Alembic Guitars Club
Connecting => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: the_mule on June 21, 2005, 08:15:49 AM
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We all love our Alembics, that's for sure. And the Alembic Club is a wonderful place to talk about everything Alembic, but...
...I believe most of us - being the open minded, critical and creative musicians we always say we are - own, play and enjoy other instruments too. So to satisfy everyone's (especially my) curiosity please use this thread to list the 'other' instruments that every now and then steal some time, love and attention from your beloved Alembic(s)!
I'll start: Benavente SingleCut 5-string
Wilfred
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19282.jpg)
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Hi - like I've said before I do like that singlecut very nice.My Alembic will soon be joined by a Status Kingbass when it's finished being built.Rob informed me today that they're about to start laquering it.I'll post some pictures when I get it.Regards Kevin.
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Wilfred, do you still have the Guild B301? That's still a sentimental favorite of mine. To answer the question, my other toy is a Warwick Thumb Bolt on. I also have three guitars, a MIM Strat, an Ibanez AE300, and a Yamaha G-55A classical that I rescued from an ex-wife. The poor thing was all dusty and missing strings being hidden away in a closet.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19287.jpg)
Sam
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I still play my upright (German circa 1910) some.
http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/17267.html?1111100980 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=9017)
The black 5 string on the wall is a Washburn active J style. Washburns are known for their acoustics more than for their electrics but I always liked the way it feels. The neck is as narrow as my Epic 4. The hollow 4 string is a Tacoma Thunderchief (pre-whoever it is that bought Tacoma). I really like the way it sounds. The amplified sound is very much like the unplugged sound. I wanted one that didn?t color it too much. I really like it. It still gets a little playing time. I really try to give the violins and viola a little attention, too.
http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/14898.html?1110075428 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=9047)
The other 2 basses used to get some playing time when I give my 8 year old a bass lesson. It is such a treat for him to get a lesson on the Epic 4 that we don't even get the other ones out anymore.
Rich
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WEll, even though I've already posted mine, I guess i should try out my new name :]
Not pictured are my new custom Balance k (which i've named Dark Star), and my MK Standard 4.
-Austin
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19290.jpg)
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Occasionally I take the Jazz Bass out for a spin. Here it is at a Relay for Life show a few weeks ago.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19293.jpg)
(side note...this was my 50th birthday gift from my wife)
Stoney
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Hey Sam, yes, I still have the B-301, but it's gutted and not really a bass at this moment. Therefore I didn't mention it, but the moment phase 6 (or was it 7 already?) of this ongoing project is finished it'll be considered part of the family again...
Wilfred
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Here's my small but always changing string family. Everything has been well played, though, perhaps not always played well. The Skylark gets the most attention lately, with the Martin a distant second. Another being built (not an Alembic, I'm afraid) will be added to the crew sometime this Winter.
Tom
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19302.jpg)
(Message edited by tom_z on June 21, 2005)
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Here are a couple of my all time favorites, My '68 Jazz Bass,
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19306.jpg)
And my '81 Gold Jazz Bass
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19307.jpg)
The Gold one has been with me longer than any other Bass in my collection.
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Here's my family photo. The Little Bear and Big Bear get most of the attention, followed closely by the PRS and Les Paul. I break out the Dean Time Capsule when the southern rock bug bites and the Taylor is mostly for when my daughter wants to hear a little Old MacDonald. I'd love to find a good home for one of the 330's.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19313.jpg)
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Hey Rami, I wondered when you'd chime in. How about a nice airel photo of your bass warehouse....
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Hey Stoney,
I'd love to, but I just don't have enough floor space in my appartment to lay them all out!
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I was never just nuts for having lots of instruments; I just felt funny that some of them would never get played much or at all . . . it must go back to my piano days in that I'd go to other people's homes and invariably they'd have a 'furniture' piano. Just sat in the living room unplayed along with the 'nice' furniture they only used for having company over . . . always unplayed, untuned, and forgotten. Just didn't seem right.
