| Author | Message | ||
| hieronymous
Intermediate Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 130 Registered: 1-2005 |
The results of the "OK, Enough!! Time to get a Bay Area/Northern Ca. Alembic Gathering" thread.  | ||
| hieronymous
Intermediate Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 132 Registered: 1-2005 |
Some ALEMBICS!!!    | ||
| eligilam
Junior Username: eligilam Post Number: 37 Registered: 2-2006 |
Those pictures have induced a bout of tenesmus...please excuse me. WD | ||
| hieronymous
Intermediate Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 133 Registered: 1-2005 |
A couple more:   I also have some pictures from one of the jams that I'll post in a bit... | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4378 Registered: 6-2000 |
I've got a bunch of photos to share. I tried to get at least one of everybody that got up and played. Here's the stage area, l-r it's Matt, Ken, Bill (in front of Will) and John on harmonica:  Our gracious host Will on drums:  Matt playing the Electrum that I think he's getting from Bill:  Organizer Bill with his Series I:  Ken with his Excel:  | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4379 Registered: 6-2000 |
Before anyone started playing, the instruments started lining up. Here's Bill's collection:  Erik and Harry's joined soon after:  Ken's basses next to Bill's guitars:  | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1218 Registered: 2-2006 |
Gee Bill, you look sleepy! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4380 Registered: 6-2000 |
My dad talking electronics:  My husband, Bill, doing most of the video taping:  | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4381 Registered: 6-2000 |
Harry showed us how to play a doubleneck:  Ken brought out his Rogue bass:  Bill belting it out on some Dead tunes with his less-than-one-day-old-to-him 12-string:  Harry, Doc and Ken:  John:  Matt taking a lead and Ken with his Series II:  Eric and his Orion:  Bradley trying out the fretless I brought fromt eh Showroom:  | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4382 Registered: 6-2000 |
Before the instruments migrated over to the sofas for the big shot:  And after the migration, the big group:  Bill and Will did an awful lot to get the gathering together, and it was great to meet folks in person and their families too! Everyone had a great time. | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 768 Registered: 6-2002 |
Incredible! You guys are so lucky to be that close to the mothership. Kudos to Bill & Will, and I'm not worthy.... Mike | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 586 Registered: 12-2004 |
That rogue was a seriously sweet bass. Black hardware, fretless, killer neck (mahogany, purpleheart, ebony). Sounded like butter. In 5 strings, and with a knobby headstock, my wife and I would have been having "marital difficulties". Definitely sick. James showed me some examples of his work with the new engraving tool, and it looked very nice. Anyone up for metal inlays? Bradley | ||
| hieronymous
Intermediate Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 135 Registered: 1-2005 |
Wow, Mica, those pictures are great! It was awesome to meet you and your dad and everybody else! Also, the chance to play with a bunch of people was really fun too. Here are a few shots (again, taken by my wife Mika) of one of the jams. It started with me and my friend Greg DeGuglielmo on drums, who was visiting me from Boston for the week:  Matt and Ken joined in, while Doc set up his gear:  Doc disappeared, but there's Bill!  Greg and I have recorded a lot of duo stuff over the past few years, so it was nice to play like that in front of people, and then to get to play with a bunch of other people was great too! I have to say, I had a really great time - thanks Bill for coordinating! | ||
| 57basstra
Senior Member Username: 57basstra Post Number: 571 Registered: 4-2005 |
Awesome! | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 1127 Registered: 10-2002 |
Awesome indeed! Boy do I wish I'd been there. Mica, you say your husband Bill did some videotaping. Is this going to be a production we'll see on the forum sometime? Graeme. | ||
| jags
Intermediate Member Username: jags Post Number: 126 Registered: 12-2006 |
wow what an amazing day!! tis so great to see james and the Wickershams there. fantastic. 20 beautiful basses! Val's "bird of prey" was the first i noticed. that fretless did look amazing also. what a great room to jam in! just beautiful,everyone in cali. is so lucky. what a treat to have been there i'm sure. thx for the pics  cheers to many more ladies and gents! | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2270 Registered: 7-2004 |
