| Author | Message | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 441 Registered: 7-2002 |
Yes Bob, Rami's were continuous as well... The pants? they are purpleheart with ebony & graphite laminates.... I have a pair that are solid purpleheart too...;) Gonna have to find some coco bolo pants next... Valentino | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 443 Registered: 7-2002 |
Here's the shot of the crown omega from the top  | ||
| bob
Advanced Member Username: bob Post Number: 204 Registered: 11-2002 |
Looking at that, I'm almost surprised you didn't go for a mini ebony stinger... but I guess that might have been overkill. As one would expect, the balance and proportions are just perfect. And it's a rare treat to see the laminates inside the holes for the machine heads! I've been messing about with bridge blocks and pickups lately, and always get a kick out of seeing the wood cross-sections, but hadn't thought about taking out a tuner. | ||
| rami
Advanced Member Username: rami Post Number: 342 Registered: 6-2002 |
Val, Your Bass is just over-the-top awesome! I suppose working at Alembic (next to Susan and Mica) allows for opportunities of creative influence that most of us can only dream of. I love your selection of Coco-Bolo (very grainy), just perfect for the continuous wood everything. (Love those pickups!) Rami | ||
| bsee
Intermediate Member Username: bsee Post Number: 131 Registered: 3-2004 |
Has anyone seen this bass lately? We haven't heard from it in a while, and I thought I wasn't the only one hoping to see it get to completion. | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 485 Registered: 7-2002 |
Thanks Rami, I missed your post back when you uploaded it. Hello Bob, I see it every day I'm at work...  Also everyone who comes in for a tour gets to see it. The finishing process is over. At the moment I'm waiting for my 2 bridges to be done, then James can do the preliminary set-up and the hardware can go to the plater. After it gets back here, the electronics & the hardware can be installed. Then I'm taking it home un-upgraded (no interference at my house, cell phones don't even work and you get no TV signals without cable or a sat dish), until it's my turn on Ron's bench. Right now, it does not look all that different from the last pictures I posted, so now I am waiting until there is something new to show, before I post anymore pictures. And then you'll see lots of shots. Valentino | ||
| bsee
Intermediate Member Username: bsee Post Number: 132 Registered: 3-2004 |
It looks like I might be visiting the shop next Wednesday. I look forward to the opportunity to see it in person! -Bob | ||
| pace
Junior Username: pace Post Number: 13 Registered: 4-2004 |
In person it is a beautiful sight to behold.... I regret not taking my camera into the shop when I was there the other week..... I am sure we'll see this body used again~ perhaps for someone who feels the triple O is too over the top, and the balance point is too plain..... After seeing it in person I started dreaming up a double neck 8-string/mando-cello based on this body...... You are a very lucky man Val. -Mike | ||
| flaxattack
Intermediate Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 102 Registered: 4-2004 |
when is it ready??? | ||
| ox_junior
Intermediate Member Username: ox_junior Post Number: 152 Registered: 3-2004 |
Next peghead shape: Exploiter!!! Hee hee. This bass is amazing. Can't wait to see the end result. Mike | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 553 Registered: 7-2002 |
Just an update.... my bass came home about 10 days ago; it isn't quite finished, because Ron has yet to do the upgrade on it. In the meantime I am playing daily and having a blast...consensus among my musician friends ( & myself) is that it's the best sounding and easiest to play of my six Alembics. I would not change a single thing if I could go back. Oh yeah, it's also the best looking. Someday (soon) there'll be pictures... Valentino | ||
| bsee
Advanced Member Username: bsee Post Number: 341 Registered: 3-2004 |
Congratulations! I am so pleased that the bass came out well! | ||
| bigbadbill
Intermediate Member Username: bigbadbill Post Number: 126 Registered: 10-2003 |
Congrats Valentino! And pictures! Pictures! Pictures! | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 558 Registered: 7-2002 |
took me a while but today we took pictures...  | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 559 Registered: 7-2002 |
 | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 560 Registered: 7-2002 |
 | ||
| shellfish
New Username: shellfish Post Number: 7 Registered: 9-2004 |
I am absolutely speechless! Never was but now! Is this really human built? Look at that Tailpiece... and all... enchanting. How do you fixed the bridge? Where is the brassblock? Below the Coco Bolo Veneer? And what material is the nut from? And... sorry too much questions. If I ever have the chance for a custom this would be the shape! Congrats Val, you must be the lucky one. Kai | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 678 Registered: 7-2003 |
