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poor_nigel
Junior
Username: poor_nigel

Post Number: 15
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Monday, December 21, 2009 - 8:50 pm:   Edit Post

I am posting this bass in the Europa section, as it is a Europa bass, no ifs, ands, or buts. So here she is, where she wants to be. There is not much sense posting a lot of pictures, as she is a fairly well documented instrument.

http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_ktwins.html

So I will just put a couple 'updated' pictures here. Full shot of the bass. I did not want to use a full-sized knob on the LED dimmer, so she is waiting for a small knob to match the larger ones to be made by David King, who made these ebony and gold replacement knobs.

Orphane Full Shot
poor_nigel
Junior
Username: poor_nigel

Post Number: 16
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Monday, December 21, 2009 - 9:07 pm:   Edit Post

David did a great job on these knobs. The look exactly like the old hat knobs, except they feel better and I like the gold line down the side much better. They keep the look of the originals, which I do like, but are a bit classier. They even have the same fluted side as the originals. The LED dimmer is perfect at its lowest setting, so waiting for a new knob is easy enough.

Orphane Knobs 001
poor_nigel
Junior
Username: poor_nigel

Post Number: 17
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Monday, December 21, 2009 - 9:20 pm:   Edit Post

She has a Europa II body, which makes her look like a pregnant guppy on the bottom curve. So I took off her back plate to check out if the extra space was really needed. The stacked pot with the ribbon cable around it actually cuts in a bit to the lip of the back plate mounting. The side jacks take up all the extra space behind that pot. And they were not joking about them being gold plated, as they are gold plated inside and out. I was happy to see the LED dimmer was factory installed, as it was not in place when they shot the pictures for posting on her Featured Custom page.

Orphane Control Cavity
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 584
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Monday, December 21, 2009 - 9:25 pm:   Edit Post

Very desirable to say the least !
poor_nigel
Junior
Username: poor_nigel

Post Number: 18
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Monday, December 21, 2009 - 9:49 pm:   Edit Post

Orphane Three Quarters

OK, getting to redundant shots now. The more I play this bass, the more I like it. I think the Balance K's turned some people's heads away from Europas, and probably rightly so. They are spiffy basses, but so are Europas. I have always liked Europas and Elans. I always wanted a maxed out Elan, but this orphaned bass is sleek enough.
the_jester
Junior
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 43
Registered: 12-2009
Posted on Monday, December 21, 2009 - 11:15 pm:   Edit Post

Thomas,

Your bass is a bass of royals. The silk and the wood blends so divinely with grace.

However, I strong recommend you picking up that bass, and perform what #12 say's for all of us to do...

"Beat the living ______ out of them." :-)
chrisalembic
Member
Username: chrisalembic

Post Number: 97
Registered: 3-2009
Posted on Monday, December 21, 2009 - 11:42 pm:   Edit Post

Great looking bass! I have to agree, the Europa body style is very appealing. I also like how the knobs turned out. David King made them? Is it David King the luthier from Oregon? "Kingbasses"? Is he still building instruments? Always loved his stuff.
pierreyves
Senior Member
Username: pierreyves

Post Number: 507
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 - 12:36 am:   Edit Post

WAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
gregduboc
Advanced Member
Username: gregduboc

Post Number: 290
Registered: 11-2008
Posted on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 - 4:24 am:   Edit Post

Congratulations!
That is an amazing looking bass, and I bet the sound matches it's appearance!!
Have fun.

Greg
rjmsteel
Junior
Username: rjmsteel

Post Number: 21
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 - 4:55 am:   Edit Post

Very cool inlaid logo too; just have love the side mounted 5-pin connector.
chalieholmes
New
Username: chalieholmes

Post Number: 4
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 - 5:46 pm:   Edit Post

pretty,I just don't have the cash now
poor_nigel
Junior
Username: poor_nigel

Post Number: 26
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 - 10:43 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Chris. Yes, it turned out that it was David the bass maker who made my knobs. However, I did not know it until after the knobs were made that the knob maker on this site:

http://dknob.com/knurlindex.html

Was actually the bass maker on this site:

http://www.kingbass.com/

I remember King Basses from the old Bunny Bass site, and I do really like his designs. No wonder he makes such great knobs! They are flawless in materials, design, and workmanship.

