| Author | Message | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4262 Registered: 6-2000 |
Here's the neck in rough stage:  Even rough, you can see the flame figure, especially down at the body end. And the center pack up close:  | ||
| tbrannon
Advanced Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 332 Registered: 11-2004 |
Too cool! Awesome wood choices Paul- I like the little Vermillion and maple pinstripes you've used to highlight the ebony/maple lams. Enjoy the ride~ Toby | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 447 Registered: 9-2005 |
Wow, Paul, it looks awesome! | ||
| mele_aloha
Junior Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 50 Registered: 1-2007 |
Is all I can say folks is this, Mica and Susan---- You are awesome!!! What a surprise!!! Right now I am going to just gaze in amaze. Tears are about to emerge. Thank you, Paul | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 535 Registered: 12-2004 |
Another wicked neck! Where will it all stop?!?!  | ||
| bassjigga
Intermediate Member Username: bassjigga Post Number: 153 Registered: 8-2005 |
Yeah this is getting too easy for Alembic... I think they need to start mixing in carbon fiber or something. Beautiful. When I first looked at the first pic I thought that vermillion pinstripe was some left over pencil line until I scrolled down to the second pic. | ||
| jtussing
Member Username: jtussing Post Number: 53 Registered: 12-2006 |
Wow. Now that's an interesting combo! Love it! Congrats! | ||
| hifiguy
Member Username: hifiguy Post Number: 79 Registered: 10-2006 |
Holy rockets, this thing is going to be a monster and then some! | ||
| mele_aloha
Member Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 66 Registered: 1-2007 |
Here's the specifications for: "Mele Aloha" Series II 5-string Left handed Balance K body shape with heart omega Tummy and Elbow contours Body lamination pattern: Quilted Coco Bolo top Maple pinstripe Koa accent laminate Flame Maple core Koa accent laminate Maple pinstripe Coco Bolo back Neck lamination pattern: Flame Maple (2/3) Vermilion pinstripe Flame Maple (1/3) Ebony laminate Vermilion laminate Maple pinstripe Ebony laminate Maple pinstripe Vermilion laminate Ebony laminate Flame Maple laminate (1/3) Vermilion pinstripe Flame Maple laminate (2/3) Crown peghead 3+2 Bevelled front and back Fretted Ebony fingerboard Abalone oval inlays Palm Trees inlay at 5th fret* Initials PM at 12th fret* Front Laser LEDs in blue Side LEDs in blue External dimmer that controls both sets of LEDs Comfort taper neck (like Excel) Gold plated hardware (tuners, nut, bridge, bridgeblock, bird tailpiece and truss rod cover) Continuous wood backplates Black collet knobs Recessed silver logo with shell Add abalone rays to logo* Polyester gloss finish with satin neck feel Series II electronics with stereo/mono switch I must admit, this is quite a change from my original order. Thanks to Susan and Mica, and Valentino, and all of your comments in this forum I might add- here is going to be my dream-come-true!. Remember friends, especially since I am in Hawaii on the Big Island I am almost going into this bass like a virgin in that I have never played any other Alembics except my Excel which I ordered through a music store on Oahu and recieved via UPS. Therefore I have no expectations of sounds. It's almost like a blind person picking out a girlfriend. No offense to blind folks, really. This is just the most fun that I've had in my whole life and I have literally waited for this for about 30 years, ever since I was a fan of Phil Lesh, Stanley Clarke, and all the rest. I graduated in 1971 and learned about Alembic shortly after they came about. My next door neighbor John Rossum was in the original Jefferson Airplane and his brother formed the Imu Synthesizer Corporation, so I was pretty connected with folks in the industry. This was down in Cupertino, (Monta Vista). So thanks for all of your help. Sorry if I offended anybody previously but for my 20K plus investment I would like to have one personal thread "additions/changes" with the admins uninterrupted so that I don't have to bother them on there personal e-mails. I'm sure you understand. Aloha, mahalo to all, Paul da Plumma | ||
| jlpicard
Senior Member Username: jlpicard Post Number: 464 Registered: 7-2002 |
Paul, From one lefty to another, You're going to totally flip out when you hear your new bass! Being an Alembic, the Excel is automatically a great bass, but the Series II is several orders of magnitude above and beyond anything you've ever heard. The versatility, simultaneous clarity and fullness plus warmth and the amazing plug and play when recording is in my opinion unmatched by any other instrument on the planet! By the way, I am quite flattered that my vision of an Alembic ( Raging Bass ) is inspiring others. I feel like a proud Papa! Best of luck and now for the sweet torture....The Wait! Michael D | ||
| mele_aloha
Intermediate Member Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 110 Registered: 1-2007 |
Awesome Awesome Michael D, I am so honored to have you acknowledge me here and look at my bass. Your bass is so awesome! Tell me somemore please. Do you have a way to send me any soundbytes? I mean they don't have to be fabulous licks or anything. I would just love to hear that beautiful bass. I was very inspired by it. I especially liked your neck and had notes in my neck design to resemble the internal area. I have sat and just stared for hours and hours and hours and hours and on and on at your bass. At one time it was my background on my computer desktop. I hope that I can get in touch with you over the phone if possible and just talk a bit. Is that possible? I would like to ask you a couple of questions/opinions if I could? Thank you, Paul | ||
