Author |
Message |
mica
Moderator Username: mica
Post Number: 2612 Registered: 6-2000
| Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 1:04 pm: | |
In carving, and looking great!
|
davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck
Post Number: 2250 Registered: 5-2002
| Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 2:21 pm: | |
The front and back laminates are both wonderful! Gorgeous bass!! |
lidon2001
Junior Username: lidon2001
Post Number: 30 Registered: 4-2005
| Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 2:51 pm: | |
Thank you Dave for the kind comments on my bass. Needless to say, they've worked their magic again. As I've always said, be careful what you wish for, because dreams come true. Much more than I expected, and exactly why I let them choose the woods. Another ball hit out of the park by Team Alembic. |
eastcoastepic
Intermediate Member Username: eastcoastepic
Post Number: 148 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 8:50 pm: | |
That Coco Bolo just seems to "flow" along the edges, as a river flows along it's banks. How DO they do that??!! Congratulations, Tom, best of luck with her........ Chris |
lidon2001
Junior Username: lidon2001
Post Number: 32 Registered: 4-2005
| Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 10:02 pm: | |
Thank you Chris. I've been sitting here with a giddy grin pasted to my face since the posting. I see the same. A hint of "normal" coco at the horns, that then flows, almost pours, down the body into pools at the end of the river. I won't mention the rather "female" like comparison I see too. I love it. All of the recent posts here in the FTC are just stunning. I agree with you. How DO they do it, instrument after instrument? I notice the pics of hands involved in the carving of inlays and such. That gives me a pretty good idea of how they get it done. ;) But it is still amazing. (Message edited by lidon2001 on August 19, 2005) |
bob
Senior Member Username: bob
Post Number: 491 Registered: 11-2002
| Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 10:27 pm: | |
I remember that giddy grin feeling on first sighting, even though I knew long before what my wood pieces/placement looked like. Don't know how long you've been waiting, but it wouldn't be hard to believe they actually grew these pieces to fit. The front is almost too much to believe, but even the back would have made a beautiful front. Congratulations (and just be patient a bit longer, someday you won't even remember the waiting). -Bob |
lidon2001
Junior Username: lidon2001
Post Number: 33 Registered: 4-2005
| Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 10:36 pm: | |
Looking at the bass, one woman comes to my mind: my mom. Therefore, she is named Elaine. I just checked with my therapist, and it's not an Oedipus thing... Seriously, she, along with my father, always encouraged me with my music. She had 10 years of piano under her belt, and she never played a note for us despite having an upright grand from one of the Chicago World Fair's at the grandparents; that's my mom. The first two records she bought me: The 45 single of "In the year 2525" by Zagar and Evans, and, here she went a bit wrong one might say, the album Inna-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly. Kind of heavy for a kid my age at the time, but very influential in my music development. She was taken from this world way too early, and this one's now for her. Tom (Message edited by lidon2001 on August 19, 2005) |
lidon2001
Junior Username: lidon2001
Post Number: 34 Registered: 4-2005
| Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 10:59 pm: | |
Hello Bob, and thank you. The wait hasn't been bad at all. I made my purchase in April and took advantage of the April special. It started life as my tribute to Stanley bass, but not wanting to compromise the neck heavy issue, I went with the Balance K body with Dragon's Breath neck dimensions. (Val, I'm still hoping for that SC serial number...) The order was finalized around June 1st. The patience of everyone was beyond kind, and I know I'm getting what I want. Valentino has been a good guide in all of this. What better way to get through this wait? Get the next order going! Which is what I had to do. Serious G.A.S. I just ordered a Skylark, with one more bass to come after I get these two paid down a bit. I took advantage of the August special. Like a magic birthday present, it came at just the right time. These people are the best. It's way beyond the instruments for me now. I see the light. I will say this again in the future, but thanks also to Bob, Dennis, and everyone at Uncle Bob's too. They are part of the fun as well. (Message edited by lidon2001 on August 20, 2005) |
lidon2001
Junior Username: lidon2001
Post Number: 35 Registered: 4-2005
| Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 8:54 pm: | |
One other thing Bob. To get this top, I asked Valentino for the following: Orange, high contrast, non-linear, crazy grain, make me cry. Upon seeing this instrument & top, and thinking of my mom, a tear was created. Now one can just ask for it without the crying part, "... just like Tom's Balance K." But have a tissue ready, you never know. T |
mica
Moderator Username: mica
Post Number: 2688 Registered: 6-2000
| Posted on Monday, October 17, 2005 - 7:09 pm: | |
It's done: Tried all but the TI strings on it so far. Everyone likes the Rotosounds. I think you are going to flip when you see the bass. Should be shipping to you tomorrow. |
