| Author | Message | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 126 Registered: 11-2009 |
This Space For Rent! Waiting For Arrival. Auction posted for keeping a public record of this bass.   | ||
| skyboltone
Member Username: skyboltone Post Number: 71 Registered: 11-2010 |
Nice looking bass. Seems familiar to me somehow. I think you ought to rip all the frets off it and put in some Bartolinis. Shred man. | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1301 Registered: 11-2004 |
Glad this one is returning home to you. It should be a happy moment when that case arrives. | ||
| tmoney61092
Senior Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 694 Registered: 9-2008 |
Skyboltone, really hope you're joking...... ~Taylor | ||
| skyboltone
Member Username: skyboltone Post Number: 72 Registered: 11-2010 |
Only poor-nigel knows for sure ;o) | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1638 Registered: 9-2002 |
You PASSED UP the ukelele ?!?!? J o e y | ||
| skyboltone
Member Username: skyboltone Post Number: 76 Registered: 11-2010 |
I'm hoping he comes up with a one string series 4. | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 133 Registered: 11-2009 |
I was taken for quite a ride on this bass' auction, so no thanks. Though I do have a fondness for four-stringed instruments, no singing IZ songs for me this summer. Here is something cool Mica sent me. Note - I did not fill this out. Must have been my friend who owned the store or one of the employees there. I am posting it, as it is part of this bass' official record at the factory, so cool it is! I just looked Ephrata, WA up in the Wiki article of it. Interesting place, or not. Never even heard of it before tonight. I have never had a hankering for Hammers, Riches, or Curly basses, though I did used to use BGW amps and Gauss speakers, but not 12's back then. I bet it was this lead player that played in a metal band that used to gig in Vegas and Reno all the time. We loved messing with each other back then. I must have left this card setting on the counter out of distraction from the amazing instrument that was in the case that with it. Anyway, the crack about wanting the next one to be sent with five strings was aimed at Susan, as this was supposed to come a five string, but the fifth string got lost in the five months it took to build and ship it, and it arrived as a four. Alembic being a company of solid integrity, Susan comped me a preamp (easily covering a fifth string, IMO), so I would not have put in a dig like that. All in all, I like this piece of history, whoever filled the card out. With shipping, I paid about $100 or $200 less for it in the auction than it retailed for in 1980, but who paid retail, even back then, eh? I have missed this bass I did not want to get rid of, so am just glad to have it coming back my way. This showcase is for the next owner to read somewhere down the road, when my turn is up, again. Whoever you are, enjoy! You've got a dandy bass there Mister, or Sister.  | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 138 Registered: 11-2009 |
 All the fam came out to meet the new member of the herd. It has been a while since some have been dusted off and saw the light of day. Don't know how that saprono moo got in there, but I'm keeping it! It took me a little over 12 hours to strip, clean, oil, and polish the thirty-one year-old bass and put it back together. I like doing that. I would not mind doing it as a day job. Even Jazzy Vee's favorite got in the picture. Gee, I hardly ever play that old thing. | ||
| skyboltone
Member Username: skyboltone Post Number: 93 Registered: 11-2010 |
No rain. Spring has sprung. All that sun and shine looks good together. Dan | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 139 Registered: 11-2009 |
 The Circassian walnut goes perfectly with the Macassar ebony. The walnut is even flamed - really great wood. Something most people do not know is that Macassar ebony is very prone to surface cracks. I got this bass a few months late, as the guys at the factory were watching the cracks in it to see if they spread or not. Over 31 years, they seem to have done so, but that I suppose would be natural, over enough years. They have car wax in them right now, so they do look pronounced. I would have to get the bass refinished to really get them filled, so right now it is not worth it. had those people who bid on the bass known it had these, I am sure the auction would have ended way below what it did. Macassar ebony lams are $3,600 extra, and they do come with a 'hidden' price! | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 140 Registered: 11-2009 |
 The woods in this bass are gorgeous. From pitch blacks to deep reddish-browns. I recognize the brass strap pins, so either they came from the factory, or I put them on 30 years ago. Hardly need strap locks with these. | ||
