| Author | Message | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 8250 Registered: 6-2000 |
And loving every minute of it!   These guys have seen it all:  Details on the bass: Series II 6-string custom string gauges: .040 .055 .070 .085 .100 .115 neck: Mahogany, Maple, Walnut, Purpleheart, Ebony scale length: 32" medium neck contour: Shallow "C" fingerboard: Ebony with abalone ovals, custom narrow spacing peghead shape: Knobby with front and back bevel body: Coco Bolo, Maple pinstripe, Purpleheart accent laminate, Mahogany core body shape: Balance K with heart omega hardware: chrome, continuous wood backplates and truss rod cover birthday: August 26, 2014 | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 11470 Registered: 5-2002 |
Yes!!!! This is wonderful to see! And it's an absolutely beautiful bass!!! | ||
| wookie
Intermediate Member Username: wookie Post Number: 196 Registered: 8-2010 |
Who's Phil Lesh? | ||
| wookie
Intermediate Member Username: wookie Post Number: 197 Registered: 8-2010 |
Who is Phil Lesh? | ||
| charles_holmes
Advanced Member Username: charles_holmes Post Number: 350 Registered: 3-2009 |
Dang! I want that 6 string thang! Dat dere is sensational!!!!!!!! I'd love to hear it!! Stanley's gonna be jealous as well as Mark King!!Hee hee!! | ||
| lembic76450
Advanced Member Username: lembic76450 Post Number: 387 Registered: 5-2002 |
Welcome home, Phil. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 11471 Registered: 5-2002 |
Lloyd; there is a wikipedia page here. Of some considerable significance is the role that Phil Lesh played in the earliest days of Alembic's history, with two of his instruments being foundational in establishing Alembic's reputation. Susan has a nice history of Alembic here. Thus, this is kind of a "full circle" type of thing; and I'm really happy to see him with that bass! | ||
| moongerm
Junior Username: moongerm Post Number: 29 Registered: 8-2013 |
Wholly smokes that is sweet! Excellent work! That 11 piece neck laminate sandwich is brilliant. Love the 32" scale with the low B and .115 guage. Very interesting. Congrats! | ||
| flpete1uw
Advanced Member Username: flpete1uw Post Number: 360 Registered: 11-2011 |
This just puts a huge smile on my face! I was just having a conversation with a guitar friend of mine in that from early on how I would gravitate towards a certain Bass sound. At that time (teenager) I didn't understand why I just loved that sound. The Phil Lesh / Alembic sound, grew up with it, it's in my DNA. Many others of course Entwistles, Stanley, Jack etc. This is just so right! I can't wait to hear it! Pete | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 3589 Registered: 5-2009 |
Dear Mr. Lesh , My sincere congratulations to you ! I am thrilled that you have this beautiful Series II now. I look forward to hearing you play it soon. I have been a long time listener of yours ( a bit over 45 years or so) This is Excellent news ! Wolf | ||
| dead_head
Junior Username: dead_head Post Number: 43 Registered: 5-2014 |
Congratulations, Phil! It's beautiful! Enjoy it in good health! Maybe we could have a big photo feature of it to gaze at longingly... | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 2237 Registered: 9-2002 |
Talk about full circle. OK, Mica, I know you can't 'kiss and tell', but what is the back-story to this? He looks like one REALLY HAPPY Phil Lesh ! J o e y | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1765 Registered: 10-2006 |
Most excellent! Peter | ||
| oujeebass
Intermediate Member Username: oujeebass Post Number: 199 Registered: 10-2002 |
Well with Modulus on the fritz, he had to go somewhere. It may be a great way to get the fingers snapping in his new younger crowd, which is largely uninformed. | ||
| wookie
Intermediate Member Username: wookie Post Number: 198 Registered: 8-2010 |
@dave I was joking lol. I'm not a dead fan but I am aware of the mark they made on the world, music and what awesome instruments they did it with! | ||
| echo008
Senior Member Username: echo008 Post Number: 432 Registered: 2-2003 |
Beautiful! So nice to see him with an amazing Series II. Lesh Sig model  (Message edited by echo008 on August 27, 2014) | ||
| jseitang
Advanced Member Username: jseitang Post Number: 338 Registered: 6-2002 |
BACK AT LAST. | ||
| artswork99
Moderator Username: artswork99 Post Number: 2005 Registered: 7-2007 |
Congratulations on a beautiful bass Phil! Play it Healthy! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 11472 Registered: 5-2002 |
Lloyd; I figured you were, but I thought it was a good opportunity to add a link to Susan's Alembic history page for the benefit of those in the wider webisphere who come across this page after hearing of Phil's new bass. | ||
| mc500
Junior Username: mc500 Post Number: 36 Registered: 11-2009 |
