| Author |
Message |
mica
Moderator
Username: mica
Post Number: 8592
Registered: 6-2000
| | Posted on Monday, August 03, 2015 - 11:09 am: |  |
Bass is on its merry way to Brian, but here's a little preview of what he'll find when he opens the case...
Pictures pale to the real deal, but it still looks pretty up there. |
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus
Post Number: 4415
Registered: 5-2009
| | Posted on Monday, August 03, 2015 - 11:18 am: | |
Wonderful ! |
rv_bass
Member
Username: rv_bass
Post Number: 59
Registered: 8-2014
| | Posted on Monday, August 03, 2015 - 1:13 pm: | |
Wow, incredible bass, with electronics for every situation, love the maple! Have fun, very nice! |
growlypants
Intermediate Member
Username: growlypants
Post Number: 144
Registered: 3-2011
| | Posted on Monday, August 03, 2015 - 1:37 pm: | |
I'm speechless...AGAIN!! |
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck
Post Number: 11906
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Monday, August 03, 2015 - 3:47 pm: | |
Beautiful!! |
5a_quilt_top
New
Username: 5a_quilt_top
Post Number: 3
Registered: 8-2015
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 04, 2015 - 12:36 pm: | |
Amazing.
I'm a sucker for maple, so this one got my attention right away.
Fantastic body shape.
Any chance we can see the headstock - ? |
mario_farufyno
Senior Member
Username: mario_farufyno
Post Number: 1103
Registered: 9-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 04, 2015 - 9:18 pm: | |
Brian, congratulation, what impressive bass you've got! |
moongerm
Advanced Member
Username: moongerm
Post Number: 245
Registered: 8-2013
| | Posted on Friday, August 07, 2015 - 3:18 pm: | |
Susan, Mica, Mary, and Will,
The bass arrived safe and sound this AM, whoooo hoooo. I went the week trying not to think about it making it's journey across country as the infant newborn it is, all alone. 
I was there bright and early this AM to pick it up rather than have it delivered. When I got home I had to rush to get ready for work but I just had to make sure it was A-OK before leaving. I unpacked the bass and placed the case on the rug. I paused and stared at the unopened case for a few moments to reflect briefly on the journey to this point along with trying to picture what I will find.
As I opened the case I thought wow, this is A LOT more than I expected! It seems a lot bigger in the photos. It actually is pretty lightweight and the size is perfect! I picked it up ever so gently out of the case to feel it and look over everything. To my utter amazement I found an incredible unknown surprise the elves gave me! My heart was beating pretty fast I must say. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
The bass sits perfectly on my thigh and without a strap, with this amazing body shape it balanced better, I dare say, than any instrument I have ever owned in my life. I began to play up and down to get the over all feel and vibe of the frets. I then quickly threw just about every technique I could and everything landed naturally. I instantly felt at home which is highly unusual for me. This is literally what I have always wanted and wished for! I was on the verge of tears. This has to be one of the best 4 string basses ever, is the feeling I have. I did not get a chance to plug it in yet as I had to bolt to work but I will report back as soon as I do.
Will Gunn told me several times and I paraphrase, that total satisfaction will be achieved along with all expectations being met or exceeded. He was spot on! Thanks for all your advise and consultation Will!
Mica, Susan, Ron and the entire staff at Alembic you are all absolutely incredible and I am so thankful and blessed! From the bottom of my heart thank you for doing what you do so exceptionally well!
I will report back with more details, photos, and perhaps some videos if I get the chance. Thank you also for the kind words Wolf, rv, Growly, Dave, 5a, and Mario.
Peace, love, and blessings, Brian |
moongerm
Advanced Member
Username: moongerm
Post Number: 246
Registered: 8-2013
| | Posted on Saturday, August 08, 2015 - 7:18 am: | |
(Message edited by mica on August 08, 2015) |
moongerm
Advanced Member
Username: moongerm
Post Number: 247
Registered: 8-2013
| | Posted on Saturday, August 08, 2015 - 7:30 am: | |
And a few more.
(Message edited by mica on August 08, 2015) |
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon
Post Number: 1695
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, August 08, 2015 - 8:06 am: | |
Such a great looking bass. I wasn't a huge fan of this body shape when I've seen it previously with dark wood tops. I'm loving it with the birdseye maple!!
Enjoy it. |
willgunn
Member
Username: willgunn
Post Number: 75
Registered: 2-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, August 08, 2015 - 9:30 am: | |
Congratulations, Brian, and what a beauty it is! I'm sure you'll agree with me on another point too, namely, these wonderful instruments ALWAYS end up looking FAR better "in the flesh" than ANY picture can ever convey! Here's to many, many years of intense gigging for you with this beauty!
I must confess, the pictures of the beautiful Bird's Eye Maple on this bass inspired me to recently pull the trigger on yet another one for my own personal use - a 5-string version of my Maple-topped, Vermilion bodied "Refinement" bass ( http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/100949.html?1302566395 ), with the only other significant difference being Bird's Eye Maple instead of Quilted Maple for the top.
Resistance is futile....... |
moongerm
Advanced Member
Username: moongerm
Post Number: 248
Registered: 8-2013
| | Posted on Saturday, August 08, 2015 - 9:57 am: | |
Thanks T! The body shape wasn't my first choice either. I had so many ideas, as we all do when it comes to this stuff. I landed on the BoP shape with the following in mind:
- The Stanley Clarke short scale was my first choice as I owned and SC deluxe before for a short stint. I wanted however a more practical (for me) 32" medium scale. So my fears of running the risk having to reach further in the low register on an SC body with a longer neck gave me cold feet. Also the custom series 2 electronics configuration may not fit on the SC body the way I like which is have everything out of the way as much as possible.