Basses were always like tools to me, the way a great mechanic has a really used but CLEAN set of SnapOns. I never babied them, but I always wanted them tight, tuned, and ready to go, and they always needed to look good and feel good. So I never got crazy about a collection for me, though I admire people that can maintain a closet full of them.
So at this point in my life, now that I rarely gig, it's all abour sentiment. My ALEMBIC basically fell out of the sky one day, stole it as a consignment in a local store. My brother-in-law fronted me the funds, and my mother paid him back for me. LOTS of emotion in that story, and the instrument still reveals another side of itself and reaffims its supremacy every time I play it. I always think of all of you often when it's in my hands, and it's all the more satisfying that it was built by a Family Business.
The other two are also sentimental faves: My '87 Yamaha BB5000 and it's son, a '91 BB5000A. 'Back in the day' in the 80s, the vision of a white BB owned my daydreams, the way guitar players lust for that flametop LP of their dreams. I had a white 3000, but could never score a 5000. Anyone who's ever had to deal with Yamaha vis-a-vis back orders will laugh out loud watching people wait for their ALEMBIC to be finished and shipped. I was on back order for a BB2000 for TWO YEARS.
Christmas two years ago I walked into a nearby pawn shop I usually cruise every so often, and there was a really clean BB5000A hanging there. These were even more rare than the original 5000s. One little dent on the rim I could live with, no case, great price. I bought it on the spot. Couldn't believe it. I still was looking for a white 5000 though . . .
Found one this year for my birthday in March. A Bass-only store in my home state of Texas. Dead-mint, the original Yamaha brown/green fur case, even the original tuning key wrench, price OK. Got it. After 25 years ! It's amazing, I felt like Ahab finally catching the white whale, utterly shamed by how long a vision of an instrument can stick with a musician.
So these three warm my heart in ways that are difficult to illustrate to 'civilians', but I know you guys understand. I feel better having them around me.
J o e y
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In addition to my Mark King / Series II 5 string and my Series I, I have two Hanewinckel 6 stringers (one fretted, one not) and a Marchlewski 5 string.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19341.jpg)
I also have a Musicman Bongo 5 that I picked up for a ridiculously low price at a Guitar Center Memorial Day Blowout. And finally, there's the Elephant Bass (look at it sideways). It's a Fernandes Nomad. I picked it up pretty cheap with the intent of having a bass my kids could play and keep their hands off mine.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19342.jpg)
Peace, James
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seen before but I don't mind posting pictures of my small collection...
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19346.jpg)
Aside from the 2 alembics, I have a '79 precision that used to be a tobacco sunburst. A friend added the p'ups from his dead ricky and I added the schaller bridge. This gets alot of use by my eldest daughter just now - at least it's not redundant. The black thing was my attempt at building a bass when I was too poor to afford a real one. It's loosely based on the gibson RD but is lined fretless (I used car body filler for the fretlines). The action is usually excellent but the neck couldn't really be described as stable.
I also have a '60s Hofner President single cutaway deep bodied Semi-acoustic that was gifted to me by my dad. Unfortunately no pictures as my eldest brother currently has the guitar in Aukland - says he was going to have it professionally restored. That was 9 years ago ;-( I also have a cheap Yamaha acoustic guitar that I use foe songwriting but it needs the strings changing.
graeme
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Wow, there's some great stuff in this thread.
Stoney, what year is your Jazz?
Darkstar, can you give us some details about your collection?
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I'd be happy to :]
The top row left to right is: Modulus Quantum 5, Semi-hollow Modulus Quantum 6, Warrior 7 string, 6 string Rainbow bass built to Claypool's Rainbow's specifications by Darrin Huff.
Laying down left to right: '03 Brown Bass, '02 Warwick LTD FNA Jazzman with Curly Bubinga top, '77 Jazzbass with Status graphite neck (which i've since replaced), '03 Warwick Fretless 6 string streamer with Zebrawood top, '75 Precision Bass with Status neck, Warwick Thumb (The fourth ever built, made by Hans Peter Wilfer himself), Zon Hyperbass, and a 5 string fretless Excel with ebony top.
