Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: hieronymous on August 02, 2008, 07:46:02 PM

Title: Family portrait
Post by: hieronymous on August 02, 2008, 07:46:02 PM
For a while now I've been meaning to take some pictures of my various bass together, and tonight it wasn't too hot out, the sun was starting to set so I had a lot of indirect sunlight, and I was feeling ambitious enough to drag a bunch of stands and basses out into the back yard. One shot I took is of my three Alembics:
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/54289.jpg)
L-R: '85 Spoiler/Exploiter, '75 Custom Series I Doubleneck, '03 Stanley Clarke Signature Standard
 
I know that a bunch of you have a bunch of Alembics - how about some group portraits of your families? Whether they are pictures you've already taken or you are inspired to line 'em up and take some new ones, let's see whatcha got!
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: 57basstra on August 03, 2008, 06:06:17 AM
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/54302.jpg)
 
78 Series I 6 string guitar; basses: '82 Series I 4-string; '94 Epic 6; '98 Mark King Standard 5;
 
Guild 4-string bass w/ Alembic pickups. Bought this one in a pawn shop for $150. It got me hooked on the Alembic vibe.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: briant on August 03, 2008, 12:01:56 PM
Guild 4-string bass w/ Alembic pickups. Bought this one in a pawn shop for $150. It got me hooked on the Alembic vibe.
 
That was a score and a half even if the poor bass is ugly as sin.  Though I'd love to play it in my 80's cover band. :-)
 
I'll play along and take a new family portrait today.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: 57basstra on August 03, 2008, 02:08:24 PM
It is a Guild Burnside offset flying V. They were imported from Korea, I believe (so it may not really be considered to be a Guild.) I was in a small pawn shop and saw the ax and took it down to play and noticed the Alembic logo embossed on the pickups. I had heard of Alembics most of my playing career (but I had only seen three in the flesh up to that point). I plugged it into the only small, very small bass amp in the store and was surprised at the variety of tone. Whoever rigged this one out did a fine job. It is a neckthrough bass and is very light. The light wood gives this one a very distinctive voice.  
 
I had always convinced myself the Alembics were just hype and I could live without one. As I have said in previous posts after playing this one I said to myself, Self, if this bass sounds this good with Alembic pickups, just think what a real one would sound like.  
 
My next Alembic was the Epic 6. A real player and the first six string bass I could ever do anything much with. Next the Mark King appeared and I needed a Five so she was added to the family. It has the Fatboy pickups. It plays like lightning and sounds like thunder. Next came the Series I bass. The extended horn is somewhat unusual, but if you look in the archives there are more of them around in posts than you might think. The bass posted with the Black Oak Arkansas post in the Artists section looks a great deal like this one. This Series I bass guitar is absolutely the best sounding and playing instrument I have ever had the pleasure to play. Then came the '78 six string guitar. I am still finding tones on this guitar. I consider myself to be a bass player first, but I do OK with the six banger and I am not held hostage to the whims of guitar players.  
 
I have an Aria SB 900. That bass was my main ax through a good deal of the mid-1980s and I had considered it to be close enough for Rock and Roll to Alembic for me. About ten years passed and I got the opportunity to buy the Guild Burnside and I became addicted to Alembic. The Burnside bass to me is a throwback to some of my Glory Days of playing when many players wanted the most extreme (and, yes ugly) axes they could land. Sometimes I like to play it simply because it is so light and it has a few battle scars. I cannot tell my Alembic story without including this one in the mix. It's funny, I have posted this picture twice and about the only one of my guitars anyone mentions is the Guild Burnside.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: briant on August 03, 2008, 04:08:13 PM
OK, took some pictures this afternoon out on the deck since it was a nice day.  All my other basses were jealous but they'll just have to deal. :-)
 
edit: basses are John Paul Jones Signature and a Rogue 5 with Signature electronics + master bass and treble controls.  Both basses have side neck LEDs - hence the additional switch on each.
 

