Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: ox_junior on August 25, 2004, 05:28:20 PM
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You guys remember me joking around on this thread about my singer swinging his mic around too close to my Spyder?
Well he did.
Whack! Half the headstock came right off.
I'd show you a picture but the file size is too big. Took the half of the V with the tuning pegs for the D and G strings right off. The good news is that the break happened right at a laminate point. Bad news is the break extends down behind the fretboard, as far down as the 2nd fret.
So....off to the factory for the miracle workers to reattach her limb.
However, I've asked Mica and Mike to give her some plastic surgery to make her at least look a little more like the basses we're used to seeing John play:
* Cone peghead
* Hum canceller (dummy - for cosmetics only)
* Alembic logo beneath the strings, centered right above the nut
* Master volume pot (functional) added on the lower horn (waiting for Mica to get back to me to see if this is possible)
She's taken a hard blow. But...will be better than ever when she gets back to me!!!
Good thing I never ended up selling my Spoiler/Exploiter!! Needed it for back-up!!!
I'll have My Wife back in a month or so.
Hope you're all doing well!
Mike Bisch
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I have to say Mike, that's a great attitude you have about the whole situation.
Good luck with the restoration. Please post photos of the post surgery Mrs. Bisch.
Sam
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Sam -
Believe me, I was ready to kill when this happened. But...I was on stage at a convention of worldwide Who fans, and it was a charity fundraiser that I had personally organized, so I had to keep my cool. But...it was REALLY difficult looking at my investment in pieces on the floor. The fans were really cool - they even offered to take up a collection to help!!! I suggested they contribute to the charity - the John Entwistle Foundation - instead.
If the damage was irrepairable then yeah, I'd be steaming mad. The repairs won't be free but will be worth it. Mine will be unique among the 50 4-string Spyders when it's all done anyway, so that's cool too. I look at it as an upgrade of sorts.
Besides, it wouldn't be The Who if an instrument didn't take on a little damage, right??
MB
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Mike: You are the best humored person I've heard from in several months - hands down!! I don't care how real the all's well that ends well aspect of this incident is...It's still a trauma!
My hat's off to you - You rock man!!
Bill
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Bill,
This happened about 3 weeks ago. It's taken me this long to be good-natured enough to write about it. I originally didn't want to post anything about this but finally felt like sharing.
Yes it is a trauma. And yes I was p*$$#!. But I have received so many e-mails from the worldwide Who fan network about how I sacrificed my bass for a good cause and all that - it kinda helped take the edge off. A little.
Like I said, the bass will be pretty much customized to my specs when all is said and done. Mica has been super cool listening to me vent and bombarding her with little can-you-do-this-while-you're-at-it? e-mails. So...it's like getting a custom job at the end of the day. Besides - it's STILL less $$$ than what Ed Roman is charging for a brand new stock Spyder!!!
Thanks for your kind words Bill.
Mike
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Your singer is extremely fortunate that you have the temperament that you do. If it were me, he'd have to learn to sing from his lower GI because that's where that mike would be placed!
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That's quite a story Mike, and you're certainly very cool about it right now. I can only imagine what it felt like when that mic hit your Spyder, must have been like YOU got hit on the head! I hope the singer reacted the right way, VERY ashamed (but he could blame Roger Daltrey for this, although I don't recall Daltrey actually hitting The Ox' bass) and offering to pay at least some of your expenses. But maybe that's something you should keep for yourself, I certainly don't expect you to go into that.
You certainly turned this around in a positive way. If you're able, I'd still like to see some pictures of the damage that was done, but even better, glorious picturesque evidence of the upgraded Spyder that'll return to you from Santa Rosa!
Take care,
Wilfred
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To his credit, my singer was indeed upset after this happened. I had to fight the urge to wrap that mic cord around his neck and string him up. But...it was an accident. I can't find it in me to hold a grudge. And yes I did feel like I was whacked on the head - but this was in a very small room with people sitting on the floor watching us - I'm glad it was only my bass that got whacked. We all would have felt really badly if a person got hurt.
