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rickkessler
New
Username: rickkessler

Post Number: 1
Registered: 1-2006
Posted on Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 8:39 pm:   Edit Post

Hi everyone. I'm a newcomer to Alembic-land, though I've wanted one since at least my first viewing of "The Kids Are Alright" --when it first came out in the theater, that is. Well, thanks to my wonderful wife, I'm finally getting one as a 40th birthday present. It's a custom Dragonwing that I ordered through the great folks at Bass Central (particularly Beaver Felton) and after a number of discussions with Valentino, who's also been very helpful and enthusiastic.

I understand my Dragonwing is getting pretty far along in the process and was wondering if Mica or one of the other folks at Alembic could post some pictures and otherwise provide an update.

Thanks much and pardon my excitement and inexperience.

Best wishes for the New Year --Rick
bob
Senior Member
Username: bob

Post Number: 560
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 9:44 pm:   Edit Post

No need to pardon your inexperience (we all go through that phase), and certainly not your excitement (that seems to happen over and over again). Welcome, and congratulations!

Now just try to work on the patience thing... and in the meantime, go thank your spouse, again (and again).
-Bob
tom_z
Advanced Member
Username: tom_z

Post Number: 262
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 10:31 pm:   Edit Post

Welcome Rick and congratulations on your Alembic-in-progress. What a wonderful birthday present - you are fortunate to be married to such a considerate woman. I am very lucky as well. My wife admires the instruments Alembic creates and we have been involved together with Susan in configuring a custom Further. I too am looking forward to a progress update.

Tom =)
jalevinemd
Advanced Member
Username: jalevinemd

Post Number: 303
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Thursday, January 05, 2006 - 5:45 am:   Edit Post

Rick,

Ditto on the congrats. This has been discussed before, but as I'm sure you've already found - given their price tags - it's nice to have your wife behind you when it comes to buying/customizing an Alembic. Hard to enjoy a new guitar or bass if you're getting shot evil glances every time you pick it up.

Happy Birthday.

Jonathan
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic

Post Number: 2211
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Thursday, January 05, 2006 - 5:54 am:   Edit Post

Oh ...you can get them with non Alembics too you know ...even with Yasufengibsocki's of 100 bucks a pair!!!
Believe me ...I can tell!

Paul the bad one
jalevinemd
Advanced Member
Username: jalevinemd

Post Number: 304
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Thursday, January 05, 2006 - 6:08 am:   Edit Post

Paul,

What are Yasufengisocki's?
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic

Post Number: 2212
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Thursday, January 05, 2006 - 6:18 am:   Edit Post

Hehehehehe ...my private word for all those basses in ALL ASPECTS most OPPOSITE from Alembics
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 2958
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Thursday, January 05, 2006 - 7:28 am:   Edit Post

Welcome and congrats!
bassfingers
Junior
Username: bassfingers

Post Number: 43
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Thursday, January 05, 2006 - 8:14 am:   Edit Post

Welcome to you Rick,
Congratulations on your forthcoming bass and big time respect to your good lady.What an incredible birthday present!.
Best Wishes,
Simon.
j_gary
Intermediate Member
Username: j_gary

Post Number: 168
Registered: 6-2005
Posted on Thursday, January 05, 2006 - 3:59 pm:   Edit Post

A Dragonwing! Your first Alembic???!!!

Rick, apparently you did not read the Alembic rulebook. This is a clear violation. I'm afraid I'm going to have to confiscate the bass as soon as she is done. If your wife has a sister, it would be best if she delivered the bass to me personally.

Great chioce Rick, welcome and congrats! Pictures!!!
richbass939
Senior Member
Username: richbass939

Post Number: 531
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Thursday, January 05, 2006 - 4:16 pm:   Edit Post

Rick, welcome to the club and congrats on the Dragonwing.
Let's see, Congressional Chief of Staff in a band called Coverup. Hmmmm. Well, we know already that you have a sense of humor.
Rich
rickkessler
New
Username: rickkessler

Post Number: 2
Registered: 1-2006
Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 4:38 am:   Edit Post

I'm glad you appreciate the sense of humor with regard to "Coverup". I should note that we're a bipartisan band, which might suggest a name change to "conspiracy".

Anyway, I hope I get to see some pictures of my bass in progress soon. Apart from being a longtime fan/lurker/drooling fool over Alembics, I wanted one because they are unique. I "build" basses and have 2 I've put together from various parts and one that I've recarved/refinished/rewired, so I was after something I couldn't possibly do myself at any level.
groovelines
Advanced Member
Username: groovelines

Post Number: 263
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 9:14 am:   Edit Post

Rick,

Welcome and congratulations.
It's my guess that if you haven't expressed it already, you'll need to notify Alembic that you would like a "Factory to Customer" thread. I don't think it's an automatic courtesy when you order a bass.
Besides, we want to see your bass, too.

Mike
rickkessler
New
Username: rickkessler

Post Number: 3
Registered: 1-2006
Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 11:13 pm:   Edit Post

Groovelines,

I appreciate the advice, but how does one "notify" alembic? Should I post something in the "factory to customer" category requesting this or should I take another route?
bracheen
Senior Member
Username: bracheen

Post Number: 949
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Saturday, January 07, 2006 - 3:30 am:   Edit Post

Rick, you could call them or email directly. Chances are either Valentino or Mica will see this thread and set it up.
Congratulations, getting any Alembic is great but a custom Dragonwing as your first has to be exciting.

Sam
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 2970
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, January 07, 2006 - 5:54 am:   Edit Post

Rick; emailing Mica might be the best way to go for requesting a Factory To Customer thread.
rickkessler
New
Username: rickkessler

Post Number: 6
Registered: 1-2006
Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 3:59 am:   Edit Post

Thanks for the help on "Factory to Customer".

Mica started a thread and has posted some pictures. For those of you who haven't seen it, my dragonwing looks awsome!
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 539
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 1:43 pm:   Edit Post

Rick,
welcome to this forum and congrats. This will be a nice piece you get. BTW I am the one beside your Dragon. The Dragon Wing with the Birdīs Eye maple top and back and the bigger front horn. This bass already got a name on the forum here - Tears for John.

Take care
Oliver (Spyderman)
rickkessler
New
Username: rickkessler

Post Number: 8
Registered: 1-2006
Posted on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 4:21 am:   Edit Post

Oliver,

I've been looking at the thread on "Tears for John" for a while now and it's beautiful. I was originially thinking of getting a figured purpleheart top and calling mine "the purple dragon", but Valentino indicated that tops for a dragonwing in that kind of wood are very very hard to come by, so cocobolo it is.

I'm curious about the horn: is that purely stylistic or is there a functional reason for it?

Also, looks like you're getting series 1 or 2 electronics: am I correct?

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