"20 beautiful basses!" ????????? Well EXXXXXXCCCCCCCUUUUUUSSSSSSEEEEEEE ME! I go to all the trouble of helping to put this thing together and I still don't get no respect! (O.K., that's two comedy catch phrase references - thanks Steve and Rodney). Look closely and you might notice there are several NOT basses. These are called GUITARS! I know it can be difficult to tell the difference, but there are some obvious clues: 1. While they may look alike, upon closer inspection you will notice that GUITARS have STRINGS - usually 6 of them, while BASSES have thick industrial CABLES and are not consistent as to amount, though usually 4, 5, or 6; 2. GUITARS are far more attractive to the fairer gender; 3. GUITARS can be played through nice compact amplifiers. Most BASSES are played through stacks roughly the size of the Chrysler building!; 4. GUITARS are usually owned by people with less back problems! Seriously though, this was a blast. It's a lot of fun to put faces to the names we all read around here. The collection of instruments was nothing short of stunning. A big thanks to everyone who came from not only Northern California, but as far away as Seattle! A a very big thanks to Mica, Bill, and Ron who not only graced us with their friendly smiles and words, but even brought along goodies (cups and pins) for the attendees. Jamming was great. Improvising with 3 or 4 basses going was a unique and enjoyable experience. Next time you guys should really work up Spinal Tap's "Big Bottom"! LOL During one of the breaks I swear I could hear the sound of a beer bottle banging on a table wafting in with the breeze from the east. Paul???? hehehehe Bill, tgo | ||
| bkbass
Intermediate Member Username: bkbass Post Number: 137 Registered: 11-2003 |
Anybody on the East Coast interested in putting something together? | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 1128 Registered: 10-2002 |
East coast of which country? ;-) Graeme | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1391 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hm, we only have west coast here. | ||
| 57basstra
Senior Member Username: 57basstra Post Number: 573 Registered: 4-2005 |
Oh, did anyone think to bring a guitar? | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Intermediate Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 127 Registered: 10-2006 |
Since no one seems to be mentioning it, I feel I have to - beautiful dog! Peter (who also shares his home with a Golden) | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2272 Registered: 7-2004 |
That's Thor, the caretaker's dog. Very friendly. And he lays down a pretty good beat when he's lying on his side on the wooden porch while wagging his tail. Bill, tgo | ||
| hieronymous
Intermediate Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 137 Registered: 1-2005 |
Thor admiring my Alembic t-shirt:  | ||
| kenbass4
Advanced Member Username: kenbass4 Post Number: 244 Registered: 10-2003 |
Well, better late than never, I suppose. We got to the cabin right around 2:00 on a gorgeous day. I promptly added my basses to rather sizable guitar collection that Bill had emassed.     We then got down to some serious jamming, when Harry, his wife and drummer friend showed up  Eric joined in  Then Valentino and Bradley arrive to add to the collection   Bradley discussing setup with James  Then Doc arrived, and the jam was full on    Then we had the big picture  All in all, it was a GREAT TIME. Thanks again to Bill and Will for all the work that went into this. | ||
| hieronymous
Intermediate Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 139 Registered: 1-2005 |
Cool pics Ken! I like the way everyone's pictures are a little bit different, giving different views and angles on the instruments (and people!) | ||
| pace
Advanced Member Username: pace Post Number: 317 Registered: 4-2004 |
Bill, is that 12'er the one that's been listed F/S for a while now?!? if so, Im glad to see it go to a club member & someone who will put it through it's paces.... | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2273 Registered: 7-2004 |
Mike: I bought it off of ebay on the second go around. It is an amazing guitar - it plays as easy as a sixer! Bill, tgo | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1220 Registered: 2-2006 |
Bill, is that your Daion in the pic above? I remember you saying you had one or two. I really like my Daion Basses, I also have my mom's Daion Gazzelle. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2275 Registered: 7-2004 |
Olie: Sharp eye! You can see it best in the above pic where it is to the right of my black Fender Strat 12 (w/ Alembic PUs), my blue Fretlight Tele (w/ Alembic PUs). It is indeed a Daion Power Mark XX. Definitely Alembic inspired and, IMHO, the finest production line guitar ever made. I have two of these, along with a Daion 555 Headhunter (ES335 type, also an outstanding guitar), a Power Mark X, and two Daion Carribou acoustics (wanna buy one?). As you know from your basses, Daion made excellent instruments. Bill, tgo | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1221 Registered: 2-2006 |
Best eye's money can buy. LOL I agree, Daion is a very nice instrument indeed. Definately Matsumoko's best work. I played Daions all through the 80's until I switched to Kubicki's. I love the Gazelle I have, great player and impressive sound. Really wished I could have made the "gathering", with all those toys there.... sigh...maybe next time. | ||
| bkbass
Intermediate Member Username: bkbass Post Number: 138 Registered: 11-2003 |
