Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Dreaming... for now => Topic started by: kingmidas3 on July 26, 2018, 03:32:29 PM
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Hello Everyone,
I owned a used 1981 Series II that a BIT student sold to me to fund a purchase a Steinberger in 1983. Unfortunately, I had to sell it to fund expenses when I was younger. Last month, I started playing around with the “Alembic Custom Quote” feature which led me to finalizing what will be an amazing instrument with some classic and some cutting edge features going all out in a Series II 4 string bass. I was pleasantly surprised at how reasonably priced the option pricing has been landing. Stay tuned (pun intended) for what will most likely be a delivery in February of 2019. Been dealing with Susan on this one and she’s been a delight to both work with and to talk about life lessons with.
I’m selling off some nice basses and guitars to fund the build however the experience is worth the price of admission, especially when you’re over a half a century old. So many things go into good design and manufacturing - the place is busy and Susan has sent me E-Mails at midnight her time. I saw a recent set of pictures on Facebook from someone’s tour of the Alembic factory and was blown away by how many custom builds that they have in production. The place is thriving. Ron Wickersham does the equivalent of tap tuning the electronics by hand to each instrument and some of the mockups that they will e doing for me pre-production are material and labor intensive. Plus, they treat their employees right with health insurance and a fully stocked fridge with meals and snacks to retain their engaged workers. You’ll pay more for an Alembic but value seldom equates to price. Susan can’t make them any cheaper with the who, what, where, when, why and how market that they serve.
Edward in St Louis
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Congrats on your new build!
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Hi Edward. I am also having a new build, and could not have said it better about the process, and the Alembic family. Dreams come true for those who wait. Looking forward to seeing pictures. Cheers!
Joe
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Thanks David and Joe. I'm doing some firsts for Alembic on this build. Susan dove into her stash of woods and selected some unique walnut for the top and back that she's been holding for 30+ years that are ideal for the body shape that we've selected (the figuring will only be given justice for this specific build). Once the build is complete, we will have photos and a story to share for the group.
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Like Joe said, looking forward to pictures.
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Sounds....delicious!!!
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Nice to have another Edward around here. ;D
Looking forward to seeing what they create for you.
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Enjoy the ride, congratulations!
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Congratulations, can't wait to see some pics!
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I share in your excitement and anticipation! They will flow once the bass starts to take shape.
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Curious about your custom options
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Hi Mario! I will be posting pictures when the bass arrives in 2019 - don't want to spoil anything until the finished product is completed.
I will say that I have been lurking in the wings since 1981, absorbing the classic features and cutting edge innovations that the company has made since then to put into the design - it will have some firsts yet the overall effect will be classy, representing good taste and utility at the same time. I'm glad that I have waited this long.
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Susan went into her stash and presented a set of top and back wood that she’s had set aside for over 30 years just waiting for the specific body size and style that this instrument will have.
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Got the E-Mail update that this week they will do the body mock up and send over the electronics layout. One small step...
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New build is progressing nicely. Ebony pickup covers are under construction and neck laminates are in the glue presses. It’s always a happy day when Susan calls to give updates and to also chat. She is one of the nicest people I have ever met. She’s fascinating to talk with. What a great company. I can see why their family tribe has stood the test of time both inside and out of the Alembic factory.
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I posted some pictures of my build in progress on the Facebook page Alembic Bass Guitars
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Status Update:
Body is now carved and attached to the 34 inch long scale 4 string neck with 3 Ebony laminates. Ebony headstock veneer is installed and sterling silver wrapped red LED neck position markers are in. The pickup covers and Series II hum cancelling cover are crafted from solid Ebony and are awaiting their future electronic circuits - Ron is building me two bass boost circuits - one for each pickup. The continuous wood backplates and truss rod cover are being finished now. Can't wait to see the custom inlay work that has been spec'd.
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Control layout approved today - will get pickups routed tomorrow then it goes in for two finish coats shortly thereafter. Progress!
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Checking in on this thread and thought I would note that some of us are not on facebook.
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We are now effectively six weeks away from delivery!
Susan and Mica have sent me pictures that I have uploaded on the Alembic Bass Guitars and the Alembic Instruments Facebook pages.
Pickup and control cavities have been routed
Gloss finish has been applied and all of the wood "pops" incredibly well - figure and flame and color appear that were not seen before when the wood was unfinished
Inlays have been sterling silver bound around the mother of pearl
Further logo inlays will be underway
Ron is making the electronics now and the hardware is being gold plated
Jan Al is building a sturdy road case for her now
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Jan Al road case is underway:
ATA Flightcase with recessed casters and hasp lasp
Purple Wave Velvet Interior
Radient Barrier Interior
Black Rhinohide Exterior
Ordering process could not have been smoother - quoting two week turnaround (10 business days).
They will coordinate with Alembic directly on all required measurements for my custom body shape.
Cost is $751.00 for an ATA case instead of the $450.00 Alembic hard shell - the Alembic hard shell is sturdy however I am going into overkill territory here as this instrument is ultra high value and it's cheaper to do it now instead of later
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Sent Alembic a new set of Rotosound steel Swing Bass Strong’s - they cut the nit and saddles then send all of the hardware off to be gold plated so that the notches get filled with gold plate by also.
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Mica called and recommended the recessed strap locks. I am taking her advice.
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I have recessed strap locks on two of my basses. Just make sure you remember to bring the strap with the correct lock pins, otherwise you will be sitting down ( been there, done that). :)
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Susan sent me pictures of the logos today for the Headstock:
Front is Ebony laminate with the below the aurface standard logo with the addition of sterling silver wrapped lab created opals.
Back is figured Walnut laminate with the below the surface logo with green Malachite in the center section and with the addition of sterling silver wrapped golden mother of pearl rays. Yes - each side of the headstock has a logo!
Shipping soon!
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Sounds cool, you must be psyched! Post some pics when you get it! :)
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RV,
You bet on both counts. We're getting close to delivery. 8)
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Okay - the dream is close to reality. Mica said that the bass will be ready next week and is expected to ship the week after. I sent a photo of the bass in process to Chuck Panozzo, bass player for Styx , and got the thumbs up from him!