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hieronymous
Senior Member
Username: hieronymous

Post Number: 1578
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Sunday, September 27, 2015 - 12:58 pm:   Edit Post

Wanted to get the VIII in the title! Hard to believe we've been doing this for so many years - thank you Mica and Alembic for the wonderful instruments and community!

Here's a simply sky shot taken right before we left:

farewell sky
elwoodblue
Senior Member
Username: elwoodblue

Post Number: 1712
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Sunday, September 27, 2015 - 1:10 pm:   Edit Post

mmmm....lots of overhead with a little filtering,nice .

Elwood (who waits stoically and hopes you didn't run out of film taking pictures of cool clouds)
carsbybigd
Junior
Username: carsbybigd

Post Number: 17
Registered: 8-2014
Posted on Sunday, September 27, 2015 - 4:47 pm:   Edit Post

I posted a bunch of pics on Facebook's 2 Alembics pages [https://www.facebook.com/groups/alembicbass ] and [https://www.facebook.com/groups/131120133706251/]
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 11932
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, September 27, 2015 - 5:16 pm:   Edit Post

Apparently, neither of those facebook pages have been setup for public access.
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 6240
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Sunday, September 27, 2015 - 6:08 pm:   Edit Post

I should have videos posted on youtube later this week.

Bill, tgo
hieronymous
Senior Member
Username: hieronymous

Post Number: 1579
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Sunday, September 27, 2015 - 10:14 pm:   Edit Post

I actually didn't get that many pictures, or at least not many good ones. But I did manage to do some recording - here is Nate playing his 5-string Scorpion Series II:

scorpion slap

https://soundcloud.com/hieronymous-seven/alembic-scorpion-slap
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 11933
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, September 28, 2015 - 1:54 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks Harry! That's a beautiful sounding, and looking, bass played by a great player!
hieronymous
Senior Member
Username: hieronymous

Post Number: 1580
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Monday, September 28, 2015 - 3:15 pm:   Edit Post

I'm really glad that I took my Zoom H2n recorder - I'll keep posting clips - here's Dave playing the same bass (Nate's 5-string Series II Scorpion), again through my pseudo-stereo rig - each pickup through a different chain but mixed to mono through my GK MB112 II:

Dave Scorpion Yes singalong

https://soundcloud.com/hieronymous-seven/alembic-scorpion-distortion

Vocals courtesy of the Alembic Gathering Singers!
hieronymous
Senior Member
Username: hieronymous

Post Number: 1581
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Monday, September 28, 2015 - 3:25 pm:   Edit Post

Alright, here are some pictures for those that can't view the Facebook pics (I think that you have to be registered with Facebook to be able to view?)

Don's bass rig, which he was very nice to bring - it let us play with the drums:

don's bass rig

And here it is in action with Dave's bass and Will on drums:

dave and will
hieronymous
Senior Member
Username: hieronymous

Post Number: 1582
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Monday, September 28, 2015 - 3:35 pm:   Edit Post

A few more:

Sam playing Dennis's Series I:

sam series I

Jerry's awesome Alembicized Jazz:

jerry's alembicized jazz

Here's the only decent group shot I got - I forget his name but he brought his '79 Series I 5-string and Modulus 5-string with Alembic pickups; then Bill's 12-string Series I (his 6-string Series I guitar was in use); then my doubleneck & 5-string Stanley Clarke Signature Squared in the back:

group shot
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 4514
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Monday, September 28, 2015 - 4:36 pm:   Edit Post

I showed up early and had to leave for a gig. I did however take a few pics while I was there. I am glad that I did show up and actually would have preferred not to leave early but I had made a commitment with a musical associate.

gathering2015#1

gathering2015#2
hieronymous
Senior Member
Username: hieronymous

Post Number: 1583
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Monday, September 28, 2015 - 4:48 pm:   Edit Post

Nice shots Wolf - we missed you for the second half!