Sorry people,I was referring to the East Coast as in New York. I thought most members would have drawn from "EAST MEETS WEST". My bad. So again I ask, does anyone have an expression of interest to have a gathering here on the aforementioned East Coast as in NY,NJ and Conn.area? | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2277 Registered: 7-2004 |
Barry: You might want to post this on a new thread in the "Alembic Basses & Guitars" section. That's how the North Cali gathering came to be. More members may notice it there. Bill, tgo | ||
| hieronymous
Intermediate Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 140 Registered: 1-2005 |
Might be a good idea to be more specific than "East Coast" - there's more to the east coast than NY/NJ/CT... | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 500 Registered: 3-2004 |
Thats true. Plus its hard to get fried green tomatoes and ocre at a diner here in Joisey. | ||
| pace
Advanced Member Username: pace Post Number: 318 Registered: 4-2004 |
Im up for an EC gathering...... I can think of at least a half dozen club members within the MA/RI/CT/NY/NJ/PA corridor.... we should make a go of it!!!!! | ||
| hieronymous
Intermediate Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 143 Registered: 1-2005 |
One thing I noticed at the end of the day was that there were no 8-string basses. When I said this to Mica, she pointed out that there were no 5-strings either! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 4944 Registered: 5-2002 |
Cool !!!!!!!! | ||
| 57basstra
Senior Member Username: 57basstra Post Number: 575 Registered: 4-2005 |
Didn't Yamaki produce Daion, not Matsumoku? | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2279 Registered: 7-2004 |
I've heard it both ways. Bill, tgo | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1229 Registered: 2-2006 |
Same here, I've heard both ways. Either way they are great instruments especially for the price. | ||
| 57basstra
Senior Member Username: 57basstra Post Number: 576 Registered: 4-2005 |
First, I have really enjoyed seeing the pics and hearing about the Alembic gatherings. Reading and seeing is the NEXT best thing to being there. (I guess unless you are next door or down the block listening, lol). I had not heard about Daions until I read you guys' posts in recent months (now years). They look great and I'm sure sound great. I know a bit about Matsumoku and I'm always on the lookout for a nice one (I have studied up on Uncle Matt a bit and have never heard or read Daion as a brand from Matsumoku. I have a (Matsumoku) Vantage Artist series 6 string guitar, neck through, string through body, brass nut, coil tap, that is one very nice guitar. Also, my main bass in my Rock and Metal heyday of the 1980s early '90s was an Aria Pro II SB 900. (I bought it because I was told it was an Alembic clone and back then I sure couldn't afford an Alembic. You reallycouldn't find one around my part of the world back then. I still have that bass.) I'm also working on a Mat Westone Pantera that is a really nice ax. Anyway, I like the idea that other brands of instruments are welcome at the gathering and are put into the sound mix as well. Thank you all for posting the pics and info. I am hoping that an Alembic Gathering can be worked out in this region so I can possibly attend. Thanks All. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2282 Registered: 7-2004 |
David: I was the lone "non-alembic interloper", bringing 5 non-Alembics. Three of them have Alembic guts: 1. Highly modified Fernandes Masterhand (3 Alembic PUs, low pass filer, 3-way Q, RMC bridge piezos, 13 pin synth access, leaf & joint inlays by Larry Robinson); 2. Fender Strat 12 (3 Alembic PUs filter and 3-way Q); 3. Optek Fretlight Tele (Alembic telecaster PUs) I also brought: 1. An Aria Pro II Rev Sound 850 - other than body shape as clear an Alembic copy as you're going to find. (18v system with humcanceller, filters and Qs) It's sweet, but it's no Alembic. 2. The Daion Power Mark XX - Alembic inspired hippie sandwich construction with 9 piece maple and rosewood assymetrical thru neck, rosewood core, ash top and back with wood (not continuous) backplates, passive elecronics with two humbuckers with coil taps (the most usuable coil taps I've encountered). Bill, tgo | ||
| hieronymous
Intermediate Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 144 Registered: 1-2005 |
Bill's non-Alembic-but-Alembic-equipped guitars were cool! I've been toying with the idea of putting Alembic pickups in my black Rickenbacker 8-string - I would love to have been able to bring the lone 8-string to this past gathering! Maybe next time. (Hmm, wonder when the next Bay Area/NC gathering will be. Maybe I can get the Ric together by then...) | ||
| smuprof
Member Username: smuprof Post Number: 54 Registered: 12-2003 |
Looks like you guys had an awesome time - as someone said, being near the mothership must be incredible! Really, really wish I could have been there . . . although I feel a bit better that I see 14 Alembic basses (and 6 guitars) and we gathered 14 Alembic basses in Dallas (no guitars -in fact, no guitarists)! We want to do it again in the fall - maybe we can get a few of "ringers" from the west coast to join us and push the total over 20 . . . | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2288 Registered: 7-2004 |