I don't recall Daltrey ever whacking John's basses - perhaps that's why John never played his Spyder with the V peghead live - it really is kinda unwieldly. Then again, The Who played on much larger stages. This was a teeny tiny playing area.
I'll find a way to downsize the photos I took of the damage to share with you. But better yet, I will take plenty of photos of the new and improved My Wife...after her facelift!!
Mike
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There is no such thing as an accident.
Bearing in mind the inherent risk of butting in on other people's business, I must advise you to instruct your singer to be more careful in the future lest ALL OF US Alembic hounds gang up to do what dannobasso threatens.
And make him pay for the repairs, too, at least to the headstock, and explain you're having it made smaller for his protection. I would.
Strength, O pointy one.
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Of course I'm bearing out the sanitized version for you guys. But you had best believe that little singer boy got an absolute verbal shellacking from me after that gig, away from the public eye. He is painfully aware that his zeal to recreate Roger Daltrey by swinging a $80 SM58 is far less important than my desire to recreate John Entwistle as demonstrated by my very very expensive instrument purchase.
I only view it as an accident in that he didn't hit my bass on purpose. But, as mentioned, he has been cautioned. And he is going to put some money into this, by the way. Not much but some. I'm taking it out of his pay for the next few gigs. Garnishing his wages, so to speak. He who messes with The Ox gets skewered by his mighty horns.
MB
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(cackling with glee)
Who says there's no justice in the world?
Well done, sir.
KFS
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OTOH ...you'll get a bass with street credibility like no other Spider in the world. A bass with a REAL story. Now ...it is nothing to do in purpose and I truely believe that it hurts in ALL possible meanings of that word but ...a scratch on the bass is a scratch on your heart. Can you count all the scratches on your heart? I stopped counting them long ago but I knwo one thing: they made me who I am. Your wife will be YOUR wife ...no dubs ...no stand in possible anymore.
Paul TBO
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Mike,
you never should have done such a joke!
Very sad to hear this mate. But you know,
I already have the same fear. The Spyder is
so huge and heavy and the headstock is that
delicate, but sexy.
Really sorry to hear this mate. Life is strange at the moment. At first I lost my job, then I found a new one, then Paul TBO loses his job, now your wife is beheaded.....
I hope that the Alembic staff will make her better than before. Plse send us pics when she has recovered.
Many greetings mate!
Oliver (Spyderman)
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Mike,
Like everyone else here, truly sorry to hear about the accident, but delighted My Wife is back in solid hands in Santa Rosa for repairs. I'm sure she'll come back stronger than ever!
Ollie said that life is strange at the moment. Well, he's right. I've been stuck in Korea for the past three months, and I can't even play Boris (my Spyder). I guess that beats a wayward singer shearing off your headstock, but at least it came off whilst playing. Me, I can only long for the time I get home to crank Boris up and scare the neighbors. Should be home in about two weeks, thank God. Living out of a suitcase and sleeping on a cot gets old. Could be worse, though. I could be in a place that is much hotter, much drier, with more sand, and where lots of people who don't like you are doing their best to see to it you don't go home in one piece.
Anyway, hope it all works out, and that My Wife comes back to you ... damn, that sounds like a country song ....
Regards,
Alan
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...and I hope that it all works out
and that my wife comes back to you
??????????
It sounds as a kinda weird countrysong to me ...from what country???
LOL
Paul TBO
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Well, since Major Alan is Majorly stuck in Korea, perhaps it's a Korean country song?
Or maybe a Seoul song? Ha.
Anyway - you have all been great. Thanks for your thoughts and laughter. Oliver and Alan, since you guys own Spyders (even though poor Alan is suffering withdrawl from his), you certainly can attest to the awkwardness of that V. Mica mentioned that the thickness of the peghead on either the V or the cone options is the same. Which makes sense. However, the V is just too hard to control. It makes for a very pretty instrument - if you're just going to look at it rather than play it.
