| Author | Message | ||||||||||||||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 326 Registered: 6-2000 |
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| Valentino Villevieille (valvil)
Junior Username: valvil Post Number: 14 Registered: 7-2002 |
Thanks Mica, for posting the picture of my latest baby. Here's another shot that looks a little better.  | ||||||||||||||
| Michael Paskel (Mikey) (pookeymp)
Junior Username: pookeymp Post Number: 37 Registered: 7-2002 |
WOW!!!! That is gorgeous. I like the Coco Bolo/Ash contrast. I know you're enjoying this one...especially w/ the modest body weight. Mikey/ | ||||||||||||||
| Michael DeVincenzo (jlpicard)
Junior Username: jlpicard Post Number: 31 Registered: 7-2002 |
Hi Valentino,I was just admiring your Triple omega Essence and I have a question. I'm curious about what the ash/cocobolo combination sounds like compared to a mahogany core.Can you describe the difference? MIKE | ||||||||||||||
| Valentino Villevieille (valvil)
Junior Username: valvil Post Number: 23 Registered: 7-2002 |
Hi Michael, of my 3 cocobolo ( 2 w mahogany ) Alembics I think I like the ash/cocobolo best..it does have chambered body wings , unlike the other two, so that is another factor...I'd say the ash, in my case gave it a bit more presence in the midrange ; it still has all the deep growl and bright highs of the cocobolo but with bit more in the mids than the mahogany. Considering that it is also very light ( under 9 pounds) it sounds amazingly huge, especially through a Superfilter (obviously). All my future Alembics will have an ash core and mostly cocobolo tops . In my next one I'm gonna try an ebony/maple neck with an ash/cocobolo combo... Valentino | ||||||||||||||
| Matt Bulmer (prime)
New Username: prime Post Number: 4 Registered: 11-2002 |
Hi Valentino, I've always like the way the triple omegas looked but prefer a longer upper horn and narrower body. I LOVE this design. I'm thinking of having a bass made for me with same/similar body style. Either Triple Omega or Double Omega with the EVH (I think?) tail that flows well with bird tailpiece. Hats off to all involved in the design. (Mica, Yourself, et al?). Matt If you don't mind answering, I'm curious as to what it cost you out of pocket for your bass. mwbulmer@yahoo.com | ||||||||||||||
| carlos shilinsky (shilinsky)
New Username: shilinsky Post Number: 4 Registered: 10-2002 |
wooowww!!! thats a beautifull bass, kind of im wondering the same as michael, what was the price of such exquisit axe, and also...michael youre telling about a double triple omega, what is it? thanks, and congratulations for da bass. | ||||||||||||||
| Matt Bulmer (prime)
New Username: prime Post Number: 7 Registered: 11-2002 |
Hi Carlos, I'm assuming you were taking about me, so here goes. I can tell you what I mean regarding the design. "Double" Omega would be identical to the pictures above on this post. I hope I'm talking about the right model when I say the "Edwin Van Huik" which has the bottom of the bass carved to match the bird tail piece (Please correct me if I am wrong about this). http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/501.jpg Valentino was very helpful, and though he was unable to give me a price for his intrument, he was able to tell me around what I could expect to pay for an Alembic through a dealer once the retail price has been established. Hope I've been of some help Matt | ||||||||||||||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 389 Registered: 6-2000 |
Let's talk about prices!
If you're not looking for the Europa electronics or the Coco Bolo top, the bass can be less expensive. | ||||||||||||||
| carlos shilinsky (shilinsky)
New Username: shilinsky Post Number: 5 Registered: 10-2002 |
Thanks Mica and Matt for the info, im planing to order an alembic next year, and with so many options and so beautifull instruments im trying to decide what i want and what i need. thanks again. | ||||||||||||||
| drz
Junior Username: drz Post Number: 35 Registered: 2-2003 |
I love that body style. Can I have the same on my next purchase? For reference when ordering, Is it called the "Valentino II" body style as mentioned above and can I get it in a lefty six string? WOW!!!! Very Nice. | ||||||||||||||
| 2400wattman
New Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 9 Registered: 11-2005 |
Attn: to Mica, How much would this bass cost now? I can't really seem to find a way to get a quote on the quote page. Thank you. | ||||||||||||||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2667 Registered: 5-2002 |
Adam; I just ran the following on the quote generator. Some of the details aren't exactly like Val's bass (body shape, body lams, etc.), some I don't know (like the back plates), and some are probably incorrect. This of course ignores monthly specials, but should get you in the ballpark of what to expect. If you're really interested in getting a bass similar to this one, you should call Val and get a quote from him. Essence 4400.00 3 Purpleheart neck laminates 600.00 Mother of pearl ovals 200.00 Knobby peghead 600.00 Coco bolo top 1000.00 Ash body 0.00 Coco bolo back 1300.00 Triple Omega body shape 1600.00 Gold plated logo and script 150.00 Bridge block 0.00 Half moon tailpiece 0.00 Brass backplate (for model electronics) 235.00 Polished brass hardware 0.00 Europa/Rogue electronics 550.00 Total Price 10635.00 | ||||||||||||||
| bassfingers
New Username: bassfingers Post Number: 8 Registered: 11-2005 |
Hi Valentino I've never been sure about the Triple Omega shape in the past but this one is winning me over.I love any Alembic in Coco Bolo but in this bass I can see elements of the Essence,the Stanley Clarke and Greg Lake's old 'crab claws' 8 string.It draws all these together yet manages to look totally fresh and unlike any of them.Unmistakably Alembic and undeniably gorgeous. | ||||||||||||||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 490 Registered: 9-2002 |
OK, I'm confused . . . To duplicate the pictured bass, is it $5200 or $10365 ? ? ? I just love that shape. Val, did you come up with that totally on your own, or was it a collaboration? And I think the accent line echoes the stripes beneath the headstock lams, I just love the 'pinstripe' effect. J o e y | ||||||||||||||
| keith_h
Advanced Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 265 Registered: 2-2005 |
$5200 was the 2002 price but Mica started with a Europa not an Essence. Keith | ||||||||||||||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 492 Registered: 9-2002 |
I'm really dealing with a bad case of brain fade here . . . I'm even more confused than before. How can you use the 2002 price list, and why start from a Europa when even I can see the round bottom from the original Essence planform? ? ? Do I just need to sleep for a week and come back, up my meds? ? J o e y | ||||||||||||||
| jalevinemd
Advanced Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 258 Registered: 12-2003 |
Having had an original guitar built, my understanding is that if you are going for a unique instrument, the platform used by Alembic reflects the options you're looking for - number of laminates, electronics, neck-thru vs set-neck, wood selection etc...That way you get the most for your money. The body shape seems to be the least expensive component and can be almost anything, though there's obviously the extra charge for the new template. | ||||||||||||||
| kenbass4
Intermediate Member Username: kenbass4 Post Number: 191 Registered: 10-2003 |
Joey, If you look at Mica's post quoting $5200, it is dated November 14, 2002; hence the 2002 prices. They probably priced it from a Europa to get the included items like purpleheart neck lams, MOP ovals, etc. included free. The Valentino Body was probably based on the Essence shape, but you'll have to consult with Valentino on that one. I'd go for the sleep, cause you gotta have the doctors up the meds, and in my experience, that's just too much trouble! :-) | ||||||||||||||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2677 Registered: 5-2002 |
