Alembic Guitars Club
Connecting => Community => Gatherings => Topic started by: lbpesq on March 20, 2017, 03:39:56 PM
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I've been thinking lately about a Northern California Gathering. I believe this will be number 10. Last year's was in May, which seemed to work out well weather-wise. Should we be thinking about May, again?
Bill, tgo
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I'm waiting to hear back from the ranch as to the available calendar dates. I'll post when I have some to choose from.
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Swell !
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I don't have a confirmation yet, but I'm hoping we can do May 13 - I will post an announcement when we have a firm date.
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I may have an event booked that day but I will see if I can make it .
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WHY DONT YOU SHARE IT VIA STREAMING ON INSTAGRAM???????
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I don't have a confirmation yet, but I'm hoping we can do May 13 - I will post an announcement when we have a firm date.
Oops! That's the Day Before Mothers Day. Bad for us long distance Sons...... ;)
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The day has been set: May 6th it is. I'm gonna update the title of this thread in a minute.
As Bill noted, it's #10 and should be great fun as ever! As usual, send me an email with "Gathering 10" in the subject line to be added to the mailing list with the event details.
WHY DONT YOU SHARE IT VIA STREAMING ON INSTAGRAM???????
There is no wifi or cellphone coverage at the event. It's quite remote.
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I'd love to fly out again, but Dawn will be in Berlin, hopefully winning an Art and Olfaction award, so I'm here with Xander. Hm, he does love California, though....
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I'm actually triple-booked on 5/6... not that I could make it this year anyway. ::)
I swear it's on my bucket list to come out there for a visit though. Almost happened last year, but I needed to buy a new(er) gig-mobile. You all have fun, and play one for me, knowing my Alembics are working hard back East here. ;)
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It would have been good to have an international gathering for the 10th anniversary event and if the date was available to be secured earlier maybe a group of us from outside the usa could have made plans to come. But for a number of reasons now it is too short notice for me to make it this time. 😳 But if my circumstances change, who knows. 😁✌🏿
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As someone who is new to this community, may I ask if would it be possible for someone to share general details about this gathering? I live in Marin County, so it's well within the realm of possibility for me to cruise on up with my Essence, but I'd like to know a little more in the way of costs, logistical details and the like. Thanks.
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No cost to attend. There are threads about previous gatherings like the one last year (link below) that include pictures which should give you a general idea as to what goes on. Lots of instruments to view or play, jamming, light snacks and general Alembic-themed camaraderie. Location is beautiful, remote and quiet. Highly recommended!
http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=9773.0
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I can recommend going. I travelled there from the UK to pick up my bass from Alembic, do a factory tour and also attend the annual meet. It was good to meet the people whom I'd been communicating on like with for years in person and also meet Mica and some of the team at the factory. Also one of the members here offered me the guest room in his home so that made the whole trip much more of a meeting of friends. If you can make it there I would say take the opportunity.
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Hello Mica & friends . 5/6 Should work for me . I have a gig on 5/5 and 5/13 but not on 5/6 :) yay ! Email Sent .
Wolf
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I am definitely going to try and poke my head in but already have two other events that day. The first is a retirement party for a colleague - will try and duck out early!
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I should be able to make it to this one. I need to make up for missing last year! :D
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I'll be there. If anyone is coming from out of town and needs to borrow any equipment, let me know.
Bill, tgo
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I was thinking of attending.....with 5 Alembics & the ELF system.....
Was wondering about nearby (secure, obviously) lodging. Will be driving a van down from the Seattle area. Will need it to transport the 6-string Classico.....
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Hey Gary, it would be great to have you down for the gathering. And I think his would be our first Classico! You should check out hotels in Emeryville. This is near the eastern landing of the Bay Bridge. There are several good ones and this is about the closest to the gathering. If you want something more scenic, (and more expensive), there is the Claremont in Berkeley. Majestic old hotel at the foot of the east bay hills. You might also want to check out the Doubletree in Berkeley. Still pretty close and right by the water. Also fairly close and by the water, there are a couple of hotels at Jack London Square in Oakland. If you're looking for a lot of shops and restautants within easy walking distance from the hotel, I'd lean towards Jack London Square. There is a great local jazz club/Japanese restaurant there called "Yoshi's". An excellent intimate venue where Stanley Clarke and other notables often play.
Bill, tgo
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Hi, everybody. I just got my schedule revised and I will be making it down with AC405, and the Alembic/Hyak. I will also be bringing the bass I just finished with Alembic electronics! I am not sure if I will be in and out or staying a few days. Anyone have a gig that weekend I can check out?
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I have just heard that there has been a major land slide and road closure on a road that I believe leads to this event if I am not mistaken . Please correct me if I am wrong . Local officials there have not determined when that road will reopen . How will this effect our gathering ? :(
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I sent Mica an email about the road closure earlier today. Pretty sure it won't affect getting to the gathering if you come over the hills from Oakland and points west but coming from the east through Lafayette/Moraga may be a bust this year. They were supposed to start rebuilding the bridge in 2018 due to ongoing structural concerns but it is currently closed for an indefinite period of time.
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Nick, my band Stonetrout has a gig scheduled that night, but we may not be able to make it as the drummer and lead guitarist are currently on the DL.
Bill, tgo
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I have just heard that there has been a major land slide and road closure on a road that I believe leads to this event if I am not mistaken . Please correct me if I am wrong . Local officials there have not determined when that road will reopen . How will this effect our gathering ? :(
Thanks for that. Steven is correct, this is the backdoor from Moraga over to Oakland area, so if you are coming from the far east bay, you'll have to swing around on 24 and add some time to the trip. I've asked Will for a status report for the roads leading to the event location - especially the gravel ones!
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Thanks StephenR and Mica for your response :)
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Cool, Bill! I'll be staying over either way
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Has anyone received something from the "Mailing List" yet? I sent 2 requests but so far nothing.......Just wondering.....I'm not going to head out on a 1,600 mile round trip without knowing the destination.... ;) :D
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The first scheduled email is this Friday. I can send you something today though.
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Thats Ok Mica......Friday will be fine. Just need to make lodging reservations near the destination.....
Gary
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Gary, the gathering is in Canyon, CA. For lodging you will want to look in Emeryville, Oakland (near Jack London Square is nice), or Berkeley to the west and Walnut Creek to the east.
Bill, tgo
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Hey! Just like I suggested in the email you should rely on Bill's recommendations for lodging. It's like magic.
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Gary, my wife and I got married in Alaska two years ago and later had a wedding party for all of our friends here in Oakland. I found the list of potential hotels in the area we sent to our guests. Hope it is helps narrow your search and look forward to meeting you at the gathering! I left in the references to Leona Lodge since if you stay in Oakland you will be driving past there on the way over the hills to the gathering. Lodge is located at the base of the Oakland hills just off HWY 13. It should take you about another 15 minutes or so to get to the gathering from that area of HWY 13.
EXECUTIVE INN & SUITES, OAKLAND
Very good quality; highish price; location pleasant (ask for room facing the water); 10-minute drive to Leona Lodge, but not convenient to anything else, especially without a car.
http://executiveinnoakland.com/ (http://executiveinnoakland.com/)
WATERFRONT HOTEL, JACK LONDON SQUARE, OAKLAND
Very good quality; walkable to shops and restaurants in Jack London Square, downtown Oakland, and Oakland Chinatown; ferry terminal for travel to San Francisco is one block away; ask for room facing the water to avoid possible train noise from nearby Amtrak station; 15-minute drive to Leona Lodge.
http://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/california/san-francisco-hotels/waterfront- (http://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/california/san-francisco-hotels/waterfront-) hotel/
AIRPORT HILTON, OAKLAND
Best price; quality respectable (typical airport business hotel); location not convenient to anywhere but Oakland Airport; walkable to fast food restaurants; 5 minutes from Coliseum BART station, where you can park for $1.00 and travel by train to San Francisco; 10-minute drive to Leona Lodge.
http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/california/hilton-oakland-airport-OAKHIHH/index.html (http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/california/hilton-oakland-airport-OAKHIHH/index.html)
OAKLAND MARRIOTT CITY CENTER, OAKLAND
Good quality; only paid parking nearby, but hotel offers parking-included room options; ask for a room that doesn’t face Broadway; 2 blocks from Oakland Chinatown; walking distance to shops, restaurants and 12th Street BART for travel to San Francisco; 15-minute drive to Leona Lodge.
