| Author | Message | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4991 Registered: 6-2000 |
This one slipped by me until it showed up all red:  and in action getting prepped for the next coat of Fiesta Red:  Jack (that's his hands in the photo) has owned several Fiesta Red instruments, and he says this is the perfect color match. | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 1040 Registered: 7-2003 |
Maybe the light, but that looks closer to Dakota Red to me in the pix. Maybe I'm wrong - it does have the pink tint from Fiesta. No matter - I love most of the old Fender colors. Fiesta was a Tbird auto color and Dakota a Cadillac color (http://www.provide.net/~cfh/fenderc.html). Is that going to be a front-mounted instrument plate on a Spoiler body? If so, that's another nice vintage touch. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4995 Registered: 6-2000 |
This ain't no fire engine red. In person, this color is that special Fiesta blend of pink, red, with just a hinty-hint of orange that makes it so distinctive. In the drying room lights, it looks even less Fiesta-ish:  Lighting really makes a difference. | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 1043 Registered: 7-2003 |
Mica: I've noticed people take the difference between Fiesta and Dakota very seriously. I knew I taking a wild risk even mentioning the subject! I hope you'll take some pix when this beautiful, red bass is done. I'm intrigued with the vintage color and the plate on the front. Bill | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5193 Registered: 6-2000 |
It's closer yet to the finish line:  Just needs the final rubout and we're off. Again, the color will surely look different since this is yet another room. It's Fiesta City! | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 664 Registered: 11-2004 |
What kind of control cavity cover is this one going to get? Will it be ebony like the daphne blue one or something else (brass?)? Either way, it's looking good. | ||
| mendez4
Member Username: mendez4 Post Number: 52 Registered: 6-2002 |
It will have a Koa wood cavity cover and matching koa wood stock veneer. Good times! | ||
| mendez4
Member Username: mendez4 Post Number: 53 Registered: 6-2002 |
It will have a Koa wood cavity cover and matching koa wood stock veneer. | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 665 Registered: 11-2004 |
Awesome stuff Adam- I'll look forward to seeing the finished product. I really dig that red- can't wait to see it with the Koa. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5262 Registered: 6-2000 |
Final rubout in process in these photos:   This shows the neck of Vermilion and Koa. I'm so curious as to what this one will sound like. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5277 Registered: 6-2000 |
Hey - the neck is Vermilion and Mahogany in the picture above. It's a nice piece of Mahogany that fooled me into thinking it was Flame Koa! Now, it's inching its way to completion:  SOT,AT (Stay On Target, Almost There) You'll be glad to know that Erik was inspecting your Black bass last week:  | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6474 Registered: 5-2002 |
It's good to see Erik back at work! | ||
| mendez4
Member Username: mendez4 Post Number: 54 Registered: 6-2002 |
Looks great Mica! Thanks. | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 722 Registered: 11-2004 |
I see a brass tailpiece/bridge/logo with chrome straplocks and tuners.... I haven't seen that before- cool combo. Is it simply a wear and tear decision? | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5280 Registered: 6-2000 |
It's the most traditional Alembic way to pair polished brass hardware with chrome tuners and strapholders. It's purely based on wear and tear, chrome looks good even 30+ years later. | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 723 Registered: 11-2004 |
It makes sense- I recall seeing chrome tuners on some older Series basses, but the 'why' never occurred to me until I noticed the shiny straplocks in the picture you posted. Thanks Mica. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5292 Registered: 6-2000 |
Coming your way:  | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 733 Registered: 11-2004 |
Too dang cool... What's the control layout on that? | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 1121 Registered: 7-2003 |
Niiiiice! Congratutions. Bill (the other one) | ||
| kitworld
New Username: kitworld Post Number: 7 Registered: 6-2010 |
Sorry for bringing up such an old thread, but my boyfriend purchased this bass from I think the original owner, a while back. My boyfriend passed away suddenly leaving me with a dozen or more guitars to get rid of. I know nothing about this bass and he kept no documentation other than this thread of the build. Desperatly need some help here as to what it is and how to sell it. Recently had it listed on eBay but was told my description was inaccurate so I ended the listing. Any help GREATLY appreciated! | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 841 Registered: 1-2008 |
Hey Katie, that was me on the other end of the Emails. I think the main issue is figuring out the electronics. I only see 1 Q switch (c/w Spoiler electronics), but there are 4 knobs. Do you guys think Adam added a bass and treble or is something else going-on here??? | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 719 Registered: 4-2004 |
Guessing the electronics are Vol, Pan, Bass, Treb. The switch is for LEDs... Look close~ I think you can see the wire in the truss rod cavity, plus I can't think of any other reason for the rear compartment. Good luck with the auction Katie! | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 948 Registered: 10-2006 |
I think you're right about the LED wires, Mike; I see them, too. Electronics could be as you say, but also could be volume, pan, filter X2, or 2 each vol & filter. Sorry for your loss, Katie, and good luck with the auction. Peter | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 842 Registered: 1-2008 |
Ahhh... I missed the battery compartment. Flip the switch and see if the neck "lights-up". If not, remove the cover from the back of the bass, replace the batteries and try it again. Turn all the knobs back and forth from fully clock-wise to fully counter clock-wise. One should turn "freely": that's the volume knob. If the other 3 have an indent (a "bump") in the middle, that means 1 is a pan control and the other 2 are tone (bass and treble) controls. If all that is the case, you have "Epic" electronics. The bass has a Spoiler shape and the posts above indicate that the neck is Vermilion and Mahogany. Those woods will give the bass a "voice" fairly distinct from most Spoilers. Since the body is painted, I don't know an easy way (other than waiting on the build card) of determining the body woods. Normally I would guess Mahogany with a Maple top, but Adam's basses always had unique wood configurations. The last issue is the scale: measure from the nut to the 12th fret and double the number: that is the scale length. Most Spoilers are 32" (Medium scale). Used Spoilers typically sell for $1600-$1800, but Epic electronics would be considered a down-grade. However, the LEDs would be an up-grade. The paint job (as opposed to a natural finish) may make it more valuable to some... less valuable to others. The front mounted control cavity cover is another feature that some will like and others won't. I don't know how much it will ultimately bring, but you shouldn't have any trouble selling it. | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 674 Registered: 9-2008 |
Mica could be handy right now. Didn't they keep all those description in record? Emailing her at Alembic could solve all your questions, Kitworld... We're all sorry for your loss. | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 951 Registered: 10-2006 |
Hey, Mike, about 16 posts up (1 before the pic of Erik), Mica says the neck is vermillion & koa. Peter | ||
| adriaan
Moderator Username: adriaan Post Number: 2801 Registered: 6-2002 |
Well, in her next post Mica says the neck is mahogany (not koa) and vermillion. | ||
| kitworld
New Username: kitworld Post Number: 8 Registered: 6-2010 |
Thanks for all the help. I have sent an email to Mica. Kit also built what he called a Stralembic I need to sell too any help on a price for that would be helpful as no one in this town seems to be able to help me. And as I've said before I am guitar illiterate. Thanks so much for all the help. http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/81226.html | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 953 Registered: 10-2006 |
Oops - my bad. Peter | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10194 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hi Katie; as Mario said, we are all sorry for your loss and saddened at Kit's passing. It's a beautiful bass, and I'm glad he got to own it. | ||
| kitworld
Junior Username: kitworld Post Number: 11 Registered: 6-2010 |
Thank you so much for the help and condolences. Very much apprciated. This Bass has been SOLD and I can't thank you all enough for the help. | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 858 Registered: 1-2008 |
Hope you got a fair price for it. |
