| Author | Message | ||
| chuck
Intermediate Member Username: chuck Post Number: 168 Registered: 3-2005 |
They were everywhere, About 21 guitars and basses.Alembic owners came out of knowhere with some beautiful and unique instruments. Wait a few days and pictures will be posted.Thanks to all who showed up.Just got back and im tired.Later. Chuck | ||
| precarius
Advanced Member Username: precarius Post Number: 227 Registered: 11-2005 |
Here's a teaser.  (Message edited by Precarius on July 23, 2007) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5340 Registered: 5-2002 |
I just got in, and I'm tired too! It's interesting. Although I had never met Alan, Chuck and Mike in person, I felt a kinship with all three of them. All three are great guys and it was very nice to be able to spend time with them. In fact, the day ended to soon; we spent so much time gawking at all the beautiful instruments, we didn't get to do any organized group playing; and I wish we could have spent more time together. I did get to hear Alan play, and he's a great player, as Mica had told me earlier. And I tried out a lot of the basses. I especially enjoyed the tone of Mike's Excel; and I now know why Rami and others love Excels with Ash bodies. Also joining us was Ryan and his absolutely gorgeous Tribute. And a couple other Alembic owners came by with more beautiful guitars and basses. Another bass I enjoyed playing was Alan's SC; I think he was concerned I might take it home with me. Alan brought a lot of beautiful basses. For me, the most special bass there was Alan's red Essence, just for where it's been; it was nice just being there with that bass. And I finally got to hold a Dragon's Wing; and I played a Spyder! And there was a really nice Distillate, and a really nice Elan, and a really nice Europa; and I'm going to stop here; but no, before I stop I want to say that Kim was an excellent host, and a really nice person, and if your looking for an Alembic dealer in North Carolina, you might want to drop in and see him. He seemed to be having as good a time as we were having just looking at all the instruments. Did I mention the S1 guitars, and the ... | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5341 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hah!!! See, I told you I got to play a Spyder. Thanks again guys; it was a great day! | ||
| kshoe
New Username: kshoe Post Number: 4 Registered: 7-2007 |
Thanks to all that came to Shomaker Guitars today. We had a great turn out. WOW! Nice Alembic Guitars and Basses. 21 of them. Count 'em 21. Great people and Great players! Kim Shomaker / Shomaker Guitars | ||
| hieronymous
Intermediate Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 165 Registered: 1-2005 |
That Spyder looks AWESOME!!! Sounds like you had a fun gathering. I'm still stoked from the NC (Northern California, not North Carolina!)/San Francisco Bay Area one. No Spyder there though! | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 816 Registered: 2-2005 |
Looks like I missed good time. I was out of town on business last week and didn't get in until late Friday night. Not only was I tired but also felt it best to stay home with the wife before we are both back off to work on Monday. I second Dave's comments about great people. After having been guests in a couple of your homes or meeting somewhere else you have been some of the nicest folks I've met. Keith | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5342 Registered: 5-2002 |
Alan sent the following pictures. I've edited some of them to get the size down, and some to adjust light.                 | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5343 Registered: 5-2002 |
That's Mike on the far left, then Chuck, Alan, I can't remember this guy's name but he's a long time Alembic owner since I think '75 and brought several instruments, then Ryan, and then I can't remember this guy's name either and I don't have all the stories straight but his S1 guitar was bought new by his father. Four pictures up, Kim, our host, is behind and to the left of Mike. My apologies; if I don't write stuff down, I don't remember it. Hopefully, someone can fill in the missing names. | ||
| kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 608 Registered: 8-2003 |
Whose early Small Standard bass was that? It's gorgeous. | ||
| kshoe
New Username: kshoe Post Number: 5 Registered: 7-2007 |
That's John Clontz with the black and white shirt and Christopher Clontz with the 75 S1. Christopher is the son of the late great Alan Clontz | ||
| precarius
Advanced Member Username: precarius Post Number: 228 Registered: 11-2005 |
Here are a few more.       | ||
| bigyouth
Member Username: bigyouth Post Number: 52 Registered: 7-2006 |
les photos sont MAGNIFIQUE! GREAT PICTURE and GREAT BASS&bass player | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 823 Registered: 6-2002 |
I would love to see more pics of that zebrawood guitar. That thing is downright juicy. | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 535 Registered: 11-2003 |
I too must chime in and say what a great time it was. Everyone I met was just a great person. Special kudos go to Kim Shomaker who graciously allowed us to hold this event at his fine establishment. I must say Dave is one hell of a player. He certainly played circles around me, that's for sure. In any event, I consider the gathering a complete success if for only one reason - we got pictures of Dave playing a Spyder! Dave, Mike, John, Chuck, Kim, and everyone ... thanks for making this such a great day for me personally and for all concerned. Alan | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5347 Registered: 5-2002 |