There is seldom a day where I do not play an Alembic bass. I ignorantly went through a period without one, and I do not plan on that happening again.

Thank you for the compliments on the bass. It is much prettier in person than in pictures. Quilted maple, or any quilted wood, must be held to be appreciated fully, it is so three dimensional.
alembicfan
Junior
Username: alembicfan

Post Number: 45
Registered: 10-2007
Posted on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 - 11:40 pm:   Edit Post

Congratulations. Beautiful bass.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 9097
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, January 02, 2010 - 8:04 pm:   Edit Post

Wonderful bass!
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 492
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, February 06, 2010 - 11:44 pm:   Edit Post

I have to agree with the assessment of David's skills. I first met him when my old band, Shockra, was opening for Phish in Northampton MA in 1991. He grew up in Amherst (son of a UMass prof) and he showed up to show Mike some basses and whatnot. Of course, we got talking and stayed in touch and a year or so later, he started work on a 5 string fretless for me. I think it was King bass #15 or so. Great instrument and great guy. He is ingenious with everything, the kinda guy that could repair a timing belt by the side of the road with chewing gum and a tooth brush and have it work better and look better than new.
poor_nigel
Member
Username: poor_nigel

Post Number: 52
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Sunday, February 07, 2010 - 10:41 am:   Edit Post

David is a master of what he does. One knob got stuck putting it on my 84 S II, and I freaked out. I cracked the knob trying to get it off. I sent him some hurried e-mail, but by the time he started responding, I managed to pry it off with my finger tips of both hands going at it. He offered to make me another, but I said to try and fix the one I cracked. He fixed it and it looks great. He definitely stands behind his work, 100%.

I've been playing this bass through its power supply into a pristine SF-2 I got on eBay for $300 BIN (Yep, I'm that lucky guy!) set to just let the direct signal through, on into a bridged Eden 1250 and one 21" P. Audio. First note hit is an open B, my jaw drops, and and a new love affair starts. The sound of this bass is solid and clear beyound anything I have ever played. My amps were packed up already, as I am soooo anxious to move from the wasteland back to California. I can hardly wait to get there and set up a full rig and test this bass out. I have another S II, but there is no comparison to the sound of this bass. If it is just the ebony lams, how have I got along without them until now? I highly suggest putting some ebony in your necks to get this amazing result. Harmonics are great on it, too. Excuse me, I have excited myself and now must go play this bass some more.
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 1846
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Sunday, February 07, 2010 - 11:21 am:   Edit Post

Series II 5 string Europa or Elan body style would be perfect for me.
That bass is delicious.

Although I agree with Keavins philosophy, i think it would be hard persuading yourself to beat up on something so beautiful as that bass.

Jazzyvee

Jazzyvee
s_wood
Advanced Member
Username: s_wood

Post Number: 307
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, February 08, 2010 - 8:14 am:   Edit Post

What an amazing bass! I own a couple of quilted maple Series basses with Europa bodies, so welcome to the club. I am so glad that you bought this one before I caved into the pressure! I was close, bro :-)
poor_nigel
Member
Username: poor_nigel

Post Number: 53
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Monday, February 08, 2010 - 7:10 pm:   Edit Post

Hey Steve:

I have been drooling over your basses for years! It is kind of you to welcome me to the club, but perhaps it would be more correct to welcome me back to the club.

http://alembic.com/club/messages/395/12775.html

Just waiting for the light to come on . . . . .
s_wood
Advanced Member
Username: s_wood

Post Number: 308
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, February 08, 2010 - 7:16 pm:   Edit Post

Still have the Tobias?
poor_nigel
Member
Username: poor_nigel

Post Number: 54
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Monday, February 08, 2010 - 7:38 pm:   Edit Post

I sure do! It is the best playing five-string I have ever played. The neck on the bass posted here is thick and very solid. The Tobias is nicer to play, but the sound is not comparible to Series electronics. This bass is a bit larger than the Tobias and a bit heavier. I doubt you would really like it. The string spacing at the bridge is 1/4" wider on the Alembic, which sounds insignificant, but really shows itself when playing hard. The action is very low, since it has such a ridgid neck. It sure is a pretty thing, and I love what maple does for adding a bit of brightness to the sound.

Beat the hell out of my bass? Naw, but it gets played daily, and where I go, it goes, too (All of em). It is not going to be a closet treasure, at all. If I see you around, and you ain't got a belt buckle on, I'll probably let you play her.
s_wood
Advanced Member
Username: s_wood

Post Number: 309
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, February 09, 2010 - 11:22 am:   Edit Post

I have been wearing my belt buckle to the side (a la Jimmy Johnson) since I first looked at the back of my bought-new Ripper 30,000 years ago and saw all of the scratch marks! Glad you still have the Tobias - it's a cool bass. I love the feel of the old Tobias necks so much that I had Alembic copy the dimensions for my custom made basses.
poor_nigel
Member
Username: poor_nigel

Post Number: 55
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Tuesday, February 09, 2010 - 6:22 pm:   Edit Post

Worst-case scenario - I, of course, learned my belt buckle lesson in the worst way. I had just got my new $5,000 custom ordered Alembic Series bass with graphite rods inlaid into the neck, a Circassian walnut body and front and back Macassar ebony lams, gold plated everything I could talk Susan into plating - it was my hard-earned dream bass, late 70s, I believe. It had a smell to it that I can still remember. I took it to a jam night at a Seattle club and I was talking to a couple of locals I knew there. I let one of them talk me into playing my new bass. It sounded like one would imagine, even played through Fender '_Fill-in-the-blank_.' When he handed it back and I was inspecting it, I noticed he had rubbed his big, metal 70's cowboy/trucker belt buckle all over the back of my ebony bass. I was in deep shock, which probably kept me out of prison for manslaughter. I have hated that schmuck ever since, and I've never worn a belt after that, or let anyone play my basses with any exposed metal on their person. Got new braces on yer teeth? OK, but no Hendrix crap!
elwoodblue
Senior Member
Username: elwoodblue

Post Number: 997
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 1:32 pm:   Edit Post

Holy $#*! nigel...I'm practically speechless.

The other thing I've noticed you have to watch
out for is people with large rings. Some folks just don't get it.
mike1762
Senior Member
Username: mike1762

Post Number: 465
Registered: 1-2008
Posted on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 6:27 pm:   Edit Post

It drives my wife crazy that I wear my wedding (and any other) ring on my right hand, but that's why. I told her that wearing the ring on my left hand was interfering with my ability to get dates.
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 1852
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, February 11, 2010 - 2:29 am:   Edit Post

I guess you also have to be careful of people who have a large watch, bracelet etc on their right wrist too as that can knock the front of the bass. I have one of those magenetic therapy straps on my right wrist that Is quite a loose fit so have to remember to remove it before I play my bass or guitar.

Jazzyvee
poor_nigel
Member
Username: poor_nigel

Post Number: 59
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Thursday, February 11, 2010 - 6:38 pm:   Edit Post

In reality, I do not have to be very careful of others much. I have used the word no many times in my life. I will not hand a good bass to someone wearing Levi button-up pants with the metal studs on the pockets and metal button to hold them up. Accidents happen, and that is all right. But it seems best to just avoid a situation that starts out a bit risky. They will say they are sorry, but I'll pay the bill or live with the damaged bass. So disgusted looks or pissy sounds made to a refusal to hand over a nice bass for someone with zero equity in it to check it out does not bother me much.

I like heavy Levi shirts in the cold months here, and they have metal buttons, too, plus on the cuffs no less. So I am always yelling at myself when I grab a bass with the 'wrong' shirt on. Is it worth being this anal? Funny, I never change my shirt to play my Fender stick???
enzo
Intermediate Member
Username: enzo

Post Number: 182
Registered: 4-2009
Posted on Thursday, February 11, 2010 - 9:02 pm:   Edit Post

Every time I play, especially Alembics, my wedding ring is always in my pocket and recently I also started to wear my belt on the side. When you say healthy habits...

Btw, that top is unreal. It looks like water in a dead calm.
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 730
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Thursday, February 11, 2010 - 9:13 pm:   Edit Post

Flat out ____I don't care how famous they are or if they can play circles around me and I don't care what they call me or think of me either if I can see potentially damaging items like buttons, buckles. suspenders or jewelry I will not hand them or let them play one of my swell Alembics but they are welcome to play my old 1971 Fender P Bass . LOL !!!
poor_nigel
Intermediate Member
Username: poor_nigel

Post Number: 172
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Monday, May 23, 2011 - 3:34 pm:   Edit Post

5 001SS

Unimpressive outside shots, but large size . . .
poor_nigel
Intermediate Member
Username: poor_nigel

Post Number: 173
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Monday, May 23, 2011 - 3:37 pm:   Edit Post

002
poor_nigel
Intermediate Member
Username: poor_nigel

Post Number: 174
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Monday, May 23, 2011 - 3:42 pm:   Edit Post

003
poor_nigel
Intermediate Member
Username: poor_nigel

Post Number: 175
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Monday, May 23, 2011 - 3:45 pm:   Edit Post

H 001

With light at just the right angle, the logo really washes out for colors. Cool?!
poor_nigel
Intermediate Member
Username: poor_nigel

Post Number: 176
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Monday, May 23, 2011 - 3:49 pm:   Edit Post

H 002

This bass is easily the most unphotogenic bass I have ever owned, but also the most impressive in person. Motion is really needed to capture the amazing beauty this bass is. So, nuff said.
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 945
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, May 23, 2011 - 3:55 pm:   Edit Post

Tom, you keep this up and I am going to really have to have this bass! I disagree, it's very photogenic. Photogenicness is not determined by how well the camera captures the reality but how well the picture presents beauty. There are people who are very photogenic who aren't all that good looking and some who are very beautiful but don't photograph well at all.

I still want it.
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2443
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, May 23, 2011 - 4:14 pm:   Edit Post

Me too.

Jazzyvee
groovelines
Senior Member
Username: groovelines

Post Number: 687
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Monday, May 23, 2011 - 7:51 pm:   Edit Post

"Unimpressive"? Yeah, just another run of the mill Alembic, eh Thom? ;) Man, those images are so in your face I had to back up for fear of injury.
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 1586
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 - 6:23 am:   Edit Post

Belts..never wear but you you should be aware of jeans buttons...these have made some fine scratches on my MK Standard but are removed with a fine automotive scratch remover paste using a microfibre cloth and then polished.
That is a really nice piece of quilted maple!!!!
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2488
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, July 04, 2011 - 12:28 pm:   Edit Post

Just here lusting over this bass again. So I guess this is my first....
Bump :-)


Jazzyvee
s_wood
Advanced Member
Username: s_wood

Post Number: 342
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, January 01, 2012 - 11:27 am:   Edit Post

Bump for a beautiful bass! The quilt maple on this one is gorgeous...spectacular!
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2664
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, January 02, 2012 - 5:18 am:   Edit Post

It's dangerous to start the new year looking at such a wonderful bass.

Jazzyvee
wishbass
Member
Username: wishbass

Post Number: 83
Registered: 5-2011
Posted on Monday, January 02, 2012 - 5:22 am:   Edit Post

You and me both Jazzy, I have this as my wallpaper on my phone! Karl
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2665
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, January 02, 2012 - 8:57 am:   Edit Post

I've had Pierreyves bass on my phone background for a while now. I will have to just alternate it with this bass every so often.

If I could whittle my alembics down to owning just this one and Pierreyves bass I'd be very chuffed.

Alas I don't see that happening anytime soon. :-)


Jazzyvee
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2666
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, January 02, 2012 - 9:11 am:   Edit Post

double post.


Jazzyvee

(Message edited by jazzyvee on January 02, 2012)
wishbass
Member
Username: wishbass

Post Number: 84
Registered: 5-2011
Posted on Monday, January 02, 2012 - 9:40 am:   Edit Post

I played 5 string from '86 to 2010. Although my fretless is a fiver (I seem to go to that B more when I play fretless),I would lean more toward the other twin,13094, a 4 string.Either bass would be a dream come true .
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2670
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, January 04, 2012 - 9:53 am:   Edit Post

When we are dreaming alone it is only a dream. When we are dreaming with others, it is the beginning of reality.

- Dom Helder Camara

In so many ways I have seen these words come to life on this forum. I'm so pleased to be able to share my Alembic dreams with you guys, share in your Alembic dreams and to see them come true.


Jazzyvee
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2707
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2012 - 11:09 pm:   Edit Post

The bass has arrived at the Mothership Connection.

Yeah


Jazzyvee
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2710
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, January 16, 2012 - 5:28 am:   Edit Post

S_wood do we have any pics of your series europas on the forum?


Jazzyvee
s_wood
Advanced Member
Username: s_wood

Post Number: 343
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, January 16, 2012 - 6:41 am:   Edit Post

We sure do!

http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/3335.html?1325829344

http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/25330.html?1171334713

http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/2889.html?1060212764
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2712
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, January 16, 2012 - 11:18 am:   Edit Post

I should have looked at your name more closely in the past as I've commented on the maple ones before .... doh and the cocobolo top on the last one is delicious.

Seems we are both fans of a single volume and pan. However my new bass will have a master volume and I hope to get on well with that arrangement.
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2719
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2012 - 12:31 pm:   Edit Post

Look what Mica found hanging around HQ waiting for me to collect.



Jazzyvee
wishbass
Intermediate Member
Username: wishbass

Post Number: 120
Registered: 5-2011
Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2012 - 1:14 pm:   Edit Post

Very cool Jazzy!
s_wood
Advanced Member
Username: s_wood

Post Number: 344
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2012 - 2:07 pm:   Edit Post

Beautiful!
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2720
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2012 - 5:13 pm:   Edit Post

I'm really looking forward to this new bass, I have to say though that my concerns at the moment about this bass are, will it render my other alembics obsolete?

At the moment I wouldn't say that any of my other alembic basses sound "better than any other, they just sound fantastic and different so I use them based on how I want to sound on a gig or rehearsal or practice session or maybe just because I've played one more than another recently.

Should I expect a big bang overdose of sound ecstasy from a series bass compared to what i'm already getting from my Alembics? or is the difference going to be subtle such that the greatness of it appears over time with familiarity?

I know my first alembic (SC Deluxe) had me smiling for months and every time I play it now it pleases me the most. That said it did take a lot of time, frustration and a lot of reading and re-reading of the threads here to start to understand what the filters were doing and how to get back and forward between specific tones.

The Europa with standard electronics was the easiest to use because of its simplicity and now my maple Europa/Elan has it's own special piano like sound that is extremely bright and meaty. I did go through a phase where I thought I'd never feel at home with it as I couldn't find a sound with it that I thought would be useable in the musical contexts I work in. Now I love it but I still haven't really found my "home" setting on that bass yet but I'm getting there slowly.

Any advice from members with both Series basses and non series basses on the impact of getting hold of a series bass?



Jazzyvee
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 1326
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Monday, January 23, 2012 - 8:56 am:   Edit Post

Great catch Jazzy! It doesn't get better than this, awesome quilts and ebony lams
s_wood
Advanced Member
Username: s_wood

Post Number: 345
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, January 23, 2012 - 10:35 am:   Edit Post

Jazzy, do I understand correctly that you were able to buy the Orphaned Twin! Damn, how did that sale get past me :-) Congrats!
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2722
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, January 23, 2012 - 4:39 pm:   Edit Post

Yeah I'm really pleased that Poor Nigel was happy for me to be the next owner of this amazing looking bass and one I've been interested in for a long time. I guess with this one and the Dragon Magic guitar, i've been fortunate to be able to acquire two instruments that are very close to what I would have wanted as a custom order.

I really don't know what to expect sound wise from this bass so it will be an interesting time. I think the only series II bass I've ever heard was being controlled by the masterful fingers of JJ when I saw him at a gig with Allan Holdsworth a few years back.


s_wood, i guess you bumped up this thread at the beginning of the year which drew my attention again. Poor_NIgel and myself have had correspondence over the past year regarding this bass and I think he kind of knew that the time was right when I posted a response to you bumping this thread on new years day. So I guess it's partly thanks to you I noticed it again and decided to buy.



Jazzyvee
poor_nigel
Advanced Member
Username: poor_nigel

Post Number: 235
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Monday, January 23, 2012 - 7:47 pm:   Edit Post

First shot at playing an SII - Put all three volumes at mid. Crank both chicken headed knobs to full on. Turn first Q all the way off. Turn second Q all the way on. Turn amp on 5. If you have a wimpy amp, hit an open A. If you have a great amp, hit an open B. You should feel it in the back of yer teeth. If not, continue until you do. Easy! After that, it is all experimental, as so many little things come into play to make each of us sound a bit different. I seriously doubt you will be at all disappointed in the bass in sight or sound qualities. It's 'feel' is just as good, too. It is a 'damn fine bass!'

BTW - Lucky for you I never took Steve's comments on this base to mean he would have actually wanted to own it, as he has so many fine basses. I have dealt with him in the past, and he is a pillar of integrity. In fact, I even owe him a favor. So . . .
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 1116
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, January 23, 2012 - 10:26 pm:   Edit Post

Steve wasn't the only one. That's what I get for keeping my mouth shut. However, it's going to be in great hands!

So, I'm a little confused, though, aren't the chicken head knobs the Q knobs?

Series IIs do rock! It's amazing how you can change the voice of the instrument.
poor_nigel
Advanced Member
Username: poor_nigel

Post Number: 236
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Monday, January 23, 2012 - 11:40 pm:   Edit Post

My bad! Q knobs or frequency knobs, the chicken headed knobs are what they are. I never paid attention to the analytic aspect of the controls. Bob Novy was the master of that aspect, IMO. I sure hope he is doing alright these days. I miss his posts. I do get words and concepts backwards a lot these days. It is just the nature of the road I am on. Anyway - After a while of playing with the controls, you just get to know where they need to be to get the sound you want. This bass does not replace all your other basses, unless you needed to sell them to afford the beast. It never made me want to replace my other basses, Alembic of not-so Alembic ones. It was just a great playing, great sounding, great looking bass, that I could no longer play much any more, so it became a waste for me to be its custodian. On to a younger man to help him reach his potential, and just get a really good buzz from playing an excellent bass. This bass is all his now. I have no ownership rights to it at all anymore, and I am happy it stayed in the family. Who could ask for more?!
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2725
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 - 4:01 am:   Edit Post

Thanks Nigel, she will be in good hands.

Jazzyvee
billostech
Advanced Member
Username: billostech

Post Number: 270
Registered: 1-2011
Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 - 6:59 am:   Edit Post

Congrats Jazzyvee !!!
wishbass
Intermediate Member
Username: wishbass

Post Number: 124
Registered: 5-2011
Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 - 3:57 pm:   Edit Post

Just had to have my daily looksey,and express my envy.VERY cool Jazzy.
s_wood
Advanced Member
Username: s_wood

Post Number: 346
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 - 7:48 pm:   Edit Post

I've come to know Nigel a bit over the years. He is a musician who understands and loves fine musical instruments like few do. Jazzy, you should feel honored that he has selected you to care for such a wonderful bass! Play her well, like Nigel has!
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2743
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 - 11:25 pm:   Edit Post