| skyboltone
Member Username: skyboltone Post Number: 94 Registered: 11-2010 |
This is kind of like sitting at the nudie beach waiting for the babe to turn around. Enough butt shots mister. Let's get a look at her front! | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 141 Registered: 11-2009 |
 Redundacy??? Not in my book. The more the merrier! Two sweet basses are always better than one. You cannot see the graphite rods in the Series I's neck, but you can tell they are there by the solid feel when playing and even tuning up. I don't know why Alembic quit implanting them - Duh! Ebony lams took over! I cannot remember how much the rods were, but when Susan told me about them I just had to have them. These two basses do sound quite a bit different. So no redundancy issues here. | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 142 Registered: 11-2009 |
 Funny, I do not seem to tire of 'innocently STARING' at women's bottoms at the beach . . . But, since you asked for it Dan . . . I did not bother to clean up the pickups. It came with a bad one that I put in the back and I ordered a new matching set from Mica. Actually, I ordered them for both of these basses, so they will both have the engraved ALEMBIC pups - I like those best. No difference in price, so YA! <<< Rotten spellchecker is on the fritz again >>> (Message edited by poor_nigel on April 02, 2011) | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 143 Registered: 11-2009 |
 Wow, pretty dark. This place if full of tall, thin trees - I am in the mountains here - so shadows move around every 30 seconds. I do not have a good editor to fix these. Maybe next time. | ||
| skyboltone
Member Username: skyboltone Post Number: 95 Registered: 11-2010 |
Tukasus & Nay nays. Either way. I think that's a real stunner though TK. It's a powerful combination of color and form. It was so worth the effort. Congratulations indeed. | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 144 Registered: 11-2009 |
 The head stock does not look really 'bookmatched.' It is two pieces of wood, and it was ordered to be so. The chip out of the corner is the only chip/mark on the bass. I took a red magic marker to it, and it is almost invisible, except in direct sun light. It has a very thick brass nut, and I think I will send it in to be shaved down on the bottom and made into an adjustable one. I much prefer those. One of the better advancements to the modern bass, IMO. I'll request it be left thick. | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 145 Registered: 11-2009 |
 The worst crack in the bass. I'll see if I can get the wax out, but it does not bother me too much. | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 146 Registered: 11-2009 |
 | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 147 Registered: 11-2009 |
 | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 148 Registered: 11-2009 |
 I did not get good shots of the abalone inlays. It has the best I have ever seen, truly exceptional pieces, every one of them. No having to look at it at just the right angle - though this shrunk-up picture would tend to deny that claim. Well, I can look at em all I want in person, and they are fabulous. Also, the fretboard is thicker than usual. That and the graphite rods do make for a very stiff neck, which I like. | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 149 Registered: 11-2009 |
 The LEDs are red and work just fine after all these years. I am thinking this bass was played very little. The last owner was a guitar player and it was kept in storage after his passing for 11 years. So it is time to put some play hours on this bass. It has the stacked electronics in the back, so the core is extra thick. I have both kinds, and prefer the thicker body and single electronics cavity. OK, that's enough . . . | ||
| pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 789 Registered: 11-2006 |
Hey Thomas, you have a Swiss bass (third from the left on the general picture) !!! http://www.duvoisinguitars.com/ How is it sound ? Nice serie I you have !! | ||
| artswork99
Moderator Username: artswork99 Post Number: 1463 Registered: 7-2007 |
Great shots Thomas! Congratulations! Art | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 917 Registered: 10-2006 |
We can't figure it out, Thomas - are you happy to get this one back?  Congratulations, and very nice collection (I loves me some Les Paul Triumph) Peter | ||
| adriaan
Moderator Username: adriaan Post Number: 2777 Registered: 6-2002 |
Quite a family reunion! Good vibes, must be feeling on top of the world. Pierre-Yves - check out the logo, it's a Tobias. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2376 Registered: 6-2002 |