Paul, you're right. This bass has a story now. It should be awarded the Purple Heart for having been injured in the line of duty. Interestingly enough, the break occurred right at a purpleheart laminate point. Go figure(d maple top). OK no more wood jokes (in the morning).
If you have a chance, check out this link:
http://www.wholapalooza.com/images/Whola275/wholala-photoalbum-sun/index.htm (http://www.wholapalooza.com/images/Whola275/wholala-photoalbum-sun/index.htm)
These are shots of Day One of the two-day Wholapalooza convention here in Los Angeles. This is the day before My Wife got whacked. I'm wearing a vest that was owned by JE in the 70's. Putting that vest on and slinging that Spyder around my neck was like changing from Clark Kent into Superman!!
Will try to get a pic of the whacked peghead up here soon.
Thanks guys.
Mike
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Paul,
It's a country song from the land where Kissin Cousins is more than just an old Elvis movie, and Jeff Foxworthy is considered a poet laureat and man of letters.
Mike
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Mike,
Man, I looked at the pix in the link you posted. Looking at the first two pictures of you with your Spyder, I'd swear I was looking into a mirror. If I took off about 40lbs and grew a full beard, we could pass as brothers.
Sorry to hear about the wife too. You have a great attitude about the whole thing but then again you almost have to. Things like this do happen on the road. It sucks when they do and bitchin about it will only get you sick.
This reminds me of the time our lighting/pyro guy blew the headstock clean off of my old BC Rich Eagle... That's a story for another day though.
Peace,
Dino
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Mike,
Sorry to hear about the Wife. Dr. Mica and her army of sawbones'll fix 'er up good as new (maybe better). It was an omen that you joked about the singer's mic swinging. I'd have been pissed too, good thing you have self-restraint. Oh well, at least you're getting him to pay you for your trouble. At the very least, this'll make a good Factory To Customer Thread! Good Luck with the repair.
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Mike,
yes I really can feel how you feel as I also live daily with the fear of smashing my Spyder4.
This headstock is really as sexy as can be but, as you said, you better leave it in your living room.
I hope that the guys at Alembic will restore it greatly and am very eager to see the result!
Oliver (Spyderman)
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Hey Dino,
Glad to hear I have yet another brother on this site. The story about your BC Rich sounds hysterical - you have to share with us!!!
Oliver, don't mean to scare you with this story. As long as you're not playing in a band with someone who uses their microphone as a lasso, you should be OK. I know how well you baby your Spyder - I did too. Accidents will happen!
MB
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Mike,
i KNOW I am BAD but looking at the picture link I was struck by that amazingly beautiful girl with the black shirt and golden pants.
I am going to join a WHO band ...yessir!
What-a-gal-what-a-gal-what-a-gal
(was My Wife there too? Well ...YOUR My Wife ...not mine ...I mean not my wife ....***sigh*** there we go again ....)
Paul the bad one
(Message edited by palembic on August 27, 2004)
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Mike/Oliver,
I've only gigged with my Spyder twice. The first time was in a small bar/club. The singer ran into the end of the end stock, but only hit her head, no damage done. The second gig was at a larger place in DC, but I ensured that there was an exclusion zone around me so that my guitar player would not run into either me or my Spyder. I tend to look at my left hand most of the time anyway, so keeping an eye out for anyone approaching from the left (I usually set up stage left, looking at the stage) is not a problem. I feel a bit apprehensive, but not to the point where I wouldn't take my Spyder out and play it. The way I see it, that's what I bought it for - to play it, not hang it in a museum somewhere (although it would make a great museum piece as well).
Like you guys, I baby my Spyder. Luckily, I've got the luxury of having more than one bass, and more than one Alembic (ah, the joys of mid-life crisis!). When I'm that worried, or I don't have the room, I will take one of my lesser basses. I have played a gig with my Europa, and it's a great option since the headstock is so much smaller and it's got as many tonal options as my Spyder does (though a bit different, of course).
