| Author | Message | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 819 Registered: 5-2006 |
My new "A" bas :-) These pictures are from the seller (Bass World UK) She will be here in less than a week :-)       (click for larger versions, I will try to fix the weird color shift and upload better versions asap) She was listed as an Orion, but I don't see any Orion features on her (ok, Maple Neck & Ebony fretboard + headstock shape) Looks more like a downgraded fretless Europa with topwood upgrade or an upgraded Essence. Needless to say, I am very happy :-) | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 1030 Registered: 6-2002 |
Congratulations Flip. This is a real beauty. Mike | ||
| 3rd_ray
Intermediate Member Username: 3rd_ray Post Number: 194 Registered: 2-2008 |
Beautiful bass Flip! That spalt looks awesome! Mike | ||
| artswork99
Senior Member Username: artswork99 Post Number: 589 Registered: 7-2007 |
Congratulations Flip. That is some amazing wood. Play it Healthy! Art | ||
| funkyjazzjunky
Advanced Member Username: funkyjazzjunky Post Number: 383 Registered: 5-2007 |
Wonderful Bass | ||
| altgrendel
Junior Username: altgrendel Post Number: 42 Registered: 5-2008 |
I love the look of Europas, this one especally. I think if I manage to get the money to get one, I'll go for a curly redwood top and a mahogany, vermilion, ebony laminated neck. | ||
| groovelines
Senior Member Username: groovelines Post Number: 543 Registered: 4-2003 |
Alembic four stringers with the Elan, or Orion/Europa bodies and in-line peg heads, to me, always appear to be elegant, fast and lethal. Nice, Flip. Mike | ||
| hydrargyrum
Senior Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 468 Registered: 3-2004 |
Very pretty. Congratulations. | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 979 Registered: 3-2004 |
Congrats as your addiction deepens! | ||
| rraymond
Advanced Member Username: rraymond Post Number: 346 Registered: 6-2002 |
Wow, that is really knocked out! Congrats Flip. | ||
| bassfingers
Advanced Member Username: bassfingers Post Number: 206 Registered: 11-2005 |
Beautiful,well done!!. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7692 Registered: 5-2002 |
I've been looking at this for a while; I think it's a custom body shape. It's not a Europa, and it's not an Orion. It's a really nice shape! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 823 Registered: 5-2006 |
Thanx for the nice words and @ Dave thanx for the heads up! I also checked and think your right. The bass side cutaway looks deeper, more like an Orion and the treble side horn looks a bit thicker (somewhere halfway Elan/Europa) Maybe there something mentioned in the build sheets, I'll let you know asap. @ Danno: addiction? I'm not sure what you mean... Sorry, no time for a discussion right now, must check Ebay.com, Ebay.de, ebay.co.uk, ebay.it and some local auction sites to see if there are nice Alembics for sale. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 1365 Registered: 6-2002 |
That bass looks like the one I saw in the UK Bassworld shop when I was in there last year it's incredibly beautiful. I didn't play it as I don't play fretless at all. Great news Enjoy | ||
| jet_powers
Senior Member Username: jet_powers Post Number: 435 Registered: 2-2003 |
It reminds me of a cross between a Rogue and a Europa.... Mostly, it's beautiful! | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 1033 Registered: 6-2002 |
I thought the Europa has a longer upper horn. This shape looks to me like an Orion with a neck-through altering the basic shape. Either way, it's beautiful. I remember someone had a FTC thread with a neck-through Epic a few years ago. Mike | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 825 Registered: 5-2006 |
Friends:    (Sorry, only 2 stands in the house today) She looks/feels stunning :-) Build sheet says OLB4F Orion, nothing mentioned about custom features... Sorry... must play now :-) | ||
| jakebass
Member Username: jakebass Post Number: 68 Registered: 7-2007 |
I played that bass in the shop, very very nice. I hope (I know) you'll be happy with her, she sings so sweetly :-) Jake | ||
| funkyjazzjunky
Senior Member Username: funkyjazzjunky Post Number: 401 Registered: 5-2007 |
Fraternal twins | ||
| mario_farufyno
Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 88 Registered: 9-2008 |
Alembic always exceeds on their Tops... Nice Spalted Maple! It reminds me a slight Rogue influence, but is a Europa indeed. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 863 Registered: 5-2006 |
