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Archive through July 24, 201381195230 7-24-13  1:14 pm
Archive through November 12, 2013mica30 11-12-13  5:48 pm
Archive through March 29, 2014moonliner30 3-29-14  12:02 pm
Archive through July 08, 2014moonliner30 7-08-14  9:07 pm
Archive through September 15, 2014moonliner30 9-15-14  12:23 am
Archive through November 05, 2014edwin30 11-05-14  10:21 am
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Author Message
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 285
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Wednesday, November 05, 2014 - 8:46 pm:   Edit Post

Is there any chance for a light touch of stain to golden-up the pickup ring? If it's going to be a timely addition then I can pass on it.
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 287
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 - 7:32 pm:   Edit Post

The oil finish on the pickup ring is great. Let's move ahead with that please.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8323
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 - 2:55 pm:   Edit Post

Since we communicated after this post last night, I'll update that we were making an oil vs. light stain test. I'll also update that you've decided on stain. Onward!
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 289
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 - 4:23 pm:   Edit Post

Thank you!
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 291
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Friday, November 21, 2014 - 2:23 pm:   Edit Post

Any cool news to report this week?
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8326
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, November 21, 2014 - 8:18 pm:   Edit Post

I know the last coat of oil went on that plate, but it's in the drying room, and it's waaaaaaaaaaaaay to stinky in there for me to sneak in and take a picture. If I pop over sometime this weekend I'll get one for you, otherwise it will be Monday.
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 292
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Monday, November 24, 2014 - 3:20 pm:   Edit Post

Thank you Mica. I look forward to the next update.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8331
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 - 7:30 pm:   Edit Post

I know you got the picture of the bridgeblock routed this week, and I wanted to surprise you with a picture of the ring with all the oil on it, but I was very lame and didn't realize I was on manual settings on my camera, and so the image was almost black. But I coaxed a little contrast out of it, so what the heck!

ring
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 293
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Monday, December 01, 2014 - 5:07 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Mica,

Could we possibly chat on the phone for a few minutes when you have some time?
Thanks
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 294
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Thursday, December 11, 2014 - 2:27 am:   Edit Post

Christmas is coming early! It looks like I'll be picking up my bass soon, and in celebration of this glorious event I added a bit to the top of the Christmas tree!
Tinker Bomb
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 1655
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Thursday, December 11, 2014 - 6:54 am:   Edit Post

^ Awesome
smokinbear
Intermediate Member
Username: smokinbear

Post Number: 200
Registered: 11-2008
Posted on Thursday, December 11, 2014 - 7:46 am:   Edit Post

Cool😀😀😀😀
moongerm
Junior
Username: moongerm

Post Number: 49
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Thursday, December 11, 2014 - 11:08 am:   Edit Post

Nice!
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 295
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Friday, December 12, 2014 - 1:11 am:   Edit Post

Here are some pics Mica sent the other day.

harness
rack
Logo
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 1657
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Friday, December 12, 2014 - 7:22 am:   Edit Post

Hell yes. Loving this and can't wait to see it all put together. Really like that tailpiece choice. Reflective of the Alembic bird shape tailpiece, yet a definite nod towards to old school mustache bridges. Really, really nice.
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 3802
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Friday, December 12, 2014 - 7:41 am:   Edit Post

OH YES ! _____ I like like it -----I like it alot .
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 1875
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, December 12, 2014 - 9:23 am:   Edit Post

Is that a big capacitor hanging off that wire in the electronics shot, up above the plate?

Looks great!
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 1658
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Friday, December 12, 2014 - 11:31 am:   Edit Post

Pretty sure it's a flux capacitor, Edwin. This bass is definitely going Back to the Future!
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 3177
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, December 12, 2014 - 1:31 pm:   Edit Post

Take me to the bridge - 76AC070 - I knew it looked familiar. Nice touch!
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 296
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Friday, December 12, 2014 - 4:45 pm:   Edit Post

Yep, that's in inspiration for the tailpiece choice. Thanks to Mica for making that happen. It's the perfect shape for this bass.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8344
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, December 12, 2014 - 5:25 pm:   Edit Post

Ha! The large cap one way to deal with the 5-pin output on this bass. I just noticed it when I took the picture, so it's something I have to be aware of when trying to fit a 5-pin in a Stanley bass. In this bass, there's loads of room, so no problem.
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 1876
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, December 13, 2014 - 1:03 am:   Edit Post

How does the cap get used in the 5-pin output? I'm not familiar with how that would be used in the circuit, especially an electrolytic. Is it some sort of on board power supply reserve or anti-ripple device?

