| Author |
Message |
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan
Post Number: 3203
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Friday, January 09, 2015 - 10:59 pm: |  |
The plan that Steve alludes to is probably best described as a modern-day Alembic with some vintage 70s features, a "Balance-K meets Brown Bass" vibe if you will.
Then one day I woke up to find my custom dream was materializing and had grown Series II electronics. And so it doesn't have the center body laminate or the side leds either, which would only distract from the plan.
In this case, what makes it special is perhaps a bit of restraint. As Goethe said, "In der Beschränkung zeigt sich erst der Meister." |
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus
Post Number: 3862
Registered: 5-2009
| | Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2015 - 12:48 am: | |
Adriaan , In deed . I like where this Bass design is going ! |
funkyjazzjunky
Senior Member
Username: funkyjazzjunky
Post Number: 957
Registered: 5-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2015 - 9:43 am: | |
Stunning bass
Can't wait to to it with hardware |
stout71
Advanced Member
Username: stout71
Post Number: 242
Registered: 7-2011
| | Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2015 - 9:54 am: | |
Wow. Every time I think I've seen it all, a new one takes center stage and delivers. That neck recipe is stunning. It looks similar to the one in my next build. Congrats. I have a new respect for Walnut as well! |
dadabass2001
Senior Member
Username: dadabass2001
Post Number: 1815
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2015 - 8:49 am: | |
Beautiful wood choices as always from the evles at Alembic. This is a heart stopping neck/body combo!
Mike |
groovelines
Senior Member
Username: groovelines
Post Number: 781
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2015 - 11:01 am: | |
Simply gorgeous. |
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan
Post Number: 3206
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2015 - 1:40 pm: | |
A little history on how the wood recipe evolved ...
The elves started off with lots of Mahogany and Vermillion, and perhaps a little accent:
Attention turned to the body sandwich, which was going to have a Myrtle core, as would befit a proper Brown Bass. But some Purpleheart would add a little visual interest, hm ... Well, I love pistacchio nuts, but this started to clash a little, even if only in a Photoshop mock-up:
 
Anyway, one of the things I learned about hippy sandwiches is that you can't add a wood species in one area, and not have it return in another. So what to do with the Purpleheart?
 
With the greenish hue of the Myrtle core only intensified by the Purpleheart, a Mahogany core would perhaps help harmonize the colour scheme:
  |
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan
Post Number: 3207
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2015 - 1:54 pm: | |
You may have noticed that a few posts ago I mentioned "restraint" as a keyword in the design. It should nonetheless be perfectly clear that I did my utmost to steer the project away from such nonsense.
Mica did a mock-up of my "bookmatch-to-centre-laminate" idea on a bass most of you will recognize, when it was still under construction:
 |
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan
Post Number: 3264
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Friday, October 02, 2015 - 4:53 pm: | |
Some of you may have already have seen this on Instagram, but it's just way too fabulous not to include it here.
 |
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck
Post Number: 11962
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 06, 2015 - 5:47 pm: | |
Nice shot! I like how you can see the Maple body laminate inside the pickup and bridge routings. |
moongerm
Advanced Member
Username: moongerm
Post Number: 293
Registered: 8-2013
| | Posted on Thursday, October 08, 2015 - 6:41 pm: | |
Such a cool design, love it |
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko
Post Number: 3710
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 21, 2015 - 2:57 am: | |
That's an incredible neck recipe.
Graeme |
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko
Post Number: 3711
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 21, 2015 - 3:02 am: | |
That's an incredible neck recipe.
