Author |
Message |
georgie_boy
New Username: georgie_boy
Post Number: 1 Registered: 8-2005
| Posted on Monday, September 05, 2005 - 9:15 am: | |
Hi Everyone from central Scotland. I have a 1976 Series 1 that I bought from the Bass Centre in London 5 years ago for my 47th birthday. It's in superb condition and sounds---well like an Alembic should---alive!!. I wuld like to post pics to the club but use a digital camera that takes pics of around 1Meg and above. Anybody tell me how to get them to the size that Alembic can post on the site? The bass is a zebrawood front & back model with vermillion laminate on the headstock, walnut & maple neck sections, abalone & silver inlays. the bass is plaed through Fender/Aguilar and Ampeg systems, depending on the venue and the sound required. She is awesome. Would love to hear from other Alembic owners in the Uk & France/Canada/Belgium as I am a French speaker as well as English. Glad to be a member & an owner after 25 years of waiting. |
lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq
Post Number: 631 Registered: 7-2004
| Posted on Monday, September 05, 2005 - 9:41 am: | |
George: Welcome to the club! You'll find this to be just about the friendliest most knowledgeable and helpful group of musicians in this corner of the galaxy. I'm not an expert on the digital picture manipulation thing, but it's not really that difficult - I've figured out how to do it with my computer. Here is a link that might help you: http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/447.html?1022542644 If you still have problems, I'm sure someone will be around who can better explain how to do it. Also, If you post a request for info with your serial number in the "basses & guitars" section, Val or Mica at Alembic will usually post the build record for you in a couple of days or so. Bill, the guitar one |
guineapig
New Username: guineapig
Post Number: 4 Registered: 9-2005
| Posted on Monday, September 05, 2005 - 10:56 am: | |
To resize images that are too big (above the 150K limit): You can use the program Paint. If you have windows, it should be on your pc. You can find it by clicking the START button under Accessories. Open the image file in Paint (File->Open). Then click the Image menu and choose Stretch/Skew. In the Stretch box you can fill in new horizontal and vertical values. Try two times 25. Choose 'save as' from the file menu and save the file with a new name (e.g.: filename_small.jpg). Check the size of the new file by browsing to it's location (if you don't see the size when selecting the file, right-click it and choose properties. If it's under 150K, your OK! If not, take the original file again in paint and try smaller values. Info on how to post and upload the images are behind the link in lbpesq's post above! Succes! (Message edited by guineapig on September 05, 2005) |
bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen
Post Number: 804 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Monday, September 05, 2005 - 2:26 pm: | |
Hello George, Your bass sounds great. As a long time zebrawood fan I'll be looking forward to the photos. Sam |
davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck
Post Number: 2305 Registered: 5-2002
| Posted on Monday, September 05, 2005 - 3:08 pm: | |
Hi George, and welcome! There are a lot of options for reducing the file size of digital pictures. You can reduce the physical size of the picture and you can reduce the resolution and the quality; all of these will reduce the file size. And there are many programs, many free, that will do these things. Tom outlined a method using Paint, which comes with Windows. My version of Windows also came with Imaging For Windows. Start\Accessories\Imaging. I really don't care for the program, but you can use it do reduce file size. In fact opening a jpg in Imaging and then saving it will reduce the size. But to further manipulate the size of the image in Imaging, right click on the image and choose Properties. The tabs for Compression, Resolution and Size all offer choices for changing the size. The program seems a little quirky, but should be of some help if it's on your computer already. My favorite little graphics program is IrfanView. I use it not only to change image sizes, but also to easily and quickly touch up pictures that are too dark or have other problems. |
jacko
Advanced Member Username: jacko
Post Number: 308 Registered: 10-2002
| Posted on Tuesday, September 06, 2005 - 3:10 am: | |
