| Author |
Message |
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 311
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 6:02 am: |  |
Talked to Gibson yesterday. The current pallettes of maple top lams they currently have are all "plain". They're waiting for the magic slabs of flamed maple (I've heard this tune before) to arrive. We'll see. Perhaps they should buy their wood from Alembic's mill suppliers? LOL! |
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 312
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 6:23 am: | |
Mica: I've paid Steve in-full and made arrangements (via Steve through Susan) for Alembic to ship directly to me. Steve should have relayed the shipping address to Alembic by now. He stated that he expects the thing to be shipped (via UPS air) on this coming Monday (8/16).
Can you confirm this and can you also provide a UPS tracking number?
I work at Newark Liberty Int'l. Airport (EWR) and am having the thing shipped directly to my office. It makes sense as it has to fly through UPS's EWR facility anyway. I just wanna make sure that all the receptionists know that the package is coming and when. It's a busy office with lots of personnel and deliveries moving about, so I wanna mitigate my stress level by minimizing any confusion. Believe you me, I have no other choice than work delivery as home delivery is not an option (i.e., no one is there to receive the package). At least there is always someone here at work to receive the package.
Any assistance you can provide in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Kevin |
mica
Moderator
Username: mica
Post Number: 1866
Registered: 6-2000
| | Posted on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 3:51 pm: | |
You'll be getting a second small package in about a week - your spare THG knob was not shipped with the bass, so keep your eyes open for that to arrive. |
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 333
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 5:20 am: | |
Thanks, Mica.
I'll have my office look out for my bass, and I'll look for that package as well. I'm assuming that you sent the second one (i.e., with my spare THG knob) to my office as well.
Cheers,
Kevin |
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 342
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 10:46 am: | |
Mica:
The nervous expectant father just took delivery of his new baby Alembic....it is truly awesome! The only problem is that it is 13:49hrs (EST) and I am at work and will be here until at least 15:30hrs. I've got butterflies in my stomach because I am dying to get home and plug this bad boy in! Good luck to all those drivers on I-78 and I-287 that get in the way of me and my 4-ton Dodge Ram Cummins because I'll be a man on a mission, LOL!
Thanks to you, your Mom and all the fine folks at Alembic for my belated To Me - From Me 40th Birthday present. I'll let you know what I think when I try it on my new Eden rig. I'll take plenty of pix and try to post them on the site ASAP.
Regards,
Kevin |
the_mule
Advanced Member
Username: the_mule
Post Number: 209
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 11:24 am: | |
Kevin, many congratulations from a fellow Orion owner! You know the routine (did anyone say PICTURES...uhm, you did).
Drive carefully & enjoy!
Wilfred |
hollis
Advanced Member
Username: hollis
Post Number: 307
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 11:57 am: | |
Well All Right!!!!!!
Enjoy |
tom_z
Junior
Username: tom_z
Post Number: 11
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 3:03 pm: | |
Congratulations Kevin!!
Judging from pix that have been posted here in F to C, she looks absolutely beautiful - can't wait to see a full-frontal photo.
Enjoy,
Tom
(Message edited by tom_z on August 17, 2004) |
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 344
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 3:54 am: | |
Thanks much, guys. I had a few small niggling problems with the thing, but they are (for the most part, anyway) straightened-out. I took some pix at the office with the office digicam. They didn't turn out so great, so I'm trying to get my buddy to take better one's with his hot-rod camera. I'll post a few of them here and the good ones will get posted in a showcase thread as soon as I can.
(Message edited by kmh364 on August 18, 2004) |
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 345
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 4:02 am: | |
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groovelines
Intermediate Member
Username: groovelines
Post Number: 186
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 5:19 am: | |
Okay, guys. Either 1.) We won't be hearing from Kevin until he descends from the rarified air he is breathing or 2.) However understandable it may be, he's gonna gush all over this site, in a disgusting display of gratitude and joy . Either way, I don't think I can take it, visiting the FTC area is taking it's toll and I need a vacation.
Kevin, way to go, hombre. 
Mike |
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 346
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 5:28 am: | |
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kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 347
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 5:32 am: | |
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kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 348
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 5:36 am: | |
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bassman10096
Senior Member
Username: bassman10096
Post Number: 556
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 5:43 am: | |
Wow, Kevin. It's beautiful. I can relate to not getting the best pictures on the first try. But keep at it. I really like your bass and want to see more...
Congratulations.
Bill |
jeff
Junior
Username: jeff
Post Number: 50
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 5:47 am: | |
Kevin,
What a long, strange trip this has been, but you finally got your beautiful bass. I can't tell you how happy I am for you (and the people at Alembic) that your bass arrived unscathed. I don't think that the club members could have survived another "Gibson" debacle. Enjoy the time with your new baby and take care. |
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 349
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 6:15 am: | |
Amen! Thanks, fellas. I'm REALY glad I popped for the ATA flight case. It took forever to get it, and it held up the bass shipping date for a month or so, but it was worth it not to find the bass in pieces. |
rraymond
Member
Username: rraymond
Post Number: 94
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 6:15 am: | |
Man, oh man, that's cool! Congratulations on taking possession at last!