Graeme |
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan
Post Number: 3282
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, December 03, 2015 - 1:27 pm: | |
Another snapshot ...
 |
moongerm
Advanced Member
Username: moongerm
Post Number: 316
Registered: 8-2013
| | Posted on Thursday, December 03, 2015 - 1:34 pm: | |
Looking most excellent! |
rustyg61
Senior Member
Username: rustyg61
Post Number: 1755
Registered: 2-2011
| | Posted on Thursday, December 03, 2015 - 4:34 pm: | |
So pretty!!! |
edwardofhuncote
Senior Member
Username: edwardofhuncote
Post Number: 705
Registered: 6-2014
| | Posted on Thursday, December 03, 2015 - 6:18 pm: | |
I never noticed before how the Bal-K Point body sorta' mirrors the crown headstock. Nice touch! |
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck
Post Number: 11994
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 04, 2015 - 6:30 pm: | |
Yes; the lines on this body are quite beautiful. |
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan
Post Number: 3283
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, December 06, 2015 - 2:22 pm: | |
There were a couple of considerations getting the body shape right, and the elves came through every step of the way.
Sometimes on the 5 and 6 strings the point ends up a bit bulky, even if in proportion to the added width, like on Left is Right - but perhaps it wouldn't need to be quite as scaled down as on Dragonfly. Just a word in Mica's ear, and the vestigial tail got reduced to this beautiful confluence of curves and straight lines, in contrasting colours - all in one go (as far as I'm aware).
I didn't realize at first, but the original Balance K doesn't have the elbow contour either, and itkind of accentuates the symmetry, I guess.
Now is everyone aware of the pinch? |
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan
Post Number: 3288
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 - 4:14 pm: | |
Getting ever closer to the finish line - rubbed out ...
 |
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus
Post Number: 4690
Registered: 5-2009
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 - 4:24 pm: | |
Superb ! |
moongerm
Advanced Member
Username: moongerm
Post Number: 330
Registered: 8-2013
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 - 4:33 pm: | |
Looking incredible! I too opted away from from both the elbow and tummy contours. Great choice! |
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan
Post Number: 3299
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Friday, January 15, 2016 - 4:33 pm: | |
Oh goodness ...
 |
rustyg61
Senior Member
Username: rustyg61
Post Number: 1777
Registered: 2-2011
| | Posted on Friday, January 15, 2016 - 4:42 pm: | |
Absolutely Gorgeous!!! |
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko
Post Number: 3724
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, January 16, 2016 - 9:29 am: | |
Oh My! |
moongerm
Advanced Member
Username: moongerm
Post Number: 337
Registered: 8-2013
| | Posted on Saturday, January 16, 2016 - 9:38 am: | |
Good Grief that is so cool! |
edwardofhuncote
Senior Member
Username: edwardofhuncote
Post Number: 779
Registered: 6-2014
| | Posted on Saturday, January 16, 2016 - 12:25 pm: | |
Looks like this one is on the home stretch... won't be long now!
Anyone but me ever wish these pictures from that particular room had just a *little* wider angle? =) |
elwoodblue
Senior Member
Username: elwoodblue
Post Number: 1795
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, January 16, 2016 - 2:01 pm: | |
@edward...Totally!
What a spectacular bass...thanks Adriaan for sharing the FTC stuff, enjoy!
elwood |
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan
Post Number: 3300
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, January 16, 2016 - 2:02 pm: | |
The latest I've heard Ron started the calibration, which he does on Series instruments two at a time, yesterday. So home stretch indeed!
Fun fact: after the calibration, the hum canceller gets affixed permanently, and only after that they install the straplock studs. Not sure if otherwise those would interfere with the Series calibration - there's bound to be a rational explanation.
Gregory, I'm with you on those pictures - though not every person who orders a custom actually wants to see pictures, or have a Factory to Customer thread, so it's easy to see why Mica would want to limit the scope ... |
rv_bass
Intermediate Member
Username: rv_bass
Post Number: 171
Registered: 8-2014
| | Posted on Saturday, January 16, 2016 - 4:18 pm: | |
Wow, very nice, that thing is gonna shake some earth!  |
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan
Post Number: 3310
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2016 - 11:21 pm: | |
Apparently the straplocks do not necessarily go on after the humcanceller is secured in place. But I'm OK with that..
