| Author | Message | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1455 Registered: 6-2000 |
Normally we suggest a bunch of different woods for customers to select from, but Bill spoke with Susan about what he wanted, and described what he was looking for very well, so we figure we've already picked the perfect wood:  It's big enough to get the top and back from the same board (nice). It's got plenty of swirly parts, pinchy parts, dark grain, and intricate shapes. We hope you like it as much as we all do. | ||
| hollis
Junior Username: hollis Post Number: 38 Registered: 11-2003 |
Ooohhhhhh....aaahhhhhhhh | ||
| cdf
Junior Username: cdf Post Number: 43 Registered: 5-2003 |
I agree, spectacular!! | ||
| bassman10096
Intermediate Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 153 Registered: 7-2003 |
Mica/Susan: ...and you did select very well! I love the coloring and figures. It is already my desktop wallpaper! Could I see the body template placed the way you have in mind and a close up with a swipe of acetone? It really looks great! On a related matter, I Emailed you to ask that the neck be done in a satin finish. I also wanted to confirm the change to heart omega, since BassCentral has not called me with the price change. I'm really excited about the bass and I love the wood. I sort of knew Susan would choose well, but she really outdid my expectations! Thanks! Bill | ||
| marcm
Junior Username: marcm Post Number: 18 Registered: 12-2003 |
bill now THAT's a piece of wood! congratulations! you're on your way to a spectacular instrument marc | ||
| bassman10096
Intermediate Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 159 Registered: 7-2003 |
Thanks for the kind words. I do love this piece of wood. I like the balance between plenty of "movement" and a variety of figures against nice colors and contrast. I really coudn't have envisioned a better match with all the things I like. Thanks to Val, who actually crawled through the wood pile to pick the piece out. This is very nice outcome for one of the truly important phases of the project. FYI: The bass will be constructed as follows: 4 string Medium (32") scale Coco bolo front and back 3/4 "Balance point" body Heart omega Crown peghead w/ goldplated logo Maple and purpleheart neck (narrow string spacing) Green side LEDs Series 2 electronics I've talked with Val about changing the fretboard ovals to abalone and maybe and initial inlay on the fretboard. Still deciding on those. Bill | ||
| bassman10096
Advanced Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 225 Registered: 7-2003 |
Hey Mica!! Any pictures of my bass under construction?? All my efforts to stop making changes and harrassing you all are taking a toll. Val can verify that I don't call Alembic every day any more! All this self discipline is KILLING ME! I've already changed out all the components of my rig that I wanted to upgrade, rebuilt all the bass cabinets in my son's bass-player's rig, balanced my checkbook, cleaned my garage, fed the dog, etc. (You get the picture.). Some pictures could save me from doing something really rash!! On a serious note, did you/Susan get the Thomastik Infeld Jazz Flats I sent (at your request) a few weeks back so they would be on hand during the build? Pictures, pictures, pictures... Worth a thousand words and a million bucks to a desperate bass player!!! Bill | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1498 Registered: 6-2000 |
I found these shots from a couple of weeks ago:   I'll round up some more soon. That little strip of sapwood on the peghead will be cut off. | ||
| bassman10096
Advanced Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 241 Registered: 7-2003 |
Thanks, Mica!! Did you get the TI Jazz Flats I sent? Bill | ||
| bassman10096
Advanced Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 308 Registered: 7-2003 |
Hi everyone!! Just got back from CA and a great visit to the happiest place on earth – Alembic!! Thanks to Susan, Mica and Val for making my new bass come to life and for welcoming my family and me during our visit. Sorry we didn't get to see Val, maybe next time. What a wonderland is hiding out in Santa Rosa!!! Susan gave us the grand tour. I got to hold Stanley's new bass (quilted cocobolo with dragon neck inlay), saw Kevin's new cocobolo S2 (even prettier in person) and “met” my new bass. My son Andy got to play a Chromallusion and a cocobolo Tribute and a Skylark (He's hooked.). Susan and Mica were just great to us. Here are some pix of my bass and the day. The cocobolo is on the dark side and I wasn't well-prepared to photograph it - but you get the idea. Here's a very happy dude:  Here, hold this while I get a picture...   This is just amazing in person:  My son Andy with one of his newest favorites:  My bass was about half through with spray and had just received its frets and abalone neck inlays. The recessed logo comes later. The carving is just great to look at and feel. I really love the omega heart point and tips. I think I'm going to develop neck problems trying to play AND look at the bass at the same time!!! I was really knocked over by how sexy the new K-style (3/4 balance standard) body looks in person and how smooth and easy (balance-wise and shape) it is to handle - gonna be great to play! It was also surprisingly light. Susan brought me down to earth about that when she showed me the shoebox full of electronic components yet to be installed (plus strings, bridge and a few other sundries). So it won’t be a featherweight. It was great getting a chance to see my bass during its construction. Seeing