Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Dreaming... for now => Topic started by: afrobeat_fool on September 04, 2009, 01:02:51 PM

Title: Amboyna burl
Post by: afrobeat_fool on September 04, 2009, 01:02:51 PM

I recently e-mailed Dave(thank you Mr. Hauck)and he gave me the go ahead to post this company's site. I only say this as I am considering a custom and this piece of wood is Unreal!!!
http://www.gilmerwood.com/Amboyna_Burl_featured_wood.html (http://www.gilmerwood.com/Amboyna_Burl_featured_wood.html)        
   The store is in Portland, Ore. and some of the planks and boards are awe inspiring.  
   Now, my question is will this kind of burl be stable enough for a top and back. It has a lot of resins in it and a wonderful aroma. I am aware the smell will be locked in with a finish, but I bought a little chunk of it to help with some of the other smells in the house. Man, does my dog stink. :}. I'm thinking a S2 with led's and a built in Phaser. What do you think?
(http://alembic.com/club/messages/402/69897.jpg)

Title: Amboyna burl
Post by: mica on September 04, 2009, 01:34:56 PM

We've made a few instruments from this wood (I know one piece was a customer-supplied slab from the very store you're shopping with). There's a  5-string Essence (http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/768.html?1170823689), a  Skylark guitar (http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_pele.html), and there's at least one other 4-string custom Essence that I couldn't find right off the bat.  
 
Anyway, it's a beautiful looking and smelling wood and works well for tops and backs.

Title: Amboyna burl
Post by: 3rd_ray on September 06, 2009, 07:41:33 PM

My Surine has amboyna burl on it... came from Gilmer, too.  
 
http://www.surinebasses.com/PDF/SB_ProductProfile_ENTVII_0434Med.pdf (http://www.surinebasses.com/PDF/SB_ProductProfile_ENTVII_0434Med.pdf)
 
Mike

Title: Amboyna burl
Post by: afrobeat_fool on September 09, 2009, 11:13:30 AM

Wow! Cool Red stain. Or, I think it's a stain. These cat's at Gilmer have a couple of guys traveling around Asia purchasing for them. That is why they get so many good pieces. I talked to them and they said If you want something, describe it in detail and they WILL find it. I've now seen three different distinct colors of this Burl. From Grey to Ginger the range is vast. Hey Mica. Is there a way to finish this wood and still be able to smell it? Now that there is no smoking in clubs anymore, it would be cool to get a whif of it while gigging.

Title: Amboyna burl
Post by: mica on September 09, 2009, 04:46:11 PM

Maybe an unfinished Amboyna burl necklace medallion? Ask Edwin, his wife is an olfactory expert, maybe she can infuse a perfume with the scent.

Title: Amboyna burl
Post by: rockandrowe on September 12, 2009, 05:10:17 PM

I have a solid body Amboyna Burl Ritter. Plays and sounds great!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/402/70306.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/402/70307.jpg)

Title: Amboyna burl
Post by: jazzyvee on September 12, 2009, 07:29:51 PM

I love the look of ritter basses. They look incredibly well made and I  imagine they would sound impressive too. But as yet I haven't had the opportunity to hear one live on-stage or seen any in a shop to try.
If you have any clips, it would be great if you could email them to me.
Cheers
 
jazzyvee

Title: Amboyna burl
Post by: cje on September 12, 2009, 09:11:50 PM

Phil Lesh has been playing A Ritter for the last 18 months or so, so if you hear any recent material, it's a Ritter.

Title: Amboyna burl
Post by: afrobeat_fool on September 13, 2009, 10:22:52 AM

Man, is that bass sweet. I really like the grape leaves inlay.

Title: Amboyna burl
Post by: Bradley Young on September 14, 2009, 02:09:04 PM

I think that tailpiece is off center.

Title: Amboyna burl
Post by: pace on September 15, 2009, 01:28:33 PM

LMAO, Brad.... I don't think the pickups are perfectly parallel either!

Title: Amboyna burl
Post by: elwoodblue on September 15, 2009, 01:52:40 PM

I noticed that too and just figured they were placed there for optimum tone.
It's a beautiful instrument Scott.
 
I keep noticing the B string saddle makes the B string shorter than the E string...isn't the general rule of thumb that heavier strings need to be a little longer to achieve proper intonation?
 I don't usually play 5 stringers so I could be missing something.
 
I like the inset string retainers...I bet it transfers the vibes to the body in a nice and strong way.

Title: Amboyna burl
Post by: rockandrowe on September 15, 2009, 05:28:41 PM

Ritter basses use angled pickups. I changed the nut and went with a high C string. I already have an Alembic with a low B. I really enjoy playing the Ritter.

Title: Amboyna burl
Post by: afrobeat_fool on September 16, 2009, 07:10:21 PM

I had never seen a Ritter bass before. Did you have to order it? Do they make them and distribute them? Was the Amboyna an option or did you special order it? I hope I am not rude, but $$,$$$ If you don't want to say I understand. I am trying to figure out what a S2 will cost not being able to put this wood type into my Dream calculations on the (A) Home page. And did I say, Man is that Bass sweet!

Title: Amboyna burl
Post by: artswork99 on September 16, 2009, 07:17:38 PM

Scott, Beautiful Ritter!