| Author | Message | ||
| Roger Smith (rogertvr)
Junior Username: rogertvr Post Number: 17 Registered: 1-2003 |
We're going to have to think of a better name for it than that - but for the time being I'll stick with Michael Walker's affectionate suggestion to me! Paul, I've been having an e-mail conversation this morning with Edwin. Neither of us can decide who your question 'Ed??? Wew. Well tel me in the other dep how you got there!' from the other thread is aimed at. I thought it was aimed at Ed, Ed thought it was aimed at me. So who's the question aimed at? :-) | ||
| Michael Walker (rockandroller)
Junior Username: rockandroller Post Number: 26 Registered: 11-2002 |
Roger: Fwiw, I inferred that Paul's question was aimed at you, asking how you got yourself hooked up with "a certain Mr. Edwin van Huik at the Bass Connection in the Netherlands " And actually, I typo'd that moniker, because I really meant to say "Cone-headed Dragon Buzzard" (Accipitridae Neoconocephalus Draco ) | ||
| Roger Smith (rogertvr)
Junior Username: rogertvr Post Number: 18 Registered: 1-2003 |
I ended-up at Edwin's door simply because he's been the most friendly and helpful of the dealers I have spoken to. It's delighted Senior Management because it means she'll get a short break in Holland and Belgium out of it! | ||
| Roger Smith (rogertvr)
Junior Username: rogertvr Post Number: 19 Registered: 1-2003 |
That's it - Edwin's confirmed his receipt of my deposit for 'Accipitridae Neoconocephalus Draco'. Let the show commence! | ||
| Paul Lindemans (palembic)
Advanced Member Username: palembic Post Number: 264 Registered: 9-2002 |
Brother Roger, I guess You lead us all to the wood-bank? Or is that already done? I have an idea for the peghead. I've seen somewhere here a cone-shaped peghead that was signficantly narrower than standard on the base it was just a litlle bit wider than the neck. Maybe adding to the special "look" of the dragon. Kind of "spear" like? Paul BTW: wasn't it Gene Simmons of KISS who had an Alembic bass in the shape of an ax? Brother Dino should know. | ||
| Roger Smith (rogertvr)
Junior Username: rogertvr Post Number: 22 Registered: 1-2003 |
Haven't been to the wood bank yet Paul. Not sure when I'm supposed to go there! I'm not sure about a narrow cone - I really like the proportion of the standard one, it is a feature of Alembics that I have liked for years and is my favourite Alembic machine head shape. I remember Simmons' axe-shaped bass - didn't know who made it though. | ||
| F. Michael Miller (fmm)
New Username: fmm Post Number: 4 Registered: 6-2002 |
Simmons' Axe bass was a Kramer, I believe. | ||
| Paul Lindemans (palembic)
Advanced Member Username: palembic Post Number: 275 Registered: 9-2002 |
Hi Roger, is this maybe an idea for the "cone" of the peghead? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2510912908&category=2384#DESC Could match with the body design? For the wood I think you should just bump into the Woodbank and start nosing in the piles there. It can give you some ideas. What about burled Redwood? Michael, you could be right about that bass. But for some reason I have this picture in my mind Gene playing one of those Axe-basses with 3 PU (it was in the time I was young and innocent and not having heard about a dummy-huncancelling PU). Beware, I just have this picture in my mind and I can be very wll mistaken. CU | ||
| Roger Smith (rogertvr)
Junior Username: rogertvr Post Number: 25 Registered: 1-2003 |
Hi Paul, Thanks for the link, that's a sweet looking peghead - I might have to speak to Mica about that! It certainly takes the straight edge off the standard cone. The wood is going to be coco bolo front and back, as per the Signature Deluxe that the instrument is based on. I've had a look around the wood pile over the last week or so, I've come to the conclusion that there is nothing in there I'm particularly taken with. As it happens, there is a table in my local pub that has just the type of grain that I'm looking for! The closest picture I have seen to what I want is the Coco Bolo wood on Clay Sharp's '95 King Deluxe. Mica - is there anything in the wood pile that looks similar to that, both for grain and colour? Cheers, Rog | ||
| Paul Lindemans (palembic)
Advanced Member Username: palembic Post Number: 277 Registered: 9-2002 |
Rog, Yep ... I have the feel your bass must have something of a "spear" because the link with the dragon. The standard cone is too "mathematical" (for what my opinion is worth). I have this great idea: grab a camera, go to the local pub, chase the drunks from the famous table take pictures of it (not from the chasin', from the table!!!) Do this before YOU get drunk and start spilling pints of ale all over it. Bring the camera home and not the table! Next day -after the hang-over and explaining your moves to Senior Management (just say: it was Paul's idea, she'll understand and forgive you anything)- send the pictures to Mica or Valentino ;-) You could also describe your favorite wood in terms as: high/low contrast, parallel/burling lines, reddish/yellowish. Just a hint. Paul 1. I quickly checked Clay's bass. I should say: dark-reddish, lightly burled, low contrast. Hopes this help. Anyway when Mica feels better I'm shure she or Valentino will help you with this! 2. Talking about "dragons" and Coco-bolo, have you checked this http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/1459.html?1037581699 ? (Message edited by palembic on February 25, 2003) (Message edited by palembic on February 25, 2003) (Message edited by palembic on February 25, 2003) | ||