Anyway, I'm looking forward to getting back home and going to the Wednesday blues jam at a local club so I can scare the $^%# out of everyone when I show up with my Spyder. The town I live in in NC is definitely a I-IV-V, blues-only-Fender-Precision-only-hold-the-bottom-down-only-don't-be-flashy-others-need-not-apply-type-of-town. Can't wait to see the eyes (and ears) pop out of heads when I whip out the Spyder.
Mike, post pics when you get them pre- and post-damage. BTW, have you looked at adding Series I or II electronics to your Spyder? I mean, if you have the scratch, you might as well if you're doing all the other things you mentioned. I know if I were in your shoes and had the wherewithal (and a wad of cash) I'd do it. Just curious.
Best Regards,
Alan
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Paul TBO,
The amazingly good looking girl's name is Jackie and I'm already dating her. So there. :P
Alan,
The other repairs and additions are costing me a pretty penny as it is. If I were to upgrade electronics I think that would be cost-prohibitive, at least at this time. I had to abandon a mini-vacation in order to pay for this as it is. I'm still recovering financially from the initial purchase of the bass - it's only been since May!
I hope you scare the bejeezus out of those I-IV-V guys in NC!! Hope you get home soon, safely.
Mike
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Mike: Any chance of Homeowner's/Renter's Insurance covering the damage?
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Since the damage happened outside of my house, it doesn't apply.
You better believe I asked though!!
Mike
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What do you mean outside the home? Mr. Insurance Man, I swear I was posing in front of the mirror in my Jockey's with my Oxbass strapped on and I got so excited, I accidentally rammed the headstock into the mirror running through the unplugged A Quick One Medley, LOL!
Remember: A nod is good as a wink, LOL!
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Rats ...
some guys get all the luck!!!!
Well ...oh ...huhuh ...that is to say ...My Wife wacked isn't precisely a luck.
About insurance: I pay about 400$ a year on insurance all risk for Bonnie + rig. Whereever, whatever, whoever happend to it. That's why they call it all risk.
Paul the bad one
PS please tell Jackie she got a fan in Belgium and I can play bass too ...well ...kindoff.
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KMH, how did you know I pose with my Spyder in my Jockeys (and white tube socks) in front of the mirror??
Bad One, Jackie has fans here too. She's a model with a little sort of fan club. She sells this calendar of modeling shots over the internet. It's kinda nice to date an attractive girl.
Can you guys tell I have a gift for the understatement?? KINDA NICE??? It's flippin GREAT!!! Nice girl too. I had to fight my little singer off of her that night - Sorry pallie, she's with ME. The first of several problems he caused for me that weekend.
That's a pretty good rate on insurance Paul. I live in LA so renter's is far from cheap.
I'm still looking for a way to shrink this filesize down so I can post a pic of the damage. Coming soon!!
Mike
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OK ...you got me ...I am subcribing that fanclub too. Calender??? Shots??
Show me where! I tried to copy the pictures from the Wholapalooza site and made a nice wallpaper for mu portable out of it (full of Jackies of course) but naaaaaa-ah ...for one or antother reason she started to look as Cher on steroids with a moustache ...YUK!!!
The singer embarrassed Jackie? You're lucky he didn't start to sling his mike around when he was with HER!!!!
I didn't know about insurance for instruments being so expensive your side of the pond. As I said ...in 50 years when you put the bass on you knees (you wre not believing you would be standing than HA!!!) around the woodfire in your large villa with in- and outdoor pool, she makes a GREAT story for your grand-grandchildren.
Paul the bad one
yeah -yeah ...I heard that ...Jackie will be there too!!!!
(Message edited by palembic on August 27, 2004)
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Hey Mike, I too was wandering who the gal was with Ozzie.....since it didn't appear to be Trish. Was she there??
stoney
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Trish didn't come to the August 8 show, but did come to the August 9 show.
