| Author | Message | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1467 Registered: 6-2000 |
Ken's been waiting patiently to get his first glimpse of his bass. Sorry there was little light for these photos:  I know I always say this, but it looks much better in person! The Quilted Maple is hard to photograph with the smooth scraped top, but if you concentrate on the edges, you can see the rough texture from the deep figuring. Once there's paint on it next week, you'll see what I mean.  Neck complete with reminder note for the brass truss rod cover. | ||
| bigbadbill
Member Username: bigbadbill Post Number: 96 Registered: 10-2003 |
Hi Ken; Another bass???? Wow! Can't wait to see how this one turns out (I'm going to be seriously lagging behind in terms of number of Alembics owned, although I think the one I'm getting more than makes up for it!) All the best Shaun | ||
| kmh364
Junior Username: kmh364 Post Number: 20 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi Mica, Just wondering...Is this my bass, or someone else's with a similar name and order? Kevin | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1473 Registered: 6-2000 |
Had a little brain drop last night on your name, sorry Kevin. If you placed your order through Superbass, then this is your bass. | ||
| kmh364
Junior Username: kmh364 Post Number: 21 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi Mica, Yes, guilty as charged! No worries about the name, though....I've been called much worse, LOL! I had a feeling that this was my order. Unfortunately, because of the dark pix, I couldn't tell if it had an ash back or if the neck had (amber) LED's. Is it possible for you to post more pix, especially some alternate angles? I was wondering if you could refresh my memory...I know I asked Steve from Superbass to order the gold package and brass cover plates for everything...but I can't remember about the headstock logo. Did I order a gold plated logo? If not, and it's not too late, I'd like to have the logo gold plated as well. While I'm asking stupid questions: Is it possible to have that logo inlaid flush (vs. the standard surface mount)or would I have to go with the s. silver w/shell (a la Series II)? Whichever way it goes, I'll make sure that Steve Frank officially confirms any adds/changes with you. Thanks for your assistance, Ke(vi)n | ||
| kmh364
Junior Username: kmh364 Post Number: 22 Registered: 9-2003 |
Mica, I've been eyeing up those awesome wood knobs from Roger @ THG. I'm interested in going that route. What would you recommend that would set off the top of this bass? Cheers, Kevin | ||
| kmh364
Junior Username: kmh364 Post Number: 24 Registered: 9-2003 |
Mica/Susan, Any updates re: the above? Kevin | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1499 Registered: 6-2000 |
Hmmmmm, with all the light woods on your bass, I wonder if Maple knobs would look lost or good. Maybe some combo of ebony knobs (to match fingerboard) and maple tops (to match top) would look nice. In that case, ebony indicators would probably show up most. But I'm no expert in wooden knob coordination. I'd ask Roger from THG for his advice since he's surely got more experience. | ||
| kmh364
Junior Username: kmh364 Post Number: 25 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi Mica, Thanks for the sugestion(s). I e-mailed Roger over @ THG with the particulars. I'm interested to see what he comes up with. My apologies: I didn't realize that other Alembic customers had dealt directly with THG for knobs for their instruments. I had assumed that Alembic dealt with THG on behalf of their customers for previous customs I've seen on the club site...my bad. With regards to the rest of the bass...any progress? Cheers, Kevin | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1504 Registered: 6-2000 |
There will be some other pics for you shortly on your build. Sadly, we can't work on every instrument every day, so sometimes progress is kinda spotty. Glad you and Roger got together about your knobs. I still fancy the plastic knobs (just used to them I guess), but I'm getting accustomed to some of the wood ones. I really like those spiral topped ones I saw on a brown bass. | ||
| kmh364
Junior Username: kmh364 Post Number: 26 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi Mica, Thanks much for the info. I realize that you're very busy and that my bass isn't the only one you're working on at the moment. Any progress you can post is, as always, greatly appreciated. Roger is swamped as well at the moment, but expects to get back to me in a few days with recommendations. I referred him to your site (specials archive) RE: "East Meets West" and "Almost Twins" so he can get an idea of what the bass is going to look like. I like your black plastic knobs as well, I'm just looking to set my bass a little apart from the specials that I've patterned it after. BTW, I asked Steve from Superbass to give you guys a call. I want to go with the gold plated Alembic logo (surface mount), I'd like to substitute the road case w/wheels (black/black) in place of the standard hard shell item, and I'd like to add gold (external, not recessed) straplocks. I'll need enough male pieces (@ strap ends) for three straps (all Alembic, LOL!). I also requested that he obtain a revised build sheet in order to eliminate any confusion as to my desired specifications. Regards, Kevin (Message edited by kmh364 on March 23, 2004) | ||
| kmh364
Junior Username: kmh364 Post Number: 27 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi Mica, Another stupid question from the "better late than never club": Has the neck been assembled yet? If not, is it possible to have Purpleheart pinstripes along with the maple neck lams. instead of the standard Walnut? I'm sure I'm too late, but because of the restart-from-scratch, I figured I might have a chance. No harm in asking, right? If you have to, you can blame BKBass for putting the purpleheart splinter in my mind, LOL! Cheers, Kevin | ||