for myself how much of the crafting is done by hand left me with a strong feeling that Alembics are the products of real persons (which is not to talk down the steps done by the CNC machine, which is very cool, and seems to be programmable to do anything with almost any tool!!). I can’t think of the Alembic shop as a factory. It is a workshop. Seeing my bass part way through its construction brought to life the processes that will make it what it becomes. It left me thinking that so many products we own and use go through construction steps we are unaware of. Maybe it sounds weird, but I feel like I already know my new bass better than any I have owned. If you can do it – visit the Alembic folks. I thought I knew what to expect – but, BOY!!! It was much more than that!!! Thanks to all at Alembic - Hope I see you again soon. Bill Geeks in sweatshirts - No kidding, this is our Xmas card picture for this year!  | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 471 Registered: 5-2002 |
Great pics, great story, great shot of the workshop, great looking bass, great sweatshirts! Sounds like a great trip! | ||
| hollis
Intermediate Member Username: hollis Post Number: 141 Registered: 11-2003 |
Nice.....Thanks for sharing these great pictures. It's especially cool that your kids got to experience what goes into the making of these very fine instruments. Lessons in quality are rare indeed. I'm heading in that direction around the end of May.....If all goes according to plan, I'll get meet these great folks too! I can hardly wait! | ||
| bracheen
Advanced Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 398 Registered: 11-2003 |
Kevin, thanks for sharing your pictures. That looks like a very happy family! Your bass looks better being held than by itself (and it looks amazing by itself). By holding it I get a better sense of it's scale. I'd be bouncing around with excited impatience. How do you do it? And is there a custom Tribute in your future. Your son looks natural playing that guitar. Sam | ||
| kevin_k
Junior Username: kevin_k Post Number: 43 Registered: 4-2003 |
Bill, You have a beautiful family, it looks like they are pretty supportive too. What a beautiful bass. It's my first look at a bass from top to bottom with this body style. (Except mine's 34") But it gives me a good idea of what to expect. Good to have you back posting again. Somewhere down the line we'll have to get our two basses together for a photo op. (4 and 5 string versions) Later, Kevin | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 1295 Registered: 9-2002 |
Hi Bill, glad to see you in person with family. Your bass is gonna be great! It must be something to be able to visit the bass-temple where they breed all those nice instruments. And ...are you excercicing the word "patience ...patience ...patience ...." Paul TBO | ||
| bracheen
Advanced Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 399 Registered: 11-2003 |
OH MY GOD!! I said the wrong name. Bill, I'm sorry. Sam | ||
| bassman10096
Advanced Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 312 Registered: 7-2003 |
Thanks for all your kind words. Sam: No problem. Like they say, "If that's the worst thing that happens today, we're all gonna be alright..." It was a great visit. I am very fortunate that my family wanted to share it with me. I think they each came away with a little better understanding about what my new bass means to me. I am so knocked out to be able to share cool musical experiences with my son Andy. Reminds me of sharing music with my Dad (a piano-player), but Andy and I have more in common musically. I should have mentioned, it was the first time I really got a sense for the physical size and "fit" of the new shape. In many ways, with the (extra) narrow 4 string neck, it reminded me of a 4 string Rogue. I should have thought to stand my bass and Kevin's 5 string next to one another for a picture (Hint! Hint!! Val and Mica!). The 5 string is slim and sexy, but th 4 is definitely slimmer. In person, the new K shape (in Kevin's honor) combines the lines I like most from the Rogue with shape features from the Standard. I seriously considered a Rogue body but decided I wanted the look you could only get with the traditional shape. I feel like I got the best of both worlds - sort of unexpectedly. I have made so many changes in the design since I first ordered this bass that I feel like the Alembic folks definitely deserve my patience. In the meantime, I've been busy building a new rig. I just received a Mesa Boogie Powerhouse 115 today. Tomorrow an Acme LowB2 should be on my doorstep. Later in the week I'll be recieving a Dr. Bass super light Neomidium 12/6/tweeter 3 way cab (only 34 lbs). I'm going to do a lot of A/B testing in the next week or so. Not sure yet what I'll wind up keeping in the end, but I'll probably choose between the Dr. Bass cab and the Acme (and get a second one of the one I keep). The Mesa will most likely stay for other reasons. At any rate, I have a lot to keep me distracted while I wait for my bass. In the meantime, I'm just going to delay letting my impatience get to me. It will - pretty soon, too. I am just so stunned at how beautiful my bass is. I can't wait to hear how it will sound and feel. Bill | ||
| bassman10096
Advanced Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 336 Registered: 7-2003 |
