Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: adriaan on January 07, 2015, 02:54:33 PM

Title: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on January 07, 2015, 02:54:33 PM

These threads usually start with a neck ...  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/205463.jpg)
   
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/205464.jpg)
  (Message edited by adriaan on January 10, 2015)

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on January 07, 2015, 02:57:19 PM

Before the neck could be started obviously some choices had to be made, like which slab of Walnut tickled my fancy. Placement of the templates before and after cutting open the slab for the bookmatch:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/205468.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/205469.jpg)

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on January 07, 2015, 02:58:45 PM

Then the bass started to take shape!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/205473.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/205474.jpg)

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on January 07, 2015, 03:07:54 PM

Cutting corners - in a good way:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/205477.jpg)

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on January 07, 2015, 03:14:51 PM

This is one of the last pictures of the bass without finish. I love this shot!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/205480.jpg)

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: artswork99 on January 07, 2015, 04:48:32 PM

That looks luscious, look forward to seeing more. Congratulations Adriaan!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: sonicus on January 07, 2015, 05:12:33 PM

Beauty in progress ! ___ Congratulations .

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: moongerm on January 07, 2015, 05:19:59 PM

Love it, wow!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: eastcoastepic on January 07, 2015, 05:53:21 PM

Neck sandwich extraordinaire!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: David Houck on January 08, 2015, 06:15:29 AM

Wonderful!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: ed_too on January 08, 2015, 07:34:12 AM

Love the neck...but really love the walnut - can't wait to see some finish on it to bring out the grain! - Congrats.

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: keith_h on January 08, 2015, 07:58:18 AM

Looks very nice. Congratulations Adriaan.
 
Keith

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: FC Bass on January 08, 2015, 10:00:40 AM

Awesome, congrats!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: tbrannon on January 08, 2015, 12:02:18 PM

Looking good!  I really like the 'eyes' on the outer edges of the body near the bridge.  
 
Neck recipe is walnut, maple, purpleheart and ebony?

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on January 08, 2015, 01:56:37 PM

Glad you all like it! I'm thrilled to bits, have been since the build took off over the past few weeks.
 
For the neck recipe, the outside pair is of course mahogany. I've been dreaming of having a custom built for years, and it was always going to be a 6-string kind of Brown Bass - but not without an ebony neck laminate.
 
When it came to deciding on the wood selections, Susan and Mica had a great many ideas and suggestions and came up with some photoshop mock-ups, and even some one-off lamination samples made in the shop. With a 6-string, you have plenty of laminates to fill in, so I was spoilt for choice. I thought the colour scheme might be jazzed up a little with purpleheart laminates and birch pinstripes framing the ebony. Then all the birch was dropped for maple, and at the very last minute the two purpleheart and one ebony flipped into one purpleheart and two ebony. The front veneer on the peghead was my idea, and the back veneer ... was a really sweet surprise when Mica showed me the picture. (I'm keeping it as a surprise for you all, nana nanana.)
 
I have pictures of the bass with the first coat of sealant, but there's all sorts of weird reflections and wet patches. Better pictures will be posted as they become available.
 
My favourite bit so far is the tip of the point! It is beyfond me how to apply tools to that big square tail, and end up with such a refined piece of sculpture. And I also love how the point at the top of the crown is just slightly rounded.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/205532.jpg)

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: rustyg61 on January 09, 2015, 09:58:21 AM

This is going to be one gorgeous bass! I can't wait to see it with finish on it! Congratulations!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: tubeperson on January 09, 2015, 10:08:25 AM

I am barely over cleaning myself off from the Blue Orca visual orgasm, now I must deal with this?  Outstanding!  There's a man with a plan.  Good for you Adrian.  Gotta have those dreams, and have fun turning them into reality.

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: stout71 on January 09, 2015, 11:47:08 AM

What he said.

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: rustyg61 on January 09, 2015, 01:29:46 PM

Steve, the Factory To Customer section should come with a warning that Visual ecstasy lies ahead, enter at your own risk!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on January 09, 2015, 03:11:14 PM

Here goes ...

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on January 09, 2015, 03:21:42 PM

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/205571.jpg)

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on January 09, 2015, 03:23:33 PM

 

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: mica on January 09, 2015, 03:25:47 PM

With a little finish, it's even prettier!
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/205577.jpg)

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on January 09, 2015, 03:26:17 PM

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/205579.jpg)

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: mica on January 09, 2015, 03:30:00 PM

Ha, Adriaan! I went back and took some better pics instead of those cell phone quickies with the annoying flash I forgot to disable.
 
Peghead looking good here:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/205582.jpg)

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on January 09, 2015, 03:33:56 PM

Work of art!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: growlypants on January 09, 2015, 03:46:19 PM

MERCY....!!!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: rustyg61 on January 09, 2015, 04:47:36 PM

That Walnut is stunning! If I ever do another build, that will be my wood choice too!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: tbrannon on January 09, 2015, 09:00:12 PM

Inlaid logo on the headstock or is there something special happening elsewhere?   Just wondering because if it's a SII, was expecting the logo under the finish, but I don't see anything on that peg head that screams future inlay....  
 
