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kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 247
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 12:16 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Mica,

Any news RE: the case yet?
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 1843
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 1:38 am:   Edit Post

We did receive one of the cases, but it wasn't yours. Hopefully it will show up with our next delivery. You can bet I'll let you know as soon as it arrives.

I never took a pitcure there, but when a friend of mine visited from Japan, we took pictures at 2400 Fulton Street.
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 259
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 3:58 am:   Edit Post

Thanks, Mica.

Hopefully, mine is next. I'd sure like to see that thing ship this week (I bet you would too, LOL!).

No pic @ Haight/Ashbury? Perhaps the Alembic collective (at least the DeadHead contingent) can talk you into taking one and posting it? 2400 Fulton....the Airplane House? Cool! Yup, I missed taking a pic there, too. Some Deadhead I am, right? LOL!

Regards,

Kevin
bracheen
Senior Member
Username: bracheen

Post Number: 525
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 5:44 am:   Edit Post

Kevin, I'll be in San Franciso in September. If it doesn't get posted by then I'll get a photo.
Anything else in the area you want to see? We'll be there about eight days.

Sam
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 262
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 6:20 am:   Edit Post

Sam,

Thanks for the offer, but I meant a pic of Mica in front of the sign @ the intersection of Haight/Ashbury a la the Dead ca. '66. Perhaps you can convince her to come down and pose for you? LOL!

Cheers
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 277
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Wednesday, August 04, 2004 - 4:12 pm:   Edit Post

Sorry, Double post again.

(Message edited by kmh364 on August 04, 2004)
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 278
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Wednesday, August 04, 2004 - 4:13 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Mica,

Any news RE: the flight case yet?

Cheers

KMH
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 279
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Wednesday, August 04, 2004 - 4:16 pm:   Edit Post

Sorry, the editor is double-posting again. If you try to post something, it posts one right away, but the counter tells you it's still "in process". When it is "done" and it automatically takes you to the post, you find that it has double-posted.

(Message edited by kmh364 on August 04, 2004)
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 283
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Wednesday, August 04, 2004 - 5:14 pm:   Edit Post

BTW, Roger over @ THG Knobs must have really liked the way my bass and his knobs turned-out, because he posted your pix on his site in the gallery. For the Alembics only (most of them, including mine) you can click on the close-up image of the knob area and get a full view of each instrument.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 1853
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Wednesday, August 04, 2004 - 5:36 pm:   Edit Post

Your case showed up mysteriously! It was not with our regular delivery, but rather dropped off when we had our pickup. We just finished unpacking and test fitting, and it looks good. James will give your bass the once-over and final blessing in the morning, and we should be shipping either tomorrow or Friday. I won't be here tomorrow morning, so I think we should count on Friday.
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 284
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Wednesday, August 04, 2004 - 6:04 pm:   Edit Post

Hey Mica,

Awesome! Please let me know when it ships. It should be going directly to Superbass Steve if I'm not mistaken. If I remember correctly, He likes to give every bass he sells the once-over before it ships to the owner. Whatever, LOL! I'm psyched and can't wait to get my grubby paws on the thing. Thanks very much as always!

If you should feel like taking more pix of the thing and/or the case before it ships, that would be great and would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Kevin

(Message edited by kmh364 on August 04, 2004)
eastcoastepic
Member
Username: eastcoastepic

Post Number: 89
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Thursday, August 05, 2004 - 12:45 pm:   Edit Post

Kevin,
Thanks for the info that Roger updated the 'gallery' page...I went to see your new axe, and to my surprise, mine is right next to yours, dressed in her best Buckeye! (Actually, to the left of you)

Nice of him to put together an Alembic section...those Coco Bolo knobs are UNREAL!
(Note to self, next axe to be Coco Bolo)

With delivery imminent, I would guess those butterflies are going pretty good right now...I hope she has a safe journey to you, and congrats again.
Chris
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 285
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Thursday, August 05, 2004 - 4:02 pm:   Edit Post

Chris:

You're welcome. Thanks for the compliments. Man, that triple-O of yours is awesome! It looks more like a solid piece of Marble or Granite than it does wood, especially with those THG knobs.