Here's another shot of the doubleneck and Wolf's '73:

doublenck and 73 series I

And here's a nice group shot by Dave - I think he'll be posting soon!

group shot
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 4515
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Monday, September 28, 2015 - 5:00 pm:   Edit Post

Those are Kool pics !

Thanks Harry & Dave
bobo
New
Username: bobo

Post Number: 5
Registered: 6-2008
Posted on Monday, September 28, 2015 - 5:01 pm:   Edit Post

More photos from 9/26/2015 NCAL Gathering... Gallery of Galactic Alembic Glory!
carsbybigd
Junior
Username: carsbybigd

Post Number: 18
Registered: 8-2014
Posted on Monday, September 28, 2015 - 5:04 pm:   Edit Post

Alembic gathering
bobo
New
Username: bobo

Post Number: 6
Registered: 6-2008
Posted on Monday, September 28, 2015 - 5:08 pm:   Edit Post

sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 4516
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Monday, September 28, 2015 - 5:13 pm:   Edit Post

Great shot !
bobo
New
Username: bobo

Post Number: 7
Registered: 6-2008
Posted on Monday, September 28, 2015 - 5:14 pm:   Edit Post

Bill TGO's Magnificent Kit...


(Message edited by davehouck on September 29, 2015)
hieronymous
Senior Member
Username: hieronymous

Post Number: 1584
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Monday, September 28, 2015 - 5:40 pm:   Edit Post

I love the way the forest of instruments eveloves over time!

Post more please Dennis & Dave! And anyone else who's got any!
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8636
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Monday, September 28, 2015 - 5:49 pm:   Edit Post

Lots of great fun! It did get a little hot toward the middle of the afternoon, but nothing like that one we did in July - uff!

The view from the parking area:
canyon

The view at the entrance part way through:
canyon

Some Alembics, gathering:
canyon

Ken and Don:
canyon

Just Don:
canyon

Don, Will, and Bill:
canyon

Harry!
canyon

Stephen enjoying a quiet moment under the trees:
canyon

Sam was eyeing Dennis' bass all day:
canyon

Nate took her for a spin too:
canyon


It felt like I took more pictures, oh well!
rustyg61
Senior Member
Username: rustyg61

Post Number: 1736
Registered: 2-2011
Posted on Monday, September 28, 2015 - 8:22 pm:   Edit Post

Great pictures everyone! I love the shot of Stephen playing the Alembic acoustic, that's not something you see every day!
bobo
New
Username: bobo

Post Number: 8
Registered: 6-2008
Posted on Monday, September 28, 2015 - 8:29 pm:   Edit Post

Alembic Splendor "Amongst Da Stumps", with extreme recognition and gratitude to the world's trees for making these finely crafted instruments possible...
bobo
New
Username: bobo

Post Number: 9
Registered: 6-2008
Posted on Monday, September 28, 2015 - 8:52 pm:   Edit Post

Ancient and Religimous... Solemn and Prodigimous...


(Message edited by davehouck on September 29, 2015)
bobo
New
Username: bobo

Post Number: 10
Registered: 6-2008
Posted on Monday, September 28, 2015 - 9:26 pm:   Edit Post

Ladies and Gentlemen.... The REAL Sam & Dave!!!



(Message edited by davehouck on September 29, 2015)
bobo
Junior
Username: bobo

Post Number: 11
Registered: 6-2008
Posted on Monday, September 28, 2015 - 10:21 pm:   Edit Post

Heavenly Traffic Jam...
bobo
Junior
Username: bobo

Post Number: 12
Registered: 6-2008
Posted on Monday, September 28, 2015 - 10:59 pm:   Edit Post

I rest my case! Let the festivities begin!
bobo
Junior
Username: bobo

Post Number: 13
Registered: 6-2008
Posted on Monday, September 28, 2015 - 11:54 pm:   Edit Post