| kmh364
Junior Username: kmh364 Post Number: 28 Registered: 9-2003 |
Mica/Susan, Any progress shots yet? Kevin | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1573 Registered: 6-2000 |
I keep missing the good shots, Kevin.  This shot is in progress - it actually being clamped in the vacuum press. More goodies soon. | ||
| kmh364
Junior Username: kmh364 Post Number: 30 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks Mica, Keep 'em coming! Kevin | ||
| kmh364
Junior Username: kmh364 Post Number: 37 Registered: 9-2003 |
Mica: Any more progress pix yet? | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1593 Registered: 6-2000 |
Try to get some up each Friday. Here's one I meant to send you a while back:  The Quilted Maple top laminate is stunning! Hard to tell in this state, but if it looks this good now, it will be sooooo awesome.  On the shaping table. Sorry, but shot of the front was too out of focus to post  I'll catch it next week.  Another slightly out of focus shot, but still viewable. Still needs some sanding and scraping to remove the burns, but looks nice in any event. | ||
| kmh364
Junior Username: kmh364 Post Number: 39 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks Mica! I'm dying to see pix of the quilt top and the purpleheart neck pinstripes. I think the ash billet you used for the body may be even nicer than "East Meets West". | ||
| bkbass
Junior Username: bkbass Post Number: 16 Registered: 11-2003 |
Won't be long now Bro.What's the electronics? | ||
| kmh364
Junior Username: kmh364 Post Number: 41 Registered: 9-2003 |
Barry, Electronics are the same as "East Meets West": Master Volume, Blend (Pan), Bass boost/cut, Treble boost/cut, Filter w/"Q" switch with JZ-activators and a side/bottom flush-mount jack (gold, I hope). I wanted that Jazz-Bass sound with a Stanley-esque hot-rod option. | ||
| bkbass
Junior Username: bkbass Post Number: 19 Registered: 11-2003 |
Excellent choices!Call me at the office. | ||
| kmh364
Junior Username: kmh364 Post Number: 45 Registered: 9-2003 |
Yeah, I sure hope so...that was the plan. THG knobs are making me analogues of the bass "sandwich" with real 24K gold position markers to top the custom electronics off. It should look, sound, and play awesome. | ||
| kmh364
Junior Username: kmh364 Post Number: 48 Registered: 9-2003 |
Mica, Any more pix for me? I'm chomping at the bit, LOL! Kevin | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1605 Registered: 6-2000 |
Before the last shots, just found this while doing some organzing of photos:  I'm sure I'll hit your bass when I go around on Friday for update shots. | ||
| kmh364
Junior Username: kmh364 Post Number: 50 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks Mica, Any progress shots you have would, as always, be greatly appreciated. Kevin | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1617 Registered: 6-2000 |
Sent down some scraps to Roger this week from your bass for your knobs. I'll get you some more progress shots on your bass early next week, didn't get them on my rounds today and I won't be doing anything but getting all those end of quarter tax junk reviewed and such tomorrow. | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 51 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks Mica, Roger promised to make the knobs look spectacular and ship them to you so that the bass can ship from the factory equipped with them already installed. I'm dying to see further progress pix...especially the quilt top, the quilted headstock veneer, and the back of the neck with the purpleheart pinstripes. Kevin | ||
| groovelines
Intermediate Member Username: groovelines Post Number: 165 Registered: 4-2003 |
Kevin, Nice project, your own East Meets West. I love the ash body. I had a small-bodied Jazz made of ash, you can play all night and not become fatigued. Just because, I did go by the shop to see what has become of the original EMW. It has sold, along with several others they ordered with the same electronics package. Can't wait to see how yours turns out. Mike | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1624 Registered: 6-2000 |
Well, I actually survived the tax paperwork yay! I celebrated by getting you some nice pictures for the weekend.  The top is awesome!  Gotta zoom in some.  They look almost black in the photo, but they are purple in real life - the camera just notices the contrast, and the operator works in the auto-mode only. I'll let you know when I receive the knobs. | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 52 Registered: 9-2003 |
Mica, I'm glad you survived your tax odyssey. You obviously wear many hats at Alembic...it's a wonder you have time to sleep, eat and breathe with all your responsibility. If I wasn't in Joisey, I'd buy you a couple of ole' frostys down at the local grog house for your trouble. The pix of the bass look awesome! I love that the purple heart top lam is thicker than "East Meets West"...it looks much better that way. I had actually considered originally nixing purpleheart altogether based on the Custom O' Month Pix and the pix from Larry Morgan Music RE: the original EMW. Now I realize why, in your infinite wisdom, that purpleheart is used as the default accent wood for light top woods. In addition, Barry was right on the money: the purpleheart neck pinstripes look infinitely better than the std. walnut stripes because of the contrast. I can't wait to see how it looks with all the gold hardware/plates, golden agoya inlays, and Roger's custom knobs! You made my weekend! I hope you have a great one yourself. Many thanks. Mike, Thanks, Bro. EMW was obviously my inspiration, but if you think it was nice, this one is going to be a super-trick version of the same. I loved Kevin's "Almost Twins" Series II's, so I tried to take the best of both worlds and combine them into something a little more affordable. Hopefully, I'll be sucessful. It's looking good so far. Cheers, Kevin |