(http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/54328.jpg)
 
 
To save bandwidth here I posted a bunch more over at:
 
http://www.briantimpe.com/page/familystyle.htm (http://www.briantimpe.com/page/familystyle.htm)
 
(Message edited by briant on August 03, 2008)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: hieronymous on August 03, 2008, 07:44:30 PM
David, your '82 Series I is the one that caught my eye - I really like that shape!
 
Brian, very nice JPJ!!! By the way, what kind of camera do you use?
 
This is my new wallpaper:
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/54335.jpg)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: briant on August 03, 2008, 09:14:38 PM
Brian, very nice JPJ!!! By the way, what kind of camera do you use?
 
Thank you, good sir.
 
My camera is a Nikon D40.  I've had it since December of last year and I couldn't be happier with it.  All those pictures, including the ones hosted at my website, are scaled way down from the originals.  I was lazy when I converted most of the pictures and did it with Microsoft Digital Image Suite - which does a horrid job of scaling down.  You usually wind up with a lot of distortion.  Some of the pictures were so bad that I manually converted them with Photoshop - like the one hosted here and the back shots on my site.  The one hosted here is sadly low in quality to get it under the maximum allowed attachment size.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: dtrice on August 04, 2008, 06:11:35 AM
Brian how do you like the Triple Omega shape. I am considering that shape for my future series. How does it balance to you? Weight? How does it feel when sitting down and playing? I know that's not the point of this thread but I could not help but ask.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: funkyjazzjunky on August 04, 2008, 09:51:09 AM
Keep the photos coming.  
 
I love them all
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: malthumb on August 04, 2008, 04:47:19 PM
Here are my two, with a buddy who likes to hang around from time to time.
 
Top one is a 1987 Series I, walnut
Middle one is a 2000 Mark King Dlx w/ Series II elec, coco bolo
The other is a Roscoe LG-3005 fretless, Spanish Cedar w, flame maple tobacco burst top
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/54354.jpg)
 
Peace,
 
James
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: keurosix on August 04, 2008, 05:18:57 PM
Here's my family:
'96 Epic 5 String Wenge fretless; '02 Europa 6 string Quilt Maple; 5 string Modulus Graphite Quantum TBX thru-neck CocoBolo activated; Dean Edge 6 string fretless w/ ACG EQ-02 preamp; All basses w/ FretFX LED's
 
 
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/54358.jpg)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: briant on August 04, 2008, 06:13:32 PM
Brian how do you like the Triple Omega shape. I am considering that shape for my future series. How does it balance to you? Weight? How does it feel when sitting down and playing? I know that's not the point of this thread but I could not help but ask.
 
Emailed you to keep the thread on topic. :-)
 
Great pictures, everyone!
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: longhorncat on August 04, 2008, 11:12:25 PM
Old family photo
 
 
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/54363.jpg)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: keavin on August 05, 2008, 05:03:45 AM
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/54372.jpg)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: keavin on August 05, 2008, 05:08:04 AM
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb8/keavin12/Basspic014.jpg
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: hieronymous on August 05, 2008, 04:34:40 PM
This morning I bid goodbye to my Exploiter. It wasn't easy, but I just didn't play it enough to justify keeping it, and I don't play out so the shape doesn't get the exposure it deserves. It wasn't easy - this was the first bass I bought (of many) since I got back into playing in 2002 - but it went to a fellow Alembic Club member, so at least it's still in the greater family!
 
So now my own personal Alembic family is down to this:
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/54387.jpg)
 
