Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: eastcoastepic on December 11, 2006, 08:03:25 PM

Title: December COTM
Post by: eastcoastepic on December 11, 2006, 08:03:25 PM: Hmmm, nice guitar....click here to operate LED's....?????
And I do, and, of course, I am impressed once again......
Beautiful axe, Charley, play in the best of health...
Chris
Title: December COTM
Post by: inthelows on December 11, 2006, 08:09:10 PM: Great axe Cheshire Cat.
NLP
Cheshire Cat link (http://www.alembic.com/info/featured_custom.html)
Title: December COTM
Post by: Bradley Young on December 11, 2006, 08:43:35 PM: As I said in the other thread, shouldn't it be the Unitary Authority of Warrington Cat?

There were some Terry Pratchett fans, how about Jasper Fforde?

Bradley
Title: December COTM
Post by: tom_z on December 11, 2006, 08:47:20 PM: Congratulations Charley!! Great guitar. Fantastic inlay - I can just feel Jerry smiling.

Peace
Tom
Title: December COTM
Post by: lbpesq on December 11, 2006, 11:45:28 PM: Charley:

Sweeeet! Congrats on COTM. Looking at yours for the next month will certainly help to pass the time until mine is finished.

Bill, tgo
Title: December COTM
Post by: adriaan on December 12, 2006, 01:25:13 AM: Bradley, you must be the first of my acquaintances who is actually a fellow Jasper Fforde fan. So far I have read only The Jane Eyre Affair, but for some reason I think I've read another one as well - probably just a side effect of reading one.
Title: December COTM
Post by: adriaan on December 12, 2006, 01:28:44 AM: Eh, and yet another great COTM!
Title: December COTM
Post by: keith_h on December 12, 2006, 04:02:05 AM: Charley,
Congratulations on the COTM. The inlay is great.

Keith
Title: December COTM
Post by: jure_the_second on December 12, 2006, 04:47:22 AM: I couldn't help noticing, that the tailpiece is finished in two colors (the lower half is black).

http://www3.alembic.com/img/inst/13650_smile1M.jpg (http://www3.alembic.com/img/inst/13650_smile1M.jpg)

Was there any special reason to do this?

Thanks

Jure
Title: December COTM
Post by: georgie_boy on December 12, 2006, 05:05:27 AM: If it's anything like my old 1976 Series bass, then it's solid brass on the top with either a rosewood or ebony bottom part. It was made like this at the time because they seemingly didn't have the tooling to make a solid brass tailpiece-as they do now
George
Title: December COTM
Post by: cozmik_cowboy on December 12, 2006, 05:16:10 AM: Why does everyone always start commenting on the cool new COTM a day or three before it shows up on my computer???? I still have Novemember! (I hate when that happens - I wanna see it too!)

Peter
Title: December COTM
Post by: keith_h on December 12, 2006, 05:18:42 AM: Peter,
The page has not expired in your browser cache so you pull up the old one. Reloading the main page should refresh it.

Keith
Title: December COTM
Post by: lbpesq on December 12, 2006, 05:59:54 AM: Jure:

The standard Further tailpiece is brass over Ebony. My '76 Series 1 also sports this configuration.

Bill, tgo
Title: December COTM
Post by: cozmik_cowboy on December 12, 2006, 06:14:37 AM: OK, my work computer shows December - sweet! That back-lit inlay is just way too cool.

Peter
Title: December COTM
Post by: paulman on December 12, 2006, 06:16:48 AM: To be punny...

Nothin' left to do but smile smile smile :D

Congrats Charley!
Title: December COTM
Post by: inthelows on December 12, 2006, 09:44:07 AM: So is the next one going to be The White Rabbit?
How 'bout Surrealistic Pillow? ;)
NLP
Title: December COTM
Post by: FC Bass on December 12, 2006, 10:02:07 AM: Is there a laptop included to operate the leds? (http://club.alembic.com/Images/clipartbiggrin.gif)
Very nice axe indeed!
Title: December COTM
Post by: foth on December 12, 2006, 01:10:13 PM: You know how when someone yawns then you have to yawn too? Well, when you look at this guitar you just have to smile!
I bet you've already seen this in your audience, eh Charley?
Title: December COTM
Post by: lidon2001 on December 12, 2006, 01:26:36 PM: Very nice Charley! BEM remains one of the coolest woods.

Guitars were represented very well this year.

T
Title: December COTM
Post by: charley on December 12, 2006, 04:17:02 PM: Thanks for the kind words......but all the congrats and thanks should go to Susan, Mica, and the crew for making such an awesome guitar. This is really the best guitar I have ever played. Now......how do I convince them to build me a hollowbody??????????
(http://[url=http://pic2.picturetrail.com/VOL1002/4981299/13107315/212973911.jpg]http://pic2.picturetrail.com/VOL1002/4981299/13107315/212973911.jpg[/url])
Title: December COTM
Post by: lbpesq on December 12, 2006, 04:28:17 PM: Charley:

Which model Boogie is that in the background?

