Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on April 08, 2004, 11:43:28 AM
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Here's that bear claw inlay mock up:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/9338.jpg)
The idea here is mother of pearl with silver for the claw section only. Size is approximate.
Hope you like!
(Message edited by mica on April 08, 2004)
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Mica,
I absolutley love the bear claw. Just like my daughter, it's adorable and delicate. Susan outdid herself!! And what a surprise...I wasn't expecting any mock up until next week.
The journey has officially begun. I can't wait to see the rest of the guitar as it evolves.
Thanks,
Jonathan
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Mike and Susan worked out the following design for the body shape:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/9642.jpg)
Hope you can tell how cool this looks.
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Beautiful!
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Here's this piece of Coco Bolo I found today, freshly sanded down; I think the lower part would look great. Let me know how you like it.(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/9647.jpg)
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Mica,
As I told Val, I thought building a guitar with you all would be like buying fake Rolex watches from the peddlers on Fifth Avenue - you'd show me something, I'd make and offer, you'd show me something else, I'd counter-offer...and so on, until we had something we could both agree on. But, between the inlay and the body designs, you guys are dead-on with the first try.
Quite frankly, your incredible collective gift is taking the fun out of this whole process...and I couldn't be happier!!!
Keep working your magic.
Sincerely,
Jonathan
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Here's a picture of the mockup that Mike made today; we all really like it and Susan has approved it. Hope you like it too.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/9992.jpg)
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While working on the design for your guitar, Mike had to figure out the layout of the hardware and electronics; when he brought the mockup by the office he had this with him, so I took a picture of it for you. Here's a sketch of the guitar with pickups, bridge and tailpiece.(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/9995.jpg)
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Really nice ...that extended-upper-horn-balance-point- omega-cut-out-3/4-body (oof) really works for guitar too and the knobby peghead really match!!!
Paul TBO
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Val,
Looks great! I'm really glad we went with the knob peghead. I think the crown would have interrupted the overall flow of the guitar that seems to follow a natural taper from base to headstock. It's much 'sexier' this way, for lack of a better word.
Thanks for the pics,
Jonathan
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Jonathan,
This is a really striking guitar. What are the electronics going to be?
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The electronics are going to be just like yours Hollis, standard Skylark configuration.
Valentino
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That's going to sound sooooo sweeeeet! With the thru-neck w/purple heart lams it'll sustain all the way into tomorrow!
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Hollis,
Thanks for the encouraging words...nice to have another brother-of-the-six-string amidst this kingdom of bass players (though not a finer group around!) I think the Skylark configuration will be perfect for me. I tossed around the idea of Further and Series electronics for a bit. But, when all is said and done, I've always been a basic dual humbucking kind of guy...and not very circuit savy. I think the vast capabilities of the other electronics would be completely wasted on me. So I decided to channel the money towards the overall aesthetics instead.
Take care,
Jonathan
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Jonathan,
I LOVE my Skylark! Every time I play it, I am amazed at how many subtle little adjustments are available to me. The highs can shriek or cut through just enough and all points in between. The lows......well.... it's an Alembic! Amazing lows.
I first came to this fantastic club with a desire for a Further.... A Further is still somewhere on the distant horizon....maybe one day. When I decided to settle for a Skylark, (I laugh at my own ignorance at even thinking that I was settling
for something, as if this were some kind of lesser instrument) I had no idea what an eye opening I was in for.
I'm sure that the Further is every bit and more the guitar I imagine it to be, that being said, it will be years before I have mastered my Skylark. Every day is a new learning expierence with this beautifully understated instrument. My only regret is that I didn't get one sooner.
I'm a better guitarist for the knowing.
I'm sure that your Orion has already taught you this lesson....These are just damn fine guitars!
You new custom is beautiful... It's a privilege to get to watch it being built.
Enjoy, and don't forget to breathe!
Hollis
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With the Skylark electronics here's the layout:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/10138.jpg)
Before we get too far into the build, we need you to think about the side jack. The location in the drawing above is about the only place we can fit it and leave the controls in a somewhat logical order. The big restriction is that the jack needs to be placed at 90 degrees to the edge of the guitar, no tilting. If we tilt it, there will be some of the jack hanging over the edge, and it just doesn't look good.
If this sidejack location isn't acceptable, then we'd have to go for a face-mounted jack.
Let me know what you prefer.
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Mica,
To be honest, I wasn't even aware that a side-mounted jack was an option here. I'd much prefer it to be face-monuted.
Thanks,
Jonathan
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I know Valentino is posting some pictures he collected later, but I'll be a tease and show you the side view of your body halves in a position they'll never be in again:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/10197.jpg)
More to come soon...
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Mica and Val,
If the grain on that coco bolo looks half as good from the front and back as it does from the side, this wait is going to kill me!
Jonathan
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I think the grain on the top looks even better...
This was taken just before Chip glued the neck to the body; here he's holding the sides against the neck for this shot.
Chip does not play guitar, a little bass every now and then, and he said HE wants this guitar, it's so gorgeous.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/10206.jpg)
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Val,
Is that coco bolo quarter sawn? I haven't seen CB looking like that before.
Mike
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A shot of the back before the body halves are glued.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/10209.jpg)
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Hello Mike,
no, this was cut just like we always do. It's just a very sweet piece of wood.
Valentino
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Chip is done with your neck and looks pleased with it.
Love the peghead veneer. I thought I took a close-up of it, but I guess I did not. Next time.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/10212.jpg)
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Val,
I can't believe how much progress there's been in such a short amount of time. That coco bolo you picked out is really spectacular - unbelievable grain.
Thanks for the pics,
Jonathan
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Jonathan: The wood is beautiful. I really like the body shape for a guitar as well. I'm waiting with baited breath for this beauty to come together!!! Congratulations.
Bill
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Thanks Bill. I was wondering how the body style would look, scaled down for a guitar. I think it'll come together beautifully.
Jonathan
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Val,
Had a very nice conversation with Mica this afternoon. I had called just to let you know that Georgia, Mara and I are going to be away from Thursday, returning Sunday. We have a wedding on an island off the coast of South Carolina and, regretably, I will be Internet challenged until we get back. Just didn't want you to think I was ignoring any e-mails during that time.
Hope all is well,
Jonathan
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that top wood si so nice i think that is one of the best examples of coco bolo ever i like the body style the shape is cool have fun on your trip
andrew
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Thanks, Andrew.
Valentino actually found this gem when he was digging in the coco bolo mines! I simply described the general grain pettern I was looking for and he did the rest. I can hardly wait to see what it looks like once it is sanded and sprayed.
Jonathan
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Here's the shot of the omega cutout I promised you; Tony's doing the final sanding before the bass goes into spray. Earlier I caught him playing air guitar with it...
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Val,
Thanks for the little going away present. I checked right before we left for the airport. What can I say...? Talk soon.
Regards,
Jonathan
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Another inlay installed:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/11124.jpg)
Not fully sanded yet, but you get the idea!
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It's beautiful! Enough said.
Jonathan
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Where is this inlay set, Jon? First fret?
Bear claw.... mmmmmm..... you must work at a bakery! lol.
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Mike,
Yes...the bear claw is, indeed, at the first fret. I thought about having it at the bottom of the guitar but, between the hardware and the omega, there simply wasn't enough room. At the 24th fret, there is a second inlay, similar to Sam's Dancin' Ruthie. That one says Bear, the nickname my 14 month old daughter, Mara, has gone by since shortly after she was born.
As far as the pastry goes, being from New York originally, I've always been partial to the black and white cookie!
Jonathan
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Jonathan:
That's gonna look sweet sitting next to your Orion. That is, if you can put it down long enough, LOL! Six-string nut that I am, I'm dying to see the finished product realized.
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Kevin,
I am afraid that the Orion is going to wind up collecting dust for quite some time once this one comes home. It will, however, always hold a special place as the Alembic that started it all!!
Jonathan
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Well, if it ends up collecting TOO much dust, you can always divest yourself of it (HINT, HINT, LOL!). J/K.
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Kevin,
If I did that, how could I ever hope to catch up to Rami!
Rami, if you're listening, I joke with the greenest of envy.
Jonathan
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It would take dozens of us to catch-up to Rami! Jealous? Who me? LOL!
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Jonathan,
I love the way your guitar is coming together!
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Even though it's still rough sanded, I think you can tell how cool the shell is on your logo inlay:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/11247.jpg)
Mike pulled off the tight fitting location splendidly.
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I love the colors in that abalone. Great looking inlay!
Bill
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Mica,
That abalone is almost mesmerizing! The knobby head and the inlay shape are absolutely meant for each other. Mike did an amazing job!
Thanks,
Jonathan
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A beautiful inlay!
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Out of all the Alembic guitars I've seen, this one is in my top 5. Awesome
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Thanks for the compliment, Brent. It's hard to get a feel for how the whole thing looks, seeing it in bits and pieces. I've been chomping at the bit to see a head to toe shot. Part of me wants to be completely surprised, though. Kind of a kid on Christmas morning thing when I open the case for the first time. Val tells me that I will be surprised at how...I don't want to say small...let's say petite...the guitar really is. You can get a feel for that by looking at how wide the fretboard looks compared to the body. Should be done soon.
Jonathan
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I heard from a little birdy that Bear is home anxiously awaiting the arrival of her owner!....
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Mike,
The little birdy is, indeed, correct. According to the tracking number Val gave me, Bear hit my doorstep at 9:17 am. It was a grueling 8 hours more until I got home to what I can only describe as the most exquisite guitar I have ever laid my eyes on! Unique in every facet of its design, it's also the most petite, full size guitar I've seen. Pictures will be coming...all in good time. Until then, just imagine a beautiful coco bolo Balance K omega, reduced in size, with a slightly shorter upper horn and ever so wider hips...that's my Bear.
Jonathan
Jonathan
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Jonathan,
I think you may toi have some picturetaking to do in the near future.
Well ...when you're not playing of course.
It truly seems to be a very beautiful instrument. I didn't noticed it in the past but a guitar in K-model ...wew ...quite something.
Paul the bad one
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Jonathan:
Congrats on your new baby. You gotta take some pix, the suspense is killing me!
Cheers,
Ke(vi)n
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Jonathan: Congratulations! Now - the pictures... I can't wait to see this beauty!
Very best to you and your new friend. A new Alembic is definitely a special thing.
Bill
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C'mon Jon!!!
We wanna see some full frontals already.....
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Brother Jonathan,
Don't forget to breathe!
Enjoy
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Hello everyone, Sorry for the delay in posting pictures of my new arrival, "Bear." I promise that more pictures will be forthcoming, including close ups of the beautiful inlay work. This guitar is, without a doubt, the most exquisite instrument I have ever laid my eyes on. The pictures do not come close to doing it the justice it deserves. Somethimes I pick it up and play, while other times I simply hold it up and look at it from various angles. It is also, by far, the most petite guitar I have ever played. I believe it weighs in at just under 8 pounds. As a reference, I've included a picture of it side by side with my Les Paul, so you can appreciate just how small it really is. Needless to say, while it may be a mere cub on the outside, it's pure grizzly bear once its plugged in! More to come as we get better acquainted. Regards, Jonathan
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/12909.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/12910.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/12911.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/12912.jpg)
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Jonathan:
That thing is F'n awesome! I can't get over the size compared to the others...what scale is that thing? I'm not a huge cocobolo fan, but that top is wild! What model did it start out as? I'm interested in all the details as it would definitely help me towards the quest for my custom guitar. More pix, please, LOL!
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Thanks for taking the time away from the Bear to let us in on it. Wow!
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Jonathan - that is a truly awesome guitar! I love the body and wood combination. That peghead is a beautiful compliment to the body as well. Congratulations.