Mica, Val, Susan (anyone!!): Any pictures, updates, completion estimates on my bass? I'm dying here! I've developed a really sick case of what I can only call "Rationalizing GAS". I'm shopping the net compulsively for basses I don't really need - based on only 2 factors: (1) Any interest or curiosity whatsover on my part in hearing, trying out or for any reason owning a particular model, and (2) The ability of a bass to hold value so I can sell it when I regain my sanity! I just bought a Lightwave Sabre (for a good price) out of curiosity. I'm stalking vintage Ric's and Guilds and have developed an entirely unhealthy attachment to a Modulus Q5 at my local music house. Oddly, I don't find myself drawn to vintage Alembics too much. Ideally, purchases like these this could be put to use as a variation on James' (Malthumb's) Alembic Savings Plan. Here's how: I can park funds in fun, resellable basses (that I'd be happy to own for a while and later part with) until my wierd little collection can finance purchase of a custom 5 string (Ebony lams, Walnut top, 34" scale - Anniversary Electronics and another "K-style" balance 3/4 body). This is fun and all, but it's really being driven by emotional desperation - I'm pining (pineing?) for my new bass!! (Down on my bended knees) Please! A picture, an update, anything!! Patiently yours, Bill | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 444 Registered: 7-2002 |
Hello Bill, I am at home now, so I can't check for sure, but your bass is in the set-up room; I think it's almost done, don't know if Ron did the upgrade yet. I'll see about taking a picture tomorrow. I know we got some new cases in today, hopefully the new cases for the 3/4 balance K are among them. Valentino (Message edited by valvil on May 05, 2004) | ||
| bassman10096
Advanced Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 339 Registered: 7-2003 |
Thanks, Valentino. I think that rules out looking for a choice old Hofner... Seriously, though. I very much appreciate the info. Bill | ||
| kevin_k
Junior Username: kevin_k Post Number: 46 Registered: 4-2003 |
Tell me about it Bill, I almost ordered an Essence the other week. Alembic doesn't know it, but I hung up before they had a chance to answer. Sorry folks at Alembic. As Mica said when I called just this week, "...your bass is still done Kevin." I am just waiting on one of those new cases. Just curious, when did you actually place the order for your bass? Or, if you know, when did it actually go into production? I believe mine went into production late October to early November. It was finished in April. So 5-6 months build time. Not bad in my opinion. Later, Kevin | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 508 Registered: 5-2002 |
Kevin; might I suggest a road trip. Rent a large van and throw a mattress in the back. Find a friend to share driving with and drive straight through, no stops. Take plenty of tunes and munchables. | ||
| bassman10096
Advanced Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 340 Registered: 7-2003 |
Kevin: That's really funny (and makes me feel somehow...less insane!). I ordered initially on January 26th. We made a few changes in the next week or 2, but I don't think that delayed getting it into the queue. I don't know exactly when construction started, but it was my impression maybe 2.5 weeks after the order(?). Actually my bass seems to be proceeding at a record pace. No complaints about that or anything Alembic is doing - They've been great! But, as you know, the better the bass, the harder the wait... Hope yours is in your hands soon. Please post pictures and let us know what it's like. I'm especially interested in hearing about the ebony lams and your comparison between how they sound on your current bass (32" scale) and your new one (34" neck, right?). Bill | ||
| bassman10096
Advanced Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 387 Registered: 7-2003 |
Mica: Any news or pictures on my bass?? Bill | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1666 Registered: 6-2000 |
News: ready for final calibration. Pictures:  The tape holds the hum canceller in place until my dad decides it's finished. The HX is non-adjustable and glued in place.  A closeup of the wood to (hopefully) show that it is dark, but not entirely black. Your bass looks so different in person. | ||
| bassman10096
Advanced Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 391 Registered: 7-2003 |
Holy S**T!! That's beautiful!!!!!! Any estimate on how long before your Dad is likely to be done with it???? (Message edited by bassman10096 on May 14, 2004) | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1667 Registered: 6-2000 |
Well, I'm hoping the line of basses to calibrate right now is done by the end of the month, There's at least 2 others before yours, let's just hope they go smoothly. The 4-strings are always the hardest, and 2 in front of yours are both 4-strings. | ||
| bassman10096
Advanced Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 392 Registered: 7-2003 |
Mica: It looks great. It is no darker than I wanted it to be!! It has both darker and lighter coloration and EXACTLY the figuring I pictured. Thanks to you all. I thought I was charged already. Can I come visit it again (just kidding!)?? Any pictures of the whole bass? Particularly the headstock and inlaid logo? Thanks Bill | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 552 Registered: 5-2002 |
An amazingly beautiful instrument! | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 1345 Registered: 9-2002 |
Brother Bill, will you be able to bring the instrument with you when you'll visiting us next spring?? Then ...oh ...huh ...maybe ...I oculd ....huh ....?????? Paul TBO Ok ...ok ...I'm jumping to conclusions, but ...hey ...it was worth the try!!! |