Hi George and welcome to the club. There a quite a few british owners on here now although I'm only aware of three of us in Scotland and we're all based in or around Edinburgh. I've managed to meet up a few times with Mike Pisanek, a Texan who plays a 6 string spoiler, and we're getting together with the other guy and his wife this weekend for a few beers, He plays a very nice Mark King. How often do Dirty Tricks play? I'd like to get to hear another Alembic from the audience perspective. My covers band, Big Tuna, play 2 or 3 times a month, mostly in Fife although we're starting to build up a reputation in edinburgh now. If you're interested in meeting up, let me know and we'll sort something out. Hurry up and get your pictures posted in the showcase. Mine are here... http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/17164.html?1110857827 Graeme |
mpisanek
Junior Username: mpisanek
Post Number: 30 Registered: 1-2005
| Posted on Tuesday, September 06, 2005 - 4:59 am: | |
Hi George: Welcome from the New Mexican (NOT Texan!) here in Edinburgh. Its nice to see so many Alembic players here in Scotland. As Jacko stated we are planning an informal gathering of Alembicians this coming Saturday somewhere in Edinburgh. You wouldn't be out of place because you and I are pretty close to the same age! If you would like to come along please contact me at mpisanek@gmail.com. We would welcome you with beer, and pleasant conversation, at least! |
jacko
Advanced Member Username: jacko
Post Number: 309 Registered: 10-2002
| Posted on Tuesday, September 06, 2005 - 5:02 am: | |
Oops, sorry Mike. At least there's an 'ex' in there ;-) Graeme |
georgie_boy
New Username: georgie_boy
Post Number: 2 Registered: 8-2005
| Posted on Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 12:53 am: | |
Thanks everyone for being so helpful. I'm going to try and re-size the pictures. Michael & Graeme, would love to meet up in Edinburgh for beer & chat (lots of each!) George |
bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen
Post Number: 810 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Friday, September 09, 2005 - 4:52 am: | |
George, I've resized the photos you sent me. Great bass! Actually the front picture was a good size already.
|
jacko
Advanced Member Username: jacko
Post Number: 317 Registered: 10-2002
| Posted on Friday, September 09, 2005 - 5:11 am: | |
Beautiful bass george - this is one I'm looking forward to meeting in the flesh sometime. graeme |
davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck
Post Number: 2320 Registered: 5-2002
| Posted on Friday, September 09, 2005 - 5:41 am: | |
Nice!! |
lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq
Post Number: 642 Registered: 7-2004
| Posted on Friday, September 09, 2005 - 7:16 am: | |
Downright purdy! Bill, tgo |
georgie_boy
New Username: georgie_boy
Post Number: 3 Registered: 8-2005
| Posted on Saturday, September 10, 2005 - 1:10 am: | |
Glad you guys like my bass!! Thanks for doing the resize Sam. I think I've got the hang of it now. I use Photoshop and just cut down the pixel size until I get something less than 150K. I'll get round to posting more, especially the Abalone & silver inlays as they really show many colors under good lighting. Thanks for saying she is "purdy" Bill. Send me some pics of yours. The core of the bass is Koa with Birch sandwiches under the Zebrawood. This together with the light strings (30,50,70,90)seem to make her sing like a bird. |
lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq
Post Number: 646 Registered: 7-2004
| Posted on Saturday, September 10, 2005 - 8:12 am: | |
George: You can find pictures of my '83 Electrum here: http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/12743.html?1095369307 My in vitro Custom Further can be viewed here: http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/18474.html?1123014337 I just love the yellowish patina the old ones take on. Bill, tgo |
richbass939
Advanced Member Username: richbass939
Post Number: 390 Registered: 11-2004
| Posted on Saturday, September 10, 2005 - 9:30 am: | |
Bill, beautiful guitars. Just a guess here, but are the posters on the wall old Fillmore bills? Rich |
lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq
Post Number: 647 Registered: 7-2004
| Posted on Saturday, September 10, 2005 - 10:01 am: | |
