Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: mica on September 17, 2010, 04:09:21 PM

Title: Before and After
Post by: mica on September 17, 2010, 04:09:21 PM

Wouldn't it be great if someone collected images of wood before it was made into an Alembic and after to demonstrate the transformation the wood goes through? Here's one:
 
B E F O R E

(http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/86368.jpg)
 
 
A F T E R

(http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/86369.jpg)
 
 
You can see what just a little more sanding does to change the grain, and how the colors mellow a little in even a short time after sanding. There's always surprises where the elbow cut is carved.  
 
This Rogue 6-string is also one I just posted in the  Alembic Showroom (http://alembic.stores.yahoo.net/rogue6cocobolo.html)
 
(Message edited by davehouck on September 17, 2010)

Title: Before and After
Post by: briant on September 17, 2010, 04:27:20 PM

More of those, please.   It's terribly interesting to me to see how much wood changes with sanding/working/finishing.

Title: Before and After
Post by: David Houck on September 17, 2010, 04:31:59 PM

Cool!  And a nice piece of Coco Bolo!

Title: Before and After
Post by: rjmsteel on September 17, 2010, 06:49:43 PM

I\ve seen one of those Coco Bolo Rogue shaped basses going through them changes... and its improving with each process!
 
Nice looking Rogue there Mica and definitely mellower on the orange hues from the before example.

Title: Before and After
Post by: lidon2001 on September 17, 2010, 08:06:56 PM

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/86381.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/86382.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/86383.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/86384.jpg)

Title: Before and After
Post by: David Houck on September 17, 2010, 08:13:57 PM

Those are two beautiful instruments!

Title: Before and After
Post by: mario_farufyno on September 17, 2010, 09:15:15 PM

Now, that's cool!

Title: Before and After
Post by: afrobeat_fool on September 18, 2010, 02:21:48 PM

Ohhhhh, I sooooo want an Amboyna Burl bass. Preferably a Series 2

Title: Before and After
Post by: oddmetersam on September 18, 2010, 05:56:59 PM

These before and after pics showcase the beauty of Mother Nature and the cosmic skills of the good folks at Alembic.  Who else could transform a mild-mannered piece of cocobolo into this?  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/86420.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/86421.jpg)
  I feel like the cat that ate the canary!

Title: Before and After
Post by: toma_hawk01 on September 18, 2010, 09:33:25 PM

Tom, that's a lovely bass man. I would had wanted some of the beautiful white pigments (around the edges) included as well, for the full range of the colors, and its origins.  
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-

Title: Before and After
Post by: krystoof on September 19, 2010, 02:26:56 AM

Hi, Sam,
   your bass looks really beautiful!!! I guess it must sound the same.
  Have a good day!
  Xtof

Title: Before and After
Post by: oddmetersam on September 19, 2010, 09:56:12 AM

Xtof,
Thanks for the kind words. As I gradually become more worthy in the eyes of my bass, she reveals more of herself to me, tone wise. So far, I'm about 85% close to extracting the sound I hear in my head.
 
And I love your profile picture! Take care.
-Sam

Title: Before and After
Post by: David Houck on September 19, 2010, 10:04:49 AM

Another beautiful bass!

Title: Before and After
Post by: hb3 on September 19, 2010, 10:47:49 AM

That is a cool photo. Rockin' it in France!

Title: Before and After
Post by: mario_farufyno on September 19, 2010, 05:35:49 PM

That Tailpiece is really breathtaking Sam...

Title: Before and After
Post by: toma_hawk01 on September 19, 2010, 08:36:38 PM

Sam, your bass captures the voluptuousness of a very sincere, and lovely primitive form, which congers a mindset to protect, and love from the heart.
 
Let me just say, Lord have mercy...do you hear me now!
 
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on September 19, 2010)

Title: Before and After
Post by: hieronymous on September 19, 2010, 09:23:47 PM

Did you ever try out the Chromes? Your bass looks more beautiful every time I see it!
 
(Message edited by hieronymous on September 19, 2010)

Title: Before and After
Post by: oddmetersam on September 20, 2010, 01:14:00 AM

Thanks for all the kind words, guys. Hal, when I show friends pics of the various Alembics on the site, they invariably comment on the lovely primitive form you allude to. A full body shot from the back really brings out this feature:
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/86467.jpg)
 
Harry, as it turns out the chromes are too short to fit on my 35 scale basses. I'm negotiating to re-borrow a friend's medium scale Gretch bass for that purpose. After my gig on Wednesday I'm going to see if they'll fit on my Line 6 Variax bass, also.
-Sam

Title: Before and After
Post by: toma_hawk01 on September 20, 2010, 02:34:28 AM

Hey Sam,  
 
The Isley Brothers said it best...
 
Pop that thang... ah Bang, bang, bang...
 
 
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-

Title: Before and After
Post by: jacko on September 20, 2010, 07:40:24 AM

Great idea Mica. Here's mine..  before
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/86473.jpg)
  and after
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/86474.jpg)
  Graeme

Title: Before and After
Post by: David Houck on September 20, 2010, 07:49:08 AM

That's a great picture Graeme; it really brings out the beauty, the graceful flow of the grain, on this top.

Title: Before and After
Post by: crgaston on September 20, 2010, 06:20:23 PM

Great idea, and great pics, guys!
Sam, they make chromes in extra-long scale as well...  Have you tried them?

Title: Before and After
Post by: oddmetersam on September 20, 2010, 07:03:43 PM

Charles, I wanna be open to almost anything and everything (subject to approval by my wallet, of course). The d'Addario's on my #1 baby so far don't sound as good as the original Alembic strings but a fellow member graciously gave me a set to try. They're too short for #3, my Spector, but I have other basses I might try. If they work out at that point, I'll get some to fit #1. She's a 35 scale.
 
Graeme, the top on your bass is too hypnotic for words!
 
-Sam

Title: Before and After
Post by: 3rd_ray on September 20, 2010, 07:18:18 PM

I like this idea!  Before...
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/86529.jpg)
  After...
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/86530.jpg)

Title: Before and After
Post by: mica on September 20, 2010, 07:29:01 PM

It's amazing how Maple can look so blah when it's sanded and then just explode when the finish hits. You can never get jaded with that!
 
Here's another one from the  Showroom (http://alembic.stores.yahoo.net/rogue4cocobolo.html):
 
B E F O R E

(http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/86534.jpg)
 
 
A F T E R

(http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/86535.jpg)

Title: Before and After
Post by: David Houck on September 20, 2010, 07:56:59 PM

Mike; the top looks absolutely amazing in that shot!

Title: Before and After
Post by: David Houck on September 20, 2010, 07:58:24 PM

A matching set of beautiful Rogues in the showroom!