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/oakdt-oakland-marriott-city-center/ (http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/oakdt-oakland-marriott-city-center/)
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT, EMERYVILLE
Good quality; high price; walking distance to Emeryville shops and restaurants; good location for travel to San Francisco via free shuttle to MacArthur BART station; possible noise from trains at nearby Amtrak station; 15-minute drive to Leona Lodge.
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/oakmv-courtyard-oakland-emeryville/ (http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/oakmv-courtyard-oakland-emeryville/)
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Thanks for all the Info! :)
I'll be looking for lodging where I can park the Van Right outside the Room. Looking around the University where I see some good reviews. Traveling with 5 Alembics & an ELF Bass rig......I will not be wandering too far from the gear this trip. I spend up to 3 months a year on the road.....mostly on a Harley tho......Got a pretty good idea now Where to stay.....Where it is located.....What day it's on......just......What time is it? Load in? How long it lasts? Thanks for the info on the road closures too....My first choice for lodging was Walnut Creek.
Looking at stopping by the Shop to have the Classico looked at.......some cosmetic repair estimates.... either the Friday before...or the Monday after......one of the reasons why I chose Gathering X this year......I prefer NOT to ship a Classico.....even if it means driving for days myself......the thought of filing a damage claim for a trashed or missing Classico is too much to bear! :) Maybe Mica can tell me which day is better to have someone look at a possible veneer repair / replacement for the headstock? An interesting story.....and the damage happened before I owned it.....I might just leave it as it was part of the reason why it was sold to me at such a SWEET price all those years ago......
Gary
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Gary , I hope that you have a wonderful and safe trip and I look forward to meeting you . Just as a precaution I personally do not leave my instruments or equipment unattended in a vehicle / van . etc ....
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Hi, Gary- In follow up to Sonicus' comment about never leaving musical gear unattended in a vehicle.... I CONCUR! Break-in's of autos and vans in the Berkeley/Oakland/Emeryville/Rock Ridge/Claremont areas are at epidemic all-time high. Please do NOT under any circumstances leave your gear unattended in your van, even for 5 minutes for a quick pit stop. Especially in the University area. Don't believe the hotel/motel reviews. I am one of the most paranoid/careful dudes around in terms of my gear, and even my car was smashed windowed and $3K+ worth of (uninsured) photo gear stolen from my trunk, in broad daylight, and I was only about 60 feet away from my car on a photo shoot as it happened about two weeks ago. Times are tough. Folks are desperate. A van = something possibly valuable inside it... maybe tools... or better, but most inviting to criminal and/or desperate minds. I don't think I'll be able to attend the May 6th Gathering due to previous committment, but I'd be willing to safely "host" your gear in my home here in Oakland for a night or three while you're visiting the area. I'm near Lake Merritt in Oakland, just a hop, skip and a jump up to The Ranch from here. If you do stay at the hotel, PLEASE move all your gear into your room overnight... and literally don't let it out of your sight, Brother.
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Yes. One of the drawbacks of this trip will be the 24/7 alert aspect of transporting instruments. It can be exhausting. Other than the Gathering and a possible trip to Alembic, no other activities are planned. When traveling, Subway is my main food source....I do not require fine dining. I will be returning to the area Later in May and again in June so the destination is not a Bucket List area. The Gathering IS a Bucket List Event! Please don't expect "music store chops. ". I've been away from performing now for some time and am contemplating a return. I thought I'd provide an opportunity for fellow bassists to give the Classico a shot through an ELF system......it really is an earth-moving experience especially with a bow.
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David, we're neighbors! My office is on Grand, near Fairyland. Been there 25 years.
Gary, the group of people who attend are as amazing as the instruments themselves. Abilities cover the spectrum from non-musicians, through semi-competent amatuers, like me, up to some amazing musicians and stone cold pros and everything in between. But we all share a love of music and all things Alembic. The afternoon usually turns into a rotating jam - a lot of fun for me as this event is the opposite of most situations where there are ten guitarists for each bass player. Here I get to be the rarity. As brother Jimmy would say, HA! You're going to see some amazing basses and guitars, Mica, Bill, and Ron always bring down some sweet new instruments. And your Classico will certainly be a hit! Also, let me know if you need any guitar stands. I've got a bunch of extras. Everyone puts there basses and guitars on stands in a group when they're not being played.
