| Author | Message | ||
| janriviere
Member Username: janriviere Post Number: 65 Registered: 5-2002 |
The most incredible bass I ever saw, enjoyed, played and bought: Series II, 6 string, 5A quilted maple front and back, long scale 34", comfort fingerboard taper, serial 959536USA.         (Message edited by janriviere on November 16, 2003) | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 734 Registered: 9-2002 |
Lang zallem leeve, lang zallem leeve, lang zallem leeve in de glo-ri-a, in de gloooooooooo-riiiiiiiiiiiiii-aaaaaaaaaaaa in de gloooooooooooo-riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii-aaaaaaaaaaaaa. Hippippip HOERAAAAAAAAAA! Jan this is Soooooooooo cool. Is it the "London Beast" you referred to before?? It is a "Full Series II" I guess seen the woodparts in the body (as you know Bonnie is Series I with Series II electronics). Now we are about "colleagues"!!!! I know you found Bonnie hard to play seen the extensive reach you need. What are you going to do with THIS monster, start practicing young man, or you keep chasing that low C around the entire room!!! Look for a chiropracter-friend who can help you with finger, hand and back problems (joking). I really hope to have the occasion to play her once! Her?her?her? Did she got a name already? I would call her "Marilyn": she's the most Marilyn Monroe styled bass I have ever seen! MM was a "too" girl -she got too much of everyting- well ...this is a "too" bass: too nice, too blonde, too beautiful, too broad, too long, too nice sounding, too many strings, too beautiful wood, too expensive, too .... whatever!!! Man-man I'm if possible even more excited as you. Paul the bad one PS: please give me a hint. Where was the bank you robbed? Near Mechelen ???? Ok I'll try near Hasselt. PS: I can't believe my eyes ... I'm dreaming of a six string ...well I'm also dreaming of a trip to Alembic country. And I'm dreaming of peace on earth ....and no more hunger ...and marying Selma Hayek ... and ....l (Message edited by palembic on November 16, 2003) | ||
| janriviere
Member Username: janriviere Post Number: 66 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks Paul, I don't think you can be more excited about this bass than I already am. This is really an amazing instrument. It is indeed the bass I discussed in the London Calling thread. After months of thinking and doubting, last weekend I finally went up to the Bass Gallery in London, and got a very good deal with Alex. It is a full Series II: if you check the Alembic body lamination patterns table table, you clearly recognize the quilted maple, walnut accent laminate, mahogany, and then the fine maple centre veneer. That is one of the differences with your series I (with series II electronics). It is a big difference with my medium scale (standard spacing) signature basses. If I put this one next to those two, the signatures look like basses for children ;-) So, if we must baptise "it", I suggest we call her the Godmother ;-) After a week, I already feel comfortable with the new dimensions. I guess it is a matter of changing a lot between 4, 5 and 6 strings. I did this for years between 4 and 5, and it turned out to be very efficient. You are of course welcome to visit her. I already invited Steven De Prins who also couldn't wait to see her. He is probably coming on Wednesday evening this week, but he has still to confirm. If Wednesday is the day to meet, why don’t you come over, bring Bonny with you, and I’ll have a fine bottle of wine ready to have a nice chat. What else is there to tell about her, this is really the ultimate instrument I knew I was going to have one day. The funniest thing is that it happened a little bit earlier than I always thought :-) I’ll keep you informed about this week. Off we go, we have some serious playing to do! Cheers Jan | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 735 Registered: 9-2002 |
Wednesday-wednesday??? YES! But after rehearsal! So after 22hrs. I reheras in Herent. I'll have Bonnie AND Tweak Peaks with me than! | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 736 Registered: 9-2002 |
BTW I still prefer "Marylin". | ||
| bishopqdog
Member Username: bishopqdog Post Number: 61 Registered: 7-2003 |
Hey I'm here in total agreement, that bass is awesome!!! Great pictures also. | ||
| bracheen
Junior Username: bracheen Post Number: 17 Registered: 11-2003 |
