| Author | Message | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3296 Registered: 6-2000 |
You've got neck!  The front veneer is a cool Burly Maple:  The wings in a position they won't be in for long:  And finally that wicked Mutant maple top with burl clusters, flame up in the horn, and very distinct, squiggly growth rings.  How do I know that this is the type of top that dela just loves? One hint: it's more than 25 years old. We have a collection of this hard to classify figure, so it just never seems to gets used. In the shop we call it "Mutant Maple" because it can't seem to decide what it wants to be other than cool. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3374 Registered: 6-2000 |
In the pipes:  and the peghead up close after drilling:  | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3582 Registered: 6-2000 |
You haven't seen this with finish yet. Oh my - I think you will be blown away!      It's hard to believe that nobody has wanted this piece of wood for so long. Chip and I both absolutely love the mixure of figuring on it. | ||
| tbrannon
Intermediate Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 150 Registered: 11-2004 |
Absolutely stunning- I don't care for Maple all that much, but THAT is a beautiful piece of maple. Love the knobby peghead w/ that body style as well. | ||
| pace
Advanced Member Username: pace Post Number: 250 Registered: 4-2004 |
The 2+3 knobby configuration is SWEET!!!! Great combo of body style, electronics, etc. But that Maple would make any instrument a keeper imho.... Congrats, and enjoy!!!! | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 815 Registered: 10-2002 |
Wow! That's a spectacular piece of Maple. Can't wait to see it finished. Graeme | ||
| alemboid
Intermediate Member Username: alemboid Post Number: 126 Registered: 5-2003 |
Oh - my - GOODNESS!!!! This one has done me in!!! Pictures-- PLEASE! Alemboid | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4169 Registered: 6-2000 |
It's darned close to being finished. Here's some shots in the setup room today:    This bass has the satin finish all over. Makes for a nostalgic look. | ||
| guitarbeau
Junior Username: guitarbeau Post Number: 46 Registered: 12-2005 |
Absolutely Stunning!!! | ||
| sixway
New Username: sixway Post Number: 1 Registered: 3-2007 |
It's been too long...more pics! Jonesing to see it completed... love that piece of maple... | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 528 Registered: 12-2004 |
Knobby peghead. Just gotta love it. Beautiful bass. Bradley | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 4860 Registered: 5-2002 |
Beautiful bass indeed! | ||
| crgaston
Advanced Member Username: crgaston Post Number: 351 Registered: 11-2005 |
That is amazingly cool. What is the body wood? It's fantastic!! | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 1405 Registered: 4-2004 |
its mutant maple per mica;s post above say sorry... go to bed no dinner charlie ;-) | ||
| crgaston
Advanced Member Username: crgaston Post Number: 352 Registered: 11-2005 |
Umm...Flax, isn't it a little early to be partaking of the "herbal" tea? 8-) The top wood is mutant maple. The body looks like some sort of figured vermillion to me. | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 776 Registered: 6-2002 |
I would love to see more pics of this one too. You are right Mica. I really like that top! Michael | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 1002 Registered: 7-2002 |
You are right, Charles, that is a Vermillion body. Valentino | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 1407 Registered: 4-2004 |
got me charlie | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4440 Registered: 6-2000 |
Custom hardware finished, electronics loaded, ready to start the calibration process next week:  Dad's going to start with the lower-drain chips you specified, and see if the sound isn't compromised. I'll know more toward the middle or end of next week. | ||
| mele_aloha
Member Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 70 Registered: 1-2007 |
Vance, This is such a beauty. I love the look of this bass. Congradulations. And what I really admire about you is that you are not writting in the changes/additions thread every day. You are just letting go and letting them do the job and excepting what is coming along. Much to be admired for! I bet that wood is going to have a nice flavor to it also. WOW. Nice Aloha, Paul | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1247 Registered: 2-2006 |
I really like the top on your bass Vance, Very nice. (The one behind it looks familar too.) | ||
| jtussing
Member Username: jtussing Post Number: 73 Registered: 12-2006 |
Beautiful piece of maple. I really like the tint on this one - if that's a tint. Makes the figuring jump right off there. - Jim | ||
| sixway
New Username: sixway Post Number: 2 Registered: 3-2007 |
OK, it's been too long... what does it sound like?! It's a beautiful bass, and I like the satin finish. It allows the wood to be the "Star" of this build! Congrats Vance, and let us know how it sounds and feels when you get it in your hands... -Ian | ||
| s_wood
Advanced Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 242 Registered: 5-2002 |
Killer! What a beautiful bass! | ||
| sixway
New Username: sixway Post Number: 4 Registered: 3-2007 |
Hey Mica, any new pics - or electronics info? | ||
| mauibassplayer
Junior Username: mauibassplayer Post Number: 35 Registered: 3-2005 |
