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Archive through December 25, 2009willgunn30 12-25-09  8:02 pm
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mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 6568
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, January 15, 2010 - 4:30 pm:   Edit Post

Still in spray, but now with inlay logo:
logo
That black mother of pearl looks great in the cloud.
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 679
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Friday, January 15, 2010 - 4:47 pm:   Edit Post

Beautiful logo! I really like the mother of pearl in this one too.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 6574
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, January 15, 2010 - 6:05 pm:   Edit Post

Also spied your hardware back from the chrome plater:

hardware

Note the tailpiece is "rounded as much as possible"
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 680
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Friday, January 15, 2010 - 6:28 pm:   Edit Post

The chrome plated 5 pin plug housing is a nice touch .
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 1150
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Friday, January 15, 2010 - 7:14 pm:   Edit Post

That black mother of peal looks awesome in the cloud... looks like a storm is brewin'. Beware of low end thunder!!
willgunn
Junior
Username: willgunn

Post Number: 43
Registered: 2-2007
Posted on Saturday, January 16, 2010 - 7:46 am:   Edit Post

"Low End Thunder" is right, Toby! I'd failed to mention earlier that this bass will be tuned B-E-A-D (a setup I've been using exclusively for the past 5 years with great success....well, for ME, at least!). Now I'm REALLY excited...as if I wasn't already!
pauldo
Senior Member
Username: pauldo

Post Number: 409
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Saturday, January 16, 2010 - 11:10 am:   Edit Post

Will -
What gauge strings do you use for that tuning?
What scale length is your current Essence?

I recently joined a group that has me playing some tuba parts and they have a bunch of low C's B's and sometimes A's. . . I was thinking a 5 string would be the ticket but now you got me thinking.
(Maybe I should just go ahead and find me a Series II 5 string )
rjmsteel
Junior
Username: rjmsteel

Post Number: 32
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Saturday, January 16, 2010 - 12:18 pm:   Edit Post

Will,
The colors in/of the BMP Logo inlay are stunning! The rays add additional character and beauty. Really like the placement and how much it stands out against the hi-gloss black lacquer, (ebony), background too.
Rich
willgunn
Junior
Username: willgunn

Post Number: 44
Registered: 2-2007
Posted on Saturday, January 16, 2010 - 1:32 pm:   Edit Post

Paul,
I use D'Addario "XL" Nickel Roundwounds; gauged .130" (B) - .095" (E) - .070" (A) - .055" (D). Those particular gauges are nearly identical in tension to each other on a 34"-scale; which is what my current - and upcoming - basses both are. D'Addario's website features a VERY handy gauge/tuning/tension/scale computation chart which I used to arrive at this particular combination; and they feel VERY even in tension across the neck. If/how it would be at all applicable to other brands of strings is questionable; given the differing core/outer wrap ratios each manufacturer utilizes, among other details. I seriously contemplated utilizing a .145" (A) - .105" (D) - .080" (G) - .060" (C) setup, but chickened out at the last minute. Hey, if anyone out there is adventurous enough to try THAT idea out, I've got 2 full unused sets of THOSE strings layin' around (D'Addario "XL"'s) that I'll let go CHEAP! Anyhow, I hope this helps.
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 683
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Saturday, January 16, 2010 - 2:24 pm:   Edit Post

I LIKE the idea of the use of a 4 string Bass tuned to a lower register rather then a 5 string when notes lower then the low E are mandated in a musical arrangement. DAS IST KOOL !
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 6577
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 1:06 pm:   Edit Post

A little out of order, but I had taken this one before the plating and thought you might like to see it:
hardware
willgunn
Junior
Username: willgunn

Post Number: 45
Registered: 2-2007
Posted on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 2:59 pm:   Edit Post

Mica,
That's EXACTLY what I was hoping for - thank you!
lmiwa
Advanced Member
Username: lmiwa

Post Number: 278
Registered: 2-2008
Posted on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 4:23 pm:   Edit Post

Hate to tell you, but there are going to be a BUNCH of orders that start with "You know that _____ you did for Will Gunn's bass? Can I get that too?"

There are just so many wonderful little details on this bass...
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 6639
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Monday, March 08, 2010 - 6:02 pm:   Edit Post

So close, but not quite ready to fly:
nearly there

nearly there
Your knobs look good.

nearly there
The obligatory out of focus peghead shot.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 9154
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, March 08, 2010 - 6:35 pm:   Edit Post

Wow! That's just an amazingly cool bass!
gregduboc
Advanced Member
Username: gregduboc

Post Number: 361
Registered: 11-2008
Posted on Monday, March 08, 2010 - 6:41 pm:   Edit Post

This bass looks really nice!
The black headstock gives it a nice touch. And so do the custom knobs!

Beautiful.

