| Author | Message | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2771 Registered: 7-2004 |
We have a soon-to-be-teenager in 7th grade. Any dance across the Pacific will have to be after school gets out for the summer. I LOVE the Big Island. My wife lived a couple of years on Oahu when she was around our boy's age, so we'll have to spend some time on what I call "the L.A. of the Pacific" island too. By the way, my '76 Series I Guitar has an insane Koa core. It looks almost translucent. Bill, tgo | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4976 Registered: 6-2000 |
Not from buffing, but this shiny shot was just before the rubout:  I'll try hard to get you the shiny shot tomorrow. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5802 Registered: 5-2002 |
Wow! That looks great! | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2773 Registered: 7-2004 |
Paul: I visited the mothership today and saw your baby getting rubbed out. What a beauty! You're going to be a VERY happy camper. Bill, tgo | ||
| mele_aloha
Advanced Member Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 317 Registered: 1-2007 |
WOW Bill, Really? How cooooll. I am totally honored by you contacting me! Thanks for telling me that. Howz the ole mothership doing? I wish I could come visit someday. Your guitar is what inspired me to go to the Maple but they talked me out of it because of my other combos such as wanting Koa in it. But I tell ya your ax is the most awesome one that's passed through here to date, no BS intended. I love that thing. I literally stare at it for hours while I'm watching "House", or I'll put it on my "Screensaver" for a couple of days. What a class act. Thanks again Bill, I hope you are enjoying life along with your new baby. Aloha for now, Paulo | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2776 Registered: 7-2004 |
Paul: Our babies will get to play together if we come to the islands next summer as I just recently took delivery on a custom Calton case that will allow me to fly with Woody worry free. So you watch House too? Senior Management and I are BIG House fans. One thing I don't get though: since House's bum leg would likely cause him to play mostly sitting down, why on earth would he buy a Flying V? There are many advantages to living in the S.F. Bay Area, and proximity to Alembic is certainly one of them. P.S. Senior Management says: "Aloha Nui Loa" Bill, tgo | ||
| mele_aloha
Advanced Member Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 319 Registered: 1-2007 |
Oh ya Bill, First of all, that's great. Bring'er along, I'd love to see Woody. Secondly, that's a good one about House. Actually last night I saw a old rerun where he gets shot and his leg improves with the operation. For while that is. And 3rdly, I was born and raised in a little town of Monta Vista which eventually became known as Cupertino. It was all orchards then. Went to school with Steve Wozniak. He started out his computer business in a garage about three blocks from my house. So I love the bay area, and California in general. Aloha to you also, thanks for the commune, Paul | ||
| bkbass
Intermediate Member Username: bkbass Post Number: 162 Registered: 11-2003 |
Mica, when you have the time, I would be interested in seeing a close up of the stinger. The way the thin veneers and laminates lay up in the carving. I'm inspired to say I'm thinking of something like this on the next one. I need some visuals to help in the planning. Thanks,B. | ||
| foth
Intermediate Member Username: foth Post Number: 168 Registered: 12-2004 |
Paul, that sure is a beautiful koa accent. | ||
| mele_aloha
Advanced Member Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 321 Registered: 1-2007 |
Isn't it Purdy Foth, Susan was the one who suggested that I place the Koa there after changing my top to QCB but still wanting to maintain a taste of Hawaii in the bass by using Koa. She reccomended the Maple veneer in between the QCB and the Koa to accent. I can't wait to see it up close when it's been polished. The above picture which I'm sure you read, is before it even started getting buffed out like the on Monday night way up above. And BK, I was inspired by Michael with "Raging Bass" to design my neck veneers and laminates. Thanks, Paul | ||
| white_cloud
Intermediate Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 133 Registered: 11-2007 |
Sorry to butt in guys, just had to say that this is looking like its going to be one of the nicest instruments that I have ever seen! Incredible  | ||
| mele_aloha
Advanced Member Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 322 Registered: 1-2007 |
Thanks very much White Cloud! I hope you are right!!! LOL Paul | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4988 Registered: 6-2000 |
Nice to talk to you Pauly! Here's the pictures I collected over the past few days. Getting buffed:  Getting stuffed:  Did someone say blue LEDs?  And with everything ready for dad's calibration:  With any luck, I'll be calling you again tomorrow with the shipping and tracking details. Enjoy! | ||
| mele_aloha
Advanced Member Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 323 Registered: 1-2007 |
Awesome Awesome Awesome Mica, Thank you sssssoooooooo much! Please tell Mom to get better!!! It looks like a Christmas tree with the lights on! Thank you Mica and all of the Alembic Family. Aloha, Pauly | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 602 Registered: 11-2004 |
Paul, Words fail- it's really, really beautiful. I'm guessing you'll never lose your place on the neck again. | ||
| 5stringho
Intermediate Member Username: 5stringho Post Number: 187 Registered: 11-2006 |
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWW!!!! That's all I can muster! Looks great, Paul! Congratzzz! Have fun when she gets across the pond! TTY, Mike, tho | ||
| mele_aloha
Advanced Member Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 324 Registered: 1-2007 |
Thanks Toby, Thanks Mike, It's nice cuz I always play at home with the lights low and I can't see my fret markers on my excel in the dark and sometimes haha, SOMETIMES I just loose my place on the neck.YukYuk Alohee, Paul | ||
| jtussing
Intermediate Member Username: jtussing Post Number: 138 Registered: 12-2006 |
Du_HOOD! NOICE! I'm trying to reach you for a shirt order! Check your email! :-) and DAMN! ! ! ! | ||
| mele_aloha
Advanced Member Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 325 Registered: 1-2007 |
Hi Jim, Thanks, I got your e-mail. I've just been really busy. Sorry not to get back. We don't have an internet site for ordering. It might be kinda hard for me to help you with an order at this point as I have alot of stuff I have got to get done before xmas. Sorry, but I was going to get some sites for you to visit as I would have to take pictures for you then you pick them out and me get packing material, etc. I honestly kind of am up against the clock for other things right now. Mainly xmas shopping, a couple of plumbing jobs, then delivery of bass on Monday. I don't know how I'm going to get everything done before delivery as is. Please excuse me. Thanks for thinking of me though for your order. Aloha, Paul | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 1531 Registered: 10-2002 |
Monday eh? It's going to be a long weekend Paul ;-) Your bass is looking fantastic now - the Blue LEDs will stun your audience. My lefty daughter is as jealous as hell. She's having to make do with my old precision strung upside down. graeme | ||
| mele_aloha
Advanced Member Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 326 Registered: 1-2007 |
Hey Jacko, I'm honored that you even wrote to me. I just went to your bands website and you guys are really cool. I was very impressed. My old friend and neighbor use to be in the original Jefferson Airplane way back before they made it all the way. Then later on he was friends and sat in with a band called "Hot Tuna" which were a mixture of some of the old personel. Anyway, Wow, thanks! Your daughter is lucky to have a father leading her into Music, the most awesome God given gift on earth. Now I know what she is going through as I started out even playing upside down right-handed basses without switching the strings so she's one step ahead of the game. I have a left-handed Orion 5 string which is in pretty darn good shape which I picked up about 6 months ago or so. Since she is the daughter of a talented musician I might be willing to make you a deal somewhere in the near future. I'm talking good price and maybe financed if need by. Let's stay halfway in touch if interested and we'll talk story. If not don't worry. But we have choices to help others in life and this is the area that I so choose. I have a 4 year old son and I have all the instruments around here I can afford. Which ever one he chooses or not it is here for him to discover on his own. If not I will pass them on to other possible needy children. And by the way, I got the trumpet, flute, and one other thing, I can't remember right now all on ebay. It's amazing the prices you can get for these things if you just pay attention alittle. So, thanks again for the compliments which I freely share with the patience of Mica and Susan as once I had time to really delve into this website I started really enjoying all of the items that are offered or possible to build my bass and began making changes left and right. They were very patient with me in making these changes as their main thing is making sure that the customer is happy with the instrument. So I have never been so accomodated. | ||
| mele_aloha
Advanced Member Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 327 Registered: 1-2007 |
(Message edited by mele_aloha on December 20, 2007) | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 936 Registered: 9-2005 |
WOW Paul, it looks fantastic... really beyond "fanatastic" and other such superlatives. In addition to "looking 'fantastic'" -with the stunningly and uniquely gorgeous QCB & the Flame Maple body, it ALSO looks VERY distinct & unique... Your neck recipe produces a very distinct and unique visual appearance, and seems to have a regal quality, what with the Vermillions' redness. And the Koa accent lam seems pretty unique as well. So these details add up to make an obviously already unique and stunningly beautiful instrument EVEN MORE unique and beatiful!!! (HOW'D THEY DO THAT!!!) And on top of being a FREAKIN' SERIES II with the awesome body shape and pistol grip... Soon, you'll know from your own experience just how freaking awesome it is... and that IT'LL HAVE BEEN WORTH THE WAIT... OH, YES!!! Treasure it, Paul... savor the short remaining moments. Use the time wisely, and appreciate your life now to it's fullest. If there's any work you need to take care of, DO IT. Soon, your life will be VERY DIFFERENT... you'll have great difficultly putting the instrument down, and finding time for anything other than playing (and, when not playing) & staring at it. Treasure it, Paul... and get it insured!!! Best wishes, Mark PS I'll tell you one other thing... I know from experience that YOUR BASS is going to sound GREAT!!! Your 3 Ebony neck lams will be the biggest component of your sound, adding low end response and sustain that'll blow your mind; then the Maple neck lams'll add brightness to the notes, while the Vermillion lams'll round out the sound a little, bringing a little warm/mellow component to the sound -which'll be especially helpful since you've got a relatively bright sounding Flame Maple body. Finally the Coco Bolo will top it off, adding a rich and complex sonic package of very clear/crisp/crystaline highs with rich, dark, full lows. And of course, your electronics package is THE standard of flexibility and ease. It's REALLY going to sound great... even better than whatever you may be hoping for! | ||
| deburgh
Junior Username: deburgh Post Number: 22 Registered: 3-2007 |
Congratulations Paul! You have got to be thrilled that in the next few days, this chapter in the story of Mele Aloha will come to an end, and you can start on the next chapter holding it in your hands. It truly is a spectacular instrument, and I'm sure the sound and feel will inspire you for years to come. Enjoy! We're planning on taking the family to Hawaii sometime next fall to visit my wife's brother. Who knows, if we get time to visit the big island, which we are very much hoping to do, maybe we could get together. I'd love to hear how Mele will sound compared to mine. Best wishes to you and yours. Hope I get this right... Mele Kalikimaka!! Todd | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5000 Registered: 6-2000 |
I'm very happy to that your bass is complete, Paul:  This is Rami's favorite shot, reclining on the couch. You should get an email from UPS tonight with all the tracking information. If for some reason you don't, let me know and I'll get the details to you. | ||
| mele_aloha
Advanced Member Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 328 Registered: 1-2007 |
You see Doc, it's like this- My husband, he's been slapping and poping me to the point where I turn blue all over. Then he locks me up in the closet. And now I'm all strung out. I'm out of tune with society. | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 1825 Registered: 4-2004 |
paul i spoke to mica earlier your baby is on the way!!! congrates i may launch tmrw or wed latest | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5840 Registered: 5-2002 |
I love that top!! Congrats! | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 1044 Registered: 7-2003 |
Just...wow! Congrats. Let us know all about it when it gets there. Bill | ||
| mele_aloha
Advanced Member Username: mele_aloha Post Number: 329 Registered: 1-2007 |
Thank you Jeff, thanks for letting me know. Good luck on your baby which is just another one of my favorites. Im sure it won't be long. Aloha, Paul |
