Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: dinan on June 14, 2015, 09:41:35 PM

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: dinan on June 14, 2015, 09:41:35 PM

I was lucky enough to acquire the John Judge Double Neck Series 1. I'm sure most are familiar with it but for those who aren't; it was built in 1978 and is instrument number 1000 featuring an 8 string and 4 string fretless bass with elaborate inlays on the neck, master volume, and what appears to be an interesting series/parallel selector for the 8 string pickups.  
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/210196.jpg)

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: dinan on June 14, 2015, 09:44:42 PM

The maiden...
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/210199.jpg)

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: dinan on June 14, 2015, 09:46:52 PM

The dragon...
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/210202.jpg)

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: dinan on June 14, 2015, 09:49:17 PM

The warriors...
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/210205.jpg)

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: dinan on June 14, 2015, 09:56:18 PM

It would be great to hear from John Judge and Christian (who enjoyed this in Germany for many years).  
 
This bass thunders on the 8 string side and has a wonderful buttery warmth to the 4 string side.  
 
The condition is still near pristine.  
 
And lastly, I would love to find a John Judge Superwound poster to buy (I have the original ad already). I would also love to have any shots of this bass being played live but I don't think many exist. Thanks to anyone that can help here.

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: pauldo on June 15, 2015, 04:38:35 AM

Congratulations Carl!
That is a great instrument there.

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: bassfingers on June 15, 2015, 05:30:46 AM

Here is the Superwound ad,as posted by rami in 2003.I did get a larger copy laminated which I mailed to Christian when he owned this bass.If I can find them I'll send you one,though I fear they were lost during my change of address.Still an awe inspiring instrument.
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/210210.jpg)

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: bassfingers on June 15, 2015, 05:40:19 AM

A slightly larger version.
 
 
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/210214.jpg)

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: dinan on June 15, 2015, 06:33:07 AM

Thanks! I do have an original of that ad.  
 
Now I just need to find a poster like the factory has!  
 
This is a fun bass to play but takes more talent than I will ever have to really do it justice and a stronger back as well.

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: moongerm on June 15, 2015, 07:55:44 AM

Congratulations Carl! Most certainly went to a good home. Best, Brian

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: gtrguy on June 15, 2015, 10:21:45 AM

I seem to remember a post here somewhere that John Judge made regarding this bass?

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: dinan on June 15, 2015, 07:32:46 PM

Yeah, John made a bunch of posts. As did a friend of his that is no longer active here.  
 
Much of the history is known but I'm sure there is plenty that would be interesting to know that isn't. ;-)

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: edwin on June 15, 2015, 08:08:41 PM

I'm asking this sincerely, so don't take it as a jab at the bass. What kind of music does one play with this? I don't know that I've ever played a song that required both 8 string and fretless. I would love to hear the music for which this bass fits the bill.
 
It is a thing of awesomeness! It's a good thing that it's not mine because I'd probably do some weird mods. Enjoy!

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: hieronymous on June 16, 2015, 10:46:29 AM

I've been conversing with Carl via email - glad he finally posted here! This is a mythical, legendary Alembic bass!!!

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: 5a_quilt_top on June 16, 2015, 11:40:36 AM

First off, congrats on adding another fine piece to your formidable collection. I'm old enough to remember those ads when they first appeared in Guitar Player in the late 70's and that bass amazed me every time I saw them.
 
Thanks for providing the close-up photos of the inlay work - the entire instrument is truly an incredible and whimsical work of art worthy of display in a museum!
 
I see you're sitting down in the first photo - which prompts me to ask: how much does she weigh?

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: David Houck on June 16, 2015, 05:01:35 PM

Edwin; in response to your question, it occurred to me that someone with looper skills could write/arrange and perform some pretty interesting material.  Laying down a chord progression with the eight string and then soloing on top with the fretless; or a walking bass line on the fretless, and soloing with the eight string; or combinations of those.  I think it could be a great canvas, and inspiration, for that type of application.

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: sonicus on June 16, 2015, 05:17:58 PM

Dave, Yes !  Mark Egan for example has done that . I heard him do it in front of me when I took  some of his clinics . An incredible talent of a player an a great person as well ,

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: edwin on June 16, 2015, 05:35:32 PM

That does sound like great fun! It's been a while since I've had a functional looping rig.

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: hieronymous on June 16, 2015, 07:42:08 PM

Wolf - good call on Mark Egan! I had forgotten about him - I had his solo album Mosaic in high school on vinyl and I would stare at the cover with the doubleneck 8-string fretted/4-string fretless Pedulla - maybe that's part of what drew me to my doubleneck - well, that and Geddy Lee!
 
And Dave - now you've also fanned the flames of my GAS for a looper - haven't had one for a while, might be time!
 
(Message edited by hieronymous on June 16, 2015)
 
(Message edited by hieronymous on June 16, 2015)

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: bigredbass on June 16, 2015, 10:10:43 PM

Glad it's gone to a good home and we know where it is.  In a population of amazing instruments, this is one of the Flying Dutchmen, a real standout.
 
Me, it'd be a simple enough fix, Edwin:  Get the four string neck fretted, and Off to the Races !
 
Joey

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: bigredbass on June 16, 2015, 10:11:07 PM

Glad it's gone to a good home and we know where it is.  In a population of amazing instruments, this is one of the Flying Dutchmen, a real standout.
 
Me, it'd be a simple enough fix, Edwin:  Get the four string neck fretted, and Off to the Races !
 
Joey

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: dinan on June 17, 2015, 03:50:15 PM

Edwin: I wondered the same thing but I have played both necks and could easily use both in the realm of classic rock and even staying within one band's material. Ramble On sounds great on the fretless and Misty Mountain Hop is all about the 8 string.  
 
5a: This beast weighs around 28lbs and I have several damaged discs so I will never play it standing. :-)  
 
I really love this instrument and feel very fortunate to have it. It is everything I didn't already have in an Alembic all in one bass...an 8 string, a fretless, and a Dragon inlay.  
 
Also, I think we will record this in my friend's studio and get it on youtube as no footage exists that I can find. I have found an 8 string pick player that can do it justice so it will just be a matter of getting everyone together.

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: gearhed289 on June 18, 2015, 11:54:59 AM

Congrats on owning not only an incredible instrument, but a part of Alembic history. So cool!
 
And yeah, I used to play Misty Mountain Hop on my 8 string Ric!

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: artswork99 on June 19, 2015, 06:39:30 AM

Congratulations on your acquisition of this beautiful instrument.  Play it Healthy!

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: dead_head on June 19, 2015, 07:52:08 PM

Congratulations! It's a work of art. Enjoy it in good health!

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: senmen on July 11, 2015, 10:14:34 AM

Congrats Dinan!
I once had the honor to play the bass when it was in the posession of it's former german owner Speicky.....
Have fun....
Oliver (Spyderman)

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: dead_head on July 11, 2015, 06:23:04 PM

Hi,Oliver! How's things?
 
Rob

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: senmen on July 12, 2015, 12:10:49 AM

Rob,
All ok here. Thank you very much.  
Dinan,
Here is the photo....
Oliver (Spyderman)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/211011.jpg)

Title: The John Judge Double Neck Bass Has a New Home!
Post by: dinan on July 13, 2015, 09:25:21 PM

Oliver,  
 
Thanks for the comments and the great photo. I do have this and one other from a previous thread.  
 
John Judge has yet to chime but I did email him so maybe we will hear from him.  
 
-Carl