Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: 811952 on September 21, 2006, 07:51:52 AM
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Another thread got me thinking - I've never seen what I would consider an ugly Alembic (though some people think they're all horrifically ugly). Anybody have an pics of what they would consider an ugly Alembic? Or strangest? Most idiosyncratic?
John
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Given that Alembic's reputation has been built largely on their willingness to make custom instruments, I have to believe they have had some clients with bad taste over the years. Maybe there is some kind of double-neck out there, with the body shaped and painted in the likeness of John Elway's face. The necks could look like his arms, one of which would have a football attached to the headstock, as though the quarterback were about to throw a touchdown pass.
I wonder if they would build this bass...
Andy Calder
www.andycalderbass.com (http://www.andycalderbass.com)
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I wouldn't say ugly but there certainly are some Alembics that have been made which are amazingly distinct.
I've never seen an Alembic that I considered ugly though. Even the ones that aren't exactly my cup of tea are beautiful and special in their own way. A good example is the custom of the month gallery. There are a few in there that weren't exactly my bag when I first looked at them but over time they've each taken on their own personality and I think that makes them special. So you could say that I've grown fond of them even though they're not what I would personally custom order.
-Jim
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I agree with you there Jim, beauty is in the eye of the beholder for sure. When I first started looking at alembics with a view to buy, I only liked the Stanley Clarke model.
Maybe because that was the only shape of alembic I knew. It is still my favourite shape for a bass. If the balance was better I'd certainly have a 5 or even a 6 stringer in that style. Funds allowing of course.
If I was able to afford a custom guitar, I'd chose that shape for the guitar. Some of the others I, like you, have grown to like like the Europa and Orion shapes.
I also think they way many alembics look is very much influenced by the body wood choice as well. Some shapes seem to suit certain woods better than others.
Jazzyvee
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I'm leaning towards Johnny Winter's guitar. No offense to anyone who might have been involved, it's only my humble opinion.
Sam
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I saw a photo of one once that had the tuning head broke off. BRRRRR that was an ugly sight. I still have night mares abiut that.
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that winter guitar is a beauty.....
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ONLY from 'the neck up' . . . I can't stand the cone pegheads.
J o e y
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You're right Olie, seeing an Alembic that will never be played again... now that's an ugly sight.
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Ok, I'll admit that I don't like the 3/4 size basses (i.e. MK 3/4 size). They just don't flow for me.
The Johnny Winters guitar, however, I absolutely love.
Bradley
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Bradley,
3/4 size never did it for me, until I played Olie's...hmmm form or function?
Ugliest? I think Jim, 3rd post from the top, sums it up fairly well.
Now, from time to time I've made my Alembic sonically ugly.
Mike
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Ahem, Ahem, Well I never.
Bradley you hurt my feelings man.
I always thought Janis Joplin was no beauty queen, but then you hear her sing and well, what can ya' say.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/31679.jpg)
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Olie,
I should have been more specific-- I don't think they're ugly, they just don't inspire the carnal reaction that the Standard, Balance and Stanley models do.
I'd still hit it, though.
Bradley
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Be careful Bradley, it's only got a 1/4 plug.
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I must admit that the triple omega medieval battle axes are not my favorite. Neither is the V peghead. And If I had my druthers, my Electrum would sport something other than the cone headstock. And while ugly might not be the appropriate word, I could never understand painted Alembics. It's the wood, dude!
Bill, tgo
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I agree Bill, Alembics are best seen sporting wood. U
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It's hard to disagree with that comment.
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You guys should really come out of that closet.
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I love the wood, but the painted Alembics (especially the burst or see through finishes) are something special!
No need to look much further than the wineburst Elan in the Showcase or this Balance K:
http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_pinot.html (http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_pinot.html)
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pardon me, good Dr S
I like them new
I like them old
I like them painted bright and bold
I like them my way
I like them your way
I like the fabulous wacky inlays
I like them plain
I like them fancy
But don't leave them on the stage (it's mighty chancey)
Coco Bolo and ebony
Flamey maple, zebrawood
Burl walnut, man that's good
I'll keep mine
And you got yours
Play 'em in and out of doors
Alembics Rock
Alembics Roll
Sweet or ugly, they steal the show
Mike
(it's all good)
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Nice to see you're working hard Mike.
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I find a few of the designs a bit more than I would be willing to strap on, but nothing that's ugly. They're all special in their own way. (But some more than others ;))
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Toby/Mike--
+1
Eric
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As it was mentioned in a previous post to this thread, I checked the official rule book for clarification:
Cone headstocks rule.
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Dave, I know Dan Akroyd would agree with you.
(Message edited by olieoliver on September 22, 2006)
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We come from France.
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Let us now consume mass quantities of beer
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(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/31716.jpg)
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Isn't this like asking What's the cheapest Ferrari? :-)
My least favorite are the Excel and Epic, but that's just based on the shape. When you are actually holding one and feel the quality of materials and craftsmanship, well, it's like what we used to call a brown bagger.
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Remulak, a small town in France.
Bill, tgo
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I always wondered what Roger Sadowsky looked like . . .
J o e y
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J o e y, as Joe Dirt would say, DAAAAANG.
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I'm a BIG Alembic fan, but I agree that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I personally don't care for the model with the scorpion-claw horns. I'll try to find a picture. As well, there's one with a Rogue body and an omega cut. The Rogue body and standard Omega bodies are both beautiful, but I feel they clash when combined.
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I'm not very keen on the Rogue. I think the upper horn is too long. That said, I saw a Rogue in FTC section which had a short horn. Even if I prefer other shapes like the Balance K, the Series Bodys, the Essence or Excel, this one looked very nice.
I won't call them ugly, merely they're not my taste: All these very big shapes like the Exploiter, Dragon Wing and so on are just not for me. But they are outstanding instruments of course and beautiful in it's own dignity, but somehow I just cannot relate to them.
I absolutely love the babyblue Spoiler with the plate for the control knobs in the FTC thread. :-)
Gruesse, Pablo
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When it comes down to it... Its not how ugly they look,but how ugly you play them.
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I generally dislike painted Alembics. I enjoy seeing them in their natural state...well I guess that would be trees, but as a bass I like them natural.
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I absolutely love sun-/cherry-/whateverburst, even with alembics. ;-) But I love the natural finish, too.
I don't know how you play the Triple Omega, a Gibson Thunderbird is very nice to play contrary of it's looks.
Gruesse, Pablo
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Sho' you right Wade!
I've never really seen an ugly Alembic but have heard some ugly owners on them.
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I like the Thunderbird too, but it's limited access to the upper frets makes it unplayable (to me). There's alot to be said for a good old Jazz Bass.
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Sweet Mother of Pearl...enough Triple O bashing! How can a Triple Omega even be mentioned in a thread such as this??? A sexier shape has never roamed the planet (although Anna K. does come fairly close).
'Medieval battle axe'??? How dare thee....
Excuse me whilst I prepare for the next crusade.....has anyone seen that confounded dragon?
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Last I saw, it was crawling up Stanley Clarke's neck! http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_dragonsbreath.html (http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_dragonsbreath.html)
Bill, tgo
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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
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Beauty is in eye of the beholder!