God Valentino! The concept and the "in progress" pictures were very impressive, but the final product beats all! That tailpiece is amazing! Congratulations. This one is definitely your best custom. The others are very sharp, but this one is probably the nicest Alembic I've seen. Bill | ||
| flaxattack
Intermediate Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 200 Registered: 4-2004 |
WOW- thats awesome val.... love the tailpiece and the wood pickup covers.... | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 1739 Registered: 9-2002 |
Val ...I'm sorry but this model isn't really my cup of tea. Although ...as admiring everyone who stands out of the crowd -like all Alembic players do "in terminis"- it counts for me. Nice bridge ...absolutely and really made ads being part of the unusual design. For those who saw: Val installed a height-adjustable nut in ebony (if I'm well informed it is the second one installed after Brother Bobs "most-hidden-bass"). Val ...is it a Series II with no general volume or a Series II with no general volume but with volume-pan combi??? Anyway ...congrats!! Hope she gives you the sound you were after?? Did the coco-bolo laminates worked out in stead of the ebony and the purple hart?? Paul the bad one | ||
| tom_z
Member Username: tom_z Post Number: 57 Registered: 7-2004 |
That is an exquisite instrument. A true masterpiece. Congratulations Val. Tom | ||
| pace
Member Username: pace Post Number: 68 Registered: 4-2004 |
Are those bridge saddles ebony Val?!? | ||
| lbpesq
Intermediate Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 110 Registered: 7-2004 |
Val: I bet you are VERY happy with your new bass. Absolutely gorgeous! I'm not usually a fan of wood PU covers, but I am blown away by yours with the continuous grain pattern through the top & PUs. By the way, I hate to be the one to break it to you, as you may not have noticed, but someone obviously f**ked up. THEY FORGOT TO PUT THE FRETS IN!!!! LOL Bill the GUITAR one | ||
| rraymond
Intermediate Member Username: rraymond Post Number: 153 Registered: 6-2002 |
Holy Batman, what a tailpiece! The rest of the bass ain't so bad, neither! ;-) Reid | ||
| basstard
Intermediate Member Username: basstard Post Number: 120 Registered: 3-2003 |
*gasp* *jaw drop* *DROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL* Val, this thing is just amazing. Absolutely, stunningly beautiful. And that dark cocobolo... it's *the* top-wood of my dreams. I think there's no need to congratulate you - you're probably so much in love with your new-born beauty you don't care much about congrats... ;-) But congratulations anyway!!! Man, I'm envious... (Message edited by basstard on October 30, 2004) | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 561 Registered: 7-2002 |
Thanks everybody, Mike, the saddles are indeed ebony and so is the nut. I actually have a second bridge and a second nut both gold plated brass. Kai, the bridge has curved rails and recessed hardware. The bridge block is there and, as you suspected, it is covered by a veneer of coco bolo. Paul I know this shape is not your cup of tea, but that's ok, I certainly do not expect everyone to like it. As long as I do everything else is secondary I ended up choosing maple/purpleheart/ebony for the neck and I am very happy with the result; the sound is all I was hoping for and more. James did his usual outstanding job with the set-up and the logo inlay, and made the ebony saddles and the nut. This bass almost plays itself. The electronics are series II with no master volume. I am really stoked about the tailpiece among other things; the bottom part is ebony, the top gold plated brass. Mike did a great job of turning my sketches into a workable tailpiece, and Susan's counsel was invaluable as always. Reid, the Batman idea is one that generally comes up when discussing the tailpiece; another favorite is the Klingon one. Bill, you 're right, how could they have forgotten that? Heads will roll... Valentino (Message edited by valvil on October 30, 2004) | ||
| eastcoastepic
Member Username: eastcoastepic Post Number: 92 Registered: 10-2003 |
Absolutely, positively, the most stunning fretless bass (sorry Rami) that I have ever seen. That tailpiece is magnificent and all that continous Coco Bolo is a wonder to behold. Another unreal creation...definetely makes my 'top 5 greatest Alembics ever' list. Congrats, Val...play in good health. Chris | ||
| smichaels
Junior Username: smichaels Post Number: 31 Registered: 6-2002 |
This is one of the coolest Alembics I've ever seen...guitar or bass! The ebony saddles are a great touch. Sean | ||
| marcm
Member Username: marcm Post Number: 54 Registered: 12-2003 |
valentino, that is one of the most beautiful musical instruments i have ever seen. it is truly a masterpiece play it in good health | ||
| bigideas
Junior Username: bigideas Post Number: 24 Registered: 1-2004 |
i'm trying to find words, but i'm stumped... i'm gonna go with brilliant, wonderful, beautiful, and amazing... but those seem a little weak. |