| jlpicard
Senior Member Username: jlpicard Post Number: 467 Registered: 7-2002 |
Paul, please look under the listing for my bass. I have entered my response there. Email me for my phone number.I'd be happy to talk with you. Mike | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 641 Registered: 12-2004 |
Paul, This is in response to your earlier post on Michael's FTC thread: Body shapes can be found here. Alas, it is missing several shapes-- Balance, Balance K, Scorpion, Pursuader, and the lovely Dragon Wing. The page was initially created in 1999, and updated last year to correct some table formatting issues. There is some background on the evolution of the body shapes here. Bradley | ||
| mele_aloha
Intermediate Member Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 126 Registered: 1-2007 |
Thank you very much Bradley for giving me this info. I have now made up my mind and changed my order based on this info as I have written in my change record. I just really like the larger body style and was a little shakey about the smallness of the balance K. As Michael said, I like to look at that Coco Bolo so much that I want as much as I can get of it! So I am going for the standard or balance depending what they already have a template of for leftys. Thanks again, Paul | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 642 Registered: 12-2004 |
I never thought that the Balance K looked right for a 4 string, but it's clear that I must be in the minority. I'd get the balance, personally, to prevent neck dive, and you already know exactly what it looks like (since you've seen Michael's). Bradley | ||
| mele_aloha
Intermediate Member Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 130 Registered: 1-2007 |
Hey Bradley, Do you mean get the larger one than the smaller balance "K"? Mine is a 5 string. Also what do you mean neck dive? Is there a difference in the balance and the balance K? Thanks, Paul | ||
| mele_aloha
Intermediate Member Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 135 Registered: 1-2007 |
Now I am seeing the difference Bradley. I just went and looked at Jim's balance K and then looked at Michael's balance. I see the cutaways are offset differently near the lower neck. Are you saying that the neck dive happens more with the balance K? It seems like it would occur with the balance. Could you elaborate please? Thanks, Paul | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 643 Registered: 12-2004 |
Just for terminology's sake: The balance is the large standard with offset upper horn. The balance K is like a 3/4 standard with offset/extended upper horn. The balance K and balance models should have about the same amount of neck dive. Maybe the nod goes a little to the balance K. Your mileage may vary, due to playing position, etc. Your earlier post (126) suggested you were also looking at the standard model, which I, personally, would not recommend-- the balance model would, ahem, balance better. Whatever you do, get a nice, suede backed 4" strap. Makes all the difference in the world. The bass will stay put, and your shoulder will thank you. Lastly, don't underestimate the value of a trip to the mothership-- $400 roundtrip from Maui would be cheap insurance. You can pick out woods in person, and really see what the basses feel like. It really helped me feel a lot more confident that I was getting the bass of my dreams. Bradley | ||
| jlpicard
Senior Member Username: jlpicard Post Number: 472 Registered: 7-2002 |
From my personal experience, my balance body does not neck dive at all. Granted I use a wide Alembic strap, wear the bass fairly high (fusion geek style) and my neck being a 33" scale doesn't stick out quite as far, but I haven't really noticed any discomfort relating to neck dive. Possibly, the extra weight of the Coco body helps that side of the fulcrum too? Mike | ||
| jlpicard
Senior Member Username: jlpicard Post Number: 473 Registered: 7-2002 |
By the way, have you any idea of what kind of look you want from your Coco top? Each piece is so individual. They vary from a deep dark chocolate brown to wild reds and oranges! From totally straight grain to something you might find on a bowling ball! ;) So if you haven't seen alot of coco it might be worth it to make that trip considering what's at stake. | ||
| jlpicard
Senior Member Username: jlpicard Post Number: 474 Registered: 7-2002 |
Hey Bradley, I just noticed your post about the Balance K not looking right on a 4 string and I totally agree which is why I went the route that I did. Too skinny around the front pickup for me. Looks great with the extra neck width of a 5 string though. My original concept was to have Alembic do a custom body template for me that would have given me something in between a full balance and and the K body with a carved top! For no reason other than I just plain ran out of money, I was forced to make some compromises. Ah well, maybe on the next one. ;) | ||
| mele_aloha
Intermediate Member Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 138 Registered: 1-2007 |