I'm actually surprised Roger didn't tell us he used our basses on his site. The click-on-the-pic deal is cool...I discovered it by accident.

I hope to get the bass delivered within a week from tomorrow. It goes to Ohio first, then on to me in Joisey. I PRAY it doesn't get damaged. Well, it is in a flight case, but I've heard nightmare stories about UPS et al when it comes to Alembics.
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 286
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Thursday, August 05, 2004 - 6:17 pm:   Edit Post

I must be jinxed! I had to mention about shipping nightmares and I put the whammy on myself. I just got my new Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Elegant delivered today. I sent it in for warrantee repairs and Gibson's Custom Shop decided to replace it. It took them three months to turn it around. When I sent it in, they insisted it go FedEx because they don't damage the guitars like UPS or the others (they paid, so I didn't mind). They sent the new one to me via DHL Express....Airborne Express delivered it. The factory "Gibson Dealer: call security @ 1-888-EAT S**T if seal is breeched" seal on the bottom of the box was broken and one bottom corner was crushed. When I removed the case from the box, the case botom was pushed-in and it was split at the seam. Gibson packed a $6k guitar in a singlewall cardboard box with a single sheet of bubble wrap at the bottom of the box, and one single sheet at the top. A cardboard triangular-shaped cardboard "thing" holds the guitar in the center of the case (side-to-side only) and goes on the top of the guitar, on top of the bubble wrap. You could see where the bubble wrap was flattened on the bottom sheet: right in the center where the case was split! To top it all off, nevermind the damaged case: the guitar I sent to them had the most spectacularly figured maple flame top (they advertised AAA..it was better than that)...the guitar I got back was a joke. You have to hold it at an angle to even see the top has figuring: it looks like a "plain top". Needless to say, I called Gibson and screamed. I'm sending it back TOMORROW. I waited 25 years to buy a LP, and spent over a year hemming and hawing while shopping for the right guitar at the right price. I bought the guitar of my dreams for a killer price and I ended up with a piece of crapola.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Don't buy a Gibson and don't ship guitars via DHL/Airborne Express.

Thanks to all for letting me vent, LOL!
the_mule
Intermediate Member
Username: the_mule

Post Number: 195
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 6:59 am:   Edit Post

Wow, I pray your beautiful Orion will be delivered to your doorstep swiftly and perfectly. What a horror story!

Wilfred
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 287
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 12:41 pm:   Edit Post

I hope so too....it's gotta make a two-leg trip and it will be packed-up twice before I get it.
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 288
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 1:59 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Mica,

Did it ship today? If so, I'd like Steve Frank to know the carrier and tracking number so he knows when to expect it's arrival. Please tell me it's NOT going to Ohio via DHL/Airborne Express, LOL!

Cheers,

Kevin

BTW, did you get any pix of the case or any more of the bass? Just wondering is all.
bkbass
Member
Username: bkbass

Post Number: 53
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Sunday, August 08, 2004 - 5:59 am:   Edit Post

Hey Kevin,just a suggestion,why don't you get a refund and use the money towards the purchase of your Alembic guitar?Cause once you get your Alembic ax your never gonna play that Gibson anyway!You can buy me lunch with some of the ton of money I just saved you.LOL!
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 294
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Sunday, August 08, 2004 - 6:38 am:   Edit Post

Barry:

Yeah, if they don't replace this POS with a proper flame top, I definitely want a refund. Unfortunately, $2500 all-inclusive (vs. the nearly $6k MSRP) that I paid won't even put a dent in a new custom Alembic 6-str. order. Hell, that's the DEPOSIT I put on my Custom Orion. I haven't seen the final price tag, but I'm betting I'll have to at least match that amount to pay it off...and I got nearly 40% off of MSRP!!! Looks like we'll be eating WISH sandwiches (and rubber biscuits) for that lunch, LOL!

BTW, what's up with your DARK CUSTOM? I haven't seen an update in a while. Mica doesn't love you anymore? LOL! J/K of course.