Another snapshot (hanging out with one of the old gang) ...
 |
stephenr
Intermediate Member
Username: stephenr
Post Number: 190
Registered: 9-2014
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 08, 2016 - 9:26 am: | |
Beautiful bass! The "extra" string is the only thing keeping me from a severe bout of jealousy
I just love walnut. I finally played a Balance K Alembic recently and as I long suspected that is my favorite body shape both visually and comfort wise. Looking forward to your reactions when the wait is over and you have it in your hands. |
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin
Post Number: 2237
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 08, 2016 - 9:35 pm: | |
I just saw this very bass yesterday. Definitely a standout of what's in Santa Rosa right now. It was kind of fun to see it right next to the one that's behind it, very old school!
Enjoy, it won't be long now! |
mica
Moderator
Username: mica
Post Number: 8823
Registered: 6-2000
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2016 - 1:51 pm: | |
And the coveted sofa reclining shot:
 |
edwardofhuncote
New
Username: edwardofhuncote
Post Number: 1
Registered: 6-2014
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2016 - 2:09 pm: | |
Adriaan, your bass is amazing, and I agree with Edwin, so very cool to see it hanging there next to one of the first few dragon hatchlings come home to roost. I know that particular bass well... it's the very one that finally cemented my resolve to order a custom. Many many nights I laid awake pondering- "restore vintage classic or build new classic"?
No regrets, but I'm delighted to see it's being fixed, and now that your wait is almost over I'd imagine you're quite tickled as well! =)
Congratulations & Compliments, however premature. |
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler
Post Number: 1883
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2016 - 2:54 pm: | |
 Congrats!
Now how about that European Alembic meeting? :-) |
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan
Post Number: 3311
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2016 - 3:37 pm: | |
Gregory - yes, tickled pink, or at least nearly there!
Flip - any plans? |
rv_bass
New
Username: rv_bass
Post Number: 3
Registered: 8-2014
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2016 - 4:23 pm: | |
Very nice! I noticed there is no pickup selector. What are the electronics? |
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan
Post Number: 3312
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2016 - 4:32 pm: | |
They are Series II, but without a pickup selector. |
rustyg61
Senior Member
Username: rustyg61
Post Number: 1804
Registered: 2-2011
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - 2:44 am: | |
She's gorgeous Adriaan! Congratulations! |
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck
Post Number: 12080
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, March 18, 2016 - 4:47 pm: | |
Congrats Adriaan! Wonderful! |
germansal
Member
Username: germansal
Post Number: 85
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 - 4:20 pm: | |
woowwwwwwwwwwwwoowwwwwooo gorgeus |
pierreyves
Senior Member
Username: pierreyves
Post Number: 1301
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 - 1:19 am: | |
I could buy it !! the tailpiece are now centered curiously from several months on all basses I see.... congrats, very nice art work ! |
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan
Post Number: 3314
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 - 2:41 pm: | |
I've had a preview of some glamour shots that Mica took, and if you think she's looking gorgeous now, well you ain't seen nothing yet!
Word is that she is being picked up at the mothership for shipment later today. Hm.
IT WILL BE HERE IN A MATTER OF DAYS! (Pardon my loudness.) |
the_mule
Senior Member
Username: the_mule
Post Number: 796
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 - 3:09 pm: | |
Very beautiful, prachtig ding Adriaan! |
moongerm
Advanced Member
Username: moongerm
Post Number: 366
Registered: 8-2013
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 - 3:11 pm: | |
So cool! Awesome feeling! |
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus
Post Number: 4837
Registered: 5-2009
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 - 11:43 pm: | |
Absolutely fantastic ! Congratulations! |
alemboid
Intermediate Member
Username: alemboid
Post Number: 176
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 28, 2016 - 2:34 pm: | |
Whoa.....I can taste it with my eyes and the flavor is all Alembic!!! |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page