The top is really spectacular indeed, last rehearsal session it took about half an hour before my bandmates asked politely but also compulsory if I was ready and could start the song :-) There are two new basses on the site of Bass World UK now with what appears the same bodyshape, perhaps a sort of new model from Alembic? (neck through Orion) See: Bass World UK website | ||
| 57basstra
Senior Member Username: 57basstra Post Number: 879 Registered: 4-2005 |
Very nice. Congratulations. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 929 Registered: 5-2006 |
Thanx! Some new pics:       | ||
| artswork99
Senior Member Username: artswork99 Post Number: 752 Registered: 7-2007 |
Sweet! | ||
| sonicus
Intermediate Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 187 Registered: 5-2009 |
Superb Fretless! | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 1572 Registered: 6-2002 |
I'm almost sure that bass was in the bassworld shop last year when I visited. I didn't play it as I have no clue at all with fretless basses. It sure stood out though. Spalted maple is a great choice of wood. A lovely looking bass you have there. Jazzyvee | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 931 Registered: 5-2006 |
She's from Bassworld UK indeed ;-) Here's the picture you took:  (it's the one with the "Do not touch" card) :-) | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1059 Registered: 11-2004 |
FC- How do you like those Pyramid Gold strings (assuming that's what you have on there). I've never played them and the price has always scared me away from trying a set. Toby | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 933 Registered: 5-2006 |
Those are Optima strings, not much more expensive than the R.Cocco I normally use. They look and sound great. | ||
| mario_farufyno
Intermediate Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 145 Registered: 9-2008 |
Perfect match to that gorgeous top... Does they really last longer? | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1074 Registered: 5-2006 |
Note: Question answered in another topic, they last about as long as the R.Cocco strings I always use. After almost a year the first (Bit blurry) action pic:  | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 1368 Registered: 6-2002 |
Looking justified, Flip.  Rock on! Mike | ||
| bonesrad
Member Username: bonesrad Post Number: 66 Registered: 5-2002 |
Very cool bass. My take is that it has the features of an Essence bass with a q switch, then placed in a Europa body. Again, very nice. Enjoy in good health. Bones | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 761 Registered: 5-2009 |
This looks like a highly desirable Fretless Bass. CONGRATULATIONS, She be a keeper ! I bet she will sing nice . NICE NICE NICE _______________... | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1078 Registered: 5-2006 |
Thanx! I will enjoy, rock on and she sings great indeed :-) I was in the market for a set neck fretless but fell for the looks of this one. (about twice over my fretless budget, hence the lack of Ebony lams in my custom) Good choice, because I love the sustain and overall sound. The electronics are Essence + Q indeed, link to the build sheet: Click here Pretty basic modular set with a single trimpot for overall gain, I think this will be subject to an upgrade to Signature electronics somewhere in the future. And now: Mica style  Serial number: 06C13595 Model number/name: OLB4F Orion Date completed: 2006 (sorry, that's all) Top Laminate: Spalted Maple Back Laminate: N/A Accent wood: Purpleheart-Maple Body wood: Mahogany Neck woods: Maple-Walnut Fingerboard: Ebony Inlays: N/A Strings: Alembic Veneers: Spalted Maple Electronics: Essence w/Q Machine heads: Gold Custom features: N/A The body design is unique, I think this is the first I saw with this body style. The upper cutaway (bass side) is much deeper than on the Elan/Europa. Unlike on the Orion the cutaways are curved upwards at the neck, on the "standard" Orion you can draw an evenly curved line from the upper horn to the lower horn. This design sits somewhere in between, leaning towards the Orion shape I think. There are some on the Alembic MySpace page: Click here And still one for sale @ the UK dealer: Click here | ||
| altgrendel
Intermediate Member Username: altgrendel Post Number: 121 Registered: 5-2008 |
Ah, if only it were unlined. | ||
| the_jester