Barely pictured in front is my '96 Meisel upright.
Austin
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My list
1. The Veteran a 1989 Squier Stratocaster Red. Bought new in 1991. Untill very recently, this has been my main guitar for live use. It has Dimarzio humbuckers in both the neck and bridge positions, and a replacement Fernandes neck. I took the original neck off since I wanted to add a double locking bridge on my guitar but didn't want to ruin the old neck by installing a locking nut. That original neck ended up on...
2. New Veteran a mid eighties sunburst Fender Japan Stratocaster with the original neck from The veteran, this one has since replaced my Red one as my main stage guitar. I installed a Seymour Duncan Little 59 pickup at the bridge.
3. Recent Ibanez RG 220, refinished in Baby blue. Bought to use live as a spare for The veteran But after I left my last band I played that one less and less, I'm currently thinking of selling it.
4. My 1998 Squier Affinity Telecaster. This one has been extensively modified, I stripped the body and inlayed the top with contrasting wood strips. Again a guitar that has proven its worth in live use. I also outfitted this one with Replacement pickups, a dimarzio PAF classic at the neck and a Seymour Duncan little 59 (my favorite humbucker) at the bridge.
5. 2005 Squier 51. Blonde with a black pickguard, totally stock. This is one of the two Squier 51's which were on display at the Fender stand in the Frankfurter musicfair last April (the other one was a sunburst) I found a music store which had bought the guitars on display and that's how I got it. It's a rare piece, Fender has since discontinued the black guard 51 and mine is likely to be the only one in the Netherlands. It's a sweet guitar.
6. The TelePaul. A selfmade telecaster/Les paul Junior hybrid. Sunburst, one of the first guitars I ever made. It always makes heads turn whenever I take it out.
7. My Jazzmaster Jr. A selfmade Jazzmaster like solid with a smaller body outline, P-90 soapbar pickups.
8. Mid nineties Epiphone Les Paul custom. This one is currently in repair I replaced the neck (the original had snapped off in a very ugly way) and it's being refinished in white.
9. Selfmade Nylong string solid. Amber.
10. My Martin Sigma DR18H Accoustic, Japanese made. A very well crafted and sounding guitar.
11. My mid eighties Aria classical guitar, the second guitar I ever owned. I wrote all my songs on it.
12. a Cheap no name Baritone Ukelele. I tune this one in fifths like a mandocello.
13. a recent Ibanez Mandolin. Sunburst, no big deal, cheap and resonably sounding.
14. Squier Precision Bass. Sunburst, replacment ESP neck. This bass sound much better than I thought it would.
15. Selfmade Alt guitar tuned a fourth higher than normal. Lovely chiming bell-like sound.
16. Selfmade Rickenbacker bass copy with Kent Armstrong pickups and a Maple and Platanus body.
I also have several incomplete guitars and loose bodies lying around.
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The beauty and sound of my custom inspired me to try me hand at building. These are two of my creations that, along with my Alembic, are my main basses. My profile picture probably shows a few more. Enjoy, SoM
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19386.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19387.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19388.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19389.jpg)
And if you have a broadband connection (and you happen to be interested) here's a quick video of me warming up for a jam a couple years ago with my custom... http://www.sonofthor.com/video/SoTBand4July2004.mov (Message edited by son_of_magni on June 26, 2005)
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Wow Karl. Those are pretty impressive basses. On your profile pic, is that an Eden Preamp? if so, how do you find it? Thinking of the same myself..
Graeme
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Here are mine .... sorry about the pic quality .. I've got to learn how to use my digital camera a bit better. Enjoy, Alan
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19403.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19404.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19405.jpg)
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Graeme, thanks for the encouragement. Yes, it's an Eden Navigator. It is very nice, I don't even regret spending all that money on it. There have been some changes since that picture though. The SWR 4x10 is replaced with an Eden 2x10 and the Mesa 400+ is replaced with an Ampeg SVT Classic. Each of those changes were big improvements. If anyone wants to make a compact rig that really sounds awesome, the Ampeg with the Eden cab is a great combo. But my full stack is bi-amping with the Navigator into the Ampeg SVT-CL/Eden cab for the highs and into an Ampeg B2R with a 1x18 for the bottom. It is sweet...
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Karl.
I've been looking at the WP100 navigator myself. Probably put it through a QSC PLX2402 into Eden 1x15 and 2x10 cabinets, I have a friend over here who's going to let me try out his rig - Very similar except he uses an alembic F1X pre amp and 2 210s, still sounds amazing though.
graeme
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This is an excellent oppurtunity to show my new Giffin (it arrives tomorrow). Now to set its signal coursing through my sf-2 . . .
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19468.jpg)
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Umm,
I will have to get a family shot and post it. However, my current collection consists of:
Guitars:
DeTemple '56 Spirit Series strat (amazing)
Goodfellow custom telecaster (and again)
PRS Singlecut with solid brazilian rosewood neck (err, amazing)
PRS 10th Anniversary (beautiful)
PRS Santana
Martin D45
Rodrigo Moreira Classical (Hauser style - Brazilian Rosewood)
Basses:
Alembic MK Signature (well, shall we say amazing)
Icene Zoot Bass
Warwick Thumb Bass
1978 Musicman Stingray
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To paraphrase from another recent thread, my other bass is also an Alembic.
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Here's something that's almost identical to my bass, a 1982 Daion Power Mk. XX-B. Very Alembic-esque, very rare, and very high-quality. I've been thinking about dumping the original electronics and replacing them with a Bartolini setup, or I might build my own filter set for it(yeah right!) They are really good basses, and it's a pity they didn't catch on, but at almost $900 less case in 1982, they were a bit much. It's nice having something that almost no one else has(kind of like Alembics). I wish I could flesh out my collection with an Alembic, but with c-o-l-l-e-g-e coming up, that's not likely, unless I take out a student loan or something.
Here's the bass:
http://www.diamondstrings.com/daion%20mxII%20bass%20-1.jpg (http://www.diamondstrings.com/daion%20mxII%20bass%20-1.jpg)
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The stick was traded. The Ric, Tbird, and possibly the Ripper are for sale. $800, $800, $500. Ripper has no case but a lovely framed Gibson ad and 2nd set of tuners.
Danno(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19738.jpg)
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Hmmm. I suppose I should add my list. No pics yet, but this might encourage me to take some:
Basses (all years unknown):
Hohner B2 (Steinberger clone)
Sierra P-Bass
Guild Starfire IV (Hagstrom pups)
Tobias Acoustic Tenor Bass (highly custom)
Guitars
1961 Gibson ES-335 (PAFs, highly modified)
1971 Gibson SG
1972 Gibson ES-345
1978 Ovation Glen Campbell 1118-4 12-string
1970s Regal Archtop (mfd. for Fender)
1981 Hondo (Strat-clone prototype)
1980s Martin D-16K
2005 Niles OM-C #1
1980s Chapman Stick
Under construction:
Niles Spaltline Bass prototype #1
Niles Spaltline Fretless Bass prototype #2
Niles PX-1 Parlour #4
Niles JP Kincaid Signature prototype #1
(I need more stands...)
(Message edited by sfnic on July 14, 2005)
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Hi Nic, quite an impressive list! If you want to know the year of birth of your Guild Starfire, you could post or PM me the serial number. I own the Guild reference book written by Hans Moust (Dutchman, great guy BTW) and I will be able to help you...
Wilfred
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Aside from my 5 Alembics, I have:
A 1979 Hyak Bass
A 1980 Rick Turner Model 1
A late 70's early 80's Becvar bass. I will be posting this one for sale soon.
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In addition to my Alembics (and one on order), I have:
Mid-1960's Vox Mk IV
Late-1960's Hagstrom 8 String
1976 Jazz Bass with Jim Williams pre-amp
1973 Fender F-20 6 string acoustic guitar
Used to have:
1961 Fender Duo Sonic (3/4 scale given to my
daughter)
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Wilfred -
Thanks for the offer; I'll definitely take you up on it soon. I need to get the pile documented for various reasons, and have been lazy.
I also forgot my Star Bass, which is has a 30.5 Hagstrom bass neck grafted onto an old Stars Guitars Star body. Nominally an early 80's assembly, the neck is ancient (off one of the plastic-fronted, small Strat-like bodied basses Hagstrom was doing back in the 70s.)
nic
(Message edited by sfnic on July 14, 2005)
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Wilfred - if you wouldn't mind, I'd love to know the birthday of my Guild S-50 Jet Star solid-body electric (pictured above).
The number engraved in the headstock is 39675.
I have attempted to find it's build date several times and even contacted Fender about it. The closest I can get for the SN# is sometime around 1965 as the number seems to have fallen into the cracks of documented production. Perhaps your reference book will reveal more accurate dating.
Thanks in advance.
Tom
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Hi Tom, 'fallen into the cracks of documented production' seems like a good description for the somewhat chaotic way in which Guild recorded their instrument and amplifier production.
According to Hans Moust - 'The Guild Guitar Book 1952-1977' the Jet-Star was introduced in 1963, in 1966 the headstock changed to a Fender-like 6-on-one-side and in 1970 both the Jet-Star guitar and bass were discontinued. From around 1965/1966 the S-50 serial# consists of a 'SA' prefix, followed by three digits. So your guitar is definitely not younger than 1965. The official Guild records show that the last number for 1964 is '38636' and the last number for 1965 is '46606' which makes your instrument an early 1965-er.
Wilfred
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I just picked up a 5 string Pedulla Penta-Buzz at the guitar center in Boston.. and I'm absolutely in love. One of the nicest fretlesses ive ever heard, let alone played. I'll post some pics when i get near a camera.
Austin
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Austin
I just received my Pentabuzz a couple of weeks ago. Totally pleased with this bass also.
Dale
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Here's a picture of my new Status Kingbass.Instant Mark King - well almost.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19780.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19781.jpg)
(Message edited by davehouck on July 17, 2005)
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Hey Austin and Dale, I'd be interested to know what a pentabuzz is going for these days. I have one (pentabuzz sig, flame maple) that was my main bass for 10 years that I want to get rid of. Haven't played it since I bought my Alembic. It's in near perfect condition, just a little neck wear.
- Karl
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Well Karl,
Mine is close to yours Sig., Flame Maple no neck wear one scratch in the cutout of all places built in 2002 I paid $1100.00 for it at GC I am a pretty good customer there and get great prices. They had $1899.00 on the price tag.
Dale
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Thanks Wilfred - I appreciate your help. The guitar is in pretty good shape for forty years old. It has the gumby or haircut headstock - not terribly clear from the group shot above. I have considered Alembicizing it, but I've had hard-core Guild fans beg me not to modify it and make pretty decent offers on it. It used to be one of my main players - it has seen it's share of bars and dance halls. I really never play it any more but I hate to give it up because it's kind of like an old friend.
Anyway, thanks again.
Tom
(Message edited by tom_z on July 16, 2005)
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Here's my little family:
(http://alembic.com/club/messages/449/19804.jpg)
(http://alembic.com/club/messages/449/19805.jpg)
Newest addition: Warmoth figured walnut jazz body (mahogany core)/jz neck (shaved thin, w/tele headstock) w/Seymour Duncan Vintage P and DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pu's thru Aguilar OBP-3 - Tinted nitro finish. Great player with fabulous sustain, very even sound (Warmoth steel reinforcing rods are very effective) - Almost, but not quite like a graphite neck.
(http://alembic.com/club/messages/449/19806.jpg)
My baby. '68 EBO rehabbed (totally trashed when I got it) and modded with Macassar ebony headstock lam, mac ebony pickguard and backplate - Guild single coil reissue pu's - Very responsive to how you play it: vintage growl to very clean - much like Casady and Lesh's earliest Alembic mods. I still can't believe the sounds this bass can get through the SF-2. This bass is featured in the Dark Star Pickup website gallery (three rows below Phil's EBO) at http://www.hammoneng.com/ (http://www.hammoneng.com/).
(http://alembic.com/club/messages/449/19807.jpg)
'90 Dearmond/Guild Starfire reissue. Built very well. Plays great, sounds good, but needs beefier pu's. Not sure yet what I'll do with this one, but couldn't pass it up for nostalgic reasons.
(http://alembic.com/club/messages/449/19808.jpg)
Alembic S2 balance K. Still the eighth wonder of my world...
(http://alembic.com/club/messages/449/19809.jpg)
Current rig: FX-1-->SF-2-->QSC 2402-->Dr. Bass 212 (w/6 and tweeter), Dr. Bass 115 and homegrown 115 (JBL E-140) (Not using the ELF right now)
The EBO and Alembic have seen most of the action lately in the oldies band I've been playing with. All-in-all, there's enough variety in this lot to keep me plenty happy. The Gibby and Warmoth have been fun refin/mod projects. Still looking for this winter's project - any suggestions?
Bill
(Message edited by bassman10096 on July 17, 2005)
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Here's one I'm really proud of, This is one of my Lado Studio Basses. This is the actual one pictured in their catalogue. It features an inscription on the inside of the backplate by J.K. Lado indicating it as the first of it's series. Looks nice too!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19815.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19816.jpg)
Check out the funky Zebrawood neck laminates!
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Here are the two basses I play besides my Alembic. I built them both and they both sound completely different. Rami, you would be proud of the one with the lacewood top as it is about 16 pounds
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Paul, your basses are awesome! That 16 pounder must sustain like crazy. Are they neck through as well?
I really admire the talent of building your own instrument. I'm more of a grease monkey (I built a motorcycle once) than a craftsman.
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Here are two of mine in the hands of the competition...
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19828.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19829.jpg)
Lately Sarah has had full possesion of the Lakland (which is a very nice instrument) and I've been using the 12-string on about a dozen songs a night. John
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Rami, yes the heavy one has incredible sustain. So much so that I was completely surprised after I first played it!
I have been a greasemonkey all my life, so if I can build a bass, then you can too Rami. I already have the wood for my next bass, which I am starting on this weekend after the humidity calms down. It is a maple body with a bookmatched redwood top with some fantastic patterns in it
Paul TGO
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Paul: Your basses look fantastic. I recall when you posted pix of the first one. It sounded like it was a cool project for you and a great accomplishment.
I admire that and would like to try it myself sometime. Did you have any tutors or other resources to help you?
One of these days, I'll probably take it on, but don't feel confident enough yet. I've learned to put a good finish on or laminate a headstock, but never to craft a whole body. BTW: Did you build the necks on your basses, too?
Bill
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Thanks Bill!
No tutors, but I have been a mechanic my whole life so I know my way around tools which made it easier. The biggest thing was taking my time on the first one. I cut no corners (no pun intended) as I didn't want to make a mistake, but looking back, it was good that I did make a few mistakes because after I fixed them I could breathe easier knowing it's not that tough.
I used a lot of templates too. Started by making a mock body and neck with poster board then transfered to luan (sp?) then to the actual body wood.
Rami, they are bolt on necks. Neck through style is something I will atempt in a while.
Bill, I will send you an e-mail tomorrow and give you more info and a link or two.
There is nothing like the pride and affection of playing something you built yourself, knowing there is none other like it and having it sound and play exactly how you like it......
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Thanks, Paul. I'm not a mechanic, but over the years, I've worked on stuff, painted stuff and occasionally built stuff. You know, enough to be dangerous. I started last fall with a simple refin, finished another 6 or so bodies. When I was rehabbing the EBO - I went a bit further with a 3/16 ebony headstock lam. Now I think I'm game to try laminating a body (I've finally accumulated enough clamps - I think).
Any info and encouragement is very much appreciated.
Bill
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For anyone building or thinking about building, you should sign up at mimf.com and read the first-time builders section of the library. Then visit the forums. Lots of help and information available about all kinds of instrument making.
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I'll absolutely second Karl's suggestion about joining the mimf.com forum. It's a fantastic resource for builders.
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I peeked around mimf yesterday and wound up registering. It looks like a lot of really useful stuff. Thanks, guys.
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You'll know you're in the right place when you find yourself answering a flamewar in a thread named Probond vs. GorillaGlue, and discover you have _strong_ opinions as to which bandsaw manufacturer makes the best riser block.
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I think I'll recognize it...I've already experienced something like that on the Reranch site. I watched as epoxy glue was greeted as God's gift to grainfilling and oil-based filler was relegated to analog cell status. Unbelievable the how seriously we can take mundain things that we find exciting, isn't it?
I anxiously await the chance to join the debate over the worth/worthlessness of
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LOL@Bill (mailto:LOL@Bill)
I used a 9 bandsaw and let me tell you, bigger is better (and we'll leave it at that) ;)
Paul TGO
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Yeah, I've heard that...
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OK, I'm not much for vintage pieces but I will admit one day I want a Hagstrom Swede bass (clear mahogany, not the see through SG red) and a 4005 Ric, the 320-style f-hole body, 'R' tailpiece, the 4000 style headstock, but without the checkerboard binding please. They both have that lumpy 60s tone that I'm sure will make me crazy, but I lust for their looks.
I feel better now.
J o e y
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. . . . but if I EVER post that I want a stock, vintage SG-style EBO/EB3 (not like the wonderfully hot-rodded EB from BASSMAN shown above), please take a collection and hire someone with a long barrel and a short temper to save me from myself ! ! ! !
J o e y
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Done.
Bill
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A group photo with the latest edition a used but really nice Orion bass, my Status Kingbass in figured maple an my Stanley Clarke bass.(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/19938.jpg)
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Here's a pic of my only Gibson Bass, the SG-Z.
Mahogany body, set Mahogany neck, Rosewood fingerboard. 34 scale. I really like the split-diamond inlays. I believe it may be a 2001 model. It was discontinued in 2002. I found it used (in mint condition) for around $600.
Great looking Bass, but I hate the way it sounds. Considering what it was selling for new (around $2200) and its crappy sound, it's no surprise that it was a poor seller and was discontinued. It may become a collectors item someday.
(http://alembic.com/club/messages/449/19951.jpg)
Here's a link to its specs:
http://www.gibson.com/products/gibson/Bass/SG-Zbass.html (http://www.gibson.com/products/gibson/Bass/SG-Zbass.html)
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Rami: If you like the way it plays as well as sounds, you might consider modding it for Dark Star pickups (see my EBO above). You would be surprised at how good it could sound.
Bill
PS: I think it looks cool, too. The Z updates the traditional EB/SG look with some nice touches.
(Message edited by bassman10096 on July 24, 2005)
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Hey Bill,
Thanks for the suggestion - It can really benefit from any upgrading to its sound. But I'm really picky about an instrument's originality for the sake of preserving it's value and historical significance.
Rami
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Hey Rami: Yeah. There's the rub. Your bass is much more than preservable - it looks mint. I'd feel the same way. That's why, when I wanted to try for a bit of vintage EB looks, vintage EB playability, and a whole lot better sonic signature, I started with an EBO whose vintage quality had already been beaten and abused out of it.
I like the way Z's look, though. Nice one.
Bill
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Joey,
I know where lurks a Ric 4005, no checkerboard binding and otherwise as you described. I can ask what the owner would be willing to take for it, if you'd like..
John