Reid |
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 350
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 6:53 am: | |
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kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 351
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 6:55 am: | |
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kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 352
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 6:58 am: | |
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kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 353
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 7:19 am: | |
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groovelines
Intermediate Member
Username: groovelines
Post Number: 187
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 10:21 am: | |
My name is Mike and I'm an Alembic Factory To Customer Junkie...
Wow, Kevin, absolutely beautiful. The p-heart pinstripes are a great touch, glad to see them "up close". Nice features all around.
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kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 355
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 12:19 pm: | |
Thanks Mike.
The pix actually don't do it justice. The top is like a liquid pool...it looks deep and constantly changes depending on viewing angle and direct/reflected lighting. It actually looks like a big MOP guitar under certain lighting. It is certainly a unique Quilt top and the ash looks phenomenally grained in person. The headstock face veneer matches the top wood and is like a prism. This makes the maple particularly hard to photograph. The finish is super glossy and thick, and the satin neck feel is absolutely lovely, like an oil finish with no upkeep involved. What you also can't see in these pix is the golden agoya shell that Alembic used for my inlays has a pinkish/green figure under the gold tones that is reminiscent of abalone, instead of just looking like yellowed, dirty MOP like golden MOP tends to resemble. I was actually concerned that it was not the right choice and that I should go with paua abalone. It appears I made the right choice (actually Susan did...she suggested the agoya because golden MOP tends to fade over time).
I'm gonna let my buddy take a crack at getting some good shots with his hot-rod digicam. So far, Mica's shots were the best of all. The sterling gold-plated logo with shell is an absolute masterpiece and looks like it should be in a jewelry display case, not on a bass! I'd love to have one like it on a golden chain around my neck, or on a golden keychain. It is just spectacular.
So tell me, Mike: Did I make a good choice by eschewing the original EMW and by going with my own Custom version? |
effclef
Advanced Member
Username: effclef
Post Number: 224
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 1:06 pm: | |
Kevin, how do you like the dual J pickups? I am wondering if you can compare the sound to the standard Orion MXY... I've only heard people compare the J to the P on a Persuader/Elan. :-D
Beautiful, and that 5A quilt was worth it. I like yours as much as the Goldilocks featured custom. (Wish I had bought that when it was on eBay!)
EffClef |
hollis
Advanced Member
Username: hollis
Post Number: 311
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 2:28 pm: | |
Ya done good Kevin. It's beautiful. I can't wait to learn how it sounds! |
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 356
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 2:54 pm: | |
Ellery: That is a good question, unfortunately one I can't answer. I did demo an Orion with MXY's about a year ago at NJ Guitar and Bass Center, but that's about it. It had stock electronics, a mahogany body and a zebrawood top if I'm not mistaken. Even if I could demo them back-to-back, I don't think it would be a fair comparison with totally different tone woods and electronics. The right person to ask would be Mica. Alembic still has that Custom Orion 4 (the "boo-boo" EMW II)in their on-line store...it is identical to my bass, with the exception of a mahogany body, MXY's, walnut neck stringers, and some cosmetic stuff. My bass and that bass would be about as close of a comparison as you can make.
About the top: it is quite stunning and quite unique, isn't it? A 5A top (and EMW electronics) were about the only option(s) on the original EMW special o' month, and they were must-haves as far as I'm concerned. Mica and co. duplicated the top of the original EMW very closely on the "boo-boo" job, but went in a totaly different direction with the new top on my bass. It is totally different than what I asked for, but the Alembic wizards pulled this one out of their magic bag o' tricks and it looks magnificent. |
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 357
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 3:13 pm: | |
Thanks, Hollis.
I'll have to spend more time with it and learn all the nuances about it's myriad of adjustments before I can rate a fair description of what it sounds like. On top of that, I have a new Eden amp rig that I have to come to grips with as well (i.e., WT-550 tube-S/S hybrid mono head, 2 - D210XST cabs w/2x10" plus bell horns @ 4ohms ea. nominal "Z"). Initial impressions are of various Fender J-bass tones (quite deliberately intended on my part), what with the selection of tone woods and electronics. It has awesome punch and clear, ringing highs (that great "piano-tone"), good sustain and solid, powerful lows. With what little experience I have with it, you can vary the hell out of the tone from near -fretless sounds, to Chris Squire-honk, to shake the rafters low-end rattle.
I am gonna hook-up with BKBASS who is quite an accomplished player, experienced studio musician, and a veteran Alembic owner. He promised me that he would give me a "Q" sw./Filter lesson so that I can get the most out of the thing. On top of that, he's a much better player than I am, and has multiple hot-shot amp rigs. If he can't get the best sound out of it , I don't have access to anyone else who's as qualified. It'll also give me a chance to standback and subjectively rate the sound of the thing. I know there are quite a few Alembicians on the club site that are interested in learning about how EMW electronics sound. I'll keep the Alembic faithful informed as I learn more about this thing. It should be very interesting to hear what this thing is capable of in the hands of someone who's of a much higher caliber of musician than I am.