Intermediate Member Username: the_jester Post Number: 105 Registered: 2-2010 |
It's hot... Watch Out NOW! | ||
| rustyg61
Intermediate Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 156 Registered: 2-2011 |
Hey Flip, how did you get your pictures to link to the enlargements? | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1265 Registered: 5-2006 |
Sorry, missed this one... You must have the enlargements uploaded on a server and the smaller pictures uploaded on the Alembic server (Upload Attachment) Put the link of the enlargement as "URL" and the \popjpeg {104579,} as "text description" in the hyperlink tags \newurl {URL, text description} (made inactive with space between \newurl and {URL, text description}) \newurl {link to picture,\popjpeg {104579,}} | ||
| rustyg61
Advanced Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 226 Registered: 2-2011 |
Thanks Flip! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1275 Registered: 5-2006 |
Back home! :-) For Jazzy: a quick (panoramic) snapshot, there will be a lot more high quality pics (of all my basses/gear) later this year. and I'm counting: Purple Elan, Black Europa/Elan5, Europa 5, SC and Dragon Magic. It's good indeed :-)  Me is very happy! :-) Cheerz! (Message edited by fc_spoiler on June 25, 2011) | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1276 Registered: 5-2006 |
and a better one:  (Click for slightly larger version) | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2472 Registered: 6-2002 |
You are close FC, you missed the orion guitar and the alembic powered strat. You too have a great collection of fine bassware. Between you, Pierreyves, Jacko and myself there is a good diverse collection of alembics. It would be good to have a European Meet up but I'm sure my insurance company would have a fit if I took my instruments abroad. I have been neglecting the guitars of late due to having to learn some challenging bass parts for a couple of gigs i have coming up next month. Challenging = Stanley Clarke, Return to Forever, Marcus Miller and Victor Bailey. All different styles and playing techniques that I'm having to learn and brush up in order to do justice to the gig. Jazzyvee | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1290 Registered: 5-2006 |
I've been trying some of those techniques also (inspired by your vids, especially Double thumb) Not doing too well over here I'm afraid...   And a statement involving this bass: *Nose to the wind... *Shape shift... She's a Signature now!  Some poor pics:    I had some leftover electronics and got some help from our dearest Mica (thanx!) She somehow missed my request for a new style knob, hence the "lookalike" knob I had lying around. Works great! Must play now :-) | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2575 Registered: 6-2002 |
This looks like your Europa in this video http://www.thefutureschannel.com/dockets/realworld/building_guitars/index.php Jazzyvee | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1306 Registered: 5-2006 |
Check, I get lots of questions about how heavy my bass is :-) | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2576 Registered: 6-2002 |
Heavy in tone or weight :-) Jazzyvee | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1307 Registered: 5-2006 |
Must be tone, at 3955 gram, (8.7 lbs) it's my lightest (in weight) Alembic :-) | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1346 Registered: 5-2006 |
I just joined my Dad's band (no april fools here) :-) I recorded along one of their tracks with my fretless for practice: mp3 direct download | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1191 Registered: 10-2006 |
Nice playing, Flip! What's your dad playing? (I love playing with my son!) Peter | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2402 Registered: 5-2009 |
Flip , Nice work. You made the fretless work in this context. It is nice to hear fretless in rock when it really adds to the common good of the piece of music like you made it work. Are you using a pick ? if you are that is also innovative for fretless playing. Wolf | ||
| jazzboy621
Member Username: jazzboy621 Post Number: 61 Registered: 7-2011 |
Way to go, Flip!!! BTW!! My Europa is a MONSTER!!! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1347 Registered: 5-2006 |