Magnificent bass, Jan! It looks brand spankin' new Paul, I know who Bonnie is but who's Tweak Peaks? Sam | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 737 Registered: 9-2002 |
Aaaah-lala! Once it was that a young and fierce bassplayer took out to eveil roads on a quest for the ultimate sound machine. That young guy called Paul the bad one was in companianship of his faithfull low thundering aide-de-camp Bonnie. So on this quest about 5 years ago ... help..... ...cut the crap Paul .... Sam look at http://alembic.com/club/messages/394/6134.html?1067089353 and everything will be christal clear!!! Paul the bad one | ||
| captain_jan
New Username: captain_jan Post Number: 5 Registered: 11-2003 |
Hello Jan, Really a beautiful 6-string! Congratulations you've made your dream bass come true! Even if I have only managed to play with 4-strings your bass makes me want to consider a 6-string also one day!...as well as marrying Salma Hayek....!! By the way, she must be quite heavy to play when you're standing, or? Anyway you may add my name on the list of persons who like to try her out! All the bass Jan | ||
| janriviere
Member Username: janriviere Post Number: 67 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks for all the comments. She is indeed heavier than my other basses. Yesterday it took the test: 5.9 kilograms. That's 1.3 kilograms more than the weight of my signature basses. She is in good condition, just a few minor scratches, but what do you expect form a bass that was born 8 years ago ? Since she arrived in Belgium last week, I didn't take her up already on stage. This might be a little bit dangerous to do if I still have to get used to another extra string and certainly to the wider dimensions. Tonight she makes her first appearance in the rehearsal room. I am curious how that is going to turn out. The first gig still has to come for her, maybe next week in Leuven or the week after. We’ll see. So I don't know yet what my back will tell me the next morning. Anyway Jan, your name was added to invited people of the Belgian Alembic reunion with Paul TBO and Steven on Tuesday evening the 2nd of December! I live close to Brussels Airport, so this shouldn't be a problem I guess :-) Take Care Jan | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 742 Registered: 9-2002 |
Jan ...that gig in Leuven?? Private?? Public?? Let me know please or is it on the Mellow-Yellow site??? In that case I'll find it! Yeah great... the reunion of the ABC (Alembic Belgium Chapter): the full 3 (three) of them!!!! HA!!! But it will be exponential fun!!!! Maybe we can ask Mica for a prize as with the Australian Launch. Alembic acivators ??? ....mmmmm..not a chance .... but maybe an Alembic pen ....or an Alembic safety pin ...or an Alembic pick ...huh??? Maybe "Spyder-Ollie" can hop over from Aachen??? Paul the bad one | ||
| janriviere
Member Username: janriviere Post Number: 68 Registered: 5-2002 |
Paul, the gig in Leuven on 25/11 is a public one : "Time Tunnel Party" from the Economic-students. Place to be is "De Waaiberg" Tervuursevest 60. Doors open at 21h, but I think we'll play from 22h until 23h30. So, be there ;-) Cheers Jan | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 743 Registered: 9-2002 |
YO! Even more funny: it's a party of my former student club! HA!!! Didn't I tell you? I studied economics and communication. My REAL profession is musician of course (I would say bass-player but I'm too shy). Paul the bad one PS: it's one of the MAIN INCONVENIENCES of playing a Series II and definitely Marylin: masses of people drooling in front of the stage saying "ooooh's and aaaaaah's what a bass she is so beautiful and bla and bla". Completely forgetting YOU PLAYING the thing!!! PS2: oh yeah ...and I forget the shrink-type bassplayers coming to you and asking in low voice if you are compensating for a modest shaped "manhood" ***sigh*** (Message edited by palembic on November 18, 2003) | ||
| janriviere
Member Username: janriviere Post Number: 69 Registered: 5-2002 |
So I could ask a student-roadie to replace me with Marylin, without someone noticing. Why not ? lol :-) | ||
| captain_jan
New Username: captain_jan Post Number: 6 Registered: 11-2003 |
Hi Jan, on the 2nd December I'm in Penang so very unfortunately can't join this time. So next year, then. But an Alembic bassist meeting sounds great so I'll come for sure! all the bass Jan | ||