Greg
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2581
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, March 09, 2010 - 1:02 am:   Edit Post

The Black headstock really sets that logo off nicely. The rest of the bass looks superb too of course ;-)

Graeme
alembicfan
Member
Username: alembicfan

Post Number: 53
Registered: 10-2007
Posted on Tuesday, March 09, 2010 - 3:22 am:   Edit Post

Yeah, awesome Bass!! Congrats
willgunn
Junior
Username: willgunn

Post Number: 49
Registered: 2-2007
Posted on Tuesday, March 09, 2010 - 4:06 am:   Edit Post

Wow - ALL of my hopes and expectations have been exceeded beyond my wildest imagination! And hey, I'll actually get to PLAY it too! My dearest thanks to everyone at the shop for making this guy's dreams come true! May I - and my playing - be worthy of such a magnificent instrument!
hydrargyrum
Senior Member
Username: hydrargyrum

Post Number: 765
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Tuesday, March 09, 2010 - 7:17 am:   Edit Post

That's a very classy instrument. The logo inlay is just incredible.
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 1540
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Tuesday, March 09, 2010 - 8:02 am:   Edit Post

It does look sharp with the black headstock and inlaid logo.

Keith
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 1157
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Tuesday, March 09, 2010 - 8:53 am:   Edit Post

Beautiful stuff!!
rjmsteel
Junior
Username: rjmsteel

Post Number: 41
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Tuesday, March 09, 2010 - 10:23 am:   Edit Post

Will, simply outstanding! Those neck laminations look too cool!!!

Rich
dadabass2001
Senior Member
Username: dadabass2001

Post Number: 1373
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 - 11:45 am:   Edit Post

Will, your control design harkens back to Brother Paul's idea and description of a "Simple Bass", (although with 3 volume controls rather than just 1) still an intriguing idea. May you enjoy it for many years to come.
Mike
artswork99
Senior Member
Username: artswork99

Post Number: 1022
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Friday, March 12, 2010 - 7:46 pm:   Edit Post

Great combination front and back Will. I can't stop staring at the back.
2400wattman
Senior Member
Username: 2400wattman

Post Number: 783
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Sunday, March 14, 2010 - 10:45 pm:   Edit Post

Hey, uhh Will, can I come play your bass?

I need to back Will up on his idea here using the series p/ups with an Super Filter for tone shaping. You can realise this if you have a superfilter and a Series bass (this would work as well for other models but the series p/ups do imply their unique characteristics, which is why Will went in this direction).
Basically, what you need to do is set the filters, CVQ's(for series2) wide open or boost switches(for series 1 or signature) off.
Then you can hear what the super filter is really doing AND the frequency range is so much broader than what is available on the bass itself.
Will also informed me that if a bass was ordered this way it would take a great deal of money off the price of regular series electronics.
The sound is not that far off from having the filters on the bass and is probably closer than signature electronics in my opinion.
Thank you and Good Night!
willgunn
Junior
Username: willgunn

Post Number: 50
Registered: 2-2007
Posted on Monday, March 15, 2010 - 10:44 am:   Edit Post

I feel the need to make one point as clear as possible: namely, I do NOT advocate or recommend the particular electronics setup I've chosen for this bass as a substitute or replacement for the "standard" Series I or II setups, period. This particular arrangement I'm employing simply addresses MY needs and priorities in the best overall manner; but - by it's very nature - IS far more constrained in MANY ways than a "standard" Series setup would be. One statement can be made that applies to ANY Alembic product without reservation: you most certainly DO get what you pay for. And conversely, you don't get what you DON'T pay for. As Adam had mentioned (and yes, feel free to drop by anytime you're in the neighborhood), in the areas of fidelity and overall tonality, the setup I'm utilizing falls somewhere between "Series" and "Signature"....which works for ME. All in all, I'm getting (and paying for) what I want & need; and not getting that which I don't have a desire & need for. No shortcuts intended or expected.
bassjigga
Advanced Member
Username: bassjigga

Post Number: 371
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 10:29 am:   Edit Post

do you have a longer horn than normal? looks longer than my essence.
willgunn
Member
Username: willgunn

Post Number: 51
Registered: 2-2007
Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 12:47 pm:   Edit Post

David,
The strap horn is the longer version typically used on the 6-string "Essence" body. It - along with a considerably longer, wider & deeper tummy contour - positions the bass perfectly for me, and with absolutely neutral balance.
tmimichael
New
Username: tmimichael

Post Number: 1
Registered: 3-2010
Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 2:37 pm:   Edit Post

Will,
Very beautiful instrument...I've just ordered a Series 2, and I'm thinking about adding the rays to the logo like yours. Just beautiful...
Michael
afrobeat_fool
Intermediate Member
Username: afrobeat_fool

Post Number: 170
Registered: 7-2009
Posted on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 - 11:05 am:   Edit Post

Will, I had a good look at your bass yesterday, it is beautiful!!!!! What a cool idea you have. The choice of the abolony they inlaid in the Logo is stunning. The hardware is perfect. Congratulations! Your knobs inspired me to put custom knobs on my Hyak!


Nick

(Message edited by afrobeat_fool on March 31, 2010)
moonliner
Junior
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 40
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Saturday, May 21, 2011 - 8:46 pm:   Edit Post

That is a very classy bass. I love the ebony headstock with the inlaid logo. Beautiful.
that_sustain
Member
Username: that_sustain

Post Number: 77
Registered: 8-2012
Posted on Saturday, December 08, 2012 - 8:58 pm:   Edit Post

Old thread..I just have to say this might be the nicest bass I've ever seen.

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