Nigel, if you ever want to sell that Series II Europa bass, give me a shout...!!!! Jazzyvee | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 150 Registered: 11-2009 |
Thanks guys. Yes, I am extremely pleased to have my old bass back again. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Peter, the bass in the picture is a Les Paul Bass. They are thicker and heavier than Triumphs. People probably complained about the weight and lack of inlays for a Les Paul, so . . . Jazzy Vee, when it is time for my Europa to find a new home, I will knock on your door first - You have my word on that. People have been very good to me when they sold me their Alembicsa, so what goes around comes around. I'll even let you have the easy payment plan, when the times comes. Right now, it is waiting to go back into the factory for some warranty and maybe some custom work. I am thinking of having rays added to the logo and have the front and back of the headstock beveled. It should look very sharp, and it will also make the headstock seem a little smaller. Pierre-Yves, the Tobias plays wonderfullly and sounds very good. Not like Series electronics, but as good as Bartolinis can sound - Through an Eden it sounds great. <<< Spell Checker! >>> (Message edited by poor_nigel on April 03, 2011) | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 630 Registered: 9-2008 |
Wow, chrome plating can be so impressive! | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 920 Registered: 10-2006 |
Yes, of course - saw the shape & p/ups, and my eyes slid right over the dots. Peter | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 161 Registered: 11-2009 |
 Got a new set of etched pick-ups and David King knobs and stuck em on. The knobs are flawless! Ebony knobs on an ebony bass. Makes sense. One of the pups was bad, so I just replaced them both. The old set is being donated to Mica to check out why the one lost so much signal, as she says it is still too soon to lose enough gauss to make a significant difference. Good for her thinking about quality first. | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 162 Registered: 11-2009 |
 A good shot of the crack in the front lam. It simply is not worth the cost of a repair and refinish job on the whole bass to cover up something that actually existed when I received the bass 31 years ago. Therefore I claim this is a factory installed custom option - Unlike the black magic marker I used to try and darken the etched groves of the pick-ups. Got lazy, and now I have to clean them out and do it right. Gives me more fun things to do. | ||
| lembic76450
Advanced Member Username: lembic76450 Post Number: 294 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thomas, Are the allen screws for the pick-ups something new? | ||
| lembic76450
Advanced Member Username: lembic76450 Post Number: 295 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thomas, Nevermind, I just saw you other post, oh, and it is good to see you back posting again. I always loved those star inlays on your other bass, nice job on both.. | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 164 Registered: 11-2009 |
 Got my case back from Calzone/Anvil last week. I was NOT real happy I sent it in a sturdy box and got it back without any, not even covered in paper. This is showing zero respect for my property, regardless if they think it is a beat-up piece of crap or not. They are a case company, and made this case 31 years ago, so I think they could have found a box laying around somewhere to ship it back to me. Honestly, I think Calzone has gone significantly downhill in quality in the last few years. I bought a couple of 1/2 flight cases for a couple of basses a few years ago and bragged on how great they were. I bought one for my Steinberger and five string last year and sent them back as they screwed both up to the point they had to be gutted out for the Steinberger (Now there is a complicated shape to fit!), and the Europa case had to be trashed and restarted, as he made it so the headstock was an inch too deep for the well he cut in a too thin case. Duh! This case has precious memories for me, lots of miles under its belt, most of them not mine - But . . . It is an old Anvil, who is now owned by Calzone. I had them gut it out and refoam and cloth it. See how the bass fits in on the far side, but how it is sticking an inch above the plush on the front side of the body? The neck sits around 1/2 above the sides plush, but at least the headstock fits properly in the well, when I press the case together and lock it. I did have them put new locks on it, as those are the second most important part fo a flight case. I suppose after a couple of years, if I left the bass in this case, it would fit properly, but I do have to admit besides the hassles of having to use my knees to close the case with or without the bass in it, it will keep the bass nice and secure. They did do a good job on the plush. Below is a picture of the case sitting without the bass in it, unlocked. Funny!  | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 165 Registered: 11-2009 |