| bigbadbill
Junior Username: bigbadbill Post Number: 17 Registered: 10-2003 |
Hi Jan She's absolutely beautiful; I was surprised to see her on here as I was in the Gallery 2 weekends ago and she was still there! Glad you went for it in the end following the discussion. You are a lucky, lucky guy; I figured no one who was a real Alembic fan and who had the money available could possibly say no that bass(unless they REALLY didn't like 6 strings!). I'm pleased to say I played her once.... anyway I hope you're very happy together!(I'd be over the moon...) Enjoy! All the best Shaun | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 747 Registered: 9-2002 |
psssssssssssst hep pssssst Shaun, Jan is not listening for the moment, so please ...give us a clue: how does Marilyn sound?? I bet like she looks! Paul the bad one | ||
| yahyabb
Junior Username: yahyabb Post Number: 16 Registered: 8-2002 |
Jan; You have a very stunning 6. Enjoy! Yahya | ||
| janriviere
Member Username: janriviere Post Number: 72 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks Yahya and Shaun. Shaun, just of matter of days and we could have met in London. I am glad she was still there after your visit. :-) Indeed, I am very very very lucky man. I can tell you guys for sure: the GAS is completely gone now with the arrival of this beauty! Yesterday, it made her début at the rehearsal of my band. Needless to say what the reactions were: what a piece of wood! She sounded great, I had a little bit more hum than at home, probably due to the electricity circuit in that room. It also depended on the position where I was standing. I had to roll of some high frequencies that sounded great if I played alone, but it was a bit to crispy in the overall band sound. That’s the beauty of it; all sound possibilities are available in numerous flavours. I guess it is still a matter of finding my way, but the knowledge of the signature electronics helps me a lot. I found one thing strange already: the pickup selector goes from left to right (seeing standing up): off / bridge pickup / both pickups / neck pickup instead of off / neck pickup / both pickups / bridge pickup which is a more natural way of selecting for me. I think more like: right is the bridge left is the neck. Is this something that is on all series basses, can this be changed? It was my first night that I played her for a couple of hours standing up, instead of sitting at home. It felt the difference after one hour; she is indeed a bit heavier than my regular ones. But this morning my back and arms were still ok. I think that the long scale is the greatest change for me. Not the extra string and string spacing. I’ll get used to it. I noticed one big problem with the strap locks. They were tight if I started. After the rehearsal I noticed that they weren’t that fixed anymore (the screw came out some millimetres of the body). I remember that I had that same problem when I had put strap locks on my signatures. They always came loose when I played them standing up. I remember putting some Pattex glue in the holes of the screw. After his operation years ago they never came loose anymore, and they had many hours and years of pressure to resist. Has anyone a suggestion if this is a correct way of solving this problem? Do you have even better solutions? I don’t care for the screws because I know I will never have to pull them out anymore. I appreciate all comments. Cheers Jan | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 750 Registered: 9-2002 |
Janneke! The GAS is gone! Yeah ..together with all your savings, your car, your collection of design watches, your Harley,... About the switch: If I see the top photo: the bass is in "off"? That's the same for me, so "clicking" the pointer (who points down) to the back, the first you have is bridge, than both, than neck, that's the case for me. Abou the straplocks: I remember a thread where we got the advice to have a kind of small plastic/rubber ring under the lock. So the lock can "vibrate freely" to a certain amount and still be fixed. The coming loose is because of teh vibration of the wood. Heavy? Yes? On the pictures on your website where I can see you playing (I didn't got the honour to HEAR you actually) you have -like me- the position to keep a straight back, which is very good. I keep Bonnie also relatively high. So I never bend over to look at my fingers on my fretboard I keep my back straight up. Never got problems. Only once: I played a "Kroegentocht" for 6 hours. Paul the bad one | ||