John: You're going to have to try harder next year. The "20" instrument count was of 100% Alembic instruments only. It consisted of 16 basses, 3 guitars, and Harry's Doubleneck baritone guitar/fretless bass. The five instruments I described above (April 5) were in addition to the Alembics making it a total of 25 instruments. BEAT THAT DALLAS!!!! hehehehehe Bill, tgo | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 506 Registered: 3-2004 |
For a Jersey area thingy I'm maxed out at 15 Alembics until the fretless is finished but I don't have enough stands. But I think a series 2 counts at least 2 or 3 of my excels so with the new math thats................round the 5............. carry the 1......................... oh the heck with it just get Rami there. That should be more than enough. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2290 Registered: 7-2004 |
Just remember, we have the factory in Northern Cali! Bill, tgo | ||
| smuprof
Member Username: smuprof Post Number: 56 Registered: 12-2003 |
I'm always up for a little competition I'm pretty sure we can top the total instrument category with Olie's collection - some pretty exotic stuff there, maybe another dozen. I've got a couple more as well, and I know some of the others do. Going to be hard to beat the factory, but I know there's at least one more on order for Dallas - we'll have to reach out to Houston - I know a cat there with four more - and there's more in N'awlins. | ||
| hieronymous
Intermediate Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 145 Registered: 1-2005 |
Just to keep the tally straight, my Exploiter was tuned piccolo...  | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1233 Registered: 2-2006 |
Actually John there was a couple of us in Dallas that play guitar too. Myself being one and I do believe Jorge plays guitar. P.S. It’s not nice to gloat Bill.  | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 507 Registered: 3-2004 |
Funny terminology, "We". Like fans who refer to their teams as if they were on it. "We're going to the playoffs! We just picked up Dawson in the draft" etc. But in keeping in the spirt of fellowship, We are a very fortunate group of devotees. | ||
| hieronymous
Intermediate Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 159 Registered: 1-2005 |
One more pic I've been meaning to post - this is the view looking up from the parking lot:  | ||
| 2400wattman
Senior Member Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 409 Registered: 11-2005 |
I must comment on one picture. It's the one with "Ron talking electronics" that really got me thinking. Here we have a living "Father of Invention" that has enriched our lives by offering instruments and audio products that give us better than-above average sound. To me he is in the same league as Leo Fender, Thomas Edison, Ted McCarty, and Henry Ford. Oh yes, and Enzo Ferrari. There's very few musical artists and actors that I would care to meet but men of vision and execution like these men are the ones I would love to. I'm sure as the sun rises and sets that that conversation about electronics would be way over my head, but I would've loved to have been there anyways. Thank you so much to you Ron Wickersham your family and the entire Alembic crew. | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 712 Registered: 12-2004 |
Hey, What happened to the video tapes? Any chance we'll get to see them? DVD? Bradley | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2865 Registered: 7-2004 |
Is it time to start thinking about a sequel? Bill, tgo | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1694 Registered: 2-2006 |
Hey Bill, keep me in the loop on the next one. If I have enough advance notice there is a good cahnce I can make it. I may not be able too bring my axes but I'd sure love to jam with you cats. | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1695 Registered: 2-2006 |
WOW, I need to stop "sipping" the wine while I make my White Wine Butter Sauce for my chicken pasta! That should read "I may not be able to bring too many of my basses....". ! T B "O" | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2867 Registered: 7-2004 |
Olie: Bring that sauce! lol Bill, tgo | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1696 Registered: 2-2006 |
Sauce..or SaUca.. Daaaaaaay--oH. meee, say Daa-aa--aoh...HEHEHE ....and I wanna go home... T B "O" | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1697 Registered: 2-2006 |
Oh by the way....a moment of silence for my Cowboys............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Thankyou. Go Chargers!........... T B "O" | ||
| kenbass4
Advanced Member Username: kenbass4 Post Number: 271 Registered: 10-2003 |
Hey, Bill I was just thinking about a repeat. Add me to the list, and let me know when we can do this again! Let's do this! Ken (TEO) | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 906 Registered: 12-2004 |
I might be in, depending on date. Bradley | ||
| alemberic
Member Username: alemberic Post Number: 62 Registered: 6-2006 |
Hi Bill-- I would definitely be up for another N. CA gathering! Eric |
