| Author | Message | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3461 Registered: 6-2000 |
I know you already saw some progress on your last visit, but I saw your bass in carving today:   The single Ebony neck laminate looks sharp. | ||
| alemberic
New Username: alemberic Post Number: 9 Registered: 6-2006 |
Mica--Thank you, thank you for the update and pics! The FTC thread is a truly fantastic idea. It really creates the feeling of partnership and joint collaboration between builder and customer, and provides a very practical--as well as fun--way to follow the progress of the build. The single ebony lam does indeed look cool. I understand you'll be on vacation after today. By the time you read this, you will probably have returned, so... hope you had a great vacation! Thanks again to you, Valentino, and the entire Alembic crew! Eric | ||
| alemberic
New Username: alemberic Post Number: 10 Registered: 6-2006 |
Hi Mica-- Just thought I'd see if you have any update on the Orion. Thank you very much! Eric | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3588 Registered: 6-2000 |
It's getting color on it now. This won't look right to you, the light in the drying room is funny, and it doesn't have the edge color yet, but you can see where it's at. Bob has the pictures you and he reviewed for color reference.  Look back next week for an update with inlay artwork. | ||
| alemberic
Junior Username: alemberic Post Number: 12 Registered: 6-2006 |
Mica--I know what you mean about the lighting, but...looks pretty sweet from what I can see! Just as a reminder, I'm only a 2-hour drive from Santa Rosa. I'll be more than happy to come in and take a look in person at any point(s) during the finish process that Bob and/or you feel would be beneficial. Just let me know when!! Thanks for the update! Eric | ||
| groovelines
Advanced Member Username: groovelines Post Number: 362 Registered: 4-2003 |
I miss my Orion, nicest feeling bass I've ever owned. The flames look pretty cool popping through the paint. Mike | ||
| alemberic
Junior Username: alemberic Post Number: 13 Registered: 6-2006 |
Mike--I appreciate your comments. Call me crazy, but I've always been partial to sunburst finishes. As you said, the flames showing through adds a cool touch. It will actually be a 3-color burst, and I've been working closely with Bob and Valentino to get a particular coloring/shading which looks "right" (to my eyes, at least). Take care. Eric | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 2032 Registered: 9-2003 |
Very nice! I wish I'd have thought about a thick neck lam or two when I had my Orion built. | ||
| alemberic
Junior Username: alemberic Post Number: 15 Registered: 6-2006 |
Thanks Kevin--I'm hoping the single neck lam will give me some "boom" without going completely over the edge soundwise. I understand from Mica and Val that a little ebony goes a long way! Eric | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 2036 Registered: 9-2003 |
Eric, Maybe not as much "boom" as if it was a neck-through, but it should be noticeably extended (and heavier) with the ebony. I didn't know I could get wide lams in a set-neck, otherwise I'd have done it myself. Regardless, Orions are great! I have two nearly identical ones. The body style is very comfortable and fairly light, and the midrange punch is awesome! If it's not too late, you might wanna consider EMW electronics...it adds a filter and "q" switch to the stock master vol, pan, bass/treble controls and makes the instrument infinitely more versatile for not that much more money. Just my two cents, Cheers, Kevin | ||
| groovelines
Advanced Member Username: groovelines Post Number: 371 Registered: 4-2003 |
to badly paraphrase Bobby D - "Everybody must get 'Q-ed'" smart move if you can do it. adios, Mike | ||
| alemberic
Junior Username: alemberic Post Number: 16 Registered: 6-2006 |
Kevin/Mike--Many thanks for the electronics suggestions. As one of my options, I've already ordered the Essence electronics with Q-switch. As you guys know, this will give me a filter and the all-important Q. Hopefully this set-up, while not quite the same as EMW, will still give me most of the versatility you speak of. Thanks again! Eric | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 565 Registered: 2-2005 |
Eric, I have the same electronics on my 5 string Orion and have been happy with them. When I first got the bass it only had the filter. I added the Q-switch and it really improved the versatility. I think you'll be happy with your choice. Keith | ||
| alemberic
Junior Username: alemberic Post Number: 17 Registered: 6-2006 |
Keith--cool, I'm glad to hear that the same set-up works for you. Thanks for letting me know. Eric | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3625 Registered: 6-2000 |
Bob would like you to come and view the finish if you can before he applies the final clear coats. Let me know when you can drop by. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3631 Registered: 6-2000 |
