| Author | Message | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5569 Registered: 6-2000 |
The top wood you selected:  and the back wood:  A few days later, the interior of the body:  Then in a couple of days the entire body in the clamps:  Note that the block for mounting the pickups will be glued in later - it's there for space only. We have to seal and shield the interior before that piece is glued in place. And the matching peghead veneers getting clamped:  | ||
| bassjigga
Advanced Member Username: bassjigga Post Number: 343 Registered: 8-2005 |
Woa! What a top! I gotta stay away from this site... or burry my wallet somewhere! | ||
| funkyjazzjunky
Intermediate Member Username: funkyjazzjunky Post Number: 191 Registered: 5-2007 |
OH MY! What a bass | ||
| andbassforall
New Username: andbassforall Post Number: 6 Registered: 9-2008 |
Wow Mica, That's great. You can just send it off as is now. Ok maybe you can work on it a bit more. Thanks for taking the time to put up the photos! | ||
| lmiwa
Junior Username: lmiwa Post Number: 43 Registered: 2-2008 |
I am SO going to be watching THIS one! It's looking a LOT like something I would eventually want to order... What are the custom details - woods, electronics, etc.? | ||
| andbassforall
New Username: andbassforall Post Number: 7 Registered: 9-2008 |
Rogue 6-string fretless, unlined, but with sidelines and LED's. Coco bolo top and bottom. 11 piece neck. Everything else is pretty standard. Rogue electronics. I'm glad you folks thus far have liked the top. I thought it was pretty out there compared to some of the other choices...but that's why I liked it. I also wanted something a bit darker. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7061 Registered: 5-2002 |
It may be "out there" but the finished effect will look great! For instance, I really like the pattern that follows the curves of the top edge of the top! (Message edited by davehouck on September 17, 2008) | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Advanced Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 355 Registered: 10-2006 |
Of course we can only anticipate what this will look like under finish, but based on these pictures, I'm going to predict that this will replace Fell's bass as my all-time favorite piece of non-quilt CB! That is just freakin' spectacular! Peter | ||
| lmiwa
Junior Username: lmiwa Post Number: 45 Registered: 2-2008 |
Wow - 6-string fretless! Is it going to be the classic or comfort taper neck? I can't imagine trying get my hands around a 6-string comfort taper fretless! What's in the body sandwich - cocobolo, maple, mahogany, maple, cocobolo? It sure looks great so far! | ||
| andbassforall
New Username: andbassforall Post Number: 8 Registered: 9-2008 |
Hey cozmik. I really love that bass you put the link up to. It looks like the milky way had it existed on a piece of coco bolo. Imiwa.. you are correct about the wood combo I believe. I had spent a few weeks thinking about the neck once Mica first suggested I do that. I played my other 6-strings. Thought about which one is most natural for me. Factored in the fretless. I sent her measurements I'd like. I can't remember wether it was called classic or comfort. | ||
| robinc
Member Username: robinc Post Number: 86 Registered: 5-2008 |
that is a fantastic top. I am once again floored by the beauty found in nature! | ||
| daveski
Junior Username: daveski Post Number: 38 Registered: 10-2003 |
That is going to really look something, dark coco bolo is a hard one to beat! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5618 Registered: 6-2000 |
Wow, this bass has good timing. There always seems to be something interesting happening when I see it in the shop:      | ||
| andbassforall
Junior Username: andbassforall Post Number: 22 Registered: 9-2008 |
Oh man, I just got home from seeing an awesome show. Now I get to see this. Damn cool. Thanks for the pics, Mica | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7108 Registered: 5-2002 |
This is looking great! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5646 Registered: 6-2000 |
In carving:   | ||
| psychicpet
New Username: psychicpet Post Number: 4 Registered: 1-2008 |
wow. stunning 6 for sure. | ||
| andbassforall
Junior Username: andbassforall Post Number: 26 Registered: 9-2008 |
I can hear the tone already! | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 551 Registered: 8-2005 |
Gulp!!! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5703 Registered: 6-2000 |
In the final curing stage:  | ||
| andbassforall
Junior Username: andbassforall Post Number: 28 Registered: 9-2008 |
.........thank you. | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 1996 Registered: 10-2002 |
That's a pretty impressive top Michael. looks kind of similar to mine although mine doesn't have a back laminate. Graeme | ||
| andbassforall
Junior Username: andbassforall Post Number: 29 Registered: 9-2008 |
Wow awesome Jacko. You are very right, the tops are very similar. I just went for the darkest top I could find, and of course some interesting pattern. How are you enjoying yours? | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 1997 Registered: 10-2002 |
She's an incredible bass - feels like butter and gets a huge range of tones. The 'Q' switch adds a nice kick when I need to get aggressive as do the bass and treble switches. You'll love yours when she's finished. I also have an epic and a balance k but the rogue was the only custom build so she's very special. Graeme. | ||
| funkyjazzjunky
Advanced Member Username: funkyjazzjunky Post Number: 269 Registered: 5-2007 |
Congratulations | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5768 Registered: 6-2000 |
Rubbed out and ready for setup:  | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5775 Registered: 6-2000 |
Starting the setup process:  and one of the peghead since it doesn't seem like I've shown that off since before it was cut out:  | ||