- The Balance K was my next choice however since this bass is replacing my old main Carl Thompson 4 string from the early 90's. My CT had a long upper horn reaching the 12th fret which I was afraid I would miss.
As such I landed on the BoP style because of it's more unique shape, long horn, and the added body points are useful as my ribs and my thigh fit very nicely into each of those pockets. The birdseye was chosen as my teacher/mentor Gerald Carboy (David Sancious & Tone) had a birdseye maple bass from Carl Thompson 1977. Gerald introduced me to Carl when I was 17 which was also when I ordered my very first custom bass from him at the time. So this birdseye will always remind me of Gerald.
I recently sold my first 4 string custom Carl Thompson as it led a very useful life. It was pretty beat up fret wise and the oil finished body had multiple worn out areas and a few potholes worn from my thumb resting on the pickup and body. Selling it helped greatly in funding this build even though I was tough to let go. I knew this Alembic build would be incredible from all perspectives including: retaining great balance, amazing electronics, neck thru body build, beautiful durable finish, custom measurements to my liking, oh and of course a pure work of art with superb wood selections by Mica and Susan. |
moongerm
Advanced Member
Username: moongerm
Post Number: 249
Registered: 8-2013
| | Posted on Saturday, August 08, 2015 - 10:13 am: | |
Yes indeed Will, you and Mica were right on! Thanks again! LOL, that is great news too Will on the new BE 5 string, wow I can't wait to see that. I am loving the vermillion core by the way and it's density so I can see why you are doing it again. Congrats! |
811952
Senior Member
Username: 811952
Post Number: 2376
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 - 10:00 am: | |
Beautiful.
John |
moongerm
Advanced Member
Username: moongerm
Post Number: 254
Registered: 8-2013
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 - 11:25 am: | |
Thanks John! |
edwardofhuncote
Senior Member
Username: edwardofhuncote
Post Number: 509
Registered: 6-2014
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 - 7:26 pm: | |
I've really enjoyed watching your thread Brian, many Congratulations. That birdseye maple is making me twitchy to see what mine will look like! |
moongerm
Advanced Member
Username: moongerm
Post Number: 255
Registered: 8-2013
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 - 8:13 pm: | |
Thanks Gregory! I am loving the birdseye. I must say it is deceiving in the photos. As we know with their astonishingly beautiful coats of glossy protective goodness over amazing selections of wood, what's not to like. Its true as Mica and Will mentioned, it really needs to be viewed in the flesh. Especially to admire the holographic effect it produces when you tilt the instrument under different lighting conditions. So cool, and a nice surprise to me as I would have guessed that effect typically occurs on quilted maple, not birdseye so much. You are going to be thrilled. Can't wait to see photos of your build as well. |
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko
Post Number: 3690
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2015 - 6:17 am: | |
Congratulations Brian. Needless to say I am as jealous as hell. That truly is an astonishing instrument.
Graeme |
serialnumber12
Senior Member
Username: serialnumber12
Post Number: 1106
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, August 14, 2015 - 5:39 am: | |
fresh outta the shower & ready to shake some booty!
[edited - just keepin' it clean]
(Message edited by adriaan on August 14, 2015) |
ed_zeppelin
Junior
Username: ed_zeppelin
Post Number: 36
Registered: 2-2010
| | Posted on Friday, August 14, 2015 - 10:30 am: | |
Would you mind explaining the electronics? I have a series 1 so I know the bas(s)ics but I just wondered what all those knobs and switches do.
Also, I hope you don't mind a suggestion: dab a little 91% isopropyl alcohol on a cloth and GENTLY wipe your fingerprints off any metal (visible on your tuners in the shot of the Alembic logo) without touching the wood, and apply a protectant.
http://alembic.stores.yahoo.net/alsuppolforg.html
You'd be amazed how quickly metal becomes etched - permanently - by contact with fingers (or whatever other body parts you apply to your bass, you dawg)
Alembic polish is a screaming deal, too (I just screamed, to prove it). |
moongerm
Advanced Member
Username: moongerm
Post Number: 258
Registered: 8-2013
| | Posted on Friday, August 14, 2015 - 2:35 pm: | |
Thanks Graeme! Not sure if you should be as jealous as you may feel as I sold two 4 strings to fund this, one was an FC. Painful but worth it.
Barnes, yes indeed .
ed_zepplin, thanks for the tip. I will certainly try to do that if I can remember each time, unfortunately this bass is going to get played a lot. Regarding the Series 2 electronics, that's what they are however I have a 1/4" mono/stereo jack as a backup which runs off of batteries in case I am without the DS5 power supply. There is also an LED on/off switch and a pair of bass & treble (boost/cut/flat) switches for the neck p/u as well as another pair for the bridge p/u. To top it off I have a pickup selector switch added as well.
I do have a tube of Alembic Flitz and a spray bottle of Alembic Polish screaming at me to use it too who has the time for that, lol. |
moongerm
Advanced Member
Username: moongerm
Post Number: 378
Registered: 8-2013
| | Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2016 - 12:42 pm: | |
Any idea what this 'Switch Cluster Bypass' is used for? Let's see who can answer or guess correctly before Mica and/or Ron beat us to it. I am not sure so I can only guess. |
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler
Post Number: 1908
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2016 - 1:26 pm: | |
My bet is you can replace it with the connector coming from your "switch cluster" and you will have "pure" Series II electronics?
Extremely awesome bass, congrats! |
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