Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: gregduboc on April 16, 2009, 08:05:55 AM

Title: Paintjobs
Post by: gregduboc on April 16, 2009, 08:05:55 AM: Hey everyone!
I was checking out Daniel's new bass, the three pickup monster, and I saw that he is going to have his bass painted.
I was wondering, how many Alembics out there have a painted top, from straight single color, to a different artwork?
Have you got any pictures?
I have been considering a partially painted Alembic (I know most of you will want to kill me for this), that could give me even more stage attention, and I wanted to see some that have the wood top hidden.

Greg
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: dannobasso on April 16, 2009, 09:09:42 AM: This will be my 8th non-clear finish. Some folks don't approve but then, they aren't paying my bills to Santa Rosa. Follow your dreams and be confident that Alembic will do a great job on the finish.
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: FC Bass on April 16, 2009, 09:17:30 AM: Do diy jobs count?
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63806.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63807.jpg)
was:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63808.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63809.jpg)
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: gregduboc on April 16, 2009, 09:33:59 AM: Danno, do you have some pictures to share? I'm also looking for ideas, so it wouldn't be bad!
I see what you mean... but it is not like we are ordering the perfect cocobolo top and spray painting it!
It's just that I feel like adding a little bit more personality and personal touch to my bass, and I don't think there is nothing wrong with it!

Greg

(Message edited by gregduboc on April 16, 2009)
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: gregduboc on April 16, 2009, 09:38:32 AM: Of course they do, Flip!
I was considering painting just the book-matched top and back, leaving the center (neck-through) showing the laminates and wood.
Did you send your bass back to the Mothership for the paintjob, or a luthier handled it?

Greg
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: FC Bass on April 16, 2009, 10:09:22 AM: I did this myself.
She was in pretty bad shape and sweat made the bass look almost ugly after one year of gigs...

It's not a super job but it still looks good after 2 years.

If I ever become extremely wealthy, I'm going to send her to Santa Rosa for a clear coat refinish. (and get me an original '83 black Spoiler)
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: mike1762 on April 16, 2009, 10:46:36 AM: My "Green" bass: Front
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63817.jpg)
Back
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63818.jpg)
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: serialnumber12 on April 16, 2009, 10:52:09 AM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63824.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63825.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63826.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63827.jpg)
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: serialnumber12 on April 16, 2009, 11:00:06 AM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63831.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63832.jpg)
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: adriaan on April 16, 2009, 11:12:01 AM: Keavin, the Purple Princess actually has a natural wood colour - purpleheart!
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: serialnumber12 on April 16, 2009, 11:15:14 AM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63840.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63841.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63842.jpg)
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: briant on April 16, 2009, 12:41:06 PM: That purple Rogue above is not painted - it has a purpleheart top on it. :-)

My latest family member is painted - rather beautifully I think!

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63845.jpg)
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: 57basstra on April 16, 2009, 01:48:34 PM: Colorful thread
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: mike1762 on April 16, 2009, 02:14:58 PM: I love that Purpleheart top. Why don't Purpleheart stringers look as purple as that top?
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: olieoliver on April 16, 2009, 02:24:38 PM: The PH stringers in my Alpha Omega (http://www3.alembic.com/img/inst/13853_pegheadbackL.jpg) bass look very purple more so than any of my other basses. Then again the Ebony on either side of the PH probably accents the contrast.

OO
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: gregduboc on April 16, 2009, 02:39:10 PM: Thanks guys!!
Indeed, a very colourful thread.... Something I haven't seen around here that much!
Some beautiful basses you guys have! I wasn't expecting so many, so fast!
A lot of stuff to look at carefully!

Greg
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: gregduboc on April 16, 2009, 02:42:55 PM: Apart from Flip, did all of you had your basses painted during birth at the Mothership? Or was it panted by some luthier?

Greg
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: FC Bass on April 16, 2009, 02:49:09 PM: Forgot my Stormburst (Alembic finish) Elan:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63849.jpg)
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: gregduboc on April 16, 2009, 02:55:53 PM: Flip, that is not something to forget!!!
Beautiful as well!!

Greg
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: FC Bass on April 16, 2009, 03:01:44 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63852.gif)

Thanx!
In my defence: I forgot about the color because I'm so used to it
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: tbrannon on April 16, 2009, 05:16:49 PM: Does this honey tint count as color? My 08 Elan
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63858.gif)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63859.gif)
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: gregduboc on April 16, 2009, 05:24:39 PM: Of course it does Toby, of course it does!!!

Greg
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: tbrannon on April 16, 2009, 05:32:52 PM: If you like 'em colored, check the Elan section in the showcase. There are 4 or 5 beauties in there. Quite a few colored spoilers too...
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: lbpesq on April 16, 2009, 05:36:27 PM: How about this amber stain?
(One should never pass up a good opportunity to show their Alembic!)

Bill, tgo

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63867.jpg)
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: gregduboc on April 16, 2009, 05:37:34 PM: That sounds like homework! I'll check 'em right away. Thanks for the tip!

Greg
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: gregduboc on April 16, 2009, 05:41:33 PM: Hey Bill, amazing!!!
Please, never let an opportunity like this pass!!!

Greg
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: bsee on April 16, 2009, 06:44:07 PM: You guys have a bunch of pics of stained basses, but not many painted ones. Look up the Chromalusion paint job. I think I've seen two or three of them and they are wonderful in person. If I were going to have a painted Alembic, it would be some Chromalusion color. I prefer my natural woods, or maybe a little stain on a piece of maple, but that paint is alive.

I know I saw a purple one, and I think there was a burgundy and a black. Not sure how many of these have been done.