| Roger Smith (rogertvr)
Junior Username: rogertvr Post Number: 26 Registered: 1-2003 |
I have suggested putting the digital camera to use in the pub - that may well happen! That 'dragonslayer' is lovely - very nice wood, not dissimilar to Clay's MK. I'm sure Mica will be most helpful when she is back to full health. Cheers, Rog | ||
| Valentino Villevieille (valvil)
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 82 Registered: 7-2002 |
Hey Roger, maybe the pub owner will sell you the table? lol...wouldn't be the first Alembic made with woods furnished by the customer... About 2 months ago I picked the coco bolo for my latest bass, up at Alembic, and rest assured they have (literally, I believe) a TON of coco bolo to choose from. Took me a while to find one I thought was "special", but I did. If you have any pictures you want Alembic to look at, definitely send them to Mica rather than me. I'd just send them over to her if I got any. Plus I'm just a volunteer, she's the real thing.  take care Valentino | ||
| Roger Smith (rogertvr)
Junior Username: rogertvr Post Number: 27 Registered: 1-2003 |
Hi Valentino, I don't like the colour of the wood on the table, just the grain ;-) I really ought to get down the pub and photograph the table - any excuse to get to the pub (not that I normally need an excuse). I'll have to give Mica some clues so that she can have a root around in the wood pile for me and photograph a few for inclusion in the wood bank. Do I get to choose two pieces - one for the front and one for the back - or will one piece suffice for front and back of the instrument? Cheers, Rog | ||
| Valentino Villevieille (valvil)
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 84 Registered: 7-2002 |
Rog, I chose both sides on my signature, and actually opted for a different looking coco bolo for the back. I could have chosen similar looking pieces for both sides if I had wanted. Some of the wood at times is thick enough to make 4 pieces( 2 per side), at least I think I remember Mica telling me that. The examples in the wood gallery are each good for just one side of the bass. I'm sure Mica will be a great help to you in picking the woods. Valentino | ||
| Roger Smith (rogertvr)
Junior Username: rogertvr Post Number: 28 Registered: 1-2003 |
Thanks for that Valentino. I think, if I have the opportunity, I would like the back to be different to the front. Two lots to choose then! Better find another table that I like in the pub :-) Cheers, Rog | ||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 753 Registered: 6-2000 |
Here's the pictures I emailed you earlier today, Roger:   I'll see about the upper "bump" and get you a revision if anything looks promising. | ||
| Roger Smith (rogertvr)
Junior Username: rogertvr Post Number: 38 Registered: 1-2003 |
Thanks Mica! I've had a little e-mail conversation going on with Mica about the design, but I'm not going to tell any of you what has been said because I don't want to lead the jury! I am open to comments and suggestions on all aspects of this design - so, let me have them please folks! Cheers, Rog | ||
| Roger Smith (rogertvr)
Junior Username: rogertvr Post Number: 39 Registered: 1-2003 |
Amazingly, with a HB pencil and some baking parchment, I have managed to come up with a couple of things of my own (I surprise even myself sometimes!). I've tried to get a common theme underway. The upper part of the body above the end of the neck is virtually idential to Susan's drawing, but it is just a little further back and a little lower (it's got the line by it). Working my way down to the the other end of the body (even though it may look like a straight line, it's meant to be a very shallow curve), the bit that goes under my right arm now has a nice curve on it and is meant to represent the dragon's curly flowing back. I hold Susan fully responsible for this, I have used the Chinese dragon inlay to fuel this fire! The bottom of the bass reflects the trailing edge of the dragon's wing. Finally, the part below the end of the neck follows the same line as the end of Susan's peghead. Obviously this design of mine might need balancing up but this is where I'm heading with this project. Any comments anyone please?  | ||
| Paul Lindemans (palembic)
Advanced Member Username: palembic Post Number: 333 Registered: 9-2002 |
Aha ... work to do! Part of the body: I basically agree. I will load down the picture and see if I can print it. Maybe I can give you some ideas after that. As for the peghead, I still like the idea of the "spear". That could achieved by making a "mix" of a standard "crown" peghead and a (narrow) cone. Maybe it's an idea that also for this thing I make a sketch. Yeeeeeez ... this is gonna be a busy thread. Brother Roger ... you don't have the faintest clue what you started here. You're gonna be very sorry (BTW ...how sorry can you get??) LOL Paul (the bad one) | ||
| Roger Smith (rogertvr)
Junior Username: rogertvr Post Number: 40 Registered: 1-2003 |
Thanks for your input Paul. I believe both Mica and Susan will have input to this. I'm on holiday as of tomorrow and I'm not back until 11 April. So if anyone wants to contribute to this thread, I will pick-up on my return and I'll go from there. Catch you all soon folks! Cheers, Rog | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 873 Registered: 6-2000 |