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groovelines
Intermediate Member
Username: groovelines
Post Number: 188
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 4:08 pm: | |
Kevin,
I don't think you could have done it any better. When you consider the number of possibilities...ugh, makes my head hurt. The original EMW...very nice bass. Yours, oh hell yeah. Something to be proud of. Since you asked..you made some classy touches with the purpleheart pinstripes, thicker body lam and your control choices make sense. Ultimately it's your decision, but hell, I'd be more than happy to posses your bass. Makes my Orion seem kinda whimpy and I've got a semi-custom.
Can't wait to "hear" what the sound is like for you!
Long Live the Orion!
Mike |
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 362
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 5:17 pm: | |
Mike: no such thing as a wimpy Alembic, LOL! Thanks for the compliments. Now that I think of it, you've been around since the first time I posted on this site and whined about the price of Morgan Music's original EMW. I appreciate that you've been supportive and not a detractor. I certainly didn't know what I was in for at the time, but I have certainly been bitten by the Alembic bug (Alembicitis? LOL!) like the rest of you. I'd be interested to hear what the other guys on that original thread think about my version of the special o' month that started it all. Where's C-Ya Wayne when you neeed him? LOL! |
groovelines
Intermediate Member
Username: groovelines
Post Number: 189
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 5:29 am: | |
It's been wholly my pleasure.
Alembicitis, catch it while you can.
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kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 370
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 6:19 am: | |
Yup, when you start thinking "What's next?" when the word Alembic is mentioned, you know you're in a LOT of trouble, LOL! |
hollis
Advanced Member
Username: hollis
Post Number: 313
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 11:36 am: | |
Their guitars are very nice...... |
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 372
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 12:42 pm: | |
You know you're in DOUBLE trouble when people start telling you that Alembic's GUITARS are also nice when you just went for your lungs on a new Custom Alembic Bass...and you know you want one, LOL! |
hollis
Advanced Member
Username: hollis
Post Number: 315
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 1:25 pm: | |
I know! I don't even consider myself a bass player (more a guitarist trying to catch a bass groove), and yet I'm about to pick up my first Alembic bass..... I feel so much better, now that I've given up hope..... God! I love it!
Enjoy your beautiful new bass Kevin.... And you know that nagging suspicion that Alembic guitars are every bit the same amazing quality as your new Orion..... It's oh so true. |
flaxattack
Intermediate Member
Username: flaxattack
Post Number: 117
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 2:55 pm: | |
KEVIN MY EMAILS KEEP GETTING BOUNCED BAck that you are over quota or some nonsense
so you aint seeing my custom specs |
flaxattack
Intermediate Member
Username: flaxattack
Post Number: 118
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 2:59 pm: | |
(Message edited by flaxattack on August 19, 2004) |
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 373
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 3:04 pm: | |
Jeff: Sorry about that. That address is my catch-all, so I get a lot of mail and spam. I'll have to delete some. |
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 375
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 3:05 pm: | |
Hollis: Yeah, I'm a guitarist that masquerades as a bassist myself. Since there are less bassists around than guitarists, it's easier to hook up and get gigs when you can thump on four as well as pick on six, capeesh?
That's what I'm afraid of, LOL! I suspect that despite all my will power, when Mica offers that 20% off "Home Run" special o' month again, I'll collapse like a house of cards and order me a Custom Guitar bro to keep my Custom Bass company, LOL!
BTW, BKBASS called me at work today to see how I was getting along with the new addition to the family. He gave me some pointers about using the "Q" Switch and Filter Knob. Boy, am I confused, LOL! This thing has so many variables, it boggles your mind. What in the H**L would I do with a SERIES bass? LOL! He uses TWO filters with CVQ's PLUS he has individual P/U volumes and a master vol. on his basses PLUS a SUPERRFILTER! God bless him, LOL! I haven't figured any of the knobs I already got, nevermind throwing in more a la SF-2! |
flaxattack
Intermediate Member
Username: flaxattack
Post Number: 119
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 6:29 pm: | |
well i quess you got my emails-
placed an order for "the big bad wolf" today |
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 384
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 3:57 am: | |
Flax: Good for you, Man. Steve and Mica will hook you up good. I can't wait to see it take shape right here. |
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 404
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 3:50 pm: | |
A Note to The Alembic Collective:
A big thanks to everyone who gave me props during the construction of this thing. The overwhelmingly positive responses I received from all of you are greatly appreciated. I hope to have better pix posted soon so that I can brag like hell about the thing some more, LOL!
S**T, I gotta do something until I can get them to build me another Alembic...Mr. Phelps, should you accept, have we got a mission for you...LOL!
I know, I know....I watched ENTIRELY too much TV growing up as a kid in the 60's/70's, LOL! |
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