Bill, tgo
Title: December COTM
Post by: flaxattack on December 12, 2006, 05:58:46 PM: bill
yours is getting finished? this century? wow!!!!11

charley
sweet guitar
great cotm to close the year out..
congrats
Title: December COTM
Post by: lbpesq on December 12, 2006, 08:02:41 PM: Flax:

This is the Holiday Season, when people dream unimaginable thoughts! LOL

Bill, tgo
Title: December COTM
Post by: grateful on December 13, 2006, 03:01:46 AM: Congrats Charley: I'm rather partial to BEM Furthers.

Mark
Title: December COTM
Post by: jsaylor on December 13, 2006, 12:06:40 PM: Eh, I think its fugly, but thats just me.
Title: December COTM
Post by: pace on December 13, 2006, 12:55:52 PM: Congrats again Charley!

Nice inlay concept, even nicer to see Susan & James pull it off!

This is just one of several Furthers either on the bench, or in players hands that has really impressed me.

.... if you dont have anything good to say.... Eh, I wont waste my breath....
Title: December COTM
Post by: jsaylor on December 13, 2006, 02:24:30 PM: Pace,
If everyone has the same opinion, there would be nbo point in a forum.
Title: December COTM
Post by: dannobasso on December 13, 2006, 02:39:40 PM: I would echo pace and let any less than encouraging views about a finished instrument go unread. The dreaming section might be more appropriate if one is seeking opinions. I know I have my favorites but no one really needs to read what I don't care for. I'd like to end my year being positive. The inlay idea is fantastic. It makes me regret I didn't splurge and have the backlit put on my Doomtree inlays.
Congrats Charley. play it in good health and inspiration.
Title: December COTM
Post by: hydrargyrum on December 13, 2006, 02:43:18 PM: Alright Jordan , I porbably shouldn't tread down this path, but here goes . . . What exactly do you think your comments contributed to the thread other than a disrespectful tone? Why chime in just to say you think something is ugly, or more specifically f#@$ing ugly, as you paraphrased it? This guitar is likely someone's prized possesion. It would be like telling someone that their girlfriend is ugly. Not particularly polite. You're right, a good forum needs a variety of opinions, but a little respect between the members doesn't hurt either.

For what its worth, I love the chesire cat, but personally have never been as big a fan of the futher body style, having always preferred other alembic styles. None the less, I am sure this is an incredible instrument. Enjoy it in good health Charley!
Title: December COTM
Post by: hydrargyrum on December 13, 2006, 02:44:35 PM: Wow, sounds like Danno beat me to the punch (is there an echo in here?).
Title: December COTM
Post by: charley on December 13, 2006, 03:06:06 PM: The Boogie in the picture is a Mark 1 Reissue. I play it through a Two Rock 1x12 cab with the Two Rock 1265 speaker, and also use a Keeley Compressor, a Fulldrive 2, and a TC Electronics G Major. The tone is just awesome. I'm really loving this guitar.
Title: December COTM
Post by: jsaylor on December 13, 2006, 03:44:46 PM: I didn't mean any offense by my comment, I just don't think its a very nice looking guitar.
Title: December COTM
Post by: lbpesq on December 13, 2006, 11:03:34 PM: I don't think it's a very nice looking guitar, either. I think it's an incredibly absolutely stunningly gorgeous guitar. I hope you'll post a picture of the lit up smile in the dark, Charley.

Bill, tgo
Title: December COTM
Post by: bob on December 13, 2006, 11:18:57 PM: I'll second that. We've seen tons of stunning inlays here, but for some reason the Chesire cat just does it for me (and I don't even really like cats, not to offend anyone of course).

Let's see it in the dark, as it was meant to be.
Title: December COTM
Post by: rraymond on December 13, 2006, 11:28:47 PM: I don't chime in all that often, but that guitar and most likely the Chesire Cat, compels me. It's a beaut, enjoy!
Title: December COTM
Post by: jacko on December 14, 2006, 04:27:26 AM: I think it's a stunning guitar. I know, I'm a bassist and I'm not allowed an opinion on guitars ;-) What also impresses me is the button on the thread that switches the smile on and off. How do they do that? It's like those things that follow your curser around the screen. e-jiggerypokery at it's best.

Incidentally Jordan, just what do you consider to be a nice looking guitar?

Graeme
Title: December COTM
Post by: kmh364 on December 15, 2006, 04:44:28 AM: All that's really important is that the person that ordered the thing is ecstatic about it. In that case, I'd say Mica and Co. hit another home run. Whether I, or anyone else here likes it, is immaterial.

Congrats, Charley!

Enjoy it in good health. Considering your discriminating taste in gear, you're in good company here...Mickey D's won't do when there's Ruth's Chris or Peter Luger Steaks to be had, LOL!

