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moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 226
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Friday, April 18, 2014 - 2:28 pm:   Edit Post

Hello, wondering if any more work has been done. Thanks.
rustyg61
Senior Member
Username: rustyg61

Post Number: 1205
Registered: 2-2011
Posted on Monday, April 21, 2014 - 1:52 am:   Edit Post

"The waiting is the hardest part!" (Tom Petty)

Keith, someone needs to start a support group for those of us waiting for our custom builds to be completed!

Hey oddmetersam, can you make us some T shirts that say "I survived the Alembic build process!" on the front & "Perfection realized" on the back? LOL!
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 3971
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, April 21, 2014 - 2:51 pm:   Edit Post

Rusty it should say on the front.
Perfection cannot be rushed.
On the back.
I waited for my custom Alembic to be built.
Jazzyvee
rustyg61
Senior Member
Username: rustyg61

Post Number: 1206
Registered: 2-2011
Posted on Monday, April 21, 2014 - 7:29 pm:   Edit Post

I would buy that shirt too Jazzyvee!
oddmetersam
Advanced Member
Username: oddmetersam

Post Number: 349
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 - 1:36 am:   Edit Post

You guys are too funny! And I'm flattered.

Two quick points, though:

1) I would specifically ask permission before using Alembic's logo.

2) Redbubble, the print-on-demand company I use, doesn't currently support two-sided printing on shirts. It appears that Zazzle or Cafepress may and if so, I'm sure Redbubble will be forced to follow suit. Most brick and mortar establishments require a minimum order, which means knowing sizes and colors in advance. The print-on-demand business model is just the opposite; they can do one-offs regardless of style, size or color. And there are NO up-front costs, being stuck with unsold inventory, etc. And you don't have to worry about sales tax or shipping and handling. That's all included in what the customer pays when they order online. Meanwhile, you set your profit margin per shirt above and beyond a set price that the POD company has for each piece. I never have to physically touch the product. I merely upload my designs and then basically set and forget while I work on the next piece. Frankly, I highly recommend this for every one.
rustyg61
Senior Member
Username: rustyg61

Post Number: 1208
Registered: 2-2011
Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 - 2:09 am:   Edit Post

Sam, I used Vistaprint for the Texas Gathering shirts. They don't have a minimum order & can do front & back designs. They were very inexpensive too. The only problem I had was the availability of sizes. They only went up to a 2X I believe.
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 227
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 - 2:40 am:   Edit Post

slightly awkward
oddmetersam
Advanced Member
Username: oddmetersam

Post Number: 350
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 - 2:56 am:   Edit Post

Agreed, Keith. This thread is supposed to be about your incredible bass! Rusty, et al, we can start a thread in the Miscellaneous section and return this one to its regularly scheduled programming....

Sorry, Keith!
rustyg61
Senior Member
Username: rustyg61

Post Number: 1209
Registered: 2-2011
Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 - 3:23 am:   Edit Post

Sorry Keith, I was just trying to lighten your spirits over the long wait we sometimes have to endure while waiting to see progress on our custom builds. I didn't mean to hijack your thread. In Alembic's defense, I just got an email from Mica at 2:12am this morning & she was working on artwork for an inlay for my Europa, so they are constantly working on our builds, we just don't always see it.
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 228
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 - 5:28 pm:   Edit Post

It's all good. :-)
The awkward part was it felt like there was a club being formed (complete with T Shirts) to voice dissatisfaction with Alembic. While we can all identify with the frustration of waiting, I didn't want it to appear like there was any ganging up going on.
That said, any pictures of progress would be so extremely appreciated and wonderful!
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 1746
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 - 5:44 pm:   Edit Post

Just to turn the dissatisfaction on its head, the flip side is that we have to wait for the craftspeople to get it just exactly perfect, to borrow a phrase. I don't think there is any ganging up happening. We all know the results!
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 229
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 - 7:07 pm:   Edit Post

What he said!

(again I'd like to stress APPARENT dissatisfaction and ganging up)

(Message edited by Moonliner on April 22, 2014)

(Message edited by Moonliner on April 22, 2014)
rustyg61
Senior Member
Username: rustyg61

Post Number: 1210
Registered: 2-2011
Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 - 8:23 pm:   Edit Post

Keith, my T shirt suggestion was very tongue in cheek! I was making a joke, not in any way dissing Alembic! Every single build record I have read, & they were many while I was researching my build, to a man, every one of them said that the end result was more than worth the wait! I think we all chose Alembic to build our dream basses & guitars because we know that they will accept nothing less than perfection for themselves & for their customers. The dealer I am going through told me early in my discussion of my build, before I even put the deposit down that there is normal time, & their is Alembic time, & that I shouldn't expect them to be the same, but that the end result would be nothing short of amazing & oh so worth the wait! So I understand the wait & while it may be frustrating at times, I know that the end absolutely justifies the means! So while the "wait" is indeed the hardest part, I have come to realize that even though Alembic is building my bass exclusively & specifically for me, I am not the only customer they have. There are a lot more "me's" out there who are also waiting for the pristine perfection that can only come from Alembic. We all have to understand that the wait doesn't mean they aren't working on our instruments, it just means their may not be any progress worthy of showing at the moment, but progress is still happening. I think the wait will make us love & appreciate our instruments that much more when we get them, so in that respect, the wait is a good thing!
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 230
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 - 2:16 am:   Edit Post

Hi Rusty
I know it was a joke, but it seemed to be gathering momentum rather fast and taking on a life of its own.
This is not my first build so I am familiar with waiting and the quality that comes at the end. Thanks for trying to be supportive.
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 1757
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 - 3:02 pm:   Edit Post

So, what's the plan for pickups and routing? I know you've probably discussed it before, but I've forgotten.
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 234
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Monday, May 26, 2014 - 4:00 pm:   Edit Post

I think routing will be something like a big hole :-)
There will be a wooden pickup surround which can accommodate different types of pickups. Some kind of Alembic pickup, but not sure what type.
I'm not very gear savvy and had wanted to ask you about your thoughts on pickups a while ago, but we never seemed to be able to hook up. Got any opinions on what Alembic pickup would be good for early Phil tone?
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 1521
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Monday, May 26, 2014 - 4:45 pm:   Edit Post

Best would be Series I/II, the only other option (from Alembic) would be Activators which come in different shapes (but are identical inside except for the P/J's if I'm not mistaken)
Most logical Activator choice would be AXY's and best for that (closest to Series electronics) would be the Anniversary package.
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 1522
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Monday, May 26, 2014 - 4:56 pm:   Edit Post

...and I would advise to add a master volume to the Anniversary electronics (which is: Volume x 2, Filter + Q switch x 2 (go for the 3 way switches), pickup selector and Mono/stereo switchable output)
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 1776
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 - 8:16 am:   Edit Post

I would agree. Series II would be expensive but the perfect setup. But, Anniversary electronics with a master volume would get you most of the way there.
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 235
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 - 2:27 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks you guys. I really appreciate your input on this. I'm definitely going the master volume route.
Thanks again.
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 238
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Friday, June 06, 2014 - 1:01 am:   Edit Post

Hi Mica,
Thanks for sending the drawings.
Anything new going on?
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 241
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Monday, June 16, 2014 - 7:47 pm:   Edit Post

Hey Mica,

Just checking in. I understand you are all very busy with many things. I really appreciate the email you sent a while ago with the drawings outlining the control cover, and was wondering if there had been anything new to report. Even stuff you might think is boring would be met with great excitement :-)
If there's nothing new, I would absolutely love to see a picture of the back of the neck/headstock joint.
Thanks very much.
Thanks.
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 242
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Friday, July 04, 2014 - 12:31 am:   Edit Post

My birthday was July 1st and my gal made this awesome Godfather cake!
cake
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 3503
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Friday, July 04, 2014 - 2:53 am:   Edit Post

Happy Birthday Pal !

I love the cake , I bet you could feel the resonance as you consumed it !
hammer
Senior Member
Username: hammer

Post Number: 524
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Friday, July 04, 2014 - 12:57 pm:   Edit Post

Can you please provide additional information on the control set up? And will it have a dimmer switch when lit up.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 11406
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, July 04, 2014 - 12:59 pm:   Edit Post

Wow! That's very cool.

Happy birthday!
dead_head
Junior
Username: dead_head

Post Number: 16
Registered: 5-2014
Posted on Friday, July 04, 2014 - 8:13 pm:   Edit Post

Happy Birthday, Keith! Boy, that's a beautiful cake! You've got a pretty talented cake-maker there. Do you need any help finishing that?
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 243
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Saturday, July 05, 2014 - 2:48 pm:   Edit Post

Yes, I do need help with it! If you're in Seattle, come by for some cake!
artswork99
Moderator
Username: artswork99

Post Number: 1994
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Monday, July 07, 2014 - 6:43 am:   Edit Post

Nice! Happy Birthday Keith!
moonliner
Advanced Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 244
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, July 08, 2014 - 9:07 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks Art!
Heading to the mothership next week and hope to have more updates on the actual bass then.
The cake is finished and it was DELICIOUS… and Philing (sorry, couldn't help myself!)

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