Inquiring mind wants to know!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: sonicus on January 09, 2015, 09:31:51 PM

My 1997 Series II  standard point long scale has a gold plated surface mount logo.

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on January 09, 2015, 10:59:55 PM

The plan that Steve alludes to is probably best described as a modern-day Alembic with some vintage 70s features, a Balance-K meets Brown Bass vibe if you will.
 
Then one day I woke up to find my custom dream was materializing and had grown Series II electronics. And so it doesn't have the center body laminate or the side leds either, which would only distract from the plan.
 
In this case, what makes it special is perhaps a bit of restraint. As Goethe said, In der Beschr?nkung zeigt sich erst der Meister.

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: sonicus on January 10, 2015, 12:48:11 AM

Adriaan , In deed . I like where this Bass design is going !

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: funkyjazzjunky on January 10, 2015, 09:43:22 AM

Stunning bass
 
Can't wait to to it with hardware

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: stout71 on January 10, 2015, 09:54:42 AM

Wow.  Every time I think I've seen it all, a new one takes center stage and delivers.  That neck recipe is stunning.  It looks similar to the one in my next build.  Congrats.  I have a new respect for Walnut as well!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: dadabass2001 on January 15, 2015, 08:49:03 AM

Beautiful wood choices as always from the evles at Alembic. This is a heart stopping neck/body combo!
Mike

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: mikedm on January 15, 2015, 11:01:51 AM

Simply gorgeous.

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on January 15, 2015, 01:40:25 PM

A little history on how the wood recipe evolved ...  The elves started off with lots of Mahogany and Vermillion, and perhaps a little accent:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/205811.jpg)
  Attention turned to the body sandwich, which was going to have a Myrtle core, as would befit a proper Brown Bass. But some Purpleheart would add a little visual interest, hm ... Well, I love pistacchio nuts, but this started to clash a little, even if only in a Photoshop mock-up:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/205812.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/205813.jpg)
  Anyway, one of the things I learned about hippy sandwiches is that you can't add a wood species in one area, and not have it return in another. So what to do with the Purpleheart?  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/205814.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/205815.jpg)
  With the greenish hue of the Myrtle core only intensified by the Purpleheart, a Mahogany core would perhaps help harmonize the colour scheme:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/205816.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/205817.jpg)

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on January 15, 2015, 01:54:36 PM

You may have noticed that a few posts ago I mentioned restraint as a keyword in the design. It should nonetheless be perfectly clear that I did my utmost to steer the project away from such nonsense.
 
Mica did a mock-up of my bookmatch-to-centre-laminate idea on a bass most of you will recognize, when it was still under construction:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/205820.jpg)

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on October 02, 2015, 04:53:07 PM

Some of you may have already have seen this on Instagram (https://instagram.com/p/7gJg3jgNNK/ target=_blank), but it's just way too fabulous not to include it here.
 

(http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/218318.jpg)

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: David Houck on October 06, 2015, 05:47:33 PM

Nice shot!  I like how you can see the Maple body laminate inside the pickup and bridge routings.

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: moongerm on October 08, 2015, 06:41:07 PM

Such a cool design, love it

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: jacko on October 21, 2015, 02:57:43 AM

That's an incredible neck recipe.
 
Graeme

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: jacko on October 21, 2015, 03:02:48 AM

That's an incredible neck recipe.
 
Graeme

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on December 03, 2015, 01:27:39 PM

Another snapshot ...
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/222277.jpg)

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: moongerm on December 03, 2015, 01:34:22 PM

Looking most excellent!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: rustyg61 on December 03, 2015, 04:34:05 PM

So pretty!!!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: edwardofhuncote on December 03, 2015, 06:18:59 PM

I never noticed before how the Bal-K Point body sorta' mirrors the crown headstock. Nice touch!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: David Houck on December 04, 2015, 06:30:03 PM

Yes; the lines on this body are quite beautiful.

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on December 06, 2015, 02:22:33 PM

There were a couple of considerations getting the body shape right, and the elves came through every step of the way.
 
Sometimes on the 5 and 6 strings the point ends up a bit bulky, even if in proportion to the added width, like on Left is Right (http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_leftisright.html target=_blank) - but perhaps it wouldn't need to be quite as scaled down as on Dragonfly (http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_dragonfly.html target=_blank). Just a word in Mica's ear, and the vestigial tail got reduced to this beautiful confluence of curves and straight lines, in contrasting colours - all in one go (as far as I'm aware).
 
I didn't realize at first, but the original Balance K (http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_ootw.html target=_blank) doesn't have the elbow contour either, and itkind of accentuates the symmetry, I guess.
 
Now is everyone aware of the pinch?

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on December 30, 2015, 04:14:35 PM

Getting ever closer to the finish line - rubbed out ...
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/223469.jpg)

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: sonicus on December 30, 2015, 04:24:14 PM

Superb !