Showtime! In attempt to warm up the massive audience, Will opens the show with a classic standup bass comedy routine, leaving the crowd in stitches and rolling in the ailes with laughter. You can begin to feel the electricity in the air as Will begins, "So, a drummer walks into a bar with a horse, a duck and an Alembic Series II bass under his arm, and says, "Hey, Bartender...""
bobo
Junior
Username: bobo

Post Number: 14
Registered: 6-2008
Posted on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 - 12:54 am:   Edit Post

Sam and Will lay down the groove while exploring a tasty and exotic 11/8 time signature...
bobo
Junior
Username: bobo

Post Number: 15
Registered: 6-2008
Posted on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 - 1:48 am:   Edit Post

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Nate demonstrates some intergalactic bass virtuosity as he helps break in a very special brand spanking new exotic newborn baby, graciously hand carried by Mica straight from the Mothership to its very first gathering. Welcome to the world, beautiful Custom Buckeye Burl Essence 5 with matching continous ramp, blue LEDs, and a plethora of gorgeous amenities... and the sound... out of this world!




rv_bass
New
Username: rv_bass

Post Number: 5
Registered: 8-2014
Posted on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 - 3:52 am:   Edit Post

Great photos, looks like fun! Thanks for sharing!
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 2284
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 - 5:01 am:   Edit Post

The Buckeye Burl Essence caught my eye in the group shots. I'm happy to see some closeups. I really like the way the racing stripe carries through the pickups.

Keith
moongerm
Advanced Member
Username: moongerm

Post Number: 288
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 - 6:01 am:   Edit Post

Great photos, thanks for sharing and wish I could have been there.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 11944
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 - 7:30 am:   Edit Post

Thanks for all the pics; much appreciated!!

And yes, the pickup shells on that beautiful Essence are very cool!
growlypants
Intermediate Member
Username: growlypants

Post Number: 146
Registered: 3-2011
Posted on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 - 8:28 am:   Edit Post

Wow - thanks for the pics! Looks like a great time was had by all. (AGAIN!!) By the way, who was that woman in the pics? (Just kidding, MICA RULES!)
hieronymous
Senior Member
Username: hieronymous

Post Number: 1585
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 - 9:26 am:   Edit Post

Here's video of Nate putting the Essence through its paces!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYIQpkAg7rA

essence LEDs
oddmetersam
Advanced Member
Username: oddmetersam

Post Number: 378
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 - 1:24 pm:   Edit Post

Great pics! I'll put up one or two as soon as my sick computer is feeling better....
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 11947
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 - 3:17 pm:   Edit Post

Hope your computer gets to feeling better soon.
bobo
Junior
Username: bobo

Post Number: 16
Registered: 6-2008
Posted on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 - 10:38 pm:   Edit Post

Body front detail of the gorgeous Custom Essence 5 with Ebony Neck... (with my apologies for the soft focus!)
bobo
Junior
Username: bobo

Post Number: 17
Registered: 6-2008
Posted on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 - 11:49 pm:   Edit Post

Further reading and Mica's Build Record for this magnificent instrument here...
http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/210682.html?1443581548
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 6241
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Thursday, October 01, 2015 - 10:30 am:   Edit Post

Here's the first video from the Gathering. Surprisingly, I was the only guitar player who showed! Then there were some technical difficulties in setting up the P.A. and we had a failure with Ken's bass amp. As a result, there wasn't as much jamming as usually takes place at this annual event. But I did get to record a few things. Here's #1. More to follow.

Bill, tgo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=969qsEvRbxU&feature=youtu.be
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 6242
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Thursday, October 01, 2015 - 10:54 am:   Edit Post

#2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6ALVKbZ0bU&feature=youtu.be
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 6243
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Thursday, October 01, 2015 - 11:07 am:   Edit Post

#3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqYeBkLT6po&feature=youtu.be
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 6245
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Thursday, October 01, 2015 - 11:37 am:   Edit Post

#4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=124HmVLYvv4&feature=youtu.be



And, last but certainly not least (I'm not playing on this one - lol):

#5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEQJA3KxQRU&feature=youtu.be

Enjoy!