All I can say is WOW!!! It is amazing!! Every bass that I see being built is so unique and beautiful, everyone there is a true artist and magician. I am so happy for you Vance, I understand your on Oahu, so now we got Paul on Big Island, me on Maui, and you and Ian on Oahu. Any other Islanders out there? Ken. | ||
| sixway
New Username: sixway Post Number: 5 Registered: 3-2007 |
Hi Ken, as I posted before, the satin finish really allows the beauty of the wood to be the main focal point. There is also another bass player here on Oahu named Tim that has what appears to be a Signature Deluxe-style bass that he bought back in the 70's. It sure sounds great through my Walter Woods, and El Whappo Jr. cabinet (product plug), even when not plugged into the power supply. As Ken asked, anyone else out there in the woodwork? Ian | ||
| mele_aloha
Intermediate Member Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 142 Registered: 1-2007 |
Hi Ken and Ian and Vance, Wow from the Big Island also. I absolutely love that finish, let alone the whole machine. It is beautiful. Nice to talk to you guys from the outer Isles. Ian, you mentioned El Whappo Jr., and I know all about them. I just got a complete set of accugrooves. They are sweet. They just added so much more sound to my little ole one pick-up Excel, it's amazing. I'll keep in touch with all of you and hope you get yours soon Vance! Congradulations. Aloha, Paul P.S. If you guys come over to the Big Island I am right here at the Hilo Farmer's Market downtown. We have a little shop here called the Coconut Cave. Can't miss us. | ||
| sixway
New Username: sixway Post Number: 6 Registered: 3-2007 |
I'll be coming over to the Big Island in a couple of months to see friends in Hilo, and to help a friend build his house about ten miles or so outside of Hilo. I'll make sure I contact you, and stop by when I'm there... Ken, I have a friend I've been meaning to see In Wailuku - his name is Bob Jones - and he plays guitar around the area. I'll contact you when I find time to get to Maui. Aloha to you both.... Ian | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4692 Registered: 6-2000 |
Done! We'll talk again on Monday to confirm the best day for you to receieve:   | ||
| jtussing
Intermediate Member Username: jtussing Post Number: 101 Registered: 12-2006 |
Dream machine! Congrats! | ||
| bassjigga
Advanced Member Username: bassjigga Post Number: 217 Registered: 8-2005 |
Wow! I love this bass! | ||
| rraymond
Advanced Member Username: rraymond Post Number: 286 Registered: 6-2002 |
Beautiful bass! Enjoy it! | ||
| sixway
New Username: sixway Post Number: 7 Registered: 3-2007 |
I'm sure this bass will sound as beautiful as it looks! And, I have the good fortune to live close to Vance, so I'll be able to hear it in person, and get a first hand listen... speaking of hands, I'm a lefty, so I won't have the pleasure of getting to play it! grrrr....  | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5156 Registered: 5-2002 |
Wow! | ||
| rollo
New Username: rollo Post Number: 1 Registered: 6-2007 |
Vance, your bass guitar is absolutely gorgegous!!! Congratulations... Another islander, a guitar builder living in Kailua,Oahu. Aloha,Rollo | ||
| smokin_dave
Advanced Member Username: smokin_dave Post Number: 307 Registered: 10-2002 |
WOW indeed. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2479 Registered: 7-2004 |
Vance: Congrats! This has certainly been a great week in Alembicland with both our instruments (similarly light on front, dark on back) being finished. You've got one stunning bass there. I love the satin finish. So what's the story on the "lower-drain chips"? Bill, tgo | ||
| fish
Junior Username: fish Post Number: 50 Registered: 6-2006 |
NICE!! | ||
| mothy4
New Username: mothy4 Post Number: 6 Registered: 5-2003 |
Here's the new proud Alembic owner playing his bass fresh out of the shipping box!\   Vance is presently unable to access the internet from home but he asked me to convey to Mica and all the staff at Alembic his heartfelt thanks for the help and support building his dream bass! When he's not playing it, he can't help but stare at it! It's unbelievably beautiful and that Alembic sound makes it so compelling to play. We have a growing number of Alembic players in Honolulu and we're going to get together for a group photo to be posted on the club website. I also think there's a couple of our fellow bassists that are now considering Alembics of their own after seeing and hearing Vance's bass. What a beautiful bass! (Message edited by davehouck on June 28, 2007) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5194 Registered: 5-2002 |
Timothy, thanks for the pics! Looking forward to the group photos. | ||
| mauibassplayer
Junior Username: mauibassplayer Post Number: 47 Registered: 3-2005 |
I wish I could be a prt of the photo representing Hawaii, let me know. Ken | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 492 Registered: 11-2004 |
Vance looks right at home on it- what an absolutely beautiful instrument. ENJOY! | ||
| mele_aloha
Intermediate Member Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 176 Registered: 1-2007 |
Haaaaaaaawaiian! Your new ax wen broke da eyes bra. I get choke envee, I stay seeek from da kine. My tinking stay all buss up. I like know whe mine stay. You go bra, you get em. Aloha, P | ||
| mele_aloha
Advanced Member Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 210 Registered: 1-2007 |
Hey Vance, Sorry about the silly message last time but I just want to know how your bass is? You must be playing alot as we haven't heard from you. Let us know when you get a chance. Oh ya, I forgot you might not have a computer now but if so let us know. Aloha, Paul |
