| Author |
Message |
valvil
Moderator
Username: valvil
Post Number: 461
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 8:50 pm: |  |
Here's the shot of the omega cutout I promised you; Tony's doing the final sanding before the bass goes into spray. Earlier I caught him playing air guitar with it...
 |
jalevinemd
Junior
Username: jalevinemd
Post Number: 48
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 4:25 am: | |
Val,
Thanks for the little going away present. I checked right before we left for the airport. What can I say...? Talk soon.
Regards,
Jonathan |
mica
Moderator
Username: mica
Post Number: 1797
Registered: 6-2000
| | Posted on Friday, July 09, 2004 - 4:55 pm: | |
Another inlay installed:
Not fully sanded yet, but you get the idea! |
jalevinemd
Member
Username: jalevinemd
Post Number: 62
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 09, 2004 - 5:14 pm: | |
It's beautiful! Enough said.
Jonathan |
pace
Junior
Username: pace
Post Number: 18
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 - 6:52 am: | |
Where is this inlay set, Jon? First fret?
Bear claw.... mmmmmm..... you must work at a bakery! lol. |
jalevinemd
Member
Username: jalevinemd
Post Number: 67
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 - 11:54 am: | |
Mike,
Yes...the bear claw is, indeed, at the first fret. I thought about having it at the bottom of the guitar but, between the hardware and the omega, there simply wasn't enough room. At the 24th fret, there is a second inlay, similar to Sam's Dancin' Ruthie. That one says "Bear," the nickname my 14 month old daughter, Mara, has gone by since shortly after she was born.
As far as the pastry goes, being from New York originally, I've always been partial to the black and white cookie!
Jonathan |
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 205
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 - 4:16 pm: | |
Jonathan:
That's gonna look sweet sitting next to your Orion. That is, if you can put it down long enough, LOL! Six-string nut that I am, I'm dying to see the finished product realized. |
jalevinemd
Member
Username: jalevinemd
Post Number: 68
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 - 6:25 pm: | |
Kevin,
I am afraid that the Orion is going to wind up collecting dust for quite some time once this one comes home. It will, however, always hold a special place as the Alembic that started it all!!
Jonathan |
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 208
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, July 15, 2004 - 4:53 pm: | |
Well, if it ends up collecting TOO much dust, you can always divest yourself of it (HINT, HINT, LOL!). J/K. |
jalevinemd
Member
Username: jalevinemd
Post Number: 69
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, July 15, 2004 - 5:41 pm: | |
Kevin,
If I did that, how could I ever hope to catch up to Rami!
Rami, if you're listening, I joke with the greenest of envy.
Jonathan |
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 209
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, July 15, 2004 - 5:55 pm: | |
It would take dozens of us to catch-up to Rami! Jealous? Who me? LOL! |
hollis
Advanced Member
Username: hollis
Post Number: 265
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 2:25 pm: | |
Jonathan,
I love the way your guitar is coming together! |
mica
Moderator
Username: mica
Post Number: 1819
Registered: 6-2000
| | Posted on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 8:33 pm: | |
Even though it's still rough sanded, I think you can tell how cool the shell is on your logo inlay:
Mike pulled off the tight fitting location splendidly. |
bassman10096
Senior Member
Username: bassman10096
Post Number: 498
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 8:48 pm: | |
I love the colors in that abalone. Great looking inlay!
Bill |
jalevinemd
Member
Username: jalevinemd
Post Number: 70
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 9:03 pm: | |
Mica,
That abalone is almost mesmerizing! The knobby head and the inlay shape are absolutely meant for each other. Mike did an amazing job!
Thanks,
Jonathan |
davehouck
Senior Member
Username: davehouck
Post Number: 730
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 8:04 am: | |
A beautiful inlay! |
direwolf
New
Username: direwolf
Post Number: 5
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 11:20 pm: | |
Out of all the Alembic guitars I've seen, this one is in my top 5. Awesome |
jalevinemd
Member
Username: jalevinemd
Post Number: 74
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, July 31, 2004 - 1:11 pm: | |
Thanks for the compliment, Brent. It's hard to get a feel for how the whole thing looks, seeing it in bits and pieces. I've been chomping at the bit to see a head to toe shot. Part of me wants to be completely surprised, though. Kind of a kid on Christmas morning thing when I open the case for the first time. Val tells me that I will be surprised at how...I don't want to say small...let's say "petite"...the guitar really is. You can get a feel for that by looking at how wide the fretboard looks compared to the body. Should be done soon.