I know it looks like the desktop pic I posted above, but I wanted to commemorate the event officially. Also, the sale was in the works which is why I had the foresight to take the picture.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: thumbsup on August 06, 2008, 06:06:13 PM
Hello Harry! I know you might be feeling a little down about your Ex Exploiter but I asure you shes in a good home and I will keep good care of her & it was a pleasure talking to you. I will post a picture of my new family (including the Exploiter addition)soon! If your double neck ever leaves home please give her directions to my house.And again thank you for keeping the Exploiter in the Alembic Family!....Steve
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: tbrannon on August 06, 2008, 06:13:49 PM
Steve's on a roll!  Two in a week =)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: precarius on August 08, 2008, 08:30:11 AM
86 Persuader- 99 Excel- 91 Essence
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/54481.jpg)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: FC Bass on August 08, 2008, 08:56:10 AM
'87 Spoiler, '90 Elan and '83 Spoiler:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/54485.jpg)
  Sideview:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/54486.jpg)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: 3rd_ray on August 09, 2008, 10:23:18 AM
Here's my small but growing Alembic family... '08 Burl Maple Excel and '02 Tulipwood Essence... there will be an MK Deluxe here soon, I hope.  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/54535.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/54536.jpg)
  And here are a few cousins... Burl Amboyna Surine Esprit and a Carvin with Koa  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/54537.jpg)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: jacko on August 10, 2008, 02:43:51 AM
Here's my small collection...
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/54550.jpg)
 
l-r 05 rogue 5, 07 MK5DX, 96 epic 5.
 
Graeme
p.s. I know the grass needs cutting ;-)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: white_cloud on August 10, 2008, 03:13:37 AM
Graeme..be sure to make a daisy chain before cutting that grass!
 
That Rogue looks stunning (as always!)  
 
John.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: johnnyman on August 19, 2008, 09:17:14 AM
Hello Everyone.  This is my first post at this site.  I found this thread because I did a search for Exploiter bass.  What I was hoping to find was information where I can buy a hard shell case for this beauty.  I spent quite a bit of time looking through the Alembic web site but I was unable to find anything.  
 
If you know where I can buy a case for my bass, please let me know.  Thanks.
 
 
 
By the way, I love the tone of this guitar.(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/54849.jpg)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: lbpesq on August 19, 2008, 09:26:20 AM
Call Alembic.  I'm sure they can fix you up.
 
Bill, the guitar one
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: David Houck on August 19, 2008, 08:53:23 PM
Hi John, welcome to the board!  Nice Exploiter!
 
Like Bill said, give Alembic a call (http://www.alembic.com/family/contact.html).  Call during phone answering hours, which I think is something like 10 to 4 pacific.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: basstard on August 20, 2008, 04:11:21 AM
Bill (longhorncat) - I'd call that headonism! ;-)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: ajdover on August 23, 2008, 09:10:25 PM
Mine:
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/55073.jpg)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: ajdover on August 23, 2008, 09:12:28 PM
More:
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/55076.jpg)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: ajdover on August 23, 2008, 09:14:32 PM
Yet more ...
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/55079.jpg)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: basstard on August 24, 2008, 05:16:46 AM
Whoa! Alan, what do you need so many 4-strings for? Do you play all of them? Anyway - congratulations on impressive collection!
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: white_cloud on August 24, 2008, 06:15:59 AM
How about this bad boy - there are currently only four worldwide and this is the only one in the UK   A good companion for my Persuader I think! No huge variety of tones - but the tone it does have is absolute killer!
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: willie on August 24, 2008, 09:24:05 AM
Is that an old Music Man Sabre with natural finish and maple fingerboard I see there?
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: ajdover on August 24, 2008, 09:28:04 AM
It sure is!
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: pierreyves on August 24, 2008, 10:16:22 AM
adjover, I hope you play also well you have basses !!
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: David Houck on August 24, 2008, 10:52:41 AM
Alan does indeed play well!
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: ajdover on August 24, 2008, 11:03:03 AM
Thanks Dave!  You're no slouch yourself!
 
Speaking of slouches, I'm reminded of a line from the movie Caddyshack ...
 
Judge Smales: ... and I'm no slouch myself.
Ty Webb: Don't kid yourself judge.  You're a terrific slouch.
 
Alan
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: olieoliver on August 24, 2008, 11:28:19 AM
Nice collection Alan.  
 
I have a natural finish MM Sabre but mine is a rosewood fretless neck. Bought it new in October 1978.  
 
OO
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: eligilam on August 24, 2008, 02:26:06 PM
white cloud:  that looks like either a Carl Thompson or an Eshenbaugh.  I'm assuming it's neither since there are only four?  cool looking bass.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: jacko on August 25, 2008, 08:18:56 AM
Is that a wishbass John?
 