(Message edited by kmh364 on August 08, 2004)
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 296
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Tuesday, August 10, 2004 - 3:11 pm:   Edit Post

Update for those who care: Gibson is sorry. The Custom Shop Mgr. is dealing with me sans intermediary this time. I get to pick out my own flame top. He'll bypass the Shipping Dept. and personally pack it with EXTRA bubble wrap (oh boy!) and it'll be shipped via FedEx. They'll begin construction within two weeks of my final choice of a suitable top lam. We'll see, LOL!
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 297
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Tuesday, August 10, 2004 - 3:25 pm:   Edit Post

Mica: I spoke to Superbass Steve today. While he said he has been in fairly regular contact with Alembic, I asked him to give you guys a call RE: the shipping of my bass. Specifically, we both need Alembic to transmit the final invoice to Steve so he can in turn bill me and be paid-in-full. Secondly, he needs to make arrangements to ship the instrument DIRECTLY to me, instead of the usual arrangement. We both decided that this was mutually beneficial, especially considering my recent experience with instrument shipping. The elimination of you shipping it first to him, and then him in turn shipping to me saves him money and saves me time and grief.

PLEASE ensure that the bass and flight case are securely wrapped and protected. I'd like to be the one who personally puts the first scratch/dent in both, LOL!

Thanks as always for your patience and understanding,

Kevin
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 1858
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Tuesday, August 10, 2004 - 7:19 pm:   Edit Post

The bass is in the flight case, and the flight case is wrapped very well. It's in the shipping room ready for the shipping instructions. Susan and Steve will be going over the final bill tomorrow, so we'll wait for the word from Steve to ship.
1stbass
Junior
Username: 1stbass

Post Number: 28
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 4:36 am:   Edit Post

Kevin, is your bass on the way at long last? I have been thinking about a custom for some time now, but I just don't kown if i have the will power to wait that long. Speaking about waiting my new skylark finally arived form up north.
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 302
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 4:59 am:   Edit Post

Thanks, Mica.

There was a message from Steve on my voice mail last night. Steve got the bill from your Mom and you guys are holding the shipping pending the shipping arrangements. I was at the Dead show @ PNC Bank Arts Center in the Garbage, er, um, Garden State last night getting rained on so I didn't get the message until today (Joan Osbourne made a guest appearance, and Warren Haynes was a nice addition). I'll settle both the bill and the shipping address with Steve this AM.

Thanks for all your help. I am so psyched to get this thing. I'll let you know what I think of it once I get it. Hopefully, we can do business again real soon (HINT: just offer that 20% special again and watch me go, LOL!).

Regards,

Kevin
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 303
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 5:47 am:   Edit Post

Doug:

Yep, I'm finally on the home stretch. I should have it by next week. Good luck with the Skylark. Post some pix and let us all know what you think of the thing. I'd like my next Custom Alembic to be a six-string guitar so I'm interested in any and all info regarding Alembic guitars in order to develope a spec for my own.
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 304
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 5:53 am:   Edit Post

Sorry, duplicate post.

(Message edited by kmh364 on August 12, 2004)
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 305
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 5:53 am:   Edit Post

Sorry, duplicate post (again).

(Message edited by kmh364 on August 12, 2004)
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 306
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 5:54 am:   Edit Post

BTW: Since you now have an Alembic, the wait for a new custom won't be bad at all. Just imagine that you didn't and you waited eight months for yours. Ask me how I know about that one, LOL!

Having said that, I'm sure it was well worth the wait. I think you'll have to search far and wide to find anyone who has a negative thing to say about their Alembic and the custom order process, irregardless of how long they had to wait for it to be made.
1stbass
Junior
Username: 1stbass

Post Number: 29
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 3:58 pm:   Edit Post

I will post some photos soon. As for what i think of the thing, i sold my 89 LP standard the skylark blowes it away and the finish is so sexy.as you could guess the tone is great. now the only thing is the how the the 5 alembic basses will adjust
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 310
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 6:51 pm:   Edit Post

Yeah, an Alembic spoils you for everything else, unfortunately. The nonsense with Gibson and the impending Alembic have certainly stolen the thunder away from my LP. Good luck with yours and don't forget the pix.

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