Cheers,

Kevin
Title: December COTM
Post by: jorge_s on December 15, 2006, 01:09:32 PM: I always look with anticipation to the custom of the month and I am always blown away. It is a beauty! Congratulations!
Title: December COTM
Post by: jsaylor on December 16, 2006, 09:26:08 AM: Jacko,
Completely depends. To me it looks nice, or it doesn't. I don't really care for boutique guitars, but I like some. I love boutigue basses, but for guitars its different. I like the classic looking guitars such as LP's, Stratocasters, Telecasters, and SG's. I also like some of the radical looking guitars like Jacksons. Now for this guitar, I think the inlay is hidious. So thats why I don't like it. Seems to me a waste of a good guitar and $16,000 or more. But I guess if you have the money go for it.
Title: December COTM
Post by: jsaylor on December 16, 2006, 09:31:09 AM: Jacko,
Completely depends. To me it looks nice, or it doesn't. I don't really care for boutique guitars, but I like some. I love boutigue basses, but for guitars its different. I like the classic looking guitars such as LP's, Stratocasters, Telecasters, and SG's. I also like some of the radical looking guitars like Jacksons. Now for this guitar, I think the inlay is hidious. So thats why I don't like it. Seems to me a waste of a good guitar and $16,000 or more. But I guess if you have the money go for it. To each his own.

(Message edited by jsaylor on December 16, 2006)
Title: December COTM
Post by: lbpesq on December 16, 2006, 09:44:27 AM: I understand. I mean, who in their right mind would ever want a Ferrari, a Maserati, or a Lamborghini, when you could have a Ford Aerostar or a Chevy Lumina. Long Live mediocrity and conformity!

Seriously though, it is precisely this attitude among guitar players that results in Alembic selling so many more basses. For some reason guitar players aren't as open minded about their instruments as bassists (As a guitar player, I'm allowed to say this. Sort of like Chris Rock can use the N word). I think this may stem from the I wanna be just like (fill in the blank with favorite rock star) syndrome.

Charley:

If it were mine and someone told me they didn't like it because it doesn't look like a Strat, LP, Tele, SG, or 335 (I think you forget that one, Jordan), I would take it as a compliment. Recently I've been playing with a Roland GR-33 guitar synth. While listening to a rehearsal recording, my wife told me that she didn't like the sound on the organ patch I was using - she thought it sounded too churchy. Later that evening I had the CD carousel playing randomly and a Band song came on. My wife commented that she hated the organ sound, that it sounded too churchy just like my synth. When I realized she was disparaging my sound because I sounded like Garth Hudson, I took at as a huge compliment and felt reassured I was getting a handle on the synth unit. To each his or her own.

Bill, the guitar one

(Message edited by lbpesq on December 16, 2006)
Title: December COTM
Post by: dannobasso on December 16, 2006, 01:04:22 PM: As both a bassist and guitarist may I also be considered qualified to give an informed opinion as well? i have several guits. 2 strats, 1 mockingbird, 1 LP classic, 2 esquires (gt and scorpion), 1 hamer, 1 MM petrucci 7, 1 schecter 7, ESP ltd ec1000, and finally 1 Alembic Skylark. They are all attractive in their own way and I enjoy them on a daily basis. Some I got by artist inspiration, some by looks and others out of ebay madness. I never buy to impress others, just me.

Charley, you have a true work of art and any amount of effort, patience, and cash only adds to the unique bond you share with your instrument. Whatever your inspiration for designing and having Alembic build this, thanks for sharing that with us and in a way, having us gear heads along for the ride. (that also extends to every ftc build. I really like following the process.) If I have another axe built, youknow I'm getting the backlit inlay!

Where else can you get that much free ftc entertainment?
Title: December COTM
Post by: bigredbass on December 16, 2006, 01:40:35 PM: I GET it . . . . the Cheshire Cat is the PERFECT embodiment of the S**t-Eating Grin he has on his face when he plays it. Or just opens the case and looks at it.

Like an old boss used to say: Musicians will KILL themselves to look and act hip and current, but they've all just GOT to play the same two or three guitars that have been around forever. And IF it was 16G's, he saved NINE-THOUSAND DOLLARS by NOT buying the Custom Shop 'Blackie' recreation!

J o e y
Title: December COTM
Post by: lbpesq on December 16, 2006, 02:10:41 PM: C'mon Joey, don't exaggerate. The pre-distressed Blackie Strat isn't that expensive. I mean it's only about the same street price as three Furthers or two Series I's - $20,000.00! Now excuse me, I have to run right down to my local GC and grab one up before the masses beat me to it. The difference in the concept of custom at Alembic vs. Fender is quite interesting. LOL

Bill, tgo
Title: December COTM
Post by: Bradley Young on December 16, 2006, 05:17:56 PM: Bill,

Just for reference, Susan told me that Alembic (contrary to established wisdom) make just as many guitars as they do basses (and that was a while ago, they may actually make more guitars now).

Oh and I'll assure you that the Unitary Authority of Warrington Cat would look like it was sporting a slight smirk compared to me if I were the recipient of such a wonderful work of art. Congratulations Charley.

Bradley