| Author | Message | ||
| 3rdbass
New Username: 3rdbass Post Number: 6 Registered: 2-2008 |
Mods, I wasn’t sure whether to post this as an introduction or showcase so please move it to an appropriate forum if necessary. I tend to be verbose and digress when it comes to something as exciting and long-awaited as this. I’ll try keeping it to a simple introduction, first impressions and sincere thanks to all involved in getting this magnificent instrument into my hands. My name’s Gil Young and I just received delivery of my ’06 Dragon’s Wing from Will Gunn Guitars. UPS delivered it to my workplace and I was fortunate enough to be in the receiving department when it came in the door. I asked the driver to allow me the courtesy of inspecting the carton before signing for it as it had an insured value of almost $10k. It arrived on a day when I was to play a large festival gig so I didn’t really didn’t have much time to inspect it at home. I did place a promised call to Will in order to put him at ease that it had arrived safe & sound. I’ll take a moment to commend Will on his kind, considerate and knowledgeable assistance in providing me with this instrument. He has given extensively of his time and experience in my decision to purchase it from him. It was nothing short of a major leap of many types for me to acquire it. He’s a certified dealer exclusively of Alembics and has been a bassist for many, many decades, so he knows of what he speaks by first-hand experience. I highly recommend him in your search for any model Alembic; guitar or bass, new or used. After unpacking the box and removing the HSC I held my breath and unlatched it. What appeared before me was a museum-quality piece on display. What shouldn’t go unmentioned is the beauty of this instrument. The cocobolo top & headstock, mother of pearl inlays, gold hardware and purple heart laminates keep me in awe. I took a moment to scrutinize the front before removing it from the case and hold for the first time. What struck me immediately was its’ balance and unexpected light weight. After a few more minutes of checking out the rear and headstock (I already had a good deal of close up detailed photos from Will’s website) I settled it into my lap for some light fretting and plucking. Since then, 3 nights ago, I’ve only managed to unpack it again once for an hour. (I immediately re-case and stand it upright in this 80% humidity). I've plugged it into an SWR 2x10 combo with the EQ flat out and played only a few scale runs up the neck. What struck me immediately is the super-low action ! In all my decades of playing and trying out “boutique” basses I’ve never run across action with the strings literally “on the other side of the fretboard”. Now I understand the “thunderfinger” technique and will adjust my attack and fretting to compensate for the sensitivity. This is where my first impressions must end for now. Here’s a stock photo from Will Gunn’s website which originated from the Alembic photo studio. I’ll post again with more info and pics (of me with a sh*t-eatin’ grin) once I’m more familiar with the subtleties of the electronics.  (Message edited by 3rdBass on July 14, 2008) | ||
| 3rdbass
New Username: 3rdbass Post Number: 7 Registered: 2-2008 |
BTW, this was an early birthday present (Bastille Day) for me. Thanks to my dear wife, the IRS and, of course, Alembic and Will Gunn. | ||
| artswork99
Advanced Member Username: artswork99 Post Number: 391 Registered: 7-2007 |
Gilman, Congratulations! The bass is gorgeous! Play it Healthy! Art ps: I would like to add that I have also spoken with Will Gunn and he was extremely helpful and cordial - thanks for helping this community Will! Go play that bass! (Message edited by artswork99 on July 14, 2008) | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 825 Registered: 11-2004 |
Gil, Beautiful piece of functional art you have there. I'll have to second your praise of Will Gunn- I recently ordered a custom build through him and he was incredibly helpful and giving of his time. Toby | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6798 Registered: 5-2002 |
Congrats!! Absolutely gorgeous bass!! I like the way the grain fans out from the truss rod cover! | ||
| daveski
Junior Username: daveski Post Number: 18 Registered: 10-2003 |
Fantastic bass that Gil,I've only seen one in the flesh before amazing! I to must give Will Gunn a mention,like Toby i have just put a custom order his way and his service was second to none! | ||
| 3rdbass
New Username: 3rdbass Post Number: 8 Registered: 2-2008 |
sorry, double-post (Message edited by 3rdbass on August 01, 2008) | ||
| 3rdbass
New Username: 3rdbass Post Number: 9 Registered: 2-2008 |
I took the Dragon's Wing out for it's first live test run last weekend. It was an outdoor event and the band had to wait 2 hours for a thunderstorm to pass through. The bass was amazing, pumped through a 4x10 & 1x15 with 800w, it literally played itself. The next day I uncased it to find the the relief had back-bowed severely, fretting out on the 1st through fifth positions. Having experience in trussrod adjustment but being an Alembic newbie, I put in a call to Will Gunn who comforted and reassured me that the high humidity was to blame. He walked me through, step by step, loosening the trussrods about 180 degrees and it responded immediately. I let it relax for another 24 hours, then tightened it back less than a quarter turn and raised the nut ever so slightly to compensate for my heavy right hand technique. Will has called back several times since to check in on it's status and I continue to be amazed by this instrument. I've only begun to scratch the surface (figuratively) of it's capabilities and everyone, everywhere is blown away by this piece of art. Many are even too amazed to inquire about it's make and model. Hats off to Alembic & Will and thanks to those posters congratulating me. I'm way behind in posting pics, due to life in general, but they're forthcoming. -GiL (Message edited by 3rdbass on August 01, 2008) | ||
| eligilam
Intermediate Member Username: eligilam Post Number: 123 Registered: 2-2006 |
Awesome bass, truly special. Speaking of verbosity, anyone know what happened to the_eight_string_king on this board? | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1066 Registered: 2-2005 |
Gil, Glad you were able to adjust the neck. There is an excellent post in the Must Reads about setup. I highly recommend you read Joey's post on setting up your bass. While you are at it you might want to read some of the other items in the FAQ and Must Reads. There is a wealth of information on Alembic instruments that is much easier to use than in the discussion threads. Keith | ||
| dlbydgtl
New Username: dlbydgtl Post Number: 3 Registered: 7-2008 |
beautiful bass. i too have talked to will gunn and he is very easy to talk to and loves alembic. enjoy you new bass as much as i am. | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 1375 Registered: 11-2003 |
It is a beautiful instrument, congratulations. It makes me wonder though, have there been any Dragons Wing guitars made or have they all been basses? Sam | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 2621 Registered: 9-2002 |
Yo Sam, long time no see! I think only basses since the link with John Entwistle. Although but SURE your remark will be the start of a lot of restless sleeps with our thin-strings addicted colleagues. Paul TBO | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 1378 Registered: 11-2003 |
Well, look who's come out of retirement. Good to hear from you Paul. I think it would make a great looking guitar. | ||
| 82daion
Intermediate Member Username: 82daion Post Number: 191 Registered: 5-2005 |
Welcome, Sam-that's a beautiful bass. Play it in good health! (As an aside, T8SK's account has been deleted, so it's anyone's guess what happened to him.) |