 Look at the milage on that handle. I just ordered a new one for it, but I might leave this one on for sentiment. A friend was a sheetmetal worker and riveted the plate on the side of the case when the heater in my old house burned a hole in the side of the case. A friend at a party (Drummer of course) put my bass in my room for safe keeping back in the old daze. Put it right in front of an old style, in-wall electric coil heater that gets real hot in front of it. Did I mention he was a drummer? More memories now. I put that sticker on it way back when. I was hot on Tangent mixboards back in the early 80's. I guess you can buy memories if your willing to pay the eBay price for em. All-in-all, I am very happy with this case and would not trade it for a new 1/2" one, with wheels for old pickers! As for the bass, now that I have played it some, I would definitely shell out the auction cost for it if it was not the old bass I ordered from Susan in my youth. It rivals my Europa in deep growl - impressive! Neck has not move a micron since I got it. I like that, too. | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 166 Registered: 11-2009 |
Hey Kenn: Speaking of star inlays, Susan came very close to talking me into stars on this bass back then. They were only $150 more, dead cost, but the bass was already hundreds over budget with other options odered and case, so I decided not to. They really would be a matched set, in my mind, had I have gone with the stars. But, I really have not been that good in life to deserve that level of karma, so . . . I'll just suffer quietly with the stuff I have. | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 248 Registered: 11-2009 |
In response to jazzyee's post on the other bass - The ebony Series I is in Santa Rosa becoming a Series II bass with some minor differences. Like a 1980 bass with an omega headstock and bevelled edges, front and back. Little things like a curved rail bridge and a bird tail piece that will more closely follow its new omega cut\filled body, but done like the Walnut Goldie Locks-Like Bass, and not others points I have seen modified to an omegta. Inlaid logo and rays, a spiffy Mr. Moon or Sun inlaid in the first fret position, and littel things like recessed strap locks I love so much. Including the original purchase priced, I believe I could have saved money just ordering a new custom S II through Beaver, but then I doubt it would be nearly as spiffy as what I believe will show up on my door step here some day in the distant future. The only bass I have ever custom ordered, and then had custom work done on it, to boot. Special upon special. Here are a couple of pix Mica was gonna post, but she is very busy putting out five string basses and mini power supplies. Note this quilted five string is not my bass, just an example with a curved-rail bridge.  Omega Headstock:  I want my tailpiece to be more like the one on some lucky guys/girl's bass Mica showed me:  Note that I do not post much any more. It is a struggle for me to type some times, and I ALWAYS get everything backwards these days. I'm a cranky old man in intense training, and learning very quickly. Yep, one is never too old or far gone to have a happy childhood, though I doubt I will be out gigging with it much by the time it comes back to me. Hey, I am supposed to show up for work at 7:30 AM, Ha!!! OK, I'll show, and then go right back to bed. And in a cranky manner, too, dammit! | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 330 Registered: 11-2009 |
It has been a couple of years, and a few happening on this bass in Santa Rosa. Chris did an amazing job changing its point buttocks to an omega, but then they lightly sanded the neck to be refinished, it was discovered back in 1980 those that embedded the graphite rods did it a bit too deeply, and it unexpected started showing through the sanding efforts - Ahhhhh!!!!! All the masterful work Chris had done was at that point a terrible waste. And it was looking swell! However, careful though decided against a patch job and the route for a new neck was suggested by Mica and I definitely trust her judgement on such matters. Long story short, it is now a 5-string flamed maple, ebony, maple stringer, purple heart, maple stringer, ebony, maple stringer, purple heart, maple stringer, ebony, flaming maple neck omega cut bottom and omega cut headstock beveled on both sides, with ebony used in all headstock lams, and both front and back bookmatched headstock lams on a Series II with no battery compartment, but an dimmer for the violet and amber neck LEDs replacing the 1/4 jack for stereo battery operation. Curved bridge, and 'Batmanish' tail piece that more follows the curve of the omega cut. Inlayed logo - shell, blah, blah and a fairy and man-in-the-moon inlay at the first fret I really like. Thicker than normal bridge posts, four adjustment screws on the headstock nut, verses the regular three. Totally refinished and all surface cracks of Macassar ebony lams repaired. Metal inserts on all screw holes added. Continuous wood truss rod cover to keep that ebony going and going and going . . . Recessed gold Dunlop strap locks, cause I is a spoiled brat. Master volume added to the S II upgraded electronics. Steve Wood dimension on neck, so it will be bliss to play. Headstock is 2 + 3 configuration. Abalone ovals as before, but two small stars added to the 24th fret position. Hipshot light-weight gold tuners used, with the 1/2 pegs and 20:1 ratio. Did I miss anything? Mica has the complete list, and is of course trustable to get it all done and proper. I will post a few pix sent during the changes that have taken place so far. | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 331 Registered: 11-2009 |
  Chris's plans for changing the Body's point to an omega cut. | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 332 Registered: 11-2009 |
  Chris' execution of his more than a bit cleaver plans. Obviously, it was going to work out just fine. | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 333 Registered: 11-2009 |
 I seem to have misplaced the picture showing the graphite peeping through the sanded neck, but what does that matter now? Mica has a new system of putting all the pieces of a new neck together to see how they hand together for a while. Cuts down on negative affectsa after gluing, if pieces do not seem to 'get along' during the social introduction period. Mica said the outer maple lams are very flamed, but do not show it in this picture. She should know. | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 334 Registered: 11-2009 |
 They must have socialized properly, as they glued em proper. It was decided to do a copy of the neck for the headstock lams. You can see the rough cut pieces on the table above. | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 335 Registered: 11-2009 |
 Front and back veneers are both bookmatched - Cool!   Mica and/or Chris had the great idea of making the veneers in the mimic of the neck, as seen in the lower picture. Always great attention to detail at Alembic. I can see why people just tell Mica to get down with her bad self when the design and implementation of their custom orders are being done. | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 336 Registered: 11-2009 |
 Because I am getting an omega cut headstock on a five string, I had to give up on having rays on my logo. Decided to go with polished bronze, straight fluffy cloud MOD and abalone on the 'A.' Oh, and I went with violet and red LEDs, not violet and amber. red is closer to the brightness of the violet LEDs than amber.   Beveled edges should really make the omega and the whole headstock really look cool, but especially the omega cut. | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 337 Registered: 11-2009 |
 Old Macassar ebony and Circassian walnut body wings glued to new neck. Neat article on the walnut used in this bass' core: http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/DLDecArts/DLDecArts-idx?type=div&did=DLDecArts.hdv24n03.i0023&isize=text | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 338 Registered: 11-2009 |
 This is the bottom of the bass where Chris had previously cut the omega after filling in the battery compartment of the pointed bottom. | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 339 Registered: 11-2009 |
 Wow, ugly bass! | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 340 Registered: 11-2009 |
The remaking of the omega cut:  | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 341 Registered: 11-2009 |
 | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 342 Registered: 11-2009 |
 | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 343 Registered: 11-2009 |
 | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 344 Registered: 11-2009 |
 | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 345 Registered: 11-2009 |
 I love this picture. It looks like old people candy my grandparents always had on their tables when I was a kid. You know, the kind us kids never touched as it was so pretty looking, but tasted awful! I remember when a Snickers bar went up from a nickel to a dime - What a terrible day in kiddom!!! It has all been downhill since . . . | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 346 Registered: 11-2009 |
 | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 347 Registered: 11-2009 |