The girl in the pics with ozzie is a girl I'm dating named Jackie, whom Paul is currently slobbering over.
Paul - my singer didn't embarrass Jackie - it was kinda funny because he embarrassed HIMSELF. After the gig we were packing up (singers, of course, don't help with this) so he pounced. I watched them talk for about 10 minutes, then decided to walk up just at the moment when Roey asked her for her number. I said nuh-uh, pallie, this girl is MY date - and went back to resume my packing. Do I feel badly for him? NOOOOO. Especially after whacking my bass.
MB
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Slobbering ?!?! Slobbering slobbering?!?!?!
well ...huh ...
just a teeny-weeny bit!
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Revenge is a good thing, a healthy thing Mike. I would hope you are not finished yet. Embrace your inner bastard!
Yes, Paul. You are slobbering. You are also articulating my very thoughts - something you have done quite well in the past!
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Mike:
Doesn't everybody play rock-star in front of the mirror, scivvies or not?
PAUL TBO wants to know how (i.e., what URL) to ck out Jackie's calendar over the net...ONLY Paul wants to know, not the rest of us, LOL!
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Yeah. Just Paul.
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And why is everybody pickin' on me ...
mmmmmmm...who said that before???
PTBO
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I've e-mailed Paul with the link to Jackie's website so he can slobber to his heart's content.
How many of us have, upon delivery of any new Alembic we get, immediately get in front of the mirror and check ourselves out?? Don't we look like rock stars???
MB
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Between the slobbering ...I should say more: in the former store where Edwin Van Huik worked there was a giant ballet like, ceiling to floor, wall to wall mirror.
Edwin said that a musician ALWAYS wants a bass for the pose, the looks.
He was right!!!
The Spoiler never fitted me well, so I went for the MK.
Paul TBO
...forgive me ...I continue the slobbering LOL
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Paul TBO, you mean the old Wils place in Hoogerheide? I went there to pick out my Epic in 94, can't remember any wall-to-wall mirrors there. And it wasn't a retail shop at the time, you had to be introduced by a regular dealer.
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Dag Adriaan ...hoe is't jongen???
Yep ...that shop.
Well ...when I came there it WAS retail too! AND there was a huge mirror!
Well ...my memory ...o-o.
Paul the bad one
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Alles best. Jij al weer bijgekomen van de schrik met de baan? Succes met de banenjacht (en oppassen met de meidenjacht).
Oops, I'm being rude to our hosts. Anyway, my memory is bad too. Ah, I'll forget about it in about a week. If I remember that long that I need to forget - what?
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Beautiful bass, beautiful girlfriend. Life is good.
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Don't know about that, Jeff.
My beautiful bass is in pieces at the Alembic factory. It'll be beautiful again once Mica and her band of merry bass men and women can rebuild it better than before.
Too preliminary to call Jackie my girlfriend yet, we've only had a couple of dates. But...working on it!! These things take time, just like....fixing a quality instrument. I'm patient.
MB
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It could be much worse, Mike! Take a deep breath, step back, have a Guiness (or two) and relax. You still have a nice bass (it will be once again anyway) and you can pull gorgeous honeys. It's all good. You da man!
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Hey Mike,
I just thought of something: While you're having Mica fix the headstock with a cone, have them put a point (a barbed one is preferable) on the thing instead of the roundover so you can stick it up Rog Jr's arse the next time his ego gets the best of him, LOL!
Cheers,
Kevin
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Ha!
If that's the case, why not restore it to the original V headstock - and have them sharpen up the horns, so to speak? A two-pronged attack on little singer boy will send a definite message.
Paul TBO - Jackie sends her regards. Just saw her last night and am taking her to the Latin Grammys today. She was quite amused to find that she has fans in Alembicville - she said What's that?? Had a lot of explaining to do.
Cheers, Mike
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Sure! It's all good.
Alembicville? That's a good one!