-bob
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: tbrannon on April 16, 2009, 06:50:08 PM: Bob-

David Burgess had a black Rogue made for his shop in Sydney. It has black Spectraflare paint, which I think looks awfully slick. Here is the link to the bass on his website. I came awfully close to buying it while I was living in NZ, but was looking for a 5 at the time.

http://basspeople.cart.net.au/details/2230685.html (http://basspeople.cart.net.au/details/2230685.html)
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: bsee on April 16, 2009, 06:54:13 PM: That looks like the same stuff, Toby, or at least the same concept.
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: gregduboc on April 16, 2009, 06:55:24 PM: Ok. Now I need a picture of a Chromalusion colored bass!!
Please don't let me die of curiosity!

Greg
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: tbrannon on April 16, 2009, 07:05:20 PM: Here you go Greg- I tried uploading the picture for you, but it's too large and I don't have any programs on this laptop to shrink it.

http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/1819.html?1172366081 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8906)
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: gregduboc on April 16, 2009, 07:21:08 PM: Thanks Toby. No worries on the uploading, a link is just fine.
That is one sick paint job!! I wasn't aware they made such thing!!
Sorry not to answer quickly, I was chasing a rat in my kitchen with my BB Gun. Final result: Greg 1, Rats 0.

Greg
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: gregduboc on April 16, 2009, 07:24:27 PM: Just to add more color to this thread, some pictures from the link:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63880.jpg)
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: gregduboc on April 16, 2009, 07:25:50 PM: And another one:
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: gregduboc on April 16, 2009, 07:27:41 PM: And yet, another one:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63887.jpg)

Greg
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: mica on April 16, 2009, 08:21:52 PM: One technical note: none of the pictures show stained wood. All the color is in the paint suspended between clear layers and is 100% reversible. With stain, you get what you've got.

For the Chromalusion, I can only think of about 5 instruments that we've done in that finish. Two colors used: Black Fire and Blue Steel. I'll try to dig up a photo of a couple of them to add to this thread.
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: mica on April 16, 2009, 08:39:54 PM: Wow, some days I am so awesome. I actually found some photos of a Black Fire Chromalusion:

(http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/63901.jpg)

(http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/63902.jpg)

(http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/63903.jpg)

These photos were before I leaned about the power of the monopod (http://www.amazon.com/Bogen-Manfrotto-Automatic-Monopod-Black/dp/B00009R6G7/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1239939509&sr=1-16), sorry about the motion blur.
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: briant on April 16, 2009, 08:53:56 PM: I love that Purpleheart top. Why don't Purpleheart stringers look as purple as that top?

My two Alembics with purpleheart stringers are that purple. I'm fairly sure that a lot of the vibrant color (or colour as it were) of purpleheart depends on the piece of wood. I've made a few different wood projects with purpleheart and some wind up being more brownish after sanding/finishing. Roll of the dice?
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: thebass on April 16, 2009, 11:33:15 PM: This is my painted Persuader. Body and Neck are purple painted maple.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63913.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63914.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63915.jpg)
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: gregduboc on April 17, 2009, 06:04:35 AM: Mica, thank you so much for those pictures and the technical info. I wasn't aware that it was reversible. Indeed, you are awesome!!

Greg
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: gregduboc on April 17, 2009, 06:07:23 AM: Werner, you've got yourself one beautiful bass... Thanks for the photos!

Greg
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: gregduboc on April 17, 2009, 07:01:48 AM: Mica, so all I have to do is to have my bass painted between two clear layers...? That will make it absolutely reversible in case I regret one day then?

Greg
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: David Houck on April 17, 2009, 05:51:19 PM: Mica; as far as I have been able to determine,
you are so awesome every day.

Greg; so you're saying that you've been here since November and haven't yet devoured every picture in the Showcase section, the Factory to Customer section, and the Featured Custom (COTM) section?

Please have these sections finished by next Friday. There will be a test.
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: gregduboc on April 17, 2009, 09:17:44 PM: Dave, don't be fooled!! I have seen basically every picture around here, but I decided to get them together to make everyone's life easier, specially mine!!!
And some good stuff showed up, right?
About the test, will there be a 4-stringed prize if I pass??

Greg
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: David Houck on April 17, 2009, 09:34:33 PM: Sure; I've probably got four used strings around here somewhere.
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: gregduboc on April 17, 2009, 09:47:57 PM: Ok, and I will take the bass that they are set up in as well. I need a place to transport them...
Greg
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: David Houck on April 17, 2009, 09:56:48 PM: Oh, you meant fishin' strings and the bass that the hooks are set up in. Sorry, don't have any bass around here; but I think Bill might have some trout.
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: jazzyvee on April 18, 2009, 04:17:45 AM: Here is my Elan. Although it looks more reddish in the top photo's It is actually more purple like on the lower two pics. It's an all maple body and neck.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63977.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63978.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63979.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63980.jpg)
Jazzyvee
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: gregduboc on April 18, 2009, 06:03:28 AM: Beautiful Jazzy, kinda looks like candy... !
Huuuummm.....

Greg
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: gregduboc on April 18, 2009, 06:10:52 AM: No Dave... I only fish with dynamite!!
But instead of a fish, why don't you get me a Spyder...?
Perhaps we have a deal?

Greg
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: dannobasso on April 18, 2009, 06:55:21 AM: http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/54287.html?1240014916 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=1442)

scroll down to the blackness if you like.
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: gregduboc on April 18, 2009, 06:58:42 AM: Danno, if I may:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/63987.jpg)

Greg
Title: Paintjobs
Post by: briant on April 18, 2009, 10:09:56 AM: I am seriously diggin' that purple Elan.