 Still needs the bridge block routed out, but it is looking not so ugly now. | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 348 Registered: 11-2009 |
 Fairy and Man-In-The-Moon inlay for first fret position designed by Mica and her mum. I like it!I seriously though of Hello Kitty and Mr. Natural or Boy Howdy!, but thoughts of the next owner of this bass enticed me to go the fairy route . . .   | ||
| pauldo
Senior Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 1233 Registered: 6-2006 |
Great "in-process" pics! Boy Howdy! wow. I used to work at a print shop where we printed and bound CREEM magazine. I think I still have a Boy Howdy belt buckle. :-D | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 8220 Registered: 6-2000 |
Hey! I was picking out shell today for your inlay! Woo Hoo! Or I guess I should say Boy Howdy! | ||
| jon_jackson
Advanced Member Username: jon_jackson Post Number: 207 Registered: 12-2008 |
I love the inlay! Jon | ||
| mtjam
Intermediate Member Username: mtjam Post Number: 175 Registered: 11-2011 |
Wow! Thanks for sharing this transformation with us. It's amazing what the Alembic wizards can do! | ||
| flpete1uw
Advanced Member Username: flpete1uw Post Number: 342 Registered: 11-2011 |
Wow! there is a lot of Artistry here. Enchanting inlay. The other choices would be pure Fun! And all that Ebony. Oh my this Bass is going to be stellar! Pete | ||
| flpete1uw
Advanced Member Username: flpete1uw Post Number: 343 Registered: 11-2011 |
Those shavings would look great in one of those Christmas Ornaments. ;) | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4172 Registered: 6-2002 |
I love the fairy & man in the moon inlay that you are looking at. | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 350 Registered: 11-2009 |
The inlay is cool, but in reality will be about the size of a fifty-cent piece, so us blind old coots will have to look close to see it. Mica, there is a change from the pencil drawing to the mockup in that the further-side wings are in front of the moon tips, instead of behind them. I much prefer the moon continuous, and the further wing tips broken up, as in the pencil drawing. I should be a very happy camper later this year when this bass shows up at my door. It will be the last bass I own, so even the small aspects are kind of important. I wonder who will own it 30 years from now, when maybe it needs to be refinished again? I hope this record is still here for he or she to enjoy. Do note that I sent it in to be refinished NOT because the finish did not last. It actually had a still good finish with no checking in it at all. It was to close up the surface cracks in the ebony that appeared when it was first made. Impatient customers can be a real pain, especially to themselves later on. Had I known then what I know now, I would not have bugged them to get the bass completed, as I had to have it NOW! Lessons learned the hard way . . . | ||
| wfmandmusic
Member Username: wfmandmusic Post Number: 99 Registered: 1-2012 |
Great pics of this transformation. This bass will be stellar and you are creating a masterpiece. So fun to watch. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 8224 Registered: 6-2000 |
Final line art (and inlay) is with intact tips of the moon. That mock up was a quickie! | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 354 Registered: 11-2009 |
How do you spell excitement? I spell it LEDs.  While I'm at it, I might as well post the first fret inlay shot Mica sent me. Neat-o!  | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 3575 Registered: 5-2009 |
I can see where this is going ! This Bass is going to be absolutely pulchritudinous! | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 355 Registered: 11-2009 |
What'd you call my new to me bass?! If I had one of those fancy-schmancy three-digit IQs, I could come back with a retort other than, Huh? oh thanks . . . It is looking particularly spiffy, which is of great importance since as time goes forward, my ability to play more than a brief, simple rif or two is working in such a backasswards assiduous deportment. Since it does have a lot of ebony in the bass, I should get off big time just playin the tonics. I do just love an open B played through a couple of 21" woofers. BTW, Wolf, I forgive you for being able to see and play it before I get to. Then again, "I never opened her case, honest!" works, too. I'd go that route and stick to it. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 3576 Registered: 5-2009 |
Please forgive me if what I wrote appears ostentatious .____Beyond Beautiful , would be the same as "pulchritudinous!". I thought that for such a special bass that I would employ creative license to express my appreciation for such a noble creation. My sincere compliments to you my friend for making this a reality for us all to enjoy . I seriously love seeing your expression of delight in this process. | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 362 Registered: 11-2009 |
