| Author | Message | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 910 Registered: 1-2005 |
Post your pics, videos, memories, etc. of the fourth Northern California Gathering - 4/16/11! (original thread here) | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1764 Registered: 5-2009 |
It was nice to meet everyone who attended that I had only known before as a web entity in person . I had a really nice time; my sincere thanks to all who made it possible. | ||
| rustyg61
Intermediate Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 103 Registered: 2-2011 |
Please give us details, how many were there, how many basses, pictures??? :-) | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1765 Registered: 5-2009 |
Hi Rusty, I don't have the official count and I took this pic before the the official count, Wolf  | ||
| oddmetersam
Intermediate Member Username: oddmetersam Post Number: 130 Registered: 7-2008 |
Hey, Folks! Check out my pics on this public facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=1659262041780&id=1244010328&aid=2078124&l=af5dba0a97 If I got anything wrong in the captions to my facebook friends (most are non-Alembicians), send me corrections and I'll gladly make changes. I had a total blast meeting Wolf, Kimberly, Dave and a whole host of folks I didn't know, before. Plus, I got to see the usual suspects again. What a great time! Thanks to Mica and family as well as our host and all the other great people who helped pull this off. Until next time.... -Sam | ||
| artswork99
Moderator Username: artswork99 Post Number: 1472 Registered: 7-2007 |
Great to see some pictures! Thanks! | ||
| rustyg61
Intermediate Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 104 Registered: 2-2011 |
WOW!!! That is impressive!! Thanks Wolf! I've never seen so much greatness in one room!! Did anyone get a group shot of all the people? Any videos? Sam, thanks for posting all your pictures on FB. I sent you a friend request so I can share your pictures with my friends. | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1332 Registered: 11-2004 |
Very cool- thanks for posting those pictures! | ||
| oddmetersam
Intermediate Member Username: oddmetersam Post Number: 132 Registered: 7-2008 |
One other thing I noticed. I'd be talking to some folks in a different area from the main sound stage room and all of a sudden I'd hear the most unbelievable bass tones and had to hastily see who was doing that on what bass! It was humbling to witness so many fabulous players under one roof. | ||
| oddmetersam
Intermediate Member Username: oddmetersam Post Number: 133 Registered: 7-2008 |
Forgot to mention the great 6-string guitar slingers who were in attendance, too. Sorry guys! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10135 Registered: 5-2002 |
I haven't left for home yet, but just wanted to jump in and say that it was an absolutely amazing and wonderful day! The energy was everywhere and in everybody. Words can't express just how good it felt to be with this group of people; and the feeling was constant throughout the day. It just felt so good to be with them all. Thank you to everyone who was there for making it such a wonderful day! Oh, and there were some pretty guitars and basses too! | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 933 Registered: 10-2006 |
Great shot - way cool to see 10 & 14 side-by-side (I'm watching the Showcase, Bill....) Peter | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 914 Registered: 1-2005 |
The gathering was a great time - I was exhausted by the end, but I wish that it had kept on going! Got to reconnect with old friends, met some new folks, got to jam 'til my wrists were sore, got to see some amazing basses and guitars, can't wait 'til the next one! I even pulled my bass out again to play - looks like my calluses are building up again, might as well run with it! | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 4831 Registered: 7-2004 |
A splendid time was had by all. Great camaraderie, great instruments, great music. The weather was ideal. Thanks to everyone who helped set this up and/or attended with your wonderful basses and guitars. And a special thanks to Will for letting us use his family ranch. The perfect venue for a gathering. Afterwords, Jonathan Levine and I were treated to a hand's-on tour of Henry Kaiser's guitar collection. WOW!!!!! The whole experience inspired me and I spent the better part of Sunday afternoon cleaning and polishing Old #10. I'll try to add some pics to the "Showcase" thread when I have the time. Bill, tgo P.S. I believe there were either 41 or 42 Alembic instruments present. Does anyone have the final count? (Message edited by lbpesq on April 18, 2011) | ||
| pasewark
Member Username: pasewark Post Number: 75 Registered: 4-2003 |
I got some decent pics. I should have brought my Flash unit! I'll post everything to my Flickr account and post the link here. | ||
| jalevinemd
Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 829 Registered: 12-2003 |
It really was a fantastic time! Bill Panzer was a most gracious host and made the trip doable for me. So many beautiful instruments, great music and down to Earth people. Still can't believe I finally got to meet Moder Dave. Plus, with the help of a music stand and one of Bill's cheat books, I actually was able to join in on several Dead tunes, which was a treat for me. As Bill mentioned, Henry Kaiser has an unbelievable collection and was generous enough to give us a hands on tour of them. What a nice guy and a helluva guitar player! Thanks again to Will for providing the means to an end and to Mica and everyone else for organizing everything. Hopefully next year will be as perfect! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7295 Registered: 6-2000 |
Just resonating what others have already stated, Canyon IV was an amazing day. To see so many smiling faces (and a number I hadn't seen in years), and to have them outnumbered by the instruments (I believe the final tally was 43 - Nate had one in a case sill), was an absolute honor and joy. The music was great, the weather was great, the people were great. | ||
| kimberly
Advanced Member Username: kimberly Post Number: 354 Registered: 1-2007 |
Hi Guys,  Wow!!! What an awesome time! I'm somewhat at a loss for words. ;) How nice it was to meet the people behind the names we see here on the board! Off the charts energy and vibes! Great music! Incredible instruments! Way cool amps! Great location! Great hospitality! And of course, great people! Thank you to everyone that made this possible! For the last 4-5 years I've seen the Nor-Cal gathering plans being made and thought about going, let life get in the way and didn't go and then, regretted not going. Not this time and hopefully not the next time! Just too much coolness for words. Highly recommended! Don and I left just a bit after five to meet for supper with his son in Fremont. Spent about an hour yakking and hit the road for home a little after seven. Drove all night and arrived home safely a little over 15 hours later. I'm assuming we'll recover eventually from having way too much fun! Thank you again to everyone that made this possible! Very Best Regards, Kimberly PS. Not wanting to start another thread, let me say what a real pleasure it was to finally meet our own David Houck! I truly regret getting caught up in the scheduling of our supper plans with Don's son and leaving without saying good bye. Apologies and big hugs to you and everyone else! PPS. I had a video camera with me and had intended to buy tapes when we arrived (poor planning on my part and not having them already part of the gear) and couldn't find any, so no videos. I also had a camera with me loaded with fresh batteries before leaving. Unfortunately, the batteries were not so fresh, so no pictures. Two out of two and so I got nothing. Any pictures and/or videos from the Gathering would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance! | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1767 Registered: 5-2009 |
 Here you go ! | ||
| rustyg61
Intermediate Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 105 Registered: 2-2011 |
Great picture Wolf...got any more? :-) | ||
| pasewark
Member Username: pasewark Post Number: 76 Registered: 4-2003 |
I posted 40 images to my facebook account in a public folder: http://on.fb.me/h8GXYM. I had an awesome time and it was great to meet everyone. I lost track of the time and had to leave in a hurry for a family function. Great people, great energy, great music! Please feel free to tag any and all images! | ||
| kenbass4
Advanced Member Username: kenbass4 Post Number: 394 Registered: 10-2003 |
Just a quick note to say that I had a great time Saturday, and my only regrets were that I couldn't arrive earlier or stay later! Met alot of new people, caught up with old friends, and heard some AMAZING players! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7296 Registered: 6-2000 |
I'm sifting through the pics I took...  | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7297 Registered: 6-2000 |
(although I didn't take the group shot!) | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7298 Registered: 6-2000 |
 Wolf, Bill, Jonathan and Will playing Grateful Dead tunes. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7299 Registered: 6-2000 |
 Erik checking out the gear. He showed me all the Alembic guitaaaaaars! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7300 Registered: 6-2000 |
 Don, G. Michael, Michael, Dave, Dan, and DJ standing in front of the grove of guitars. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7301 Registered: 6-2000 |
 Most of the instruments that attended. I'm pretty sure Kimberly was setting up to play her fretted 6-string bass at this time, and my lens just wasn't wide angle enough to capture everything. I think Nate's basses were off the edge to the left for starters. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7302 Registered: 6-2000 |
 And from the other side (this one is for pauldo) | ||
| artswork99
Moderator Username: artswork99 Post Number: 1474 Registered: 7-2007 |
Sweet! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7303 Registered: 6-2000 |
 Dave, Will and Bill. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7304 Registered: 6-2000 |
 Kimberly live! | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1926 Registered: 10-2003 |
Erik sure is getting big! | ||
| kenbass4
Advanced Member Username: kenbass4 Post Number: 395 Registered: 10-2003 |
Okay, I figured it out! I need to wear a grey hat so that I can play bass as incredibly as Dave and Kimberly! :-) | ||
| rustyg61
Intermediate Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 106 Registered: 2-2011 |
Awesome shots! Thanks Mica! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7305 Registered: 6-2000 |
 Dave and Kimberly sharing secrets! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7306 Registered: 6-2000 |
 G. Michael with 5-string Essence in very lovely Bubinga. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7307 Registered: 6-2000 |
 Sam with his 35" scale Signature Deluxe.  Bill with #10 and Matt with a vintage Series I he got in the last month. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7308 Registered: 6-2000 |
 Dave playing Bill's 1980 graphite short scale bass.  Bill and Henry. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7309 Registered: 6-2000 |
 Vic and Sam jamming. The look on Nate's face says it all.  Bill's 1980 graphite was the center of attention. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7310 Registered: 6-2000 |
 Erik managed to get in on the jam just a little bit.  Long shadows on the last pic of the day: Harry with his short scale 5-string. | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1333 Registered: 11-2004 |
Any details on the Tribute that Henry is playing? Looks to be a dark veneer under the top, non ebony fretboard and an old-school style logo... Keep the pictures coming! | ||
| oddmetersam
Intermediate Member Username: oddmetersam Post Number: 134 Registered: 7-2008 |
Great pics Mica. And just when I thought I'd finally be able to sleep, tonight, all the memories from Saturday have come flooding back. What a total blast! Still can't thank you and everyone else, enough. -Sam | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 707 Registered: 4-2004 |
I'd imagine that Henry's Tribute has an Ebony veneer. But here's one with an "ebonized maple" veneer~  Henry has some cool Alembics. When I saw those first pics of the Bloodwood SI and Featured Baritone on the couch, I knew you guys were in for a treat!!!! Wish I was there! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7311 Registered: 6-2000 |
Some of the details for Henry's guitar are listed in his old Factory to Customer thread. There's alot of Pink Ivory and Ebony in there. He recently had Ebony inlays put in the fingerboard. He sent the original logo back to me and had just a piece of Ebony inlaid in the outline. It's quite clandestine (sh!). | ||
| pauldo
Senior Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 605 Registered: 6-2006 |
Bless you Mica!  Cool pics - makes me yearn to have another Chicago Gathering. | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1334 Registered: 11-2004 |
Thanks Mica! Very cool guitar. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1770 Registered: 5-2009 |
 Harry & Sam play some great Bass!  | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1771 Registered: 5-2009 |
 Bill & Matt give us some sweet vintage Alembic tones . | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 709 Registered: 4-2004 |
I see that 75-149, which was up for auction a few weeks back, made it into the hands of a Club member!... Congrats! | ||
| kimberly
Advanced Member Username: kimberly Post Number: 356 Registered: 1-2007 |
Awesome pic's! Thanks! And needless to say, what a great time it was! Kimberly | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 916 Registered: 1-2005 |
Kimberly, it was great to meet you and especially to get to hear you play! Everyone was just standing around with their jaws on the floor! I'm sorry we didn't get more time to talk - you'll have to come back next time! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10136 Registered: 5-2002 |
After a significantly long delay at the airport, I finally made it back home. Donald, I can't get to your facebook page, though Art says he didn't have a problem; perhaps it isn't public, Art is a facebook member but I'm not. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10137 Registered: 5-2002 |
One interesting thing about the room with all of the instruments in it; it's like standing in front of a shrine. When you see one Alembic, it's a work of art that you enjoy looking at closely. When you see over 40 in front of you at once, it is literally awe inspiring. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1776 Registered: 5-2009 |
Hello Dave , it was really cool to have meet you in person. I had the same experience with Donald's facebook link as I am not a member as well. I did have success with Donald's flickr account; http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasewark/sets/72157626526481416/with/5632405734/ Donald ,it was nice you meet you as well . Thanks . You took some great pics ! | ||
| pasewark
Member Username: pasewark Post Number: 78 Registered: 4-2003 |
Thanks Sonicus. I was just going to post that link. | ||
| pasewark
Member Username: pasewark Post Number: 79 Registered: 4-2003 |
Wolf, it was great to finally meet you as well! I had a really great time. Great group of people.  | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10138 Registered: 5-2002 |
But the true joy was the people. I didn't get to talk with everyone who was there, but the exchanges of smiles and the feeling of family with everyone there was wonderful. It felt so good being there; and I think that is a reflection of our community here. Another note I wanted to mention. A number of people put a lot of work into this event; and of course many of those who attended put a lot of work into packing up their instruments and loading up their rigs, the kind of work that goes into doing gigs as musicians. But as I was with her from Friday evening on, it became apparent to me that Mica had indeed put a lot of work into this gathering. And I now know firsthand that she is indefatigable. The direction signs that she made and tied to the trees up to the site, the little stickers and other details that she finished up late Friday night, the huge amount of food that she bought, set out, and attended to all day, all of the instruments that she loaded up from the shop. Thank you Mica!!! And thank you again to all who attended! Oh; and the music! Wow! And there was no cover charge! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10139 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks for the Flickr link Wolf; looking at them now. Which reminds me, one of the unexpected highlights of the day was Wolf's trumpet playing! I can't remember what the tune was now, but it was a really cool jam; Wolf went out to his car and came back in with his trumpet and perfectly added to the tune! Very cool moment. There was a lot of very good music on Saturday. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1777 Registered: 5-2009 |
Thanks Dave,I took that Trumpet with me at the last moment when I realized my car was just about packed full . The jam at the time felt right for me to play a spontaneous Trumpet part. I love spontaneous moments in musical improvisation , I had lots of fun . | ||
| rustyg61
Intermediate Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 116 Registered: 2-2011 |
Here's a souvenir photo for those lucky enough to have been there! If you want the full resolution picture, email me at rustyg61@gmail.com  | ||
| billostech
Intermediate Member Username: billostech Post Number: 137 Registered: 1-2011 |
This is great! I wish I could have been there. | ||
| rustyg61
Intermediate Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 117 Registered: 2-2011 |
Me too!! | ||
| apdavis
Intermediate Member Username: apdavis Post Number: 104 Registered: 5-2004 |
I'm a facebook participant and Sam's link is working for me, FYI. | ||
| mb94952
New Username: mb94952 Post Number: 5 Registered: 8-2010 |
Maryann and I were there, too ! We had to leave before the group shot was taken, but there's always next year !!! It was sooo much fun. Thanks Mica ! |
