Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Showcase => Signature Basses => Topic started by: kenbass4 on October 05, 2021, 03:08:08 PM

Title: Cocobolo Mark King Signature Deluxe 5 String
Post by: kenbass4 on October 05, 2021, 03:08:08 PM: I know, I know "But, but...your name is Kenbass4 "

About 16 years ago, I ordered a Custom Series II 4 string that I figured would be the last bass I ever bought. And for about 13 years it was all I ever needed for the music I was playing.

Then I hooked up with a guitarist and vocalist that pushed my boundaries, and several of the songs we were working on would benefit from the low B string.
So, to avoid spending a fortune on something I wasn't sure would work, I bought an Ibanez Premium Soundgear 5 string that I could at least get some of my money back on if things didn't work out. They worked out, I started writing several more songs using the lower register, but REALLY missed the Alembic filter sound and quality wood work so badly missing on the Ibanez.

I started mapping out a Balance K Series II, and looked at Bass Central's inventory, and THERE IT WAS, a beautiful Cocobolo Balance K Signature, in stock, no waiting, with figuring I would have picked out if I was building.

I asked if they could order me 3 position Q switches to replace the standard ones, and they said Susan would arrange to have them ship it to them, have them install them, and have me pick it up at the new (to me) factory. How could I say no??? :D

So, here it is, in all it's (badly photographed) glory!

(Hmmm...preview doesn't show attachments, but they're all small enough to pass.)
Title: Re: Cocobolo Mark King Signature Deluxe 5 String
Post by: kenbass4 on October 05, 2021, 03:09:17 PM: OK, they did post, enjoy!!!
Title: Re: Cocobolo Mark King Signature Deluxe 5 String
Post by: jazzyvee on October 05, 2021, 03:28:11 PM: Great news about the new bass. Looks great and i'm sure you will grasp that low register.
Title: Re: Cocobolo Mark King Signature Deluxe 5 String
Post by: rv_bass on October 05, 2021, 04:19:33 PM: Beautiful bass, congratulations!

I see you have an F-1x on top of what looks like a one-space power amp. Just wondering what kind it is? I have been looking for a one-space power amp.

Have fun with that beautiful bass!
Title: Re: Cocobolo Mark King Signature Deluxe 5 String
Post by: kenbass4 on October 05, 2021, 05:43:22 PM: Rob, that's the setup at the Alembic showroom, so actually I have no idea, I was too focussed on the bass.
Title: Re: Cocobolo Mark King Signature Deluxe 5 String
Post by: rv_bass on October 05, 2021, 06:46:13 PM: Thanks, Ken, I guess the painting on the wall should have tipped me off about the location (LOL)! I was admiring your bass too much! :)
Title: Re: Cocobolo Mark King Signature Deluxe 5 String
Post by: StephenR on October 05, 2021, 06:51:00 PM: Quote from: kenbass4 on October 05, 2021, 05:43:22 PM
Rob, that's the setup at the Alembic showroom, so actually I have no idea, I was too focussed on the bass.

As well you should have been... beautiful bass Ken! Love my Balance K five-string and Cocobolo not only looks great but imparts a nice deep tone. Have you gotten to play it yet with the people you are working with?
Title: Re: Cocobolo Mark King Signature Deluxe 5 String
Post by: kenbass4 on October 05, 2021, 07:47:08 PM: Stephen, sort of...we practice remotely through JamKazam, so it's not the same as in person, but it sounded so much better with the Alembic...and they noticed too!
Title: Re: Cocobolo Mark King Signature Deluxe 5 String
Post by: garyhead on October 05, 2021, 07:50:02 PM: So that's the new showroom! I recognized the painting.

Ken, you were the fella who gave me my first Factory tour in 1998....and I left there with a Classico! Man.....that was an expensive tour!

Visited Martin Guitar Factory after a Nearfest........left with a 175th Anniversary acoustic guitar.

Was going to visit the MAC Truck factory too but it was closed for tours that day.....good thing.....I'd have to drive that dang dumptruck home from PA! ;) ;D
Title: Re: Cocobolo Mark King Signature Deluxe 5 String
Post by: kenbass4 on October 05, 2021, 08:25:58 PM: Gary, actually I never worked for Alembic, but we did meet when you came to one of the bay area gatherings...I must have one those faces I guess.
Title: Re: Cocobolo Mark King Signature Deluxe 5 String
Post by: growlypants on October 06, 2021, 06:54:31 AM: Beautiful beautiful bass. Congrats!
Title: Re: Cocobolo Mark King Signature Deluxe 5 String
Post by: garyhead on October 06, 2021, 07:54:43 AM: Quote from: kenbass4 on October 05, 2021, 08:25:58 PM
Gary, actually I never worked for Alembic, but we did meet when you came to one of the bay area gatherings...I must have one those faces I guess.

My bad......time to start collecting pamphlets for Retirement Communities! ;D
Title: Re: Cocobolo Mark King Signature Deluxe 5 String
Post by: kenbass4 on October 06, 2021, 12:04:27 PM: Gary,
Did you read my shirt? :D

No worries, I think there was someone named Ken that worked there many years ago, so you might be half right

A dump truck...think of all the gear you could hall in that! ;D
Title: Re: Cocobolo Mark King Signature Deluxe 5 String
Post by: xlrogue6 on October 06, 2021, 02:18:07 PM: I was the guy who gave you the tour, Gary. Those were the days!
Title: Re: Cocobolo Mark King Signature Deluxe 5 String
Post by: garyhead on October 06, 2021, 02:51:50 PM: Quote from: xlrogue6 on October 06, 2021, 02:18:07 PM
I was the guy who gave you the tour, Gary. Those were the days!

Thanks for the reminder…those “were” the days! I had more money than common sense back then….but WOW! What a collection I have.
Title: Re: Cocobolo Mark King Signature Deluxe 5 String
Post by: kenbass4 on October 06, 2021, 03:45:28 PM: Quote from: xlrogue6 on October 06, 2021, 02:18:07 PM
I was the guy who gave you the tour, Gary. Those were the days!
Kent, Ken, what's in a letter, right?
Hey, I do have a Rogue and a Rogue- bodied Series II so I can see the confusion now. :)