Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on December 19, 2007, 03:17:11 PM

Title: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: mica on December 19, 2007, 03:17:11 PM

This one slipped by me until it showed up all red:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/46762.jpg)
  and in action getting prepped for the next coat of Fiesta Red:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/46763.jpg)
  Jack (that's his hands in the photo) has owned several Fiesta Red instruments, and he says this is the perfect color match.

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: bassman10096 on December 19, 2007, 04:40:01 PM

Maybe the light, but that looks closer to Dakota Red to me in the pix.  Maybe I'm wrong - it does have the pink tint from Fiesta.  No matter - I love most of the old Fender colors.  Fiesta was a Tbird auto color and Dakota a Cadillac color (http://www.provide.net/~cfh/fenderc.html (http://www.provide.net/~cfh/fenderc.html)).  Is that going to be a front-mounted instrument plate on a Spoiler body?  If so, that's another nice vintage touch.

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: mica on December 19, 2007, 07:31:16 PM

This ain't no fire engine red. In person, this color is that special Fiesta blend of pink, red, with just a hinty-hint of orange that makes it so distinctive. In the drying room lights, it looks even less Fiesta-ish:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/46786.jpg)
Lighting really makes a difference.

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: bassman10096 on December 19, 2007, 08:00:47 PM

Mica:  I've noticed people take the difference between Fiesta and Dakota very seriously.  I knew I taking a wild risk even mentioning the subject! I hope you'll take some pix when this beautiful, red bass is done.  I'm intrigued with the vintage color and the plate on the front.  
Bill

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: mica on March 05, 2008, 05:40:03 PM

It's closer yet to the finish line:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/49137.jpg)
Just needs the final rubout and we're off. Again, the color will surely look different since this is yet another room. It's Fiesta City!

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: tbrannon on March 06, 2008, 10:11:34 AM

What kind of control cavity cover is this one going to get?  Will it be ebony like the daphne blue one or something else (brass?)?
 
Either way, it's looking good.

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: mendez4 on March 06, 2008, 05:05:12 PM

It will have a Koa wood cavity cover and matching koa wood stock veneer.  Good times!

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: mendez4 on March 06, 2008, 05:05:40 PM

It will have a Koa wood cavity cover and matching koa wood stock veneer.

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: tbrannon on March 06, 2008, 05:37:31 PM

Awesome stuff Adam-  I'll look forward to seeing the finished product.
 
I really dig that red- can't wait to see it with the Koa.

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: mica on April 09, 2008, 12:43:00 PM

Final rubout in process in these photos:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/50626.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/50627.jpg)
 This shows the neck of Vermilion and Koa. I'm so curious as to what this one will sound like.

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: mica on April 21, 2008, 03:04:52 PM

Hey - the neck is Vermilion and Mahogany in the picture above. It's a nice piece of Mahogany that fooled me into thinking it was Flame Koa!  Now, it's inching its way to completion:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/51011.jpg)
 SOT,AT (Stay On Target, Almost There)  You'll be glad to know that Erik was inspecting your Black bass last week:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/51012.jpg)

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: David Houck on April 21, 2008, 04:21:22 PM

It's good to see Erik back at work!

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: mendez4 on April 21, 2008, 07:51:52 PM

Looks great Mica!  Thanks.

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: tbrannon on April 21, 2008, 08:17:25 PM

I see a brass tailpiece/bridge/logo with chrome straplocks and tuners....   I haven't seen that before- cool combo.  Is it simply a wear and tear decision?

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: mica on April 21, 2008, 08:21:57 PM

It's the most traditional Alembic way to pair polished brass hardware with chrome tuners and strapholders. It's purely based on wear and tear, chrome looks good even 30+ years later.

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: tbrannon on April 21, 2008, 08:30:24 PM

It makes sense- I recall seeing chrome tuners on some older Series basses, but the 'why' never occurred to me until I noticed the shiny straplocks in the picture you posted.  
 
Thanks Mica.

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: mica on April 29, 2008, 05:45:10 PM

Coming your way:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/51323.jpg)

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: tbrannon on April 29, 2008, 06:34:48 PM

Too dang cool...
 
What's the control layout on that?