Hey Roger, Here's some of the newer sketches from my mom's design book:  Susan's idea is to incorporate some additional carving on the inner surfaces of some of the curves. It gives somewhat of a beveled look to the shape. She wants to change the interior of the lower left curve and carving some.  A bit of a bevel on the peghead shape to tie it all together. Hope you like the direction. I'll be posting some more Coco Bolo tops on Friday or Monday, can you direct me to a photo the has the character of grain you prefer? | ||
| groovelines
Junior Username: groovelines Post Number: 12 Registered: 4-2003 |
Pardon me as I 'but' in, but has anyone seen Jim Henson's movie, "The Dark Crystal"? There's something gracefully wicked brewing here. LOL. The peg head could do double duty in realing in guitar players b4 the "extended" solos take off. Very niccccccce.... Mike | ||
| rogertvr
Junior Username: rogertvr Post Number: 43 Registered: 1-2003 |
Thanks for posting these for me Mica! My initial reaction is that it's looking fabulous! I've been trying to get the bottom end of the bass revised in my head but this is just fantastic! There is one thing I don't like though - that is the radius of the curve in the bottom left hand corner. I would like that opened out, it looks too pinched up; if it could mirror the curve/claw effect at the far end of the headstock, I think that would be great! The whole bevelling idea is inspired - I think that will look absolutely stunning, especially if the different layers of wood and therefore different colours are allowed to show through. Is there an answer yet Mica to my question regarding knob and switch layout? I will have a hunt around over the weekend to find some wood that I like the grain on. I might just have to go to the Griffin for a pint or four and photograph that certain table! To everyone who has commented so far - thank you - please carry on, I welcome your comments both good and bad. Best, Roger | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 877 Registered: 6-2000 |
Excactly my mom's observation, the lower left curve needs to be opened some to coordinate with the other curves better. The knob ans switch layout is somewhat flexible, but it really depends on the exact body design, that has to be addressed first unless you have a specific control configuraton then we should be designing the body around that. Looking forward to the pub table grain pattern and I'll get in the wood pile and find some candidates along the lines you've expressed above. This is a very exciting project! | ||
| rogertvr
Junior Username: rogertvr Post Number: 44 Registered: 1-2003 |
Hi Mica, Everyone who has seen this design thinks the left bottom curve is too pinched (but that the rest is stunning) - except for Senior Management who thinks the pinched corner gives the bass an edge ('kick ass' I believe the American saying is). However, she's not designing, paying for or playing it, so I'd like to see a version where the radius of that curve is more open. Then I can compare the two. We're close to a final design here! That said, I don't want to design the shape of the bass around the switch and knob layout - that is secondary as far as I am concerned. Let's worry about that later. The Griffin table - I'll see if I can get down there over the weekend and find it without various pints of beer spread all over it! Although that may not be necessary now as I have a serious idea about wood requirements in my head. I will e-mail you off the Club about them Mica. I'm buzzing!!!!!!!!!!!! | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 409 Registered: 9-2002 |
Hey Brother Roger, Moder Mica and Sister Susan, nice piece of work you are brewing together here. Until now it's one of the most "fairy" designs I've seen on Alembic the last few years. For some reason it reminds me at fairy-tales, legends, old strange weapons, knights and ...dragons. So ...bull's eye! Why does this reminds me to "Jethro Thull" stuff?? Or the "Dune" movie??? Mmm... Keep up the good work ..carry-on. There are only a 853 people looking over your shoulders! LOL Paul PS come on Roger. I know it's hard but really you HAVE to go to the pub saturday!! HA!!! | ||
| rockandroller
Member Username: rockandroller Post Number: 53 Registered: 11-2002 |
Here is my own take on "opening up" the bottom curve a bit (sans bevels, since I am too lazy...) I really like the dragon claw headstock, but when I tried to incorporate it into this scale drawing, it seemed absolutely puny compared to the body. Rather than fiddle with it, I made a bigger headstock thats a little more buzzard-esque  | ||
| davehouck
Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 54 Registered: 5-2002 |
That looks really nice, Michael. I even like the way the grain looks on the headstock. Roger, I have two questions. Where will the strap locks go? And will there be a problem with balance? | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 889 Registered: 6-2000 |
Here's the unpinching from my mom's notebook:  I think everyone's on the same page here. Looks like you've been busy, Michael. I also hear you are drafting a representation of a neck profile. Roger has you hard at work, or is it volunteer work? I don't think that balance will be problem, Dave, as basses with the upper body half with mass farther from the bridge tend to balance extremely well (like Explorer/Exploiter styles). In fact, those Spyder basses are among the best balanced ones we make. It looks like they shouldn't, but they do. | ||
| davehouck
Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 57 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks Mica; that's intersting that the Spyder basses are that well balanced. |