Good eye, Rich. Original Fillmore and Avalon Ballroom posters. I picked up most of them 20-25 years ago. I used to get them at the Flea Market for $10 each, 3 for $25. I remember scrounging to get $25 together, definitely my pre-Alembic days - that is pre-OWNING, not pre-LUSTING-for-an-Alembic days. I've got a bunch more in my office, some other rooms in the house, and some not yet framed. I love the art. The one in the very upper right in the first picture is my wedding invitation. We had a full size Fillmore-type poster done, printed up, and mailed out in cardboard tubes. Then we had the old JGB band play. (A buddy of mine was playing guitar with them). Big Fun! Bill, tgo |
richbass939
Advanced Member Username: richbass939
Post Number: 391 Registered: 11-2004
| Posted on Saturday, September 10, 2005 - 10:12 am: | |
Thanks, Bill. I wouldn't mind seeing a new thread sometime with some pics of your favorites (when you can find the time). Don't want to clog up Georgie Boy's intro thread but I would love to see some of them. Rich |
lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq
Post Number: 649 Registered: 7-2004
| Posted on Saturday, September 10, 2005 - 10:18 am: | |
Rich: I'll look for some time. When I find it, (I know I saw it around here somewhere) I'll take some pix and post. We now return to our regularly scheduled thread. I really do love these old Alembic's, even if they are missing a couple of strings. LOL Bill, tgo |
bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen
Post Number: 812 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Sunday, September 11, 2005 - 5:55 am: | |
Here you are George, one Koa sandwich to go
|
georgie_boy
New Username: georgie_boy
Post Number: 6 Registered: 8-2005
| Posted on Sunday, September 11, 2005 - 10:13 am: | |
Thanks Bill!!!!!!! But HOW did you do this???? It's so good --they are the same pics as i sent you but being a Thick-arssed Scot, I dont seem to be able to uploud. Maybe Dave houck can help as he seems to be the all seeing eye when it comes to Alembic |
bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen
Post Number: 814 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Sunday, September 11, 2005 - 2:35 pm: | |
Sorry, George, I guess I should have signed my name at the bottom. Sam |
davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck
Post Number: 2337 Registered: 5-2002
| Posted on Sunday, September 11, 2005 - 3:04 pm: | |
Hi George; sounds like you've resized the pics but are having trouble uploading. As Bill mentioned near the top of this thread, the instructions for uploading can be found here. If you're still having trouble, feel free to email me and I'll try to help. |
georgie_boy
New Username: georgie_boy
Post Number: 7 Registered: 8-2005
| Posted on Monday, September 12, 2005 - 5:00 am: | |
SOOOOORRRRY SAM!!!! I meant to say Sam but got bill instead! When you see the pics of Edinburgh you'll se us. I'm the Homer Simpson lookalike, so all I can say is sorry & D'OH !!! |
jacko
Advanced Member Username: jacko
Post Number: 319 Registered: 10-2002
| Posted on Monday, September 12, 2005 - 5:07 am: | |
Good to meet you on Saturday George. Mikes photos are now in the misc section. Graeme |
bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen
Post Number: 817 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Monday, September 12, 2005 - 5:29 am: | |
George, I saw the photos. Looks like a great time. It also looks like the Scottish beer glasses are bigger than ours. That's just not right. Sam |
georgie_boy
New Username: georgie_boy
Post Number: 8 Registered: 8-2005
| Posted on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 1:50 am: | |
Hi Sam---Got it right this time--D'OH!! I had a great time with the guys on Saturday. Our beer glasses ARE bigger because our bellies are bigger. It looks as if I'm about 4ft tall in these pics, but when you stand next to Michael, it's not surprising as he is 6ft 5ins. Graeme must be a good 6ft as well so-----Ah well, you can't choose your parents. The serial No. of my bass is AE76-069 and I really would like to trace her history from birth until I bought her. Any help from anyone on this would be much appreciated. I'll post the request in the Series 1 folder as well so maybe Val& Mica can help Take care Homer---oops! I mean George |
jacko
Advanced Member Username: jacko
Post Number: 321 Registered: 10-2002
| Posted on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 1:54 am: | |
george - you'd be better of posting your info request under Alembic Basses and Guitars. You'll see there are a few in there already. I think US. pints must be smaller than ours, their gallons certainly are. Graeme (just on 6ft) |
georgie_boy
Junior Username: georgie_boy
Post Number: 11 Registered: 8-2005
| Posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 1:40 am: | |
