| Author | Message | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5008 Registered: 6-2000 |
Hi John, Here's those two pictures I told you about on the phone a little while ago:   I'm pretty sure I took some other photos earlier on in construction. When I run across them, I'll add the pics to this thread. I'll also make sure to get some more nice photos along the way for you. | ||
| john_o
New Username: john_o Post Number: 2 Registered: 1-2007 |
Thank you Mica for the pics. Looks great so far!!! Looking forward to seeing more. | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 942 Registered: 9-2005 |
Well, I don't know what you've chosen for the top (though I'm guessing maybe Vermillion -since that's what the back of the peghead looks like?) but the neck and the back of your bass look really nice. Your neck combo is great, pretty and proven. It'll sound as nice as it looks! Even better! Congrats on your Essence! What electronics packaging are you getting, standard package, or an upgrade? I look forward to seeing more pictures and learning more about your bass, it looks pretty and pretty cool! P.S. I'm curious... is this your 1st Alembic? | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 1050 Registered: 7-2003 |
I love watching the carving shape the wood - especially before it's in its final, smooth contours, Congrats, John. Welcome aboard. Bill (the other one) | ||
| john_o
New Username: john_o Post Number: 3 Registered: 1-2007 |
Thanks Guys for the intrest. This will be my 3rd Alembic but 1st fretless Alembic. This bass will be mahogany body,mohogany neck with purple heart ebony purple heart neck lams,and a vermillion top.Crown head stock and europa electronics.Plus an oil finish. I am building this bass after a recent visit to Alembic. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5875 Registered: 5-2002 |
Sounds like a nice combination of specs! | ||
| john_o
New Username: john_o Post Number: 4 Registered: 1-2007 |
Thanks Dave (davehouck) for your help directing me to the correct area in the site. I had to call Mica and as you can see she was most helpful. I look forward to seeing more of my new bass and sharing it with everyone. | ||
| artswork99
Advanced Member Username: artswork99 Post Number: 249 Registered: 7-2007 |
John, What an amazing process to watch. I too think this is such an amazing stage of the process. Such incredible craftmanship at its finest. Enjoy your newest addition and welcome to the club! Play it healthy! Art | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5016 Registered: 6-2000 |
First coat of oil:  Pretty pretty! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5929 Registered: 5-2002 |
That does look nice! | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2821 Registered: 7-2004 |
Very vintage vibe with the oil finish. I love it. And the ebony/PH combo too! Bill, the guitar one | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2822 Registered: 7-2004 |
Very vintage vibe with the oil finish. I love it. And the ebony/PH combo too! Bill, the guitar one | ||
| john_o
New Username: john_o Post Number: 5 Registered: 1-2007 |
Thanks guys for the nice comments. I talked to Mica today and forgot to tell her....these should come with a warning label...MAY BE ADDICTIVE AND YOU'LL WANT TO BUY MORE!!!! I'M TINGLEY! | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 1053 Registered: 7-2003 |
As much as I love Alembic's flawless poly finishes (both satin and gloss) for the way they showcase their incredible wood selections, an oil finish on a beautiful wood top like yours is so warm and tactile. I can't wait to see my Brown Bass, once finished (Mica?). I like the color combo of neck lams -- the mahog, purpleheart and ebony are a great together. I'll bet you're on the edge of your seat by now. Bill (the other one) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5942 Registered: 5-2002 |
Maybe it's just the picture, but that looks like an extra thick top. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1293 Registered: 10-2003 |
It almost looks as though there's a laminate of PH under that top, if you look around the lower bout... John | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5955 Registered: 5-2002 |
John; I think you're right. | ||
| john_o
New Username: john_o Post Number: 6 Registered: 1-2007 |
I think even with the purple it looks thicker than my other one.After my trip to the mothership,I knew Mica and the family had a very good idea of the vintage vibe and sound I was searching for.I also knew they know how to build the finest bass in the world. I did't.Thank goodness I know where to buy one. | ||
| john_o
New Username: john_o Post Number: 7 Registered: 1-2007 |
Mica,forget about waiting for me to send the strings we talked about.Go ahead with Alembics.Throw another quart of oil in her and send her on a hi-way south.Maybe another picture or two so I know her when I see her,THANKS. | ||
| john_o
New Username: john_o Post Number: 8 Registered: 1-2007 |
The factory does not really read this...beacause they don't reply | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 917 Registered: 12-2004 |
John, They do read the club postings, but it isn't the most efficient method to reach them. Call if you have time sensitive items that need dealt with. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6042 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hi John; I'm sending an email that I hope will address your concerns, so check your inbox! Thanks, David (Message edited by davehouck on January 19, 2008) | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5062 Registered: 6-2000 |
Hi John, After we spoke on Friday, I updated your work order to reflect this change regarding the strings. | ||
| john_o
New Username: john_o Post Number: 9 Registered: 1-2007 |