Jonathan |
pace
Junior
Username: pace
Post Number: 41
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Friday, September 17, 2004 - 3:37 pm: | |
I heard from a little birdy that "Bear" is home anxiously awaiting the arrival of her owner!.... |
jalevinemd
Member
Username: jalevinemd
Post Number: 93
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, September 17, 2004 - 9:24 pm: | |
Mike,
The little birdy is, indeed, correct. According to the tracking number Val gave me, Bear hit my doorstep at 9:17 am. It was a grueling 8 hours more until I got home to what I can only describe as the most exquisite guitar I have ever laid my eyes on! Unique in every facet of its design, it's also the most petite, full size guitar I've seen. Pictures will be coming...all in good time. Until then, just imagine a beautiful coco bolo Balance K omega, reduced in size, with a slightly shorter upper horn and ever so wider hips...that's my Bear.
Jonathan
Jonathan |
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic
Post Number: 1594
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, September 17, 2004 - 10:43 pm: | |
Jonathan,
I think you may toi have some picturetaking to do in the near future.
Well ...when you're not playing of course.
It truly seems to be a very beautiful instrument. I didn't noticed it in the past but a guitar in K-model ...wew ...quite something.
Paul the bad one |
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 486
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, September 18, 2004 - 5:02 am: | |
Jonathan:
Congrats on your new baby. You gotta take some pix, the suspense is killing me!
Cheers,
Ke(vi)n |
bassman10096
Senior Member
Username: bassman10096
Post Number: 645
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, September 18, 2004 - 9:56 pm: | |
Jonathan: Congratulations! Now - the pictures... I can't wait to see this beauty!
Very best to you and your new friend. A new Alembic is definitely a special thing.
Bill |
pace
Junior
Username: pace
Post Number: 44
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 5:24 am: | |
C'mon Jon!!!
We wanna see some full frontals already..... |
hollis
Advanced Member
Username: hollis
Post Number: 364
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 3:56 pm: | |
Brother Jonathan,
Don't forget to breathe!
Enjoy |
jalevinemd
Member
Username: jalevinemd
Post Number: 95
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 5:43 pm: | |
Hello everyone,
Sorry for the delay in posting pictures of my new arrival, "Bear." I promise that more pictures will be forthcoming, including close ups of the beautiful inlay work. This guitar is, without a doubt, the most exquisite instrument I have ever laid my eyes on. The pictures do not come close to doing it the justice it deserves. Somethimes I pick it up and play, while other times I simply hold it up and look at it from various angles. It is also, by far, the most petite guitar I have ever played. I believe it weighs in at just under 8 pounds. As a reference, I've included a picture of it side by side with my Les Paul, so you can appreciate just how small it really is. Needless to say, while it may be a mere cub on the outside, it's pure grizzly bear once its plugged in!
More to come as we get better acquainted.
Regards,
Jonathan
 
 |
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 501
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 6:02 pm: | |
Jonathan:
That thing is F'n awesome! I can't get over the size compared to the others...what scale is that thing? I'm not a huge cocobolo fan, but that top is wild! What model did it start out as? I'm interested in all the details as it would definitely help me towards the quest for my custom guitar. More pix, please, LOL! |
hollis
Advanced Member
Username: hollis
Post Number: 374
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 6:03 pm: | |
Thanks for taking the time away from the Bear to let us in on it. Wow! |
tom_z
Junior
Username: tom_z
Post Number: 28
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 6:11 pm: | |
Jonathan - that is a truly awesome guitar! I love the body and wood combination. That peghead is a beautiful compliment to the body as well. Congratulations.
Tom |
lbpesq
Junior
Username: lbpesq
Post Number: 19
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 7:11 pm: | |
Jonathan
Enjoy your new axe. I saw it at the factory a week and a half ago. Truly awesome and original. BTW, who made the rosebud/tiger/bolt clone? It looks to be something other than Alembic. Am I right or are these nearly 50 year old eyes getting even worse?
Bill, the guitar one |
bassman10096
Senior Member
Username: bassman10096
Post Number: 648
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 9:17 pm: | |
Great looking guitar. I love the wood and the body design. Unique, but perfect. It really is petite, isn't it? Congratulations again Jonathan. Play her in excellent health and spirits!
Bill |
davehouck
Senior Member
Username: davehouck
Post Number: 872
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 9:38 pm: | |
That's just a wonderful looking guitar! |
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic
Post Number: 1611
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 11:16 pm: | |
Wonderfull looking guitar. Really stylish and innovative design.
Petite ...well she seems small indeed but the scale of the neck seems to me close to the Les Paul and the Strat.
BTW those other Alembics are nice too.