| steven
New Username: steven Post Number: 4 Registered: 5-2003 |
I'm going to se her for real I'm going to see her for real....tralalalalala Great stuff this one! 6 strings....woohoo!! That's 5 more than I can play...lol Take care ya'll | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 768 Registered: 9-2002 |
Brothers and sisters. I had the honour to assist at a Mellow Yellow concert today with Jan the river one and his six string on stage. oh my- oh my - oh my - oh -my - oh my - oh my- oh my - oh my - oh -my - oh my - oh my- oh my - oh my - oh -my - oh my - oh my- oh my - oh my - oh -my - oh my - oh my- oh my - oh my - oh -my - oh my - oh my- oh my - oh my - oh -my - oh my - oh my- oh my - oh my - oh -my - oh my - oh my- oh my - oh my - oh -my - oh my - oh my- oh my - oh my - oh -my - oh my - oh my- oh my - oh my - oh -my - oh my - ... Paul the bad one oh ...uh ..oh Jan ??? Well he was good to ;-) (Message edited by palembic on November 25, 2003) | ||
| bigbadbill
Junior Username: bigbadbill Post Number: 26 Registered: 10-2003 |
Paul, you should be on TV. I never cease to be amused by your posts  . The bass is truly beautiful though, isn't she? Still, so is Bonnie... Cheers Shaun | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 771 Registered: 9-2002 |
Huh ..hm ...well welcome broters and sisters to the late show with Paul the bad one (ruffle) Wednesday almost midnight ...time to say someting serious. Ron, Susan, Mica, Val and other Alembicians , I say that Alembic serial 959536USA is now in good hands ...as well figurally as literally ...honest! Paul the bad one | ||
| bigredbass
Intermediate Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 197 Registered: 9-2002 |
JR FABULOUS BASS ! ! ! I'm a BIG fan of maple/mahogany. While ALEMBICs traditionally are known for the darker woods, I think m/m is gives the most useable tone for the broadest range of situations. And while this axe is about 12.5 pounds, it would be a LOT heavier in the darker woods. And quilt maple is my favorite look. To reverse the rotary p/u switch order: Open the back panel and locate the little blue boxes with the white slotted wheels that you use to adjust the pickup gains. You'll see the plug in leads into each. CAREFULLY unplug them both and switch them into the opposite box from which they came. This will reverse the order after the off position. To tighten up the straplock buttons: Unscrew the loose one completely out. Get some white wood glue. Fill the hole with the glue, fill the hole with 1 or 2 round toothpicks, and break them off flush where they stick out of the body. Screw the straplock button back in, put it on the stand overnight. Tomorrow it will be solid and STAY that way. Congratulations. The greatest thing to me is that when I got my ALEMBIC, I realized I could quit looking, I'd found a partner for life. That's what you've done. But instead of 'Godmother', to me this is DEFINITELY "Mother Superior" ! J o e y | ||
| janriviere
Member Username: janriviere Post Number: 87 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks Joey, I'll try that p/u switch change in a couple of days. I already put some Pattex glue in the straplock holes, but not enough I think. I'll better use the toothpicks procedure. LOL : "Mother Superior", I like that :-) Cheers Jan | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 787 Registered: 9-2002 |
Marilyn! Believe me ...I touched her!!! Paul the bad one | ||
| creactive
New Username: creactive Post Number: 1 Registered: 1-2003 |
This is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen!!!! in a picture... :-( In Dutch: Wat een moddervet beest!!! | ||
| janriviere
New Username: janriviere Post Number: 2 Registered: 10-2014 |
FYI : I sell this bass : http://alembic.com/club/messages/395/199503.html?1414216790 | ||
| germansal
Member Username: germansal Post Number: 64 Registered: 8-2004 |
HI CAN YOU TELL ME THE PRICE?????? | ||
| janriviere
New Username: janriviere Post Number: 4 Registered: 10-2014 |
Sorry German, as you can read in http://alembic.com/club/messages/395/199503.html?1414216790, the bass has been sold very quickly |