Thanks Graeme. Have posted the request but I don't thimk I'm going to get much luck. I think I need to contact Val but am unsure how to go about this. Can you help? Homer Simpson |
davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck
Post Number: 2353 Registered: 5-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 5:06 am: | |
George; if you click on Val's name beside one of his posts, his profile includes an email address. I get the impression he's busier than ususal and hasn't had the time that he would like to read through the posts. |
keith_h
Intermediate Member Username: keith_h
Post Number: 183 Registered: 2-2005
| Posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 6:41 am: | |
Yes, Imperial pints are larger than US pints. If I recall correctly 1 Imperial pint = 1 pint 3 oz US. Keith |
jacko
Advanced Member Username: jacko
Post Number: 325 Registered: 10-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 6:46 am: | |
So US pints are 17 fl.oz? Bizarre! So, based on my limited experience of watching cheers, you must only end up with about 10 fl.oz of beer per 'pint' because of the huge head that the TV barmen pour. Graeme |
lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq
Post Number: 661 Registered: 7-2004
| Posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 7:19 am: | |
U.S. pints are 16 fluid oz. Two cups @ 8 oz each = 1 pint. As for how much liquid you actually get, if it's on TV the answer is NONE! The rule is that you can show people pouring and holding beer, but you can't show them actually drinking it! Beer commercials here will show everyone raising their glass, then cut away to something else, then cut back to the people AFTER they have a drink. Bill, tgo |
bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen
Post Number: 822 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 1:27 pm: | |
Of the two pubs I frequent, one serves imperial pints. It's owned by a woman from London. The other serves US pints but they do start the Guinness when they see me coming up the walk through the window. Sam |
georgie_boy
Junior Username: georgie_boy
Post Number: 12 Registered: 8-2005
| Posted on Thursday, September 15, 2005 - 12:52 am: | |
Glad to see you like some decent beer Sam!!! Howz about some pics of all you guys for the Scottish Alembic club. You've got our ugly mugs so send us some of yours as well--Sam, Bill, Dave, Val, Mica etc. Would be great to put a face to the names.Don't be shy! If I can let people see my ugly mug then I'm sure you guys aint got a thing to worry about The Homer Simpson lookalike |
davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck
Post Number: 2356 Registered: 5-2002
| Posted on Thursday, September 15, 2005 - 4:32 am: | |
George; a fellow club member just posted within the last few days a pic of Val taken on a recent trip to Alembic. I know of at least one, and I'm thinking there was another, picture of Mica around; the one is in an obvious place. Good places to look for pictures of fellow board members are the Gigs section and the Showcase section. Plus the profiles sometimes have links to band sites that have pics. |
bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen
Post Number: 825 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Thursday, September 15, 2005 - 2:15 pm: | |
George, I don't play out so no gig photos of me. This is as close as I get. Sam
|
adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan
Post Number: 603 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Thursday, September 15, 2005 - 2:24 pm: | |
Gotta keep in shape if you wanna lay the groove ... |
lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq
Post Number: 666 Registered: 7-2004
| Posted on Thursday, September 15, 2005 - 10:29 pm: | |
George: If you really want a gander at my mug, you can see me here holding the new Darlin' guitar: http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/20516.html?1125090374 Bill, tgo |
georgie_boy
Junior Username: georgie_boy
Post Number: 13 Registered: 8-2005
| Posted on Friday, September 16, 2005 - 1:28 am: | |
Thanks for the pics Sam & Bill. Always nice to know who your'e talking to. Sam---why don't you play out?? You have a helluva system and beautiful bass there. Seems a shame to me. I don't play out at the moment but am certainly trying to get something together locally. I've been using "elites" extra light "player" strings at the moment, but I see they do a set of stainless steel "stadium" strings that are meant to be even brighter. Any ideas on these?? P.S. Love the Hartke system Take care George |