Paul the bad one
Mmmmm ...you're sure your "other" name is not Rami? Huh??? |
pace
Junior
Username: pace
Post Number: 47
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - 5:35 am: | |
Thanks for posting those Jon..... The Les Paul actually looks distorted (like a Guild Bluesbird) when it's next to Bear. The Coco Bolo took very nicely to the finish~ the grain and the lines of that body compliment each other perfectly. I think its time to quit your day job & just sit home and play!!! |
smichaels
Junior
Username: smichaels
Post Number: 30
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - 6:42 am: | |
Jon,
What are the neck dimensions on your new guitar? Looks nice and wide.
Sean |
jalevinemd
Member
Username: jalevinemd
Post Number: 96
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - 6:14 pm: | |
Thanks, everyone, for the kind words about Bear. It's brought me a lot of joy these past few days.
Kevin - I'm not sure how to answer what model it started out as. I discussed with Val what I was looking for in a body style, and this is what we came up with. The elctronics are pure Skylark which, as Brother Hollis will surely agree, provide a cookbook for unbelievable tonal variation.
Bill (lbesq) - Nothing wrong with your eyes. The a la Jerry Garcia guitar was built by Tim O'Donnell at Resurrection Guitars. Close friends and collaborators with the late Stephen Cripe, they are licensed by his estate to make Lightning Bolt replicas. I added a little bit of Tiger and a little Alembic to the original design for the overall flavor I wanted.
Sean - The neck dimensions are the same as any other Alembic guitar, It only looks chunky because the body is so darn small! Purely an optical illusion.
More down the road,
Jonathan
|
andrewknight
Member
Username: andrewknight
Post Number: 66
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 10:07 am: | |
I think this guitar is the only guitar to ever take my breath away via pictures. My Tribute takes my breath away every time I hold it in my hands, but it did not in pictures. The shape and wood of your guitar are incredible and if the guitar has this kind of impact on me through a browser, I can only imagine what it would be like in person. Very cool guitar...WOW! |
jalevinemd
Intermediate Member
Username: jalevinemd
Post Number: 161
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 6:36 pm: | |
Andrew,
Thanks for the very kind words about my Little Bear. One of the things that really amazes me about Alembic is that they can work with someone thousands of miles away and come up with an instrument like this. Not too many companies around with whom you'd feel comfortable spending that kind of money and not want be at least within walking distance. They've earned my every confidence. So much so that we're doing it all over again.
Regards,
Jonathan |
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 863
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 7:08 pm: | |
Jonathan,
I'm dying to see what you and the Alembicians have up your collective sleeves RE: your new baby. Care to drop a few hints? Inquiring minds wanna know, LOL!
Cheers,
Kevin |
bkbass
Member
Username: bkbass
Post Number: 93
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 8:41 am: | |
Hey KMH364 long time no call.Call. |
jalevinemd
Intermediate Member
Username: jalevinemd
Post Number: 162
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 5:30 pm: | |
Kevin,
Everything is still in pre-design. Little Bear celebrated the birth of my daughter, this one is for my new son. So, all I know is that it will be bigger and have a standard point as opposed to the omega. I find those different styles slightly more masculine and feminine, respectively |
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq
Post Number: 462
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 5:56 pm: | |
Jonathan:
Another kid for each new Alembic? I guess I get off easy, I only have to buy my wife a new piece of jewelry for each new guitar. For example, as soon as I leave the office I will be racing home to my new Ricky 360/12 from ebay that UPS dropped off today. (I notice at least 3 Ricky's in your collection. Any 12 strings?) Meanwhile my wife is perusing the Sundance catalog to pick out a ring. I will offer no complaints! LOL! Congrats on your growing family, both 2-legged and 6-stringed!
Bill, tgo |
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 871
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 19, 2005 - 2:06 pm: | |
Congrats on the new son, and the new guitar commemorating same. |
jalevinemd
Intermediate Member
Username: jalevinemd
Post Number: 163
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, May 21, 2005 - 7:44 am: | |
Kevin,
Thanks for the warm wishes on both new additions.
Bill,
I love the Ric's. And I really would love a 12 string. It's just that two of the things I HATE most in life are changing strings and intonating...enough said. |
mica
Moderator
Username: mica
Post Number: 2494
Registered: 6-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 3:02 pm: | |
It's now the Featured Custom, enjoy! |
jalevinemd
Intermediate Member
Username: jalevinemd
Post Number: 172
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 5:31 pm: | |
Mica,
It's an incredible layout! Even though I've had the Little Bear for awhile, seeing it as a Featured Custom, was like looking at it for the very first time. Thanks for everything!
Jonathan |
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