Thanks, both of you! Uh just a quick response to jlpi, I have quilted Coco Bolo coming so the way it sounds is that it's going to be one of the last pieces they have so there isn't much choosing there although I agree with Bradley that if I could I would love to go and visit cuz it is my dream. I wish I could explain to you guys in a shorter version why this didn't happen but the main reason is that I have been in a long trial in LA due to the death of my father (which has nothing to do with ordering this even though it seems). I tried to arrange to go north on occasions but due also to the fact that I have a 3 year old in Hawaii where I live and the trial dates kept changing, etc., see, it gets deep!!! Is all I can say at this point is that I am still working on flying up north to visit but that is why I have been depending so much on you guys to help me just get the order going as it is so lenthy, etc. I know I have been very grouchy through all of this and thank you for sticking it out with me, by the way. I must go now again but just another thing I agree on is the balance K even looked a little to skinny for me even with the 5 string so I have reverted back to "because of your both your help" to the balance with pistol grip. I will contact a little later as I am being swept back into the the the hhhheeeellpppp!!! | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 602 Registered: 9-2005 |
My condolences over the death of your father, Paul. | ||
| mele_aloha
Intermediate Member Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 139 Registered: 1-2007 |
Hi Mark, and thanks. I can change the last post by removing both and say all of your help now that you are back. How is your house coming by the way?, you must be busy? Congradulations! As you can see I am changing over to the balance body as I just wasn't happy with the slimness of the balance K and in a way it's been good that they hadn't developed the pistol grip yet for the balance K as it gave me time to think this over and make the change. I really like the body shape of Michael's Lefty as I am a lefty also it has been an influence on my decision here to make the change. There are a number of things about Michaels bass that I really admired. So good job Michael and Thanks!! I am really tired now so I have to go to sleep but thanks again guys and I'll talk to ya tomorrow. Goodnight, Paully | ||
| mauibassplayer
Junior Username: mauibassplayer Post Number: 32 Registered: 3-2005 |
Aloha Paul, I have reading all the posts' regarding your fine bass. I am soooo happy that I knda know someone else here in Hawaii that is into Alembics. I am trying to save for a custom myself, but it is going to take a while to get to that point, until then I am very happy with My Spoiler. Much Aloha and regards, Ken. | ||
| mele_aloha
Intermediate Member Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 141 Registered: 1-2007 |
Hi Ken, I e-mailed you the other day. I hope it came through although I have been so spaced out lately I hope I pushed the send button. It's nice to know somebody over here also even though we are different isles. I bet your spoiler is nice. I'm just looking forward to having an Alembic with two pick-ups on it as my Excel is so nice as it is compared to anything else. It's amazing how lately I have been getting better amps, then speakers, and it just sounds nicer the better equipment I've been getting. I can't wait to put some new strings on it tonite or so. It sounds so good now through my new ampeg all tube amp and accugroove speakers it's incredible what good equipment does for good equipment! Keep in touch Ken! | ||
| mauibassplayer
Junior Username: mauibassplayer Post Number: 33 Registered: 3-2005 |
Hi Paul, your equipment sounds really nice. I am playing through a pre fender SWR Workingmans 300 with a pre fender Workingmans 4x10 bottom. I am looking for something to round out the bottom, I was thinking of a Big Ben or a Son of Bertha, problem is none of the online stores will ship heavy stuff like that here. There is a muaic store here called Bounty Music, they only have a Son of Bertha, not real sure what I am gonna do yet, but I am keeping track of your custom build bass. It really sounds like a beautiful bass. I can't wait to see it. Are you in a band, or do you do recording or both? I am in a kinda blues band called Blind Willy. We have fun, play a gig here and there, I just put some new strings on my Spoiler, some GHS Brite Flats, I usually use GHS Progressives, but I wanted to try a flat wound to see how it works. So far so good. Take care, Ken. | ||
| sixway
New Username: sixway Post Number: 3 Registered: 3-2007 |
Hi Ken and Paul, I live on Oahu, so we've got the island chain covered! Paul, I've been watching your build with great interest - you're going to have one helluva bass when it's completed! Ken, like the flamed shirt. I usually where flame shirts myself. Us bass players have to do something extra to be recognized during the breaks, don't we?! I've also been watching a friends build, who also lives here on Oahu. Check out Vance's bass... it's close to completion, and we're all eagerly awaiting the shipping announcement. Anyhoo, wanted to say Aloha, and hope to one day join the Alembic owners ranks... Ian | ||
| mauibassplayer
Junior Username: mauibassplayer Post Number: 34 Registered: 3-2005 |
Hi Ian, this is great, making new friends that love music here in hawaii. I see your picture on your profile, what type of bass are you playing there? What equipment do you play through? I am going to check out Vance's build, someday I will do a custom build, trying to save for the day. Aloha and keep in touch. Ken. | ||
| mele_aloha
Intermediate Member Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 145 Registered: 1-2007 |
I wonder if: 1. My neck is being worked on- 2. My inlays are progressing- 3. My body is being built- 4. I have a estimate for my gold logo. |