Graeme
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: willie on August 25, 2008, 09:12:28 AM
I thought so. I have a Music Man Sabre that looks identical to yours. I've had it new since 78 or 79. I'll have to put a picture of my family in here with the Sabre included. Nice to see another one.
Willie
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: white_cloud on August 26, 2008, 03:42:56 AM
Eligilam, Graeme - it is a Prometeus!  
 
Handbuilt in Italy to my exact specs/woods by the upcoming luthier Armando Pugliese. He is a classical instrument luthier who has decided to follow his real passion of building electric basses! He has a very individual philosophy about how basses should be built - I decided to buy into it!
 
Feels very much like a Wal custom to play and has the punchiest/nicest tone I have ever heard on a passive bass!
 
Woods: body - solid Ovangkol, neck - quarter sawn Padauk, fingerboard - quarter sawn cocobolo, control cover - wenge! Single Bartolini soap bar pickup.
 
I am delighted - and his prices are very modest (I dont know how he makes a profit!)
 
John.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: 57basstra on August 26, 2008, 06:25:15 PM
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/55249.png)
 
Here's my Wishbass. It's a 'Swirl'fretless.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: paulman on August 26, 2008, 06:40:31 PM
Hiya, let me be the first Guitar slinger to post my small Alembic Family.  
 
From left to right (in case you couldn't guess) is my 2002 Skylark super thick flamed maple top with a glowing mahogany back standard neck 'cept it's 25.5 scale, and then 2005 Further with the added bonus of side LED's.  The odd Further item is that it has the Further mark (F) in the serial number, but apparently there is a bass with the same 5 digit serial number.
 
BTW In the background is my 1928 Kimball Piano.  Not in pristine condition, but it sure works well when the power is out!
 
Hopefully, someday, I'll be able to birth an Alembic of my own design.  Then 3 will make the family, and that's a magic number  
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: tbrannon on August 26, 2008, 06:43:04 PM
I've never seen a Skylark and Further side by side before.  I had no idea the Skylark was so much larger.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: basstard on September 04, 2008, 12:21:08 PM
This is an alembicless family yet but it's subject to change pretty soon ;-)  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/55514.jpg)
 L-R: '79 (probably) Aria ProII Rev-Sound Bass, Malinek Fretless 5, Nexus Shining 5.  The Malinek and the Nexus are works of talented Polish luthiers. The man behind the Nexus brand, mr Jacek Kobylski, has lately worked on my Shining 5 which happens to be a bass he originally built for himself 12 years ago... This is a bass with some history. Mr Kobylski also told me he loves Alembics and considers them to be among the best instruments on the face of the planet :-)  And this is what I call headonism:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/55515.jpg)
  Soon the dream I've been dreaming for over 10 years will come true and another bass, this time with an alchemic name, will join this happy family :-)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: jacko on September 05, 2008, 01:07:29 AM
That's the first time I've seen an Aria with a fender style headstock.
This...
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/55529.jpg)
 
Is what I call Headonism ;-)
 
Graeme
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: basstard on September 05, 2008, 01:21:23 AM
Graeme - Arias with in-line headstocks weren't that uncommon but it seems the model I have is pretty rare. Plus, there's a pretty cool story behind how I got it :-)
 
And wow, your Headonism is more hedonistic than mine!
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: jacko on September 05, 2008, 01:27:58 AM
I'd like to hear that story Jarek ;-)  I had the use of an Aria SB1000 fretless around 1979/80 which was a joy to play.  
 