Joey; I reran my same quote generator config but this time starting with the Europa instead of the Essence. The list for a Europa is now 6,300 instead of the 4,600 in 2002. The upgrade from two to three Purpleheart neck lams is 200 as in Mica's quote. Mica quoted 0 for the Coco Bolo top, which may have been a monthly special; the top adds 1,000. The Valentino II body shape is not in the quote generator. Mica quoted in in 2002 as a 400 upgrade to a Europa; I don't know what the current cost for that body shape would be. I chose the Triple Omega in the generator which added 1,600. Unmentioned in Mica's quick quote were: The Knobby peghead at 600 The Coco Bolo back which I'm assuming is there from the picture at 1,300 The logo looks gold plated rather than bronze, so I added the gold plated logo and script in the generator at 150 Here's the quote generator results: Europa 6300.00 3 Purpleheart neck laminates 200.00 Mother of pearl ovals 0.00 Aluminum side dots 0.00 Knobby peghead 600.00 Coco bolo top 1000.00 Ash body 0.00 Coco bolo back 1300.00 Triple Omega body shape 1600.00 Gold plated logo and script 150.00 Bridge block 0.00 Half moon tailpiece 0.00 Brass backplate (for model electronics) 0.00 Polished brass hardware 0.00 Europa/Rogue electronics 0.00 Total Price 11150.00 The base Europa price increased 37%. If the 400 quote for the Val II upgrade increased by 37% as well, then that new number would be 550, substantially less than the quote for the Triple-O upgrade. Add the 3rd neck lam at 200 and forget the Knobby peghead, any back lam, the Coco Bolo top and the gold logo, then the total would be 7,050. You could probably pick up the Coco Bolo on a monthly special, but the back lam is still going to cost you maybe 600. And if you really want the peghead, that's another 600. The big question is what's the current cost of the Val II body. But if I'm close, then with the right monthly special you could get a bass like this one for maybe $8,250 before dealer discount and of course before the upcoming price increase. But that's just my very rough and probably very inaccurate guess. | ||||||||||||||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 798 Registered: 7-2002 |
This bass does not have a coco bolo back. If you wanted to add one it would be an extra 600$ to add a back laminate plus 1000$ for the coco bolo back. The cost for that body would be about 1000-1200 at current prices. I'd have to check with Susan to be sure as it's not in our price list. Dave's pretty much on target with the rest. Valentino | ||||||||||||||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2678 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks Val!! | ||||||||||||||
| crgaston
New Username: crgaston Post Number: 6 Registered: 11-2005 |
Is there a picture of one of these as a 5 string floating around anywhere? Also, if you like Cocobolo, try pricing this as a King Deluxe. | ||||||||||||||
| 2400wattman
Junior Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 11 Registered: 11-2005 |
Well well well, it seems I have created a bit of a stir over this beautiful bass. So is anybody going to order it before me? I mean, how is it that anybody deny that this an absolutely beautiful instrument with FORM AND FUNCTION as it's strong suits. I cannot afford it right now so, I know somebody will beat me to it,again.I believe that this could be a very popular production model(maybe a less expensive Triple O model?). It's just sooooo nice. Take Care everybody | ||||||||||||||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 799 Registered: 7-2002 |
So far this is a one-of-a-kind. It has one cool little feature that you can't see very well from the front, the neck is sandwitched between 2 veneers of Vermillion. Anyone is welcome to be next.  Valentino | ||||||||||||||
| byoung
Intermediate Member Username: byoung Post Number: 155 Registered: 12-2004 |
Valentino, Nothing is true without pictures . So, are you going to prove that it has a vermillion sandwich? Everybody sing! Picture pages, picture pages... Apologies to the Captain Kangaroo fans out there. Brad | ||||||||||||||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2686 Registered: 5-2002 |
I've taken the liberty of altering the picture to illustrate what I think Val was referring to.  | ||||||||||||||
| wishbass
Intermediate Member Username: wishbass Post Number: 181 Registered: 5-2011 |
I've decided,when it comes to the fully custom Alembics(omega cuts,etc.)all of your basses are my faves,and this one in particular.My current fantasy custom would be a suped up Spoiler,but if I had money to burn,I would own me one of these,either a cocobolo,or 5a quilt top.Can't wait to see what you come up with next....... |
