Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on July 29, 2004, 02:07:25 AM

Title: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: mica on July 29, 2004, 02:07:25 AM
Found Tony carving your neck a few days ago:  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/11575.jpg)
  and a couple more while in carving:  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/11576.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/11577.jpg)
  I believe this is the first Balance K with the Fan peghead variation.
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: palembic on July 29, 2004, 11:34:15 AM
Beau ...tiiiiiii- fuuuuuuul
People now this has STYLE
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rraymond on July 29, 2004, 10:24:17 PM
Good Golly, Miss Molly! It's a good thing this is a print medium, because my jaw just fell onto the floor! Mica, you must have been reading my mind, because this afternoon at 3:30 PST I called you guys for an update. Valentino, you don't have to return my call now! LOL  
Thanks boatloads for the pix, I'm stoked! And thank you Paul BTO for the compliment!
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: the_mule on July 30, 2004, 08:15:13 AM
I really start to LOVE that body style, very impressive, and the fan headstock works great visually!
 
Wilfred
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: mikedm on July 30, 2004, 10:15:25 AM
Okay, I've got to find somethig better to do at lunch than check this site. You're killing me. I was just wondering what the K body and a Fan peg would look like and lo and behold I find one!
 
Great looking combination.  
 
Mike
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: malthumb on July 30, 2004, 01:31:40 PM
Leave it to Alembic to use a maple / purpleheart lamination set as a fixture holder.  If you're gonna do it, may as well do it with class!!
 
 
 
Peace,
 
James
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: hollis on July 30, 2004, 06:32:46 PM
Wow!
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: senmen on July 31, 2004, 05:18:00 AM
The new body style is really great.
Normally I don?t like the off-set fenderish
design that much, but this one looks real great.
 
Oliver (Spyderman)
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: malthumb on July 31, 2004, 09:27:02 AM
What's interesting about the Balance K is it looks great with any headstock option.  I can't imagine the large standard bodies with anything but a crown or a knob headstock.  The small standard needs to have the crown.  Rogue and Essence basses look best with a cone.  I never liked the fan headstock.  Until I saw it on this Balance K.  Every headstock I've seen on the Balance K basses looks great.  If I were to go for a Balance K anytime soon, I'd be hard pressed to decide between crown, cone, or (gasp) fan headstock.  Since I already have 2 with crowns, I'd probably flip a coin....cone or fan.
 
Peace,
 
James
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rraymond on July 31, 2004, 02:37:14 PM
I received email from a club member and in part of it he mentioned that he never liked the fan headstock, either. I always liked the fan, so Why? I asked myself. Well, it is simple and elegant, and next to the knobby and narrow cone, it is the smallest Alembic headstock I know of. That, of course, means less weight. But all of that is way too much thinking, basically, it caught my eye and I liked it from the start! :-) This headstock will be plenty busy in the end because, I'm having the bass finished in Wineburst and the logo will be the gold plated with mother-of-pearl and abalone inlay type. Simple and elegant turned gaudy as hell! LOL
 
Malthumb, I was amused by the maple and purplheart retainer, too. Makes you wonder what other mundane wood-type items around Alembic have been upgraded! ;-)
 
Have fun all,
 
Reid
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rraymond on July 31, 2004, 04:14:29 PM
As a follow-on to the previous post, I am the proud owner of an Alembic standard-point maple cutting board. It befuddles the heck out of non-musician types that come over for parties!
 
Have fun,
 
Reid
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: basstard on August 01, 2004, 05:17:32 AM
Wineburst Fanhead Balance K??? Now that will be a one-of-a-kind bass! Please, please, when it's ready - PICTURES PICTURES PICTURES!!! ;-)
 
Me, when I order a Balance K Alembic (and I'm sure that day will come... somewhere in the future) it'll have a cone headstock.
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rraymond on August 01, 2004, 07:25:51 PM
Cone is good!
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: malthumb on August 01, 2004, 08:38:44 PM
Gots me one o' them cuttin' boards, too!  I'm sure that doesn't surprise anybody.
 
Peace,
 
James
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: bassman10096 on August 01, 2004, 09:45:06 PM
Hey Reid,  Sorry to jump in late, but your bass is amazing.  I love the fan headstock too.  I was considering it for my bass but decided to keep with the crown and go traditional since the K body was itself a big change.  But it really works well.  Congratulations on a great choice of wood, body and head design.  
 
I can't help thinking that when I recover sufficiently from paying for this bass, I'll want a maple 5 string K to keep it company (with the fan top, too!).
 
Bill
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: palembic on August 02, 2004, 12:17:44 AM
I'm still president of the anti-cone league. Sorry buddies but I don't like that shape. But hey ...as I said, difference is a most beautiful thing. Can imagine all the bass players in the world having a strandard point Alembic ...yuk. (Oooh ... I can imagine two things: more earthquakes and Fender would be a high end brand LOL).
Sorry: I saw a picture with a six string bass large body with balanced point and omega cutout with a cone headstock and THAT WAS beautiful and VERY stylish.
Essences and Europas are ok with cones. Rogues and Elans have slanted bodies so I think they are better with slanted headstock.
 