KFS; the "early small standard" belongs to John Clontz. I didn't hear the whole story, so hopefully if Kim sees this he can fill in and correct, or maybe one of the other guys heard the whole story, but I'm thinking John said that he built it, or modified it, and had a friend of his put together the electronics. Sorry, there was just so much to take in. Kim; thanks for filling in the names! Alan's just being modest and gracious; I heard him do a number of things that put a big smile on my face. And again, I regret that we never got around to some organized playing where everyone could play together, or as Chuck put it, where we could actually play some songs. | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 1271 Registered: 10-2002 |
Looks like you guys had a really cool time. Wish I could have been there. Graeme | ||
| rpm
New Username: rpm Post Number: 6 Registered: 8-2006 |
what a showcase!....great time, great people. Look forward to another gathering. Thanks Kim and to all of my new-found Alembic friends! Ryan | ||
| lidon2001
Advanced Member Username: lidon2001 Post Number: 325 Registered: 4-2005 |
I'm with KFS - anymore shots of the Small Std. with creme pickups? Any pics of the inlays? Looks to be a medium scale. Yum! Oops - didn't see the one above - what a bass - please post more if you have them. (Message edited by lidon2001 on July 23, 2007) | ||
| precarius
Advanced Member Username: precarius Post Number: 230 Registered: 11-2005 |
Yeah- It was a great time. I felt like a fat kid in a candy store (or a fat guy in a room full of Alembics!) Chuck, Alan, Dave, Ryan, Kim, John, and Christopher are all great guys. Especially Dave. He gave me a 10% discount for paying my Advanced Member dues to him in cash! Seriously, it was a well-spent Saturday. I would drive 100 miles to see 21 Alembics any day. Mike (Message edited by Precarius on July 24, 2007) | ||
| precarius
Advanced Member Username: precarius Post Number: 231 Registered: 11-2005 |
I will try to Photoshop a solo picture of the small standard Series 1. It had a lot of electronic modifications including a switch for a Wah-wah bass setting. It also had a nut that was made of quartz! Mike | ||
| precarius
Advanced Member Username: precarius Post Number: 232 Registered: 11-2005 |
Here's just the small standard.   | ||
| kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 609 Registered: 8-2003 |
Incredible. Thanks, Mike! | ||
| artswork99
Junior Username: artswork99 Post Number: 23 Registered: 7-2007 |
When and where is the next North Carolina gathering? I would love to be a part of it! What a beautiful collection of instruments! | ||
| chuck
Intermediate Member Username: chuck Post Number: 184 Registered: 3-2005 |
Art. Anytime any place. I would suggest that we have one or more drummers and guitar players,also make it an all day affair so every one gets to do their own thing. And maybe a vocalist or two. My place is an option however it is a bit of drive for those living out west{40 miles north of Durham}. Its possiable Kim may wish to host another one but I'll let him chime in with his thoughts on this. Chuck | ||
| artswork99
Junior Username: artswork99 Post Number: 27 Registered: 7-2007 |
Thanks Chuck, I will certainly stay in tune with the forum so that I don't miss another NC meet! Art | ||
| kshoe
New Username: kshoe Post Number: 6 Registered: 7-2007 |
I'll be glad to be the host. Anytime Please look at my website. shomakerguitars.com Thank, Kim Shomaker | ||
| terryc
Advanced Member Username: terryc Post Number: 253 Registered: 11-2004 |
Wonder how much the plane ticket is from UK to North Carolina..what a lovely sight. Some outstanding basses & guitars and of course you have to wear your alembic T as I did when I visited the factory in 2000. | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 2544 Registered: 9-2002 |
Where there also tables with first full and than empty bottles to bang on with ??? Great brothers! PTBO | ||
| deano
New Username: deano Post Number: 10 Registered: 7-2007 |
Outstanding!! Thanks for posting the photos. It's nice to put faces & Alembics with some of the names here. Wish I could have been there. Dean | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5473 Registered: 5-2002 |
Paul; no, there were no tables with full and empty bottles. But as Terry pointed out, there were some nice T-shirts! | ||
| chuck
Advanced Member Username: chuck Post Number: 201 Registered: 3-2005 |
Paul. Would a large parking lot and a pickup tailgate qualify? Chuck | ||
| chuck
Advanced Member Username: chuck Post Number: 202 Registered: 3-2005 |
Paul. Would a large parking lot and a pickup tailgate qualify? Chuck | ||
| dtrice
Intermediate Member Username: dtrice Post Number: 106 Registered: 10-2006 |
Let me know if there is another gathering like this. I wanna come, too! So many Alembics, so little time! | ||
| ubado
Junior Username: ubado Post Number: 23 Registered: 8-2007 |
Count me in for the next NC GTG. :-) | ||
| artswork99
Intermediate Member Username: artswork99 Post Number: 145 Registered: 7-2007 |
Chaz, Does this mean that your Epic has arrived? Please post some pictures when it does. The next NC gathering will be my first as well! Art (Message edited by artswork99 on October 09, 2007) | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 83 Registered: 6-2014 |
Thought I'd bump this thread... looks like it may have been a while since a Gathering took place around here. I'm in Southwest Virginia, only a couple hours away from Raleigh/Durham. I might could even find an appropriate venue and make such an event happen up this way too. Inclement weather is almost always in question in the mid-Atlantic from November until March, especially out here in the mountains... but if anybody's up for planning a Spring Fever Alembic Gathering, VA-NC-TN Edition, chime in here; if it takes off, I'll start a new thread. | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 1028 Registered: 11-2003 |
Yeah, it's been a while. We should plan something. |