| andbassforall
Junior Username: andbassforall Post Number: 37 Registered: 9-2008 |
That headstock is awesome. I don't know how I'm going to play the bass while I'm just staring at the thing. | ||
| robinc
Intermediate Member Username: robinc Post Number: 122 Registered: 5-2008 |
love that top. love it love it love it! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5849 Registered: 6-2000 |
More pics of the bass next week (sorry to make you wait), but here's one of the hand engraving:  It's really beautiful! | ||
| andbassforall
Junior Username: andbassforall Post Number: 40 Registered: 9-2008 |
That is awesome! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5862 Registered: 6-2000 |
Reclining on the sofa, like all 6-string fretless basses:  | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 979 Registered: 11-2004 |
That is beautiful. | ||
| dlbydgtl
Member Username: dlbydgtl Post Number: 54 Registered: 7-2008 |
O.K. That's amazing. John | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7534 Registered: 5-2002 |
Wow!! | ||
| andbassforall
Junior Username: andbassforall Post Number: 41 Registered: 9-2008 |
Just when you thought that bass couldn't get no prettier... I've been constantly stunned by the progress of this instrument. We all know that when we order one of these basses, no matter what, it will come out amazing. The see the life it takes on of it's own has made the time it takes to create these instruments and otherwise very worth it. I believe I'm going to get it around the end of the week or so. I'll Try and sleep between now and then. | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 2109 Registered: 10-2002 |
Congratulations Michael, that's a stunning bass. You won't be getting any sleep till it arrives, believe me, I know ;-) Graeme | ||
| lmiwa
Intermediate Member Username: lmiwa Post Number: 150 Registered: 2-2008 |
That is a REALLY nice bass - absolutely stunning. I can only imagine how it sounds... | ||
| andbassforall
Junior Username: andbassforall Post Number: 44 Registered: 9-2008 |
Today was delivery day. I tracked the instrument through the UPS site and found that at 2a.m. the bass was just sitting less than 10 miles from my place. I thought, maybe I could just knock on their door and they'd let me in. I figure security is more tight than that at UPS. Morning comes and I'm laying in my bed and every time I hear someone go up the stairs in my complex I'm waiting for someone to knock on the door. I swear every time my heart dropped in anticipation. To make the wait even more challenging the bass didn't show up till 7:30p.m., I must have been the last person on the route. They got me on the way back instead of the way out. I was of course, nervous to shower, get food, restroom etc, in fear that I'd miss that one moment. When the package came, I took my time opening it as if I was pretending I had some restraint. What I really wanted to do was tear the box open and worry about the clean-up later. So I get the case out of the shipping box, open the case and kinda just stare at it. You know how parents think their kid is the most beautiful child they have every seen? Rightfully so. That's what I feel like. I feel like it's the most amazing Alembic I've ever seen. Many, many Alembics have taken my breath away and many will continue to of course. The wood work, the laminates, the wood electronics compartment covers, it was all perfect. The bass beams with personality. I plugged it in to my Genz-Benz and played a little dinner music for neighbors. I've played 6-string for many years now, I've played fretless for quite a few years as well. I was brave in wanting to go the 6-string fretless route. The bass feels and plays so amazingly that I feel that every bump and bruise of growing pains into this instrument will be ear candy.. all the way up to the 24th fret of the high "C". Thank you to all the forum members for their thoughts, enthusiasm and friendship thus far. I only hope I can contribute in the same manner. I will of course thank everyone at Alembic in a bit more of a personal fashion. I hope over the next week or so to take some photos and post them up on the "Showcase" section. So be on the lookout. If anyone can give me a run down or point me to a direction on the Alembic site or forum explaining the toggles on the electronics of my new instrument, that would greatly be appreciate. I already love how it sounds and I find all the shaping to be very musical, but I'd love to know more. Thanks again, and thanks for reading. Mike | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 983 Registered: 11-2004 |
Mike- Glad it arrived safely- it is a wonderful looking instrument and I'm sure it sounds even better than it looks. Here are the basic Europa/Rogue electronics: The Europa controls are volume, pan, filter, Q switch, bass boost/cut switch, treble boost/cut switch. The quick tone switches are bass and treble and are not individual switches for the pickups. Each switch provides 6db boost, flat, and 6db cut. Looks like you have an extra switch there- I'm assuming it's for side LED's? | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1223 Registered: 2-2005 |
Congratulations. I look forward to the additional pics. Keith | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7552 Registered: 5-2002 |
Congrats Mike!!! | ||
| andbassforall
Junior Username: andbassforall Post Number: 45 Registered: 9-2008 |
Thanks so much Dave!. I actually took it out to my gig last night and played it the whole set. I've played fretless but never unlined so I didn't know if I was going to have problems seeing the "sidelines" Luckily the room was very dark, the stage was very bright so I could see well. I did get LED's but they are pretty bright and blow out the sidelines when I put them on. I'll probably have to get a dimmer put in. I brought a back up bass in case I bombed, didn't want to piss off the artist. |