Graeme
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: basstard on September 05, 2008, 02:01:42 AM
OK Graeme, here goes:
 
I was recording bass parts for my 1st album ever (Days by the band Peter Pan) in a studio that was to be liquidated soon as the entire builing was to be brought down. There was a kind of a back room used as a storing place and I lurked there out of couriosity. I noticed that huuuge hardshell case, definitely roadworthy. I thought there were some keyboards inside and I asked Michal - the owner of the studio and the recording engineer - about it. He replied it was a bass so of course I got all excited and asked him if I could look inside. I could so I did and I think you've guessed what I saw :-) I was amazed because I've always loved Japanese basses from late 70s/early 80s - Ibanez Musicians, Yamaha BBs, Daions and, of course Arias. Unfortunately the Aria was in pretty sad shape - one of the tuning machines was falling apart, one of the bridge saddles was missing and, as it later occurred, none of the pots would work. However, the bass itself worked and when plugged in, it gave a beautiful sound, a bit old-school, athough definitely crying for new set of strings and a decent shielding job. Michal told me he knew the owner of the bass who had left it there about a year before and hadn't collected it since then. As the studio was to be closed, I suggested to Michal that I could take care of the bass if its owner didn't contact him and collect it before closing the studio. Unfortunately, the owner did call Michal... but then he didn't collect the bass. Michal had to take the Aria home and keep it in it huge and horribly heavy case in a cramped cellar in the basement of a block of flats where he lived. However, he gave me the owner's phone number. Of course, I gave the guy a call. It occurred he knew nearly nothing about the Aria and had no idea how good an instrument it was (or rather would be after a proper restoration). He had bought it for pennies and was toying with the idea of restoring it. He asked me to call him within a month. Of course, I did. He then told me he didn't have the time to restore it so he could sell it to me... So I bought it. For an equivalent of... $190!!!
 
I later had a luthier repaire the pots and make a new bridge saddle and I bought new tuners which I installed myself. Counting all that, this very good bass, a rare instrument with a personality, cost me an equivalent of about $260... And I've already used it to record 3 songs for Satellite's next album :-) The only things that still need to be done are replacement knobs (originals are nowhere to be found) and pickup coil switches. And a better setup. But otherwise, it's a sweet instrument!
 
Guess I got lucky :-)
 
(Message edited by basstard on September 05, 2008)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: jacko on September 05, 2008, 02:09:31 AM
Very Lucky. That's only about 130 gb pounds. I'm so jealous.
Cool story thoough.
 
graeme
 
(Message edited by jacko on September 05, 2008)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: white_cloud on September 05, 2008, 04:10:04 AM
Very nice story - adds a lot to the personal/emotional meaning and attachment of any musician to their instrument!
 
Music is, after all, at the most basic level, all about feelings
 
John.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: jazzyvee on September 06, 2008, 01:20:27 PM
Here is my extended family, including some that are no longer part of my current family.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/55667.jpg)
 
Out of that list I have sold the Musicman Sterling and replaced with an Elan 4 plus and sold the parker fly and replaced it with an Alembic Orion Guitar.
Top right is a KAPOK spanish guitar, although made in china. It is my very first guitar. The strat is a Strat Ultra which i bought during my second tour of the USA with Pato Banton, The Eggle Berlin pro is one I made from parts Eggle were selling when the company was moving from Coventry to Birmingham.
The maple strat now has alembic activator pickups and bass and treble controls.
 
 
If you look closely ... yes that is a fretless Vigier Surfretter guitar.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: lbpesq on September 06, 2008, 02:03:32 PM
Jazzyvee:
 
What is the PRS-ish guitar, fourth instrument from the bottom?
 
Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: jazzyvee on September 07, 2008, 11:22:47 AM
it's a Eggle, Berlin Pro that I made from parts I got from the http://www.patrickeggleguitars.com/berlinproht.htmlcompany (http://www.patrickeggleguitars.com/berlinproht.htmlcompany).
 
It's a nice guitar but needs some decent pickups and a new tuner and re-finishing . But since I have a few others to choose from it  hardly gets a look in. The neck is very slim similar to my orion and has an ebony fretboard too.
 
I do plan to get it back to playable state soon.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: white_cloud on September 09, 2008, 04:30:00 AM
Jazzy, So nice to see a Vigier lurking in amongst your collection - great guitars!
 
John.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: wayne on September 10, 2008, 09:12:13 PM
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/56001.jpg)
 
89AM008, 0012276, 0212805, Martin BC-40, college project, 1934 American Standard
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: jacko on September 11, 2008, 12:55:50 AM
Nice collection Wayne. Interesting looking amp too.
 
graeme
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: daveski on September 11, 2008, 10:29:50 AM
Very nice,any chance of some larger photos.......
 