Tom
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Jonathan
Enjoy your new axe. I saw it at the factory a week and a half ago. Truly awesome and original. BTW, who made the rosebud/tiger/bolt clone? It looks to be something other than Alembic. Am I right or are these nearly 50 year old eyes getting even worse?
Bill, the guitar one
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Great looking guitar. I love the wood and the body design. Unique, but perfect. It really is petite, isn't it? Congratulations again Jonathan. Play her in excellent health and spirits!
Bill
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That's just a wonderful looking guitar!
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Wonderfull looking guitar. Really stylish and innovative design.
Petite ...well she seems small indeed but the scale of the neck seems to me close to the Les Paul and the Strat.
BTW those other Alembics are nice too.
Paul the bad one
Mmmmm ...you're sure your other name is not Rami? Huh???
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Thanks for posting those Jon..... The Les Paul actually looks distorted (like a Guild Bluesbird) when it's next to Bear. The Coco Bolo took very nicely to the finish~ the grain and the lines of that body compliment each other perfectly. I think its time to quit your day job & just sit home and play!!!
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Jon,
What are the neck dimensions on your new guitar? Looks nice and wide.
Sean
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Thanks, everyone, for the kind words about Bear. It's brought me a lot of joy these past few days.
Kevin - I'm not sure how to answer what model it started out as. I discussed with Val what I was looking for in a body style, and this is what we came up with. The elctronics are pure Skylark which, as Brother Hollis will surely agree, provide a cookbook for unbelievable tonal variation.
Bill (lbesq) - Nothing wrong with your eyes. The a la Jerry Garcia guitar was built by Tim O'Donnell at Resurrection Guitars. Close friends and collaborators with the late Stephen Cripe, they are licensed by his estate to make Lightning Bolt replicas. I added a little bit of Tiger and a little Alembic to the original design for the overall flavor I wanted.
Sean - The neck dimensions are the same as any other Alembic guitar, It only looks chunky because the body is so darn small! Purely an optical illusion.
More down the road,
Jonathan
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I think this guitar is the only guitar to ever take my breath away via pictures. My Tribute takes my breath away every time I hold it in my hands, but it did not in pictures. The shape and wood of your guitar are incredible and if the guitar has this kind of impact on me through a browser, I can only imagine what it would be like in person. Very cool guitar...WOW!
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Andrew,
Thanks for the very kind words about my Little Bear. One of the things that really amazes me about Alembic is that they can work with someone thousands of miles away and come up with an instrument like this. Not too many companies around with whom you'd feel comfortable spending that kind of money and not want be at least within walking distance. They've earned my every confidence. So much so that we're doing it all over again.
Regards,
Jonathan
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Jonathan,
I'm dying to see what you and the Alembicians have up your collective sleeves RE: your new baby. Care to drop a few hints? Inquiring minds wanna know, LOL!
Cheers,
Kevin
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Hey KMH364 long time no call.Call.
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Kevin,
Everything is still in pre-design. Little Bear celebrated the birth of my daughter, this one is for my new son. So, all I know is that it will be bigger and have a standard point as opposed to the omega. I find those different styles slightly more masculine and feminine, respectively
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Jonathan:
Another kid for each new Alembic? I guess I get off easy, I only have to buy my wife a new piece of jewelry for each new guitar. For example, as soon as I leave the office I will be racing home to my new Ricky 360/12 from ebay that UPS dropped off today. (I notice at least 3 Ricky's in your collection. Any 12 strings?) Meanwhile my wife is perusing the Sundance catalog to pick out a ring. I will offer no complaints! LOL! Congrats on your growing family, both 2-legged and 6-stringed!
Bill, tgo
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Congrats on the new son, and the new guitar commemorating same.
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Kevin,
Thanks for the warm wishes on both new additions.
Bill,
I love the Ric's. And I really would love a 12 string. It's just that two of the things I HATE most in life are changing strings and intonating...enough said.
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It's now the Featured Custom (http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_bear.html), enjoy!
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Mica,
It's an incredible layout! Even though I've had the Little Bear for awhile, seeing it as a Featured Custom, was like looking at it for the very first time. Thanks for everything!
Jonathan