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: bassman10096 on April 30, 2008, 03:29:52 AM

Niiiiice!  Congratutions.
Bill (the other one)

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: kitworld on May 15, 2011, 03:22:18 PM

Sorry for bringing up such an old thread, but my boyfriend purchased this bass from I think the original owner, a while back. My boyfriend passed away suddenly leaving me with a dozen or more guitars to get rid of. I know nothing about this bass and he kept no documentation other than this thread of the build.
Desperatly need some help here as to what it is and how to sell it. Recently had it listed on eBay but was told my description was inaccurate so I ended the listing.
 
Any help GREATLY appreciated!

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: mike1762 on May 15, 2011, 04:02:45 PM

Hey Katie, that was me on the other end of the Emails.  I think the main issue is figuring out the electronics.  I only see 1 Q switch (c/w Spoiler electronics), but there are 4 knobs.  Do you guys think Adam added a bass and treble or is something else going-on here???

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: pace on May 15, 2011, 05:28:05 PM

Guessing the electronics are Vol, Pan, Bass, Treb. The switch is for LEDs...
 
Look close~ I think you can see the wire in the truss rod cavity, plus I can't think of any other reason for the rear compartment.  
 
Good luck with the auction Katie!

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: cozmik_cowboy on May 15, 2011, 06:24:00 PM

I think you're right about the LED wires, Mike; I see them, too. Electronics could be as you say, but also could be volume, pan, filter X2, or 2 each vol & filter.  Sorry for your loss, Katie, and good luck with the auction.
 
Peter

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: mike1762 on May 15, 2011, 06:28:50 PM

Ahhh... I missed the battery compartment.  
 
Flip the switch and see if the neck lights-up.  If not, remove the cover from the back of the bass, replace the batteries and try it again.  
 
Turn all the knobs back and forth from fully clock-wise to fully counter clock-wise.  One should turn freely: that's the volume knob.  If the other 3 have an indent (a bump) in the middle, that means 1 is a pan control and the other 2 are tone (bass and treble) controls.  If all that is the case, you have Epic electronics.  
 
The bass has a Spoiler shape and the posts above indicate that the neck is Vermilion and Mahogany.  Those woods will give the bass a voice fairly distinct from most Spoilers.  Since the body is painted, I don't know an easy way (other than waiting on the build card) of determining the body woods.  Normally I would guess Mahogany with a Maple top, but Adam's basses always had unique wood configurations.  
 
The last issue is the scale:  measure from the nut to the 12th fret and double the number: that is the scale length.  Most Spoilers are 32 (Medium scale).
 
Used Spoilers typically sell for $1600-$1800, but Epic electronics would be considered a down-grade.  However, the LEDs would be an up-grade.  The paint job (as opposed to a natural finish) may make it more valuable to some... less valuable to others.  The front mounted control cavity cover is another feature that some will like and others won't.  I don't know how much it will ultimately bring, but you shouldn't have any trouble selling it.

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: mario_farufyno on May 15, 2011, 09:52:59 PM

Mica could be handy right now. Didn't they keep all those description in record? Emailing her at Alembic could solve all your questions, Kitworld... We're all sorry for your loss.

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: cozmik_cowboy on May 16, 2011, 07:21:29 AM

Hey, Mike, about 16 posts up (1 before the pic of Erik), Mica says the neck is vermillion & koa.
 
Peter

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: adriaan on May 16, 2011, 09:56:17 AM

Well, in her next post Mica says the neck is mahogany (not koa) and vermillion.

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: kitworld on May 16, 2011, 09:58:27 AM

Thanks for all the help. I have sent an email to Mica.  
 
Kit also built what he called a Stralembic I need to sell too any help on a price for that would be helpful as no one in this town seems to be able to help me. And as I've said before I am guitar illiterate.
 
Thanks so much for all the help.
http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/81226.html (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=1933)

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: cozmik_cowboy on May 16, 2011, 10:41:15 AM

Oops - my bad.
 
Peter

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: David Houck on May 18, 2011, 06:45:13 PM

Hi Katie; as Mario said, we are all sorry for your loss and saddened at Kit's passing.  It's a beautiful bass, and I'm glad he got to own it.

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: kitworld on May 23, 2011, 11:34:37 PM

Thank you so much for the help and condolences. Very much apprciated. This Bass has been SOLD and I can't thank you all enough for the help.

Title: Re: Adam's Fiesta Red Custom
Post by: mike1762 on May 24, 2011, 03:12:15 AM

Hope you got a fair price for it.