Back to topic: the fan headstock REALLY works with this design.
 
Paul TBO
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rraymond on August 07, 2004, 10:08:19 AM
As usual, the kudos for this bass's design ultimately go to Susan. I called to place the order, I had planned to order a Std. Pt. body - with the Fan peghead - and in Wineburst. In no time at all, Susan had me convinced that I should go with the Balance K body-style.  
 
Man, was she ever right!
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: palembic on August 23, 2004, 03:19:41 PM
Susan is right most of the times and in th emost unusual woodworks: try staircase on her!
HA!
 
Paul TBO
 
Mmmm ...that internal joke could be to deeply hidden.
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: bob on August 23, 2004, 09:22:58 PM
No, I think I remember: at some point, Susan designed a staircase, or perhaps a well (area containing) for a staircase... and I'm kind of wishing it was spiral, but I don't think that was the case. There may be a picture somewhere (not here), but I've never seen it.
 
I suppose I could search, but that's really slow and I'm working again tonight .
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: palembic on August 24, 2004, 12:46:57 AM
Brother Bob,
 
hang in there man... we know you can do it!
We are all backing you up.
You know ...you should start a website with alll those funny graphs to indicate were precisely you are located in the sea of work on you trip to completion.
Wink-wink.
 
Paul the bad one
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: adriaan on August 24, 2004, 01:05:21 AM
This is a bit off-topic, but since someone mentioned spiral staircases ... My grandfather was a carpenter, and apparently he was rather good at staircases. He left us a scale model of a spiral staircase, which is very nice - though it is collecting dust in my parents' attic, I'm afraid. Also a scale model of a big ocean steamer (S.S. Oranje) that he built from scrap pieces - this was in the depression years, when he was out of a job and money was short - nothing short of amazing. Plus he built a mandolin, which isn't tremendously playable but has a nice butterfly inlay near the soundhole (a la Gibson) and a 6 string banjo. There's also a violin lying around somewhere, but I'm guessing that was bought in a shop.
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: mica on August 24, 2004, 02:59:37 PM
Here's the Wineburst on:  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/12171.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/12172.jpg)
  I don't remember doing continuous wood plates with a burst finish before - it looks cool!  The staircase must be the one in my parent's house. It's got 2 ninety degree turns (so four of the steps are cut at 45 degree angles). The carpenters did not think we could fit a staircase there - but my mom designed it and they built it!   Adriaan, maybe you can give those pieces a vacation from the attic and share them with a local woodworking group for an evening. Right now at our Sonoma County Museum there's a show of "Artistry in Wood" so see if there's any wood shows around your area that could appreciate your grandfather's work.
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: adriaan on August 24, 2004, 03:36:53 PM
Good grief - I thought the bass looked just spiffy in bare maple, but that's an amazing finish!
 
Mica, thanks for the suggestion. I do not dwell in carpentry circles, and don't know if there are any wood shows here in Holland. Sure sounds like a nice idea for a family outing.
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: hollis on August 24, 2004, 03:40:05 PM
Reid,
 
This project keeps getting cooler and cooler.... The pictures are awesome, and as we all know, they don't even come close to the real thing!
 
Wow!
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rraymond on August 24, 2004, 10:36:07 PM
Uhmm, Mica, Susan, Bob, et al - I don't know what to say... how about, I'm astonished.
 
Reid
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: palembic on August 25, 2004, 12:26:43 AM
GReat idea that wineburst on the maple!!!!! subtle and I keep saying ....now this HAS STYLE!!!!
 
Paul TBO
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: the_mule on August 25, 2004, 01:23:31 AM
That's looking very well indeed! The burst on the continuous wood plates is perfect! Definitely one of the best examples of a wineburst Alembic I've ever seen. Reed, you're such a lucky man!
 
Wilfred
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: kmh364 on August 25, 2004, 05:36:29 AM
Very nice, Reid!
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: 4stringer on August 25, 2004, 04:26:49 PM
beautiful work, folks!  I love the burst scheme
 
I had to post just to also comment on the neck laminate used as hold-down fixture ...
 
I think I will try to commission Alembic to build me some maple / puple heart wood clamps!  I would be the envy of every woodworker I know!
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: mica on August 27, 2004, 07:07:51 PM
It's getting reeeeeeal close, Reid:
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/12302.jpg)
 
Even got the logo fitted today. I bet I'll be posting a finished shot on Monday, just hope you can stand it 'till then
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rraymond on September 12, 2004, 03:00:50 PM
Now, who's not a fan of the Fan Peghead?  ;-)
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: palembic on September 12, 2004, 03:05:38 PM
VERY nice pictures, very nice bass, stunning color, love the sun room, we miss the sound  ...where is the sound button so we can hear her????
 
Paul the bad one
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: David Houck on September 12, 2004, 05:54:10 PM
That's just a great looