Number: 82 Registered: 10-2002 |
Just saw Guv Mule last night here in Indy and it was a stellar show."She Said She Said"was killer as well as "Beautifully Broken".Going to go out and get the new CD/DVD this weekend.Very nice Orion by the way.A very unusual looking top.I really dig it. | ||
| davehouck
Advanced Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 333 Registered: 5-2002 |
I haven't heard Gov't Mule's new bass player yet; what did you think? They're going to be in Charlotte in a few weeks; but they are apparently opening for Kid Rock, and I don't think that's a crowd I care to spend an evening with. If you get the DVD, let me know what you think; I may want to get it too. | ||
| the_mule
Junior Username: the_mule Post Number: 14 Registered: 1-2004 |
The 2CD/1DVD boxset 'The Deepest End' by Gov't Mule you're referring to is wonderful. Great setlist, great sound, great everything. Highly recommended! http://www.mule.net | ||
| davehouck
Advanced Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 335 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks Wilfred; I've been reading some reviews of it and I think I'm going to order it today! | ||
| smokin_dave
Member Username: smokin_dave Post Number: 83 Registered: 10-2002 |
Andy Hess played bass with The Black Crows and I enjoy his playing very much.He did very well with the Mule and I would like to find any board tapes or boots from the show I saw since fan recording was very visible.Mule opening for Kid Rock.I can't even fathom it but I understand why.Hope it gets they're name out to a broader audience for sure. |