Here is a photo that Mica sent to me last night.
Stripped and ready for the new hardware. I'm trying to decide about personalising it in some way with an inlay at the 12th or 24th fret or indeed something else.
I'm stuck for idea's or inspiration. From a musical side of things I love the the quick tone change switches that the Europa has, (more the bass one than the treble really), but I would imagine that would be a costly option to implement. I'm also torn between introducing a delay on me getting the bass.


growlypants
Junior
Username: growlypants

Post Number: 11
Registered: 3-2011
Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 - 7:05 am:   Edit Post

Wow! GORGEOUS!!
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 1447
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 - 2:20 pm:   Edit Post

Jazzy,

What's the deal with the new hardware? Weren't the original gold plated? Are you getting a different color or was there something not right?

Beautiful quilt, BTW.
wishbass
Intermediate Member
Username: wishbass

Post Number: 132
Registered: 5-2011
Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 - 9:43 pm:   Edit Post

Jazzy, she is stunning! I love the quilt(as you know). I also am quite taken w/the touch of honey appearence of the finish.I bet you are beside yourself!
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2745
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 - 11:22 pm:   Edit Post

I'm not sure what the colour is to be honest. The original pictures in the Custom of the month Archive shows the bass to be much lighter in colour. Then the photo's Poor Nigel has show a different set of shades too,and this one is much yellower than I've seen before. Mica did say that the original pictures she took were slightly over exposed so looked a bit lighter than the bass actually was in reality. However I'm hoping the colour is more like the 5th, 6th & 7th picture down from the top of this thread. But hey I have a purple alembic so a more yellowy one won't faze me.

As for the hardware, Mica & Poor Nigel were not happy with the way gold plating was holding out and so it's being replaced. How's that for customer service. :-)

I's all good.
Jazzyvee
jon_jackson
Intermediate Member
Username: jon_jackson

Post Number: 119
Registered: 12-2008
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 7:39 pm:   Edit Post

Jazzy, if you check my outdoor photos in Showcase of the "Other Twin", they are fairly accurate as to color. Very close to the 5 - 7th pictures Thomas posted. Mine also has some slight tarnish on the gold hardware, so the twin thing continues.
Jon
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2753
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, February 20, 2012 - 9:59 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks for that Jon, I've just checked it out and Im chuffed even more that the maple has less of an antique yellow. I will have to take some more accurate pictures when I get it to it's new home.

jazzyvee
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2774
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - 1:56 am:   Edit Post

I called Mica last night and she told me the hardware is back and will be checked in a couple of days to make sure it's ok.

It's getting closer. ;-)

Jazzyvee
wishbass
Intermediate Member
Username: wishbass

Post Number: 157
Registered: 5-2011
Posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 - 8:54 am:   Edit Post

Weekly look.One word....WOW!
s_wood
Advanced Member
Username: s_wood

Post Number: 347
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 - 10:42 am:   Edit Post

Killer!
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2793
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 - 1:39 pm:   Edit Post

It's still hard to believe that this really mine and will soon be in my hands.

Now there is only one more Alembic bass on my shopping list and that is a Series I Small body bass in wicked Coco bolo or blackwood but thats not gonna be for a few years now. In actual fact this year will be 10 years since I got my first Alembic.... Now there is an idea for a new thread......
Jazzyvee
bigredbass
Senior Member
Username: bigredbass

Post Number: 1826
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 - 10:48 pm:   Edit Post

So many thoughts:

As big a traditionalist as I am, I do like seeing Series basses in non-Series bodies.

I love Quilt, and if you've got to get a 'non colored' instrument (partial to red or green myself . . . . ), the white woods look great. Of course this quilt would look great anyhow . . .

You are in for something amazing with this axe. I got to play Will Gunn's custom with the triple ebony laminates, and believe me, it's everything they way it is. I'm not much into 'hearing' the different woods, but you WILL hear that, I immediately flashed that I was hearing the deep end of a BIG Steinway. For the life of me, I can NOT figure out how they can sand the ebony and maple neck with out rutting the maple between the ebony plies . . . .