Long overdue. That's just beautiful! | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 5819 Registered: 7-2004 |
Ah yes, the famous Alembic s**t-eating grin, often seen on individuals holding their new Alembics for the first time. Can't wait to hear this puppy live with the band. Hmmmmm, a band with an Alembic bass and Alembic guitar, sounds like their copying us, Wolf! Play it in good health, Phil. Bill, tgo | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 3590 Registered: 5-2009 |
I think they have got the right idea Bill ! I think we do as well . However , it would seem to be about right that Alembic had the idea first . I think that the mystical powers of the universe are aligning in a favorable way on this wonderful event. Wolf | ||
| pauldo
Senior Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 1247 Registered: 6-2006 |
So Phil tunes with a Low B and a high C? Or is it a High B? That's a nice hefty high string (.040"). The neck laminates look beautiful. I wonder what the back of that bass looks like . . . . . ? :-D | ||
| jalevinemd
Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 955 Registered: 12-2003 |
What the hell? Phil gets his build done already. I'm pretty sure I put my order in first. Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!! Obviously joking. This is really an awesome thing to see. | ||
| cje
Intermediate Member Username: cje Post Number: 157 Registered: 5-2009 |
I'm so happy to see this. I hope he breaks it out at the Cap. | ||
| 5a_quilt_top
Advanced Member Username: 5a_quilt_top Post Number: 345 Registered: 6-2012 |
Re: band with Alembic bass & guitar - not only that, but they both have knobby headstocks and coco bolo tops...nifty! It's been hard to contain my excitement about this project. I'd been hearing rumors about it for several months and to see it finally come to fruition makes me as happy as Phil obviously is. I saw him play in May and although he played great and his sound was great, it was a bit sterile - it was missing that magic "something" that he had when he used Alembic and Alembic-modified instruments in the late 60's and throughout the 70's. Phil - welcome home and congratulations on an exquisite instrument! I hope it inspires you to continue to create wonderful music. P.S. According to her Facebook page - Rosie was also there to witness this event - thus completing yet another circle. Or maybe I should say completing another Alembic oval... | ||
| frankfiveinc
Junior Username: frankfiveinc Post Number: 26 Registered: 6-2014 |
Favorite band and bassist for most of my life, which also got me interested in Alembics. What a beautiful instrument and I cannot wait to hear it! I am also interested in his reasons for the custom string choices....can anyone answer? When he "drops bombs" on the B, it "thumps your chest." I think he was using Ken Smith Slick Wound and I read that the B was that size but don't remember the large high strings mentioned. I bought a set and love the sound. I would imagine he gets a full tone from the larger C than he would otherwise get with standard sizes? Any thoughts? What are all the controls on his custom? I guess it's everything on the Alembic menu and more.... | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 11475 Registered: 5-2002 |
Dan; it's a standard Series II package. Here's the pic from announcements if you haven't seen it yet. | ||
| mtjam
Intermediate Member Username: mtjam Post Number: 183 Registered: 11-2011 |
Wow! Nice bass, Phil! I first heard Alembic basses as played by Phil Lesh, and I think it's fantastic that he has returned to Alembic. Can't wait to see and hear this instrument on stage! | ||
| rv_bass
Junior Username: rv_bass Post Number: 13 Registered: 8-2014 |
Awesome! Can't wait to hear him play it! /\/\;-) | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1766 Registered: 10-2006 |
OK, Mica, now need we a complete (if retroactive) FTC thread! (Please????) Or a Featured Custom with the Godfather, Mission Control & this? Does it have a name yet? Peter | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1824 Registered: 5-2002 |
Yeah, well. Medium scale S II 6 string in cocobolo is pretty much what I've been dreaming about for the last 15 years or so. Congrats, Phil! Can't wait to hear it! I am curious about the strings and how they will sound. Very interesting…. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 8253 Registered: 6-2000 |
I got a sneak peek of the sound yesterday. In fact, if you are near San Rafael tonight, Terrapin Family Band is playing at 8:30 and Phil is debuting the bass we call "Transit of Venus" after the wee dot in the figuring on the upper horn. Search Google images for the transit of Venus 2014 and you'll see why we like the name. After "Back to School Night" at Erik's school, my dad and I are going to hop down to Terrapin Crossroads and hear Phil and TOV in their natural environment. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 8254 Registered: 6-2000 |