Thanx! I just uploaded a slightly improved version (same link) My Dad plays acoustic guitar, accordeon, Blues Harmonica and he does lead/backing vocals (no lead vocals on this track) I play fingerstyle on this track, but also use a pick when I play "Until it sleeps" with my Metallica tribute band. Pat: We need to see (lots of) pictures in the showcase area asap, congrats! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1424 Registered: 5-2006 |
This one also has the script added (see here,post Number: 1422 ) This one was a bit trickier... the logo was too low and too far to the right, so I had to fill some holes. I placed the logo so that the majority of it covers the holes, filled the holes with Maple (Spalted, I got a piece from a friend some years ago) dust and some super glue. Undetectable to the trained (my) eye :-)  Some day she will also have a collet volume knob, Mica?  (Message edited by fc_spoiler on January 29, 2013) | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1545 Registered: 5-2006 |
Some day has arrived :-) Thanx Mica!   | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4086 Registered: 6-2002 |
Ready to Rock! | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 1052 Registered: 9-2008 |
Congrats, Flip, this bass is really gorgeous | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1547 Registered: 5-2006 |
:-) Thanx! Jazzy: I also do reggae with this bass in my "new" band :-) | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4091 Registered: 6-2002 |
Maybe we should collaborate on some reggae versions of metallica songs. That would be a challenge i think. :-) I think metallica are playing Glastonbury this year. Jazzyvee | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1548 Registered: 5-2006 |
:-) I have a Strat here, so we can do 50/50 guitar/bass :-) Or how a about Pass the metal dutchie?  'tallica on Glastonbury: http://youtu.be/L3BSjV0IkWU?t=1m29s :-) | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1660 Registered: 5-2006 |
This bass is now under the loving protection of Pierre-Yves, couldn't think of better new home for it. Thanx lot Pierre-Yves and I hope you will have lots of fun with her! :-)  (Message edited by fc_spoiler on April 12, 2015) | ||
| pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 1216 Registered: 11-2006 |
oh my God.... what a face I have -----=> ;-) thanks for compliment ;-) some pictures:    I change strings and clean the fretboard without fret ;-) | ||
| pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 1217 Registered: 11-2006 |
 ;-) | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4475 Registered: 6-2002 |
Looks like it was a great day. All those superb basses. Did you try them all? If so which did you like most? | ||
| enzo
Senior Member Username: enzo Post Number: 464 Registered: 4-2009 |
This should be in the "Gatherings" section, oh wait…..it's all Pierreyves's? LOL Interested to read about jazzyvee question. | ||
| moongerm
Intermediate Member Username: moongerm Post Number: 176 Registered: 8-2013 |
So neat!!! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1663 Registered: 5-2006 |
I didn't play the Koa SC (I think Pierre-Yves thought it was too dangerous, I made clear I liked that one a lot) Thanx for the pics Pierre-Yves! They are all great, it was too quick and overwhelming to rank them (if that's even possible) It did make me more determined to get Series bass.... fast! :-) Leds are awesome! And I found out the ladies from Santa Rosa made the right choice in fingerboard taper for my custom Elan, I think I prefer the comfort taper over the classic taper for 5 string basses. Also I liked the -extra thick body- SC's a lot, heavy but extremely cool! | ||
| pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 1218 Registered: 11-2006 |
Sorry Enzo, BUT my MK deluxe maple was not at home LOL !!! For FC, You was welcome to try ALL the basses ;-) but dont forget one in your pocket when you left my home !! LOL | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1664 Registered: 5-2006 |
Next time I come with a camion! :-) | ||
| 5a_quilt_top
Senior Member Username: 5a_quilt_top Post Number: 493 Registered: 6-2012 |
Wow - what a humbling collection. Each one spectacular in its own way! +1 on comfort taper for 5-string - it was suggested to me as well. | ||
| pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 1219 Registered: 11-2006 |
FC ?????? Please !!!!! take a Carrier Alembic Nuclear => porte avion !!! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1665 Registered: 5-2006 |
 I think it will stand out too much in the lake, I wouldn't have a chance for a clean getaway. :-) |