My eyes aren't what they used to be!!!!!
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: olieoliver on September 11, 2008, 10:36:22 AM
A little input on Waynes chillins' above.  
 
The Fretless in the middle is DA BOMB!  
 
OO
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: wayne on September 11, 2008, 08:30:02 PM
this was the quickie jpg I found.  i'll dig up (have my wife dig up) the original non-email sized photo.
 
the amp is my Bag End 15, PLX 1602, with 2 F1Xs.  Looks odd cause I had the pre's in one soft rack and the QSC in another at that time.
 
thanks Olie, I'm partial to that one too, although it ranks #2 on the preferred player list.
 
C-Ya.........wayne
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: flaxattack on September 17, 2008, 11:39:57 PM
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/56329.jpg)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: basstard on September 18, 2008, 01:02:34 AM
Jeff - this is a family you can be REALLY proud of!
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: jacko on September 18, 2008, 01:06:35 AM
Nice shot Jeff. Good to see the Classico shares floorspace with the other two.
 
Graeme
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: dannobasso on September 20, 2008, 05:30:25 PM
My latest family shot, wood this time. The Stambaugh is in there because it has signature electronics.
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/56392.jpg)
 
(Message edited by dannobasso on September 21, 2008)
 
(Message edited by dannobasso on September 21, 2008)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: dannobasso on September 20, 2008, 05:47:42 PM
Black Beauties with the Shylark for a splash of color!
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/56399.jpg)
 
(Message edited by dannobasso on September 21, 2008)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: jacko on September 22, 2008, 01:41:06 AM
Fantastic collection Danno.
 
Graeme
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: new2alembic on September 22, 2008, 08:19:26 AM
Danno you have a beautiful family there.  Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: basstard on September 22, 2008, 12:55:46 PM
That's a beautiful collection, Danno! Are you going to add more balck beauties to it? A 4, a 6, maybe an 8?... ;-)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: rushfan on September 22, 2008, 01:57:28 PM
nice collection, hopefully ill get my dragon one day. also earlier i saw a jpj signature, nice!
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: dannobasso on September 22, 2008, 04:09:40 PM
A black 10 Excel w/ rouge guts and leds is on order. Hence the sale of other basses.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: dannobasso on September 24, 2008, 08:02:22 PM
geetarz(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/56594.jpg)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: jphilauren on September 25, 2008, 10:42:11 AM
Here's my Boutique Family. Thanks to Forum members for selling their Alembics.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: jphilauren on September 25, 2008, 10:45:47 AM
Here's my Family again, must have been shy to have photo taken(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/56619.jpg)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: jedisan on September 25, 2008, 11:27:21 AM
the kid's are alright...
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/56624.jpg)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: tbrannon on September 25, 2008, 11:32:27 AM
I love the top and black hardware on that brown bass (did you get that one from Will Gunn?).  The buckeye is lovely as well.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: jedisan on September 25, 2008, 11:42:46 AM
Thanks for your comments... yes, the short scale came from Will, a real nice guy I might add.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: rrozzie on September 25, 2008, 11:54:24 AM
Wow.... 5 Alembics so close to the pool; I'm nervous just looking at them..... They are beauties!
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: jphilauren on September 25, 2008, 01:28:04 PM
Only have 2 Alembics at present, actually looking for another. From left to right Frenz 6  String, Warwick Thumb Neck thru 5, Exploiter bought from member, Pedulla Thunder bass 5,  Exploiter bought from member, Kawai
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: gtrguy on September 26, 2008, 11:01:29 AM
Nice Mockingbird, Danno. Early eighties?
 
