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Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 7
Registered: 2-1999
Posted on Thursday, May 30, 2002 - 5:13 pm:   Edit Post

This is my bass 99K12118. It's got a Kingwood top (a type of Rosewood) and a Cherry body. The Cherry was over 40 years old, stored in my fiance's grandfather's barn in Wisconsin aging for 30 of those years.

Kingwood

As far as I know, this is the only Kingwood top on an Alembic bass.
Ernie Jackson (jamsire)
New
Username: jamsire

Post Number: 2
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, May 31, 2002 - 7:13 am:   Edit Post

But Mica!!!! What about those of us who own Orion "GUITARS?"

We are not represented!!!

Tears stroll down my cheeks.
Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8
Registered: 2-1999
Posted on Friday, May 31, 2002 - 8:30 am:   Edit Post

There, there, Ernoir. All is right in the Universe now.
David Willard (dreamer)
Junior
Username: dreamer

Post Number: 15
Registered: 1-2003
Posted on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 - 5:24 am:   Edit Post

Mica-
How much heavier is cherry than maple? I came across the density, etc and they seemed pretty close, but I'm sure there is a real world difference that doesn't come out on paper.

The bass I have now is between 11-12lbs. I don't want to go much heavier, but I am trying to get away from maple.

Thanks.
Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 663
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 - 8:45 am:   Edit Post

I've found the cherry we've used to be a little heavier than the maple we use. Both woods vary a bit in density, I suppose it really depends on the piece.

With its Kingwood top, Cherry core and Purpleheart lams in the neck mine weighs almsot 11 pounds, while a typical 4-string Essence is about 8.5 pounds. It's not so heavy to even really notice, until you pick up a standard Essence :-)
David Willard (dreamer)
Junior
Username: dreamer

Post Number: 17
Registered: 1-2003
Posted on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 5:09 am:   Edit Post

Thanks. I was kind of wondering how much a standard Essence weighed also. I like to know numbers when making a comparison.
scrub
New
Username: scrub

Post Number: 2
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Wednesday, July 30, 2003 - 8:29 pm:   Edit Post

I'm comparing your bass to the Essence I registered with you yesterday, and notice that your electronics are different.

So c'mon, what're the neat tricks you've got in there?
davehouck
Senior Member
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 604
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, May 31, 2004 - 11:51 am:   Edit Post

Hmm; I was perusing pictures and saw that nobody noticed the question about the electronics. I would imagine that she has Europa electronics; and it looks like she has blackened hardware as well.
basstard
Member
Username: basstard

Post Number: 98
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Tuesday, June 01, 2004 - 2:29 am:   Edit Post

I think it rather has chrome hardware - with the light at the right angle it looks almost black, but some "chromy" features are still visible.

Anyway, a very beautiful bass! How does it sound compared to mahogany and maple ones?
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 1704
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Tuesday, June 01, 2004 - 12:26 pm:   Edit Post

Yeah, I missed this one! It's got Europa electronics, no neat ricks except for they are arranged in my favorite happy face configuration. The hardware is chrome plated, and I opted for the fancy curved rail concealed hardware bridge.

I guess I better post an updated picture soon. It's aged a bit, and the purple color is more muted now.
davehouck
Senior Member
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 609
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, June 01, 2004 - 2:05 pm:   Edit Post

Please do!
trekster
Junior
Username: trekster

Post Number: 33
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Wednesday, June 01, 2005 - 5:20 am:   Edit Post

Yes, please do! Particularly a closeup of the body -- the grain pattern is stunning!
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 2486
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Thursday, June 02, 2005 - 6:15 pm:   Edit Post

A quick snapshot:

body

Lighting is not great, but you should be able to see the grain pattern well.
grateful
Member
Username: grateful

Post Number: 79
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Friday, June 03, 2005 - 2:12 am:   Edit Post

Beautiful Mica, you could get lost in that grain. It's much less red than the first pic: is that age or lighting?

Mark
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 1864
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, June 03, 2005 - 7:45 am:   Edit Post

I agree; beautiful!
jacko
Advanced Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 212
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Friday, June 03, 2005 - 3:15 pm:   Edit Post

Me too, a truly gorgeous bass. It really suits the chrome hardware aswell. How does it sound?

graeme
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 1024
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Tuesday, June 01, 2010 - 8:21 pm:   Edit Post

A very nice Essence. Perhaps an Ultimate Essence .It appears to have a sustain block as well. Is it possible to rout carefully and add a sustain block to an Essence that doe not have one ?
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 9428
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, July 04, 2010 - 11:48 am:   Edit Post

Wolf; yes, I had the shop add a sustain block to my Essence.
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 1117
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Sunday, July 04, 2010 - 12:24 pm:   Edit Post

Dave; Thanks for the reply. I have a 91 Essence that I am considering to have that done as well.

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