Bill, tgo
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 4524
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Thursday, October 01, 2015 - 11:44 am:   Edit Post

Thanks Bill , I will check them all out .

Wolf
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 6246
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Thursday, October 01, 2015 - 1:43 pm:   Edit Post

By the way, I LOVE the burl Essence pictured above. Normally, I'm not really a "burl" guy, but this one looks like lots of little skulls. Made for a Deadhead!

Bill, tgo
rv_bass
New
Username: rv_bass

Post Number: 9
Registered: 8-2014
Posted on Thursday, October 01, 2015 - 2:41 pm:   Edit Post

Wolf, I just love that '73 bass!
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 11954
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Thursday, October 01, 2015 - 3:12 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks Bill!
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 4525
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Thursday, October 01, 2015 - 3:50 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks Robert. I feel blessed to have her (73-32 ) in my life. She is a dreamy mystical lady indeed.

Wolf
toddharris
Senior Member
Username: toddharris

Post Number: 407
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Tuesday, October 06, 2015 - 12:53 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Wolf - gorgeous bass there - 33 is missing her!
carsbybigd
Junior
Username: carsbybigd

Post Number: 19
Registered: 8-2014
Posted on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 - 4:59 pm:   Edit Post

That Burl Essence was so awesome in person. Even though it was a medium scale,the "B" string still sounded great. Nate was playing all sorts of Stanley licks with my 80 series 1,he said it just made him play them. Sam dug it also,and really appreciated me letting him play it.....watching him and Nate go back and forth on it made my day !
carsbybigd
Junior
Username: carsbybigd

Post Number: 23
Registered: 8-2014
Posted on Sunday, November 22, 2015 - 9:34 am:   Edit Post

Harry ,after playing /hearing your GK 112,I had to get 1 and it arrived last Thurs. Sounds as good as yours. Thanks.
hieronymous
Senior Member
Username: hieronymous

Post Number: 1602
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Sunday, November 22, 2015 - 5:03 pm:   Edit Post

Awesome! I've always been tempted to pick up the powered extension cabinet but never had the need. I've also been tempted to get one of the newer Fender Rumble series amps, the single 15" one, for a more old school sound, but again, haven't had the need yet.

Would love to hear how you use yours - practice? With a band?
musashi
Advanced Member
Username: musashi

Post Number: 264
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Sunday, November 22, 2015 - 5:36 pm:   Edit Post

Curious as to whether Alembic built an acoustic guitar for Janis Ian... I'm pretty sure I saw her playing one with an Alembic logo on the headstock on a talk show some years ago....
musashi
Advanced Member
Username: musashi

Post Number: 265
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Sunday, November 22, 2015 - 5:36 pm:   Edit Post

Curious as to whether Alembic built an acoustic guitar for Janis Ian... I'm pretty sure I saw her playing one with an Alembic logo on the headstock on a talk show some years ago....
elwoodblue
Senior Member
Username: elwoodblue

Post Number: 1769
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, November 23, 2015 - 4:46 am:   Edit Post

The logo has a similar shape .It looks like her name is above the logo-

http://media.al.com/birmingham-news-stories/photo/10881389-large.jpeg

http://images.cdbaby.name/j/a/janisian8.jpg
jalevinemd
Senior Member
Username: jalevinemd

Post Number: 1063
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Monday, November 23, 2015 - 9:10 am:   Edit Post

Her guitars are made by Santa Cruz.
musashi
Advanced Member
Username: musashi

Post Number: 266
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Monday, November 23, 2015 - 12:26 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks, guys. So what is the story on the Alembic acoustic guitar, and are there any acoustic bass guitars.....
carsbybigd
Junior
Username: carsbybigd

Post Number: 24
Registered: 8-2014
Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 4:38 pm:   Edit Post

Harry ,mostly practice at home ,but have used it at rehearsal with this fusion/progressive band I joined. Mostly using my Modulus Q5 as I need a 5 string.But my series 1 sounds great through it as well.

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