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: moongerm on December 30, 2015, 04:33:50 PM

Looking incredible! I too opted away from from both the elbow and tummy contours. Great choice!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on January 15, 2016, 04:33:00 PM

Oh goodness ...
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/224221.jpg)

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: rustyg61 on January 15, 2016, 04:42:15 PM

Absolutely Gorgeous!!!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: jacko on January 16, 2016, 09:29:50 AM

Oh My!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: moongerm on January 16, 2016, 09:38:42 AM

Good Grief that is so cool!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: edwardofhuncote on January 16, 2016, 12:25:52 PM

Looks like this one is on the home stretch... won't be long now!  
 
Anyone but me ever wish these pictures from that particular room had just a *little* wider angle? =)

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: elwoodblue on January 16, 2016, 02:01:27 PM

@edward...Totally!
 
What a spectacular bass...thanks Adriaan for sharing the FTC stuff, enjoy!
elwood

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on January 16, 2016, 02:02:43 PM

The latest I've heard Ron started the calibration, which he does on Series instruments two at a time, yesterday.  So home stretch indeed!
 
Fun fact: after the calibration, the hum canceller gets affixed permanently, and only after that they install the straplock studs. Not sure if otherwise those would interfere with the Series calibration - there's bound to be a rational explanation.
 
Gregory, I'm with you on those pictures - though not every person who orders a custom actually wants to see pictures, or have a Factory to Customer thread, so it's easy to see why Mica would want to limit the scope ...

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: rv_bass on January 16, 2016, 04:18:37 PM

Wow, very nice, that thing is gonna shake some earth!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on March 07, 2016, 11:21:48 PM

Apparently the straplocks do not necessarily go on after the humcanceller is secured in place. But I'm OK with that..
 
Another snapshot (hanging out with one of the old gang) ...
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/226431.jpg)

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: StephenR on March 08, 2016, 09:26:46 AM

Beautiful bass! The extra string is the only thing keeping me from a severe bout of jealousy  
 
I just love walnut. I finally played a Balance K  Alembic recently and as I long suspected that is my favorite body shape both visually and comfort wise. Looking forward to your reactions when the wait is over and you have it in your hands.

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: edwin on March 08, 2016, 09:35:32 PM

I just saw this very bass yesterday. Definitely a standout of what's in Santa Rosa right now. It was kind of fun to see it right next to the one that's behind it, very old school!
 
Enjoy, it won't be long now!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: mica on March 14, 2016, 01:51:18 PM

And the coveted sofa reclining shot:
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/226813.jpg)

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: edwardofhuncote on March 14, 2016, 02:09:56 PM

Adriaan, your bass is amazing, and I agree with Edwin, so very cool to see it hanging there next to one of the first few dragon hatchlings come home to roost. I know that particular bass well... it's the very one that finally cemented my resolve to order a custom. Many many nights I laid awake pondering- restore vintage classic or build new classic?  
 
No regrets, but I'm delighted to see it's being fixed, and now that your wait is almost over I'd imagine you're quite tickled as well!  =)
 
Congratulations & Compliments, however premature.

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: FC Bass on March 14, 2016, 02:54:05 PM

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/226816.gif) Congrats!
 
Now how about that European Alembic meeting? :-)

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on March 14, 2016, 03:37:58 PM

Gregory - yes, tickled pink, or at least nearly there!
 
Flip - any plans?

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: rv_bass on March 14, 2016, 04:23:30 PM

Very nice!  I noticed there is no pickup selector. What are the electronics?

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on March 14, 2016, 04:32:30 PM

They are Series II, but without a pickup selector.

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: rustyg61 on March 15, 2016, 02:44:09 AM

She's gorgeous Adriaan! Congratulations!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: David Houck on March 18, 2016, 04:47:29 PM

Congrats Adriaan!  Wonderful!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: germansal on March 22, 2016, 04:20:40 PM

woowwwwwwwwwwwwoowwwwwooo gorgeus

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: pierreyves on March 23, 2016, 01:19:57 AM

I could buy it !! the tailpiece are now centered curiously from several months on all basses I see.... congrats, very nice art work !

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on March 23, 2016, 02:41:08 PM

I've had a preview of some glamour shots that Mica took, and if you think she's looking gorgeous now, well you ain't seen nothing yet!
 
Word is that she is being picked up at the mothership for shipment later today. Hm.
 
IT WILL BE HERE IN A MATTER OF DAYS! (Pardon my loudness.)

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: the_mule on March 23, 2016, 03:09:49 PM

Very beautiful, prachtig ding Adriaan!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: moongerm on March 23, 2016, 03:11:59 PM

So cool! Awesome feeling!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: sonicus on March 23, 2016, 11:43:13 PM

Absolutely fantastic ! Congratulations!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: alemboid on March 28, 2016, 02:34:06 PM

Whoa.....I can taste it with my eyes and the flavor is all Alembic!!!

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: germansal on March 16, 2017, 04:26:48 PM

my god....gorgeous

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: SteveB on March 24, 2017, 02:45:02 AM

WoW!!!!! Just beautiful.....

Title: Re: Adriaan's 6-string Custom
Post by: adriaan on March 24, 2017, 04:48:15 AM

Thanks! It's a beast of a bass too, beyond the looks department.