Bill tgo
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Group email sent out - Gonna be fun!
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I'm so sorry to miss this. Have fun, everyone!
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Hello Mica and everyone . next week will be a busy week however I look forward to make it to the Gathering :)
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No gathering for me this year, financial recovery from April must take precedence.
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I'll be there!
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Wish I could make it, it's on my list of things to do, have fun!
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I live kind of near Canyon - yesterday, while driving around up on Skyline, I noticed that the entrance to Pinehurst has a CLOSED sign - the small print says it is closed on the Moraga side, but wanted to let everyone know, YOU CAN GO DOWN PINEHURST to the ranch - we made a side trip and checked. So don't let that closed sign freak you out!
Still hoping to swing by for a few minutes - I'm afraid I probably won't be able to bring any instruments - but hope to see some of you!
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Harry - no doubleneck this year! Say it ain't so. Oh the horror!
Bill, tgo
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My wife was hiking in Redwood Park over the weekend and saw the same sign. She also thought it made it look like the road was closed.
Looking forward to seeing everyone this weekend! Hot spell is about to break and the weather should be beautiful.
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Thanks, Harry! I updated the directions so that sign doesn't scare those folks that might not see your public service announcement here.
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Really looking forward to this! I can report that the Pinehurst entrance off of Skyline is definitely open as I drove out to Will's yesterday with the PA. It's all set up and ready to go. Just a head's up to everyone, there was a heckuva lot more traffic coming the other way than I've usually encountered in the past. I assume this is due to the western access being closed. So watch those blind curves, etc.
Bill, tgo
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You all have a good time... I'm looking forward to the pictures. 8)
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Looking forward to tomorrow. I've got all my goodies staged and ready to pack in the car tomorrow morning.
We're trying to organize a Dark Star jam at around 2ish!
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I made it down to the Bay Area last night.
Will arrive with 5 Alembics
5 stands for the 5 Alembics
Full Bass Amp rig. F-1X, Demeter pre also....Stewart 1.2 & 2.1 Power Amps (bridged) Bag End M2 processor & Bag End cabinets. TA-15 and an ELF 18. Go Big Or Go Home! ( yes, it is overkill but it was the last configuration my system was in......and the Classico's Low B sounds "farty" with anything less)
Sorry this RSVP is late Mica......I posted one last Thursday but I included attachments and they were rejected. Hope you see this Saturday AM so you can make a call about maybe leaving an amp behind. I hope to be there as close to 11 as possible to set all this up.
Let me know if I can come earlier......Ill need some additional time to "get lost" in the Oakland Hills!
Gary T
Lakewood, WA
PS......To all you CA peeps......You don't know how WONDERFUL it was yesterday to enter California and see the SUN.......and feel the Warmth! Us Pacific Northwesterners started Rusting last November and are now sporting a good growth of Moss. My brother is an amateur weather monitor in Portland and he has logged over 57" of rain since last October! I'll be the pasty White guy squinting again't the bright light
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What an AMAZING day! I was there 9 hours and it seemed like 2. Fun talking all things Alembic and meeting like minded folk. Thank you Mica & Bill for feeding us and bringing some fantastic instruments to augment the sizable display. Weather was perfect....as was the venue.
Another fun aspect was putting real names to Forum screen names. I have a difficult time remembering names but if I keep coming to gatherings.....that shouldn't be a problem. I don't have great photos at the moment.....just phone shots. There were some photographers there (and a spy drone) and I'm hoping they post some of those outdoor shots. The "Bass Forest" indoors was a sight to behold......but getting those Alembics out in the sun was another level of stunning!
But wait kids....the fun doesn't stop here......tomorrow I make my 4th trip to the factory......This could be dangerous because my 1st trip had me leaving with a Classico? (repeat after me....I will not look at that Series 6 String....I will not look at that Series 6 string). Anyway.....looking at a possible electronics upgrade for the Classico.......and maybe some "chip repair" to the body.......
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Photo thread started... (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=22817.new#new)
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Subscribed for further info. Am I too late ?