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mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 6953
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, September 17, 2010 - 4:09 pm:   Edit Post

Wouldn't it be great if someone collected images of wood before it was made into an Alembic and after to demonstrate the transformation the wood goes through? Here's one:

B E F O R E
before

A F T E R
after

You can see what just a little more sanding does to change the grain, and how the colors mellow a little in even a short time after sanding. There's always surprises where the elbow cut is carved.

This Rogue 6-string is also one I just posted in the Alembic Showroom

(Message edited by davehouck on September 17, 2010)
briant
Senior Member
Username: briant

Post Number: 462
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Friday, September 17, 2010 - 4:27 pm:   Edit Post

More of those, please. :-) It's terribly interesting to me to see how much wood changes with sanding/working/finishing.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 9613
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, September 17, 2010 - 4:31 pm:   Edit Post

Cool! And a nice piece of Coco Bolo!
rjmsteel
Intermediate Member
Username: rjmsteel

Post Number: 107
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Friday, September 17, 2010 - 6:49 pm:   Edit Post

I`ve seen one of those Coco Bolo Rogue shaped basses going through them changes... and its improving with each process!

Nice looking Rogue there Mica and definitely mellower on the orange hues from the "before" example.
lidon2001
Senior Member
Username: lidon2001

Post Number: 440
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Friday, September 17, 2010 - 8:06 pm:   Edit Post

Before1 After1

Before2 After2
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 9616
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, September 17, 2010 - 8:13 pm:   Edit Post

Those are two beautiful instruments!
mario_farufyno
Senior Member
Username: mario_farufyno

Post Number: 532
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Friday, September 17, 2010 - 9:15 pm:   Edit Post

Now, that's cool!
afrobeat_fool
Advanced Member
Username: afrobeat_fool

Post Number: 250
Registered: 7-2009
Posted on Saturday, September 18, 2010 - 2:21 pm:   Edit Post

Ohhhhh, I sooooo want an Amboyna Burl bass. Preferably a Series 2
oddmetersam
Member
Username: oddmetersam

Post Number: 95
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Saturday, September 18, 2010 - 5:56 pm:   Edit Post

These before and after pics showcase the beauty of Mother Nature and the cosmic skills of the good folks at Alembic. Who else could transform a mild-mannered piece of cocobolo into this?

coco1
mary

I feel like the cat that ate the canary!
toma_hawk01
Advanced Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 277
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Saturday, September 18, 2010 - 9:33 pm:   Edit Post

Tom, that's a lovely bass man. I would had wanted some of the beautiful white pigments (around the edges) included as well, for the full range of the colors, and its origins.

Peace and Love,

Hal-
krystoof
Member
Username: krystoof

Post Number: 92
Registered: 1-2009
Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2010 - 2:26 am:   Edit Post

Hi, Sam,
your bass looks really beautiful!!! I guess it must sound the same.
Have a good day!
Xtof
oddmetersam
Member
Username: oddmetersam

Post Number: 96
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2010 - 9:56 am:   Edit Post

Xtof,
Thanks for the kind words. As I gradually become more worthy in the eyes of my bass, she reveals more of herself to me, tone wise. So far, I'm about 85% close to extracting the sound I hear in my head.

And I love your profile picture! Take care.
-Sam
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 9617
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2010 - 10:04 am:   Edit Post

Another beautiful bass!
hb3
Senior Member
Username: hb3

Post Number: 542
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2010 - 10:47 am:   Edit Post

That is a cool photo. Rockin' it in France!
mario_farufyno
Senior Member
Username: mario_farufyno

Post Number: 537
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2010 - 5:35 pm:   Edit Post

That Tailpiece is really breathtaking Sam...
toma_hawk01
Advanced Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 278
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2010 - 8:36 pm:   Edit Post

Sam, your bass captures the voluptuousness of a very sincere, and lovely primitive form, which congers a mindset to protect, and love from the heart.

Let me just say, Lord have mercy...do you hear me now!


Peace and Love,

Hal-

(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on September 19, 2010)
hieronymous
Senior Member
Username: hieronymous

Post Number: 843
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2010 - 9:23 pm:   Edit Post

Did you ever try out the Chromes? Your bass looks more beautiful every time I see it!

(Message edited by hieronymous on September 19, 2010)
oddmetersam
Member
Username: oddmetersam

Post Number: 97
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Monday, September 20, 2010 - 1:14 am:   Edit Post

Thanks for all the kind words, guys. Hal, when I show friends pics of the various Alembics on the site, they invariably comment on the "lovely primitive form" you allude to. A full body shot from the back really brings out this feature:

back

Harry, as it turns out the chromes are too short to fit on my 35" scale basses. I'm negotiating to re-borrow a friend's medium scale Gretch bass for that purpose. After my gig on Wednesday I'm going to see if they'll fit on my Line 6 Variax bass, also.
-Sam
toma_hawk01
Advanced Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 279
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Monday, September 20, 2010 - 2:34 am:   Edit Post

Hey Sam,

The Isley Brothers said it best...

"Pop that thang... ah Bang, bang, bang..."



Peace and Love,

Hal-
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2730
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Monday, September 20, 2010 - 7:40 am:   Edit Post

Great idea Mica. Here's mine..

before
wood

and after
after

Graeme
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 9619
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, September 20, 2010 - 7:49 am:   Edit Post

That's a great picture Graeme; it really brings out the beauty, the graceful flow of the grain, on this top.
crgaston
Senior Member
Username: crgaston

Post Number: 622
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Monday, September 20, 2010 - 6:20 pm:   Edit Post

Great idea, and great pics, guys!
Sam, they make chromes in extra-long scale as well... Have you tried them?
oddmetersam
Member
Username: oddmetersam

Post Number: 98
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Monday, September 20, 2010 - 7:03 pm:   Edit Post

Charles, I wanna be open to almost anything and everything (subject to approval by my wallet, of course). The d'Addario's on my #1 baby so far don't sound as good as the original Alembic strings but a fellow member graciously gave me a set to try. They're too short for #3, my Spector, but I have other basses I might try. If they work out at that point, I'll get some to fit #1. She's a 35" scale.

Graeme, the top on your bass is too hypnotic for words!

-Sam
3rd_ray
Advanced Member
Username: 3rd_ray

Post Number: 224
Registered: 2-2008
Posted on Monday, September 20, 2010 - 7:18 pm:   Edit Post

I like this idea!

Before...
before

After...
after
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 6961
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Monday, September 20, 2010 - 7:29 pm:   Edit Post

It's amazing how Maple can look so blah when it's sanded and then just explode when the finish hits. You can never get jaded with that!

Here's another one from the Showroom:

B E F O R E
before

A F T E R
after
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 9625
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, September 20, 2010 - 7:56 pm:   Edit Post

Mike; the top looks absolutely amazing in that shot!
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 9626
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, September 20, 2010 - 7:58 pm:   Edit Post

A matching set of beautiful Rogues in the showroom!

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