Here's an idea: Take a pic of the honey with your remaining Alembic and post it here...best of both worlds don't you think? LOL!
Paul TBO will HATE that one, LOL!
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Ha! That's a great idea. I'll see if I can get her to agree to that one. Paul will love it. So will I. So will you.
Mike
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Oh ...huhuhu ...is there to slobber again????
PTBO
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Beautiful Woman with an Alembic...what's not to love?
(Say it with your best Austin Powers) YEAH BABY!...Oh Behaaaave! LOL!
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Mike
Got a chance to see your Alembic today, it was very painful. I would rate it right up there with one of lifes greatest disasters. One question, is your singer still living?
Rory
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Hey there Rory,
Looks pretty bad, doesn't it?
I spoke to Valentino today, he's going to start a thread on factory to customer so everyone here can see the disaster you're talking about, plus the excitement of the repair work.
Singer boy is still alive but his ability to reproduce is in jeopardy.
I'm very grateful that everyone there seems optimistic that I'm going to have a very special, unique recreation (at least cosmetically) of John's stage basses when all is said and done.
I can't wait!
Mike
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Mike-
From someone who has been through the headstock replacement horror, the magicians in the Alembic shop will do it right.
I almost always have to actually point out the scarf joint on the Dark and the Light to people - it blends so beautifully.
I'm a year down the road from the repair and I've had no problems and can't hear any significant difference to the tone.
But, you already knew you were in good hands.
C-Ya............wayne
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Wayne,
Thanks for the reassurance.
Mica did say that the scarf joint will be visible but there will not be any discernible difference in tone or playability. I got lucky. Yes I'm in very good hands. I spoke to Valentino at length yesterday, he seems to feel that the new look of this instrument will be a real wow. He's going to start a thread in Factory To Customer soon.
How did your headstock horror come about? Care to share with us, or is it too painful to recall?
Mike
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Mike:
FYI, C-Ya Wayne's Broken Alembic Headstock Repair:
BEWARE The evil UPS!
Not For The Faint Of Heart Repair (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=7790)
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Oh my goodness! I thought my story was bad. This one takes the cake!!! What a terrible thing to have happened. To not even have the satisfaction that the damage occurred during a gig or some other meaningful way. Instead - the evil empire of UPS whacks it not once, but twice!!
I shipped My Wife back to Alembic via UPS. I'm assuming it got there in two pieces (I'm talking the bass and the sheared-off peghead). I'm hoping it comes back in one piece!!!
Since I would love to bring this instrument to out-of-town gigs, it seems a road case is in order for me.
Mike
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Mike: Das ist Stimpt Gennau!...er, um, that's absolutely correct, LOL! Sorry, I was writing the Deutscher Alembic Club contingent in another thread and got carried away with my bad German.
I made sure I got a road case to protect my expensive bass from UPS on it's 3k mile journey home to Joisey. It's not perfect, it's very expensive, and it took forever to get, but it protected my baby so that it's nine month gestation period did not have to be extended due to careless handling. If you travel with the thing, get yourself a custom made flight case. It is cheap insurance, believe you me.
BTW, no pix from the Latin Grammy's? Between your hot date and all the honeys in that place, I'd want something more than a memory to remember that night by, LOL! I mean PAUL TBO wants them...yeah, that's it! LOL! That's my story and I'm sticking to it, LOL!
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Road case it is then. After my wallet recovers from this repair job.
Nah, I didn't take any pix at the LGs. It wasn't all that spectacular a show, although my date did look great and there were TONS of honeys around. You and Paul will just have to use your imaginations....
MB
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Sorry, double post.
(Message edited by kmh364 on September 04, 2004)
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That's what I meant bro...I could care less about celebrities and music biz people, I just wanna see the barely-dressed honeys, LOL!
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Hey there Alembicville,
If you care to take a look, Mica and Valentino have been kind enough to post some repair photos on the Factory to Customer thread. The repairs are almost done! I can't wait to get My Wife back into my hands!!!
MB