eastcoastepic
Intermediate Member Username: eastcoastepic
Post Number: 153 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, October 17, 2005 - 7:23 pm: | |
Stunning......the flowing symmetry of the Coco Bolo is just wonderful. Mom would be proud... Congratulations! |
flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack
Post Number: 624 Registered: 4-2004
| Posted on Monday, October 17, 2005 - 10:22 pm: | |
mazel tov- its simply breathtaking let there be songs to fill the air |
flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack
Post Number: 625 Registered: 4-2004
| Posted on Monday, October 17, 2005 - 10:27 pm: | |
wonderign which rotosounds you folks tried |
lidon2001
Junior Username: lidon2001
Post Number: 40 Registered: 4-2005
| Posted on Monday, October 17, 2005 - 11:10 pm: | |
Speechless. Yes, a flip or two is in order just from seeing the pic. Stunning - wait, that was already used. Other than more of many thanks to Susan, Mica, Valentino with his "typical" guidance, and everyone involved in its construction, words are hard to come by seeing this. Mica, no need to try the TI's, stick with the Rotos please. James' effort and everyone's opinion on the strings were greatly appreciated. Thank you Chris, much appreciated. I wholeheartedly agree. Thanks Jeff. The strings are Rotosound Funk Master FM66. 30-50-70-90 gauge. I prefer a very light gauge. I first tried the standard Roto short scale set, but they were too short. Then Status 30-90, but not enough tension. Then Alembic 40-100 and they were good. Then the Rotos, and the TI's were just in case the Roto's didn't work. One might want to watch the For Sale area for a set of 32" TI Jazz Rounds in the near future. It looks like your Wolf's got a short-scale 4 string little sister. To everyone at Alembic, you've made the years I've waited to make this purchase worth every minute. Thank you! Tom (Message edited by lidon2001 on October 17, 2005) |
flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack
Post Number: 627 Registered: 4-2004
| Posted on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 - 5:45 am: | |
tribute to scooter is a 5 string medium scale tom- but thanks for the info. i like the ti flats,but ebay has a set of roto swings for 20$, so i will throw a set on for the heck of it someday. good luck- its a gorgeous bass-and i can tell youfrom experience it will be 1000% better in person,, |
pace
Intermediate Member Username: pace
Post Number: 181 Registered: 4-2004
| Posted on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 - 1:03 pm: | |
Beautiful bass, Tom.....What electronics package?!? Is this a SI / SII prep?!? |
lidon2001
Junior Username: lidon2001
Post Number: 42 Registered: 4-2005
| Posted on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 - 1:39 pm: | |
Hello Mike, Thank you for your kind comments. The electronics are standard Signature with a "dummy" dummy hum cancellor. Yes, I contributed to the delinquency of another hum cancellor. But in my little corner of the world, an Alembic needs the hum cancellor, whether it's functioning or not. You've hit on the one option I mulled over for some time, full series prep, but in the end I figured I would never use it in two channel mode, so decided against it. If I were to say there's a regret on the bass, that would be it; there are no regrets. Also, Valentino tells me it's the second short scale Balance K. I don't know where the first one is, and I'm not selling mine. So if anyone wants one, place your order! Tom |
jacko
Advanced Member Username: jacko
Post Number: 380 Registered: 10-2002
| Posted on Tuesday, October 25, 2005 - 4:45 am: | |
Wow! Fantastic bass Tom. I'm sure your mum would be proud to be associated with this instrument. Graeme |
lidon2001
Junior Username: lidon2001
Post Number: 45 Registered: 4-2005
| Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 - 10:26 am: | |
Hi Graeme, Thank you for your kind comments. I have to agree. This is a special instrument, and Alembic brought out its true spirit. A true inspiration for me. Power just came back on. Wilma hit me with a bullseye. I experienced an eye of a Category 2 border 3 hurricane. Nothing compared to our friends' pain inflicted by Katrina, but many people experienced a substantial loss. The cleanup continues... Tom |
lidon2001
Member Username: lidon2001
Post Number: 52 Registered: 4-2005
| Posted on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 9:13 pm: | |
She's finally home. After getting the action sort of set, it is just an amazing piece. It's so petite, yet a huge sound. Having only spent about 3 hours with her in my hands, which makes a total of 3hrs and five minutes of having any Alembic in my hand, I love the Signature electronics. The balance is perfect, weight has to be under 9 pounds. It is all I could ask for. Unfortunately, my beloved Jazz will be meeting many dust bunnies. It might even be retired, something I didn't think was possible. But as usual, our friends at Alembic make the impossible happen with instruments like this. Simply amazing in look, feel, and sound. Pics to come... T |
davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck
Post Number: 2655 Registered: 5-2002
| Posted on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 3:25 am: | |
Congrats!! |
s_wood
Intermediate Member Username: s_wood
Post Number: 164 Registered: 5-2002
| Posted on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 6:39 am: | |
What a beautiful bass! |