 The Batman tailpiece decided upon. | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 368 Registered: 11-2009 |
Couple of phone shots from Mica concerning the omega cut on its bottom.  Mica said they found something they did not like and sent it back to spray again. Shot is good for showing the color scheme of the bass. The purple heart stringers being the 'splash' of color on a mostly dark bass, and the maple its contrast element (Bridge and tail piece will add a bit, too). Everyone has their own favorite bass Alembic has produced and there is a thread listing many people's choices of such. Mine is this bass: http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/13892.html?1111352382 It is not old school as is mine, and I would have gone for a volume and pan controls setup, verses three volumes as in the old style, but it is such a great bass. | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 369 Registered: 11-2009 |
 Shot shows how the Macassar ebony blends with the Circassion walnut so nicely. You can especially see it where the inside of the omega's walnut looks almost exactly like it is the lighter shades of the ebony. Hmm, a 34 year old brand new bass. | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 377 Registered: 11-2009 |
 I have no idea why this pix came labeled I Spy Bridge, unless we was playing a game I spaced out on - Mica, I spy with my little eye, a bridge. Hmm, the elves must have gotten busy on my bass again. In fact, Mr. Wickersham finished the electronics just before Memorial Day kicked in, so it should be on its way here mid-next week. Joy! Note: Hum-canceller has clamps on it, as that I hear is the last thing done on a finished bass, glue it in. | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 378 Registered: 11-2009 |
 Happiness is . . . | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 379 Registered: 11-2009 |
 Peghead laminates 'echo' the wood pattern of the neck laminates. These guys do amaze me with their more than cleaver ideas all the time. I am sure I will take some pix of the bass when it shows up next week, after I am done polishing the polish and oiling the brand new fretboard, as if either need to be done. A couple of old flight cases arrived the other day, and also a stray bass named Monty, which I will care for until he is ready to go back home to his real owner. I'll make a thread in the Showcase for Monty, as it is nice to share bass pix with obsessed Alembic lovers, but also it is necessary for security reasons, in case someone decides a bass that does not belong to them should find its way into their home or hideout. So the police have instant pix available in their portable devices for investigation purposes. | ||
| adriaan
Moderator Username: adriaan Post Number: 3240 Registered: 6-2002 |
Ain't she sweet! | ||
| moongerm
Advanced Member Username: moongerm Post Number: 207 Registered: 8-2013 |
Good gosh that is amazing! | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 380 Registered: 11-2009 |
 The official in-house shot of my old bass. Bass should arrive Friday, if nothing else occurs to delay it. | ||
| mtjam
Advanced Member Username: mtjam Post Number: 312 Registered: 11-2011 |
Beautiful! | ||
| pauldo
Senior Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 1505 Registered: 6-2006 |
Sexy! | ||
| moongerm
Advanced Member Username: moongerm Post Number: 208 Registered: 8-2013 |
Smokes of Wholly! | ||
| dead_head
Member Username: dead_head Post Number: 91 Registered: 5-2014 |
WOW!!! | ||
| slawie
Senior Member Username: slawie Post Number: 791 Registered: 8-2002 |
That has got to be the greatest restoration since Lazarus! It is absolutely beautiful. Congratulations Thomas and well done Alembic Truly masters at their craft. slawie | ||
| flpete1uw
Senior Member Username: flpete1uw Post Number: 497 Registered: 11-2011 |
This Bass transformation is truly a work of art! It gives me a bunch of ideas of what my next Bass should look like and build like! Looking forward to hearing the reviews. Congratulations Thomas and Alembic! Best wishes, Pete | ||
| enzo
Senior Member Username: enzo Post Number: 486 Registered: 4-2009 |
Wow, the ultimate Alembic, I'm truly amazed. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4229 Registered: 5-2009 |
I am also excited ! Congratulations ! | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 381 Registered: 11-2009 |
 Mica reshot the bass after putting the right knobs on it and sent me a picture. What me worry, as I have the bass here to ogle. I bought a couple new batteries for my camera, but cannot find the charger for it. Gee, if I had not of had to move twice in the last couple of months, maybe I could find stuff around here . . . |