It never looks right in a photo, but here's where the color is now:  | ||
| alemberic
Junior Username: alemberic Post Number: 18 Registered: 6-2006 |
Mica The newest pic looks absolutely spot on to me--too sweet for words!! As per our phone discussion a few minutes ago, I'll be in to see Bob on Monday, 10-9, at 11 A.M.for a first-hand look. As always, thank you for your help. You and all the Alembic artisans have a great weekend! Eric | ||
| alemberic
Junior Username: alemberic Post Number: 24 Registered: 6-2006 |
Hi Mica-- Checking in again to see if there might be anything new with my intstrument. Do I dare to hope for an Alembic Christmas?  Thanks for any information you can provide! Eric | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 952 Registered: 7-2002 |
It's going to be an early Christmas for you, Eric... James is working on the hardware as I type this. It should be done early next week. Valentino | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 878 Registered: 2-2006 |
Breath sloooowly Eric, don't want to hyper-ventilate. | ||
| tbrannon
Advanced Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 232 Registered: 11-2004 |
That is a BEAUTIFUL burst paint job. That green one behind yours is looking sweet as well. I'm getting ready to join Joey's "Alembics look better in Color" Club. | ||
| alemberic
Junior Username: alemberic Post Number: 25 Registered: 6-2006 |
Val--  Olie--Too busy smiling and doing double back-flips to hyperventilate!! Toby--Thanks, I appreciate that. It looks even better in person--Bob got it just right! Eric | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3949 Registered: 6-2000 |
Done:  The inlay came out great:  Delicate, and with no joint at the crossbar on the T:  Let me know when you want to drop by and pick it up. | ||
| groovelines
Senior Member Username: groovelines Post Number: 431 Registered: 4-2003 |
"uh, yeah boss, uh, I'm fuh..f-f-fuh...eelin a little low tuh-cough-tuhday. I'll be in t-t-tuh tuhmorrow. See ya." It's rumored that an unshaven, wild-eyed, pajama-clad Eric was later seen motoring down the highway, Santa Rosa bound, heavy on the horn and pedal. Nice ax. | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 468 Registered: 12-2004 |
Another cool bass taking a trip on the casting couch. Congratulations. | ||
| alemberic
Junior Username: alemberic Post Number: 31 Registered: 6-2006 |
Mike--LOL!! Normally, that's exactly what would have happened. However, in one of life's few happy coincidences/proper alignment of planets/whatever, I actually have been on vacation this week. Tomorrow will be the trip to Santa Rosa to pick up the ax (as yet unnamed. I will try to post some pics, but that's gonna have to wait a while, obviously, until the ax and I get very, very well acquainted! Bradley--thank you. Things are progressing on your ax, as well--hang in there! Eric | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1962 Registered: 7-2004 |
Eric: Beautiful bass. Congrats! Just try and keep your speed below triple digits on your way out from Sacto. So what's "JT" stand for, or are you planning to give this as a present to cousin James? Bill, tgo | ||
| alemberic
Junior Username: alemberic Post Number: 32 Registered: 6-2006 |
Bill tgo-- JT = the initials of my wife, without whose understanding and support my dream of Alembic ownership would never have been realized. I know, I know--such a sugary sweet story, but I figured it would be a fitting way to acknowledge her! Anyway, I did manage to make it to Santa Rosa today--no worries about triple-digit speeds, as it was I-80 to Highway 37 and finally onto Highway 101 North The Orion is now home with us!! There just aren't words to describe the way this baby sounds, let alone looks! Thank goodness for this, because now, as Valentino so aptly put it this morning, I will be in "post partum depression." The baby has been "delivered," if you will, the project completed--how will I survive without an FTC thread; my emails/phone calls to Mica and Valentino about the build status or questions I forgot to ask; daydreaming about how things will be once the bass is here-- Guess I'll just have to start saving for my next Alembic, not to mention playing the hell out of this one!! Thanks for your interest, and talk to you later! Eric | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 727 Registered: 6-2002 |
Eric, Have fun playing her. You have a beautiful and serious instrument to work with. Make music magic. Mike | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1970 Registered: 7-2004 |
Eric: 4:02 a.m.??!!! Have you been up all night playing her? You wouldn't be the first. I thought I saw some special vibes in the eastern sky this morning! Enjoy! Ain't no problem with sugary sweet homage to senior management. The brass truss rod cover on my Alembicized Fernandes, the "leaf" guitar, is engraved "Tina", my wife's name. Want even more sugar? It is reversible. The other side is engraved "Nicky", our son. Bill, tgo (Message edited by lbpesq on January 06, 2007) |