Oh, and I'm sure there will be a Featured Custom! I hadn't thought about the retroactive FTC, but maybe I'll include that in the FC. Thanks Peter! | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 1059 Registered: 4-2004 |
((((((((WELCOME BACK, PHIL)))))))) what the hell took so long????? .....if I had known, I'd have caught a flight this week.... My wife's Nor Cal class reunion wasn't reason enough to book the flight, but TxR with a new Alembic IS!.... (Message edited by pace on August 27, 2014) | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 1060 Registered: 4-2004 |
.....so this explains this weekends' quake, right?!? | ||
| susan
Moderator Username: susan Post Number: 111 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hi Guys...it was great to see Phil yesterday and how pleased he was with the bass. Just got back from reading a thread about his new Alembic bass in the Philzone ...some interesting comments. Speaking of earthquakes...did you notice the front of the bass looks like it tracked a seismic event? Looking forward to Mica's report on the debut of Phil and his bass tonight. I told her to take more pictures!!! ;-) | ||
| smokinbear
Intermediate Member Username: smokinbear Post Number: 196 Registered: 11-2008 |
Yeeeeee haaaaaaaaawwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to see and hear this beautiful bass. | ||
| chinacat
New Username: chinacat Post Number: 5 Registered: 8-2014 |
Congrats to Phil and the Alembic Family. Play it in good health!!! | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 5821 Registered: 7-2004 |
Susan/Mica: How about inviting Phil to the upcoming gathering. I'd love to see that bass in the flesh. Bill, tgo | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 1405 Registered: 1-2005 |
Just got back from hearing it live - sounded great! Phil sounded and looked like he was back home! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 11477 Registered: 5-2002 |
Good to hear Harry; thanks for the report. | ||
| kilowatt
Intermediate Member Username: kilowatt Post Number: 138 Registered: 12-2004 |
Now I can tell everyone that Phil has a 6 string copy of MY bass! (COTM March, 2006). I love the knobby peg head. Pete | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 1062 Registered: 4-2004 |
I think we all owe Bill TGO a special thanks. Had he not accosted Mr. Lesh in the pisser at some convention a few years ago, thus planting the seed to check out Alembic, this day might never have come..... THANK YOU BILL! ;) | ||
| hammer
Senior Member Username: hammer Post Number: 553 Registered: 9-2009 |
Love the headstock! Glad I just purchased a used 6-string Europa because after seeing Phil's I'd be VERY tempted to do a similar build or at least send the Europa back for a refurb that included a similar headstock (for some reason I just don't respond well to the "cone" shape headstock regardless of the instrument on which it's used). I'm also very interested in the reasoning underlying the custom string gauges. | ||
| funkyjazzjunky
Senior Member Username: funkyjazzjunky Post Number: 917 Registered: 5-2007 |
I am so glad to see such a high-profile player join the ranks of the 6-string players. VMG | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 5822 Registered: 7-2004 |
Mike: Thanks for remembering! I had forgotten about that particular incident until you brought it up. It took place following a talk he did in San Francisco promoting his then newly published memoir "Searching for the Sound" (a great read, by the way) But, to set the record straight, it was someone else who accosted Mr. Lesh literally while he was standing using the urinal. I, on the other hand, started up my conversation while we were both washing our hands at the sinks after doing our respective business. Bill, tgo | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 1299 Registered: 2-2011 |
I'm honored to have held the lower body half to Phil's bass when I visited the Mothership this summer. I could tell it was going to be spectacular, but WOW!!!! This is gorgeous!! Welcome home Phil & congratulations of an amazing instrument! Rusty | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 1300 Registered: 2-2011 |
Hammer, I'm having the Knobby headstock built on my Europa 5 string. If you want to see what it looks like on a Europa check out my build. http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/187185.html?1395388066 | ||
| ed_too
Junior Username: ed_too Post Number: 27 Registered: 3-2011 |
My new BB just arrived by UPS from the Mothership - hey - I just got that look that Phil has in the pictures above. It seems to be going around this week. | ||
| adriaan
Moderator Username: adriaan Post Number: 3219 Registered: 6-2002 |
[The discussion continues here.] |