Bye,
Dave
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: svlilioukalani on November 18, 2008, 04:01:39 AM
I still blame Brad for all of this. I was very happy with my Warwick. Then I bought that first Epic from Brad. Where does it end? How many basses can fit on one small sailboat?  
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/58638.jpg)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: David Houck on November 19, 2008, 01:37:12 PM
I don't think I've seen that many Alembics in the cabin of a sailboat before.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: hydrargyrum on November 19, 2008, 01:43:52 PM
My comment is a little bit late, but that really is a beautiful collection Tim.  I especially like the Burl models.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: pierreyves on December 30, 2008, 03:59:34 AM
My little familiy, from left to right:
1/ SC deluxe coco bolo vermillon look, vermillon core tuned ADGC
2/ SC deluxe coco bolo, tuned EADG
3/ MK 5 deluxe coco bolo, tuned EADGC
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/59658.jpg)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: FC Bass on January 03, 2009, 03:56:26 PM
2009 complete Family pic :-)  
 
 
(Click on the picture for a slightly larger version)
 
Extremely loud 2009 to everyone!
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: crobbins on January 03, 2009, 10:13:19 PM
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/59833.jpg)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: pierreyves on January 08, 2009, 03:08:57 AM
others pictures of my family:  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/59938.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/59939.jpg)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: tmoney61092 on January 08, 2009, 01:49:49 PM
wow, i really like the MK 5 Deluxe, very nice wood and very cool headstock
 
~Taylor
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: keavin on January 09, 2009, 05:06:34 AM
 
 
(Message edited by keavin on January 09, 2009)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: keavin on January 09, 2009, 05:13:02 AM
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/59981.jpg)serial number #12
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: FC Bass on March 12, 2009, 02:29:02 PM
This topic must stay alive!
 
Not the best picture, but here's my Alembic family with brand new member:
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/62479.jpg)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: gregduboc on March 12, 2009, 05:25:39 PM
There is nothing like a new member to the family.... Specially such a pretty one! Congratulations!
Man, I need a family myself...
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: eligilam on March 12, 2009, 05:30:16 PM
Hey Flip you need a Ric to make your Cliff collection complete!  Ever try to learn that short but sweet Day on the Green bass solo???  Congrats on the fretless, by the way.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: hieronymous on March 12, 2009, 10:02:53 PM
Best way to bump a thread - with pictures!
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: hieronymous on March 23, 2009, 10:23:58 PM
Welcoming the newest addition to the family:
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/62879.jpg)
 
All of these basses are related in a way - the oldest is the Starfire I in the back right - similar to the basses that Alembic modified for Phil Lesh and Jack Casady, so obviously an influence on the Series I doubleneck back left. The fretless Guild M-85 front right is my newest - I've been wanting a short scale fretless, now I've got one! It's a development of the Starfire - it has Guild humbuckers instead of Bisonics (just over the cusp), the headstock shape is different, etc. The Epiphone Allen Woody front left belongs to my wife, and was clearly influenced by the Guilds (maybe even some Alembic influence, though not obvious).  
 
Each instrument is also short scale - 30 (except the fretless neck on the doubleneck). I'm a step closer to restringing the 30 neck of the doubleneck in standard Bass VI tuning as I call it: EADGBE, though EADGCF might be interesting too.
 
Basically, an excuse to show off my new instrument - the light was inadequate, but it captures the moment...
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: briant on April 15, 2009, 07:15:55 PM
Had to update the family portrait today.  The new (to me) member is the Essence (92K7142)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63759.jpg)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: David Houck on April 17, 2009, 05:35:16 PM
Cool Essence!!
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: FC Bass on April 18, 2009, 02:13:55 PM
Brutal Triple omega!!
 
Updated 2009 family pic:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/64004.jpg)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: krystoof on April 21, 2009, 08:37:53 AM
Hi, everybody!
    Here is my Alembic bass...(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/64111.jpg)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: olieoliver on April 21, 2009, 08:56:20 AM
Very nice  bass Christophe. Is that a Walnut top I see? If so you don't see that body with wlanut very often. Very cool.
 