TIA
Edwin
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 297
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Saturday, December 13, 2014 - 1:53 am:   Edit Post

I must admit, I have no idea what that thing is...... I'd be interested in learning though! I really should have some basic understanding of what's under the hood :-)
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 298
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2014 - 5:04 pm:   Edit Post

Strings on, pickup ring off (for adjustment)

strings
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 1882
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2014 - 5:57 pm:   Edit Post

Very nice! The transformation is awesome!

Are the pickups spring mounted? I'm thinking I really should have done mine like this. Adjusting the height is a real PITA.
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 3817
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2014 - 5:58 pm:   Edit Post

That piece of Maple is really beautiful .
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 3818
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2014 - 6:29 pm:   Edit Post

That piece of Maple is really beautiful .
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8355
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Monday, December 22, 2014 - 5:15 pm:   Edit Post

Really happy with the finished result!

fin
mtjam
Advanced Member
Username: mtjam

Post Number: 234
Registered: 11-2011
Posted on Monday, December 22, 2014 - 5:26 pm:   Edit Post

That came out great!
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 1885
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, December 22, 2014 - 6:21 pm:   Edit Post

It looks awesome! I can't wait to hear it!

Congrats, Keith! You are going to have years and years of musical joy!
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 3828
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Monday, December 22, 2014 - 6:50 pm:   Edit Post

Absolutely Superb !
tmoney61092
Senior Member
Username: tmoney61092

Post Number: 938
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Monday, December 22, 2014 - 8:17 pm:   Edit Post

Further proof that Alembic needs to make a hollow body like this!

~Taylor
dead_head
Member
Username: dead_head

Post Number: 61
Registered: 5-2014
Posted on Monday, December 22, 2014 - 8:24 pm:   Edit Post

That came out great, Keith! Congratulations, and best of luck!
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 300
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 - 9:07 am:   Edit Post

Thanks everyone. I could not be happier!
I'm flying home today (wish me luck) and will post more pics and details later this evening. It was an amazing trip, and I'm so grateful to Mica and everyone at Alembic for making this dream come true.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8356
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 - 1:43 pm:   Edit Post

Moments after Keith arrived on Sunday:

Happy Keith!

And there was much rejoicing!
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 3829
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 - 1:56 pm:   Edit Post

Such a great pic !
moongerm
Member
Username: moongerm

Post Number: 69
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 - 7:55 pm:   Edit Post

That is absolutely wonderful! Congratulations!
smokinbear
Advanced Member
Username: smokinbear

Post Number: 202
Registered: 11-2008
Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 - 9:18 pm:   Edit Post

AWESOME!!!!!!!
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 301
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Sunday, December 28, 2014 - 2:17 pm:   Edit Post

I'm so happy with the bass! It has far exceeded what I imagined.
I'm very grateful to all the people at Alembic for making my long held dream come true.
It plays like a dream, and the tone is fat, round, even and balanced. I could not be happier!
alembic side
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 1887
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, December 28, 2014 - 2:33 pm:   Edit Post

Congrats, once again! That's been my experience with a Starfire with this kind of modification. I think the bridge alone adds a huge amount to the basic tonal improvements. The original Starfire bridges are a huge source of loss of energy. With the sustain block and brass bridge, the whole bass resonates. I can only imagine that the ebony fretboard increases the crispness and definition and I'm sure the electronics are just superb. With so much going on with the harmonic structure of the tone, the filters have a lot of material with which to work. I love being able to focus in on different parts of the attack of each pickup with the filters. This is one bass I really want to experience in person! Thanks for doing this.

Oh yeah, it looks really cool, too!
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 302
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Sunday, December 28, 2014 - 2:41 pm:   Edit Post

A couple more pics from the glorious day.

a2
a1
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 303
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Sunday, December 28, 2014 - 2:59 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks Edwin!
I did a gig with Scott Law last night, and while it was an acoustic show, I used my new bass for the rehearsal which was a lot of fun. We are scheming on doing gigs with it in the future. Scott also raved about your tone. We definitely need to get our basses together!
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 1888
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, December 28, 2014 - 3:02 pm:   Edit Post

I think it's time for Scott to book a Colorado tour and hire you!
tncaveman
Advanced Member
Username: tncaveman

Post Number: 257
Registered: 2-2011
Posted on Thursday, January 08, 2015 - 7:30 pm:   Edit Post

That is a sweet looking final project. It's so cool seeing the steps involved. One impressive looking bass!

Stephen
rustyg61
Senior Member
Username: rustyg61

Post Number: 1484
Registered: 2-2011
Posted on Friday, January 09, 2015 - 9:54 am:   Edit Post

Congratulations Keith! The look on your face says it all!
wisconsindead
New
Username: wisconsindead

Post Number: 5
Registered: 8-2014
Posted on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 - 6:02 pm:   Edit Post

Awesome to see it finished. It looks great. Lets get a sound clip!

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