Dave, Just so you know I am John's wife and I am venting the frustration I hear every time he talks about Alembic lately. He has an 06 Stanley bass, took delivery on March of 06' with several probelms he is still trying to get cleared up!!! A stripped p/u selector switch, the original wood card never came (and has been asked for several times including in person, when we picked up the tool kit that also did'nt come). A stereo input jack took over 6 months to get here. So maybe after hearing this you'll understand my frustration for John when he talks about Alembic and no one responds after 10 days. I do appreiciate your help in trying to deal with the Alembic site. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6054 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hi "John's wife"! And thanks for your note. (Note: I thought about emailing the following to you, but my comments here are really being offered to others too, so in case this may be of benefit to some others, I'm replying to your post here. I hope this is ok. As an aside, I tend to make these "philosophical" types of posts from time to time, but I really try not to make them in Factory To Customer (FTC) threads, so I hope you, Mica, and everyone else will not get too upset with me. I'm just hoping that it's helpful. I would much rather be looking at pretty pictures of Alembics in FTC threads!) Yes, frustration is .. well .. frustrating. It's like when my internet connection goes down; I call the ISP service number, and I'm connected with a person who really doesn't speak English fluently and who doesn't really understand the problem .. he's just reading from a basic troubleshooting flowchart that someone else prepared. And I have found that to the degree I let this frustrate me, to the degree I get angry, it is to that same degree that I am ruining my day, that I am making myself miserable. I have found that in dealing with ISP call centers, being frustrated doesn't solve the problem, it just makes my day worse. I have found that my chances of solving a problem with my internet connection are enhanced when I can approach the problem with a calm state of mind. It isn't easy; and I used this example because for me call centers seem to most easily and quickly cause an emotional response. So I do understand the frustration; it's a natural response to a problem. When we feel frustration arise, it seems to me that rather than acting on the frustration, that instead, it is more effective to acknowledge the feeling of frustration, knowing that it is a natural reaction, let it subside, and then return to addressing the problem. It just feels better, and the day progresses better, and the relationships we have with those around us are more fun. There are lots of things in life, tons of things, that frustrate us, anger us, annoy us, hurt us, tear at and break our hearts, and they happen seemingly all the time. Being human can be tough. And we only have a short time to live on this planet. To the degree that we can recongize frustration and let it go, rather than let it control or shape our actions or reactions, to that degree we will enhance the quality of the experience of being human on planet earth. Each moment we draw breath is precious. As we are able to let go of frustration and anger, we are more able to appreciate this very moment we breath. Of course there is the saying that "the sqeaky wheel gets the grease"; and expressing one's frustration is being a sqeaky wheel. However, there are other ways of being the sqeaky wheel. Again, I understand your frustration, and I do not find it unreasonable. It is understandable and natural to be frustrated. As I said in my email to John, I've known and observed Mica for a good while now, and it is my observation that she really cares about her customers. She tends to go out of her way to solve problems and make us feel like family. There are always lots of instruments in process in the shop, and there are always lots of issues and problems of various sizes to deal with. There are tons of email, faxes, posts to this board, and telephone calls. And from my vantage point, she tends to handle all with an open heart, and a calm manner. And while your frustration is understandable, in my view, Mica is not intentionally trying to make your life miserable. And my guess is that you hold the same view. My guess is that you know that she wants to help to solve your problem; but that you're just trying to get her attention. And trying to get her attention is ok. And you should continue to do so. But again, in my view, if you can begin to let go of the frustration when it arises, you'll feel better. Life will be more enjoyable. But that's just my view. I certainly understand that others may disagree. I'm just tring to help in my own limited way. Again, I really believe that Mica wants to help every Alembic owner with every problem they may have. So keep being a squeaky wheel and keep working the problem. And breath. Life is short and precious; and when you think about it, it's really quite amazing. Enjoy every moment. (And thanks again for the note. I think it's wonderful that you are jumping in here to help your husband in this way. That's really cool!) | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5101 Registered: 6-2000 |
Here's the photo Mary promised when she spoke with you earlier this week:  It's hard to get a good shot when it's hanging in the drying room. You know I say it all the time, and I've even said it to you, but the bass looks even better in person. A closeup of the accent laminations:  l-r: Mahogany, Maple, Purpleheart, Vermilion. It's way cool looking. There's not much more waiting to do on this one. | ||
| john_o
New Username: john_o Post Number: 10 Registered: 1-2007 |
Thanks for the pictures I can't wait to see the finished product!!! Hope everyone gets well soon! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5138 Registered: 6-2000 |
It's had the wax and buffing now:  Sorry about the glare from the flash, but the drying room lighting isn't really great for photos.  And the larger side dots you requested:  We should be finishing this up next week so hopefully you'll see it at Bass Central by the end of the month. I can't wait to hear this combination. Should be really nice. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5169 Registered: 6-2000 |
Getting the nut slotted:  | ||
| john_o
Junior Username: john_o Post Number: 16 Registered: 1-2007 |
WOW | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5178 Registered: 6-2000 |
And now, complete:  We will ship on Monday or Tuesday, so it will be at Bass Central by Friday the 7th. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6280 Registered: 5-2002 |
That's a really nice and unique Essence! And I bet it sounds wonderful! Congrats! | ||
| john_o
Junior Username: john_o Post Number: 17 Registered: 1-2007 |
THANKS FOR THE UPDATE MICA!!! | ||
| john_o
Junior Username: john_o Post Number: 18 Registered: 1-2007 |
Thanks for the nice comments Dave, I can't wait to play it. | ||
| john_o
Junior Username: john_o Post Number: 19 Registered: 1-2007 |
Hey There everyone in Alembic land...just wanted you to know John picked up his new bass today and guess what???????? WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!! Thanks for all your help Kathi | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6306 Registered: 5-2002 |
Congrats Kathi and John!! |