OO
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: 57basstra on April 21, 2009, 09:03:23 AM
nice
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: jazzyvee on April 23, 2009, 05:53:01 AM
I just took some pics of my nude alembic family today mainly to try out my recent cameral lens on purchase.
Top to bottom: Europa 5 Bocate (bought from a forum member.)
Orion Baritone: (bought from a forum Member)
Stanley Clarke Deluxe: Bought New.
Orion: Upgraded to Filter and 3 position Q-switch. (Bought new from Germany).
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/64277.jpg)
 
 
I really want to beg steal or borrow a load of guitar stands to take a photo of my complete guitar collection during the summer.
Jazzyvee
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: jacko on April 23, 2009, 05:56:38 AM
I have half a dozen you can borrow Jazzy. of course, you'd have to bring your collection up here to photograph and I can't guarantee you'd be taking them all back home ;-)
 
Graeme
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: jazzyvee on April 23, 2009, 09:09:48 AM
Wow you planning to buy them all off me then?
Seems the recession hasn't hit north of the border then .. hahaha
Jazzyvee
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: jacko on April 24, 2009, 04:43:10 AM
The border here was traditionally the home of border reivers (i.e. sheep rustlers). My mum has traced our Northumbrian history back to those days and it seems rogueishness might just run in the family ;-)
 
Graeme
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: jakebass on April 24, 2009, 04:47:11 AM
Love that Europa Jazzyvee
Jake
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: tbrannon on April 24, 2009, 08:07:08 AM
Jazzy,
 
Did you sell the purple quilted maple Elan with the double P setup?
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: jazzyvee on April 25, 2009, 12:34:43 AM
Sell that Elan....... are you crazy. No, when I was taking the photo's the colour of it was quite loud compared to the natural wood tones of the others and the rug they  are laid out on so that's why i excluded it.
Purely for aesthetic reasons.
 
The Elan is still mine.
 
Jazzyvee
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: tdukes on April 27, 2009, 06:39:49 PM
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/64512.jpg)
 
Here are most of my favorite guitars that I currently own. The Tribute and Series I are what I play most of the time.
 
I did the wall when Brook Mays went out of business. I was able to get the hangers for pretty cheap.
 
Todd.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: jazzyvee on April 28, 2009, 05:15:28 AM
I often wonder if it is a good idea to hang guitars up like that all the time.  I notice many of the guitar shops do that. I hang my acoustic guitar and one other electric guitar on one of those brackets and everytime  I pick the acoustic up to play, the tuning has changed. It is noticeably warmer up there on the wall than it is when seated so I presume thats one of the reasons. All my others are kept in cases.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: tdukes on April 28, 2009, 05:33:37 AM
I normally don't leave the Birdland or the Eastman archtop out. They usually stay in their case with a humidipak.  
 
How sensitive are solid body guitars to being out of their case? I do have a humidifier in the room.
 
Todd.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: olieoliver on April 28, 2009, 06:35:54 AM
I used to keep all my instruments in their cases unless I was playing them. I kept noticing a lot of fret buzz when ever I played them do to the neck not have any relief. After the bass sat out for a few hours I would notice the buzz gone and the relief back in the neck.  
I now keep them all on wall hangers in my little studio. The necks all stay in perfect shape now.  
 
OO
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: hendixclarke on May 09, 2009, 02:18:52 PM
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/65003.jpg)
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: hendixclarke on May 09, 2009, 07:10:56 PM
I have a Dis-functional family (I know...), and they don't all carry the Alembic Pedigree, but I still love them equally.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: altgrendel on May 10, 2009, 03:56:22 PM
Hal:
 
What's the blue one? Looks really interesting.
Title: Re: Family portrait
Post by: hendixclarke on May 10, 2009, 04:47:25 PM
That's a OHagan full neck through bass.  
 
It was a rare find for the company is no-more...
 
I removed/replaced all the electronics and hardware and added bigsby.
 
The neck is very skinny and fast. Just like I like them... Broom Stick Quick...
 
I almost gave this bass proper burial, but after retro-fitting its the best (homemade) fretless bass I ever played (so far).
 
Having my Alembic as the yard stick, helped.
 
Yeah, OHagan was one of those companies that tried to go mainstream, and in the process, the quality fell big time... I personally understand why...  
 
But, I gave it a new life from a peanut butter spread, to now spreading smooth like butter on soft bread.