Anyway, many, many congrats JV, THIS is one you'll never sell or horse trade away. Prepare to be possessed . . . .

All the Best,

J o e y
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 3027
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 - 4:05 am:   Edit Post

You are right Joey, I can't see me selling this bass at all. It's such a different sound to my other alembics that I have to play them first during a practice session, this one first makes the rest sound like they are lacking somehow when they are certainly not.

As it happens, I haven't taken it out on a gig yet so I'm looking forward to a symphony hall gig I have in my diary for next week.

It has a reputation as one of the best concert halls on the planet so it will be a great start to it's live music career with me.



jazzyvee
mario_farufyno
Senior Member
Username: mario_farufyno

Post Number: 811
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Thursday, July 19, 2012 - 11:20 am:   Edit Post

This is one of the most gorgeous bass in our comunity, no doubt about it!
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 3040
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, July 19, 2012 - 1:27 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks for that Mario, It has always been one of my favourites and I feel very fortunate to own it. It's more bass than I ever thought I'd have.

Sometimes when the time is right, things just seem to line up properly for me and just like the Dragon Magic guitar, this one synchronised up just at the right time so I kind of feel I was supposed to have it. I think Poor Nigel knew it was gonna happen a good while ago but back then clearly wasn't the right time for me.


This is definitely a keeper.

Jazzyvee
charles_holmes
Intermediate Member
Username: charles_holmes

Post Number: 181
Registered: 3-2009
Posted on Thursday, July 19, 2012 - 4:31 pm:   Edit Post

Man, I love that bass!
That is a bad mofo!!
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 3147
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Saturday, September 15, 2012 - 8:13 am:   Edit Post

I'm having a great time bonding with this bass. I'm understanding now why the players here with Series Basses are so passionate about the sound of them. They sound phenomenally clear, authoritative and powerful. I've done two gigs with this bass now but not gigs where I had a chance to focus on the sound of the bass because they were both short sets without a real soundcheck and I was using bass rigs I was not familiar with. Hopefully It won't be too long before I get to use it with my own rig and in a venue where I can get a feel for the true majestic tone of it.

Jazzyvee
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 3157
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, September 24, 2012 - 12:24 pm:   Edit Post

Does anyone here have the third "Twin" as there was a fretless four stringer in the clan too.



s_wood has the fretted four string, I have the fretted 5 string, so do we know who has the fretless four stringer?

Wouldn't it be great if it was on another continent.

jazzyvee
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 3158
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, September 24, 2012 - 12:25 pm:   Edit Post

Does anyone here have the third "Twin" as there was a fretless four stringer in the clan too.



s_wood has the fretted four string, I have the fretted 5 string, so do we know who has the fretless four stringer?

Wouldn't it be great if it was on another continent.

jazzyvee
s_wood
Advanced Member
Username: s_wood

Post Number: 360
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, September 24, 2012 - 12:33 pm:   Edit Post

Whoa...I don't have the four string - never did. I sure do wish that I had the five string, though :-)
What a beautiful bass!
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 3159
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, September 24, 2012 - 3:07 pm:   Edit Post

Ok Sorry my mistake I thought you had the other twin.

Jazzyvee
jon_jackson
Intermediate Member
Username: jon_jackson

Post Number: 150
Registered: 12-2008
Posted on Monday, September 24, 2012 - 8:05 pm:   Edit Post

Jazzy, I have the other twin (fretted 4 string) in the middle of the U.S. I have attempted to obtain the fretless, so far without success, but I haven't given up.
Jon
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 3160
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, September 24, 2012 - 10:50 pm:   Edit Post

Sorry got names wrong.... oops.
So I take it that I have no chance of getting the other twin (fretted four string) then hahaha..... :-(

I hope it becomes yours eventually.

Jazzyvee
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 4718
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2015 - 5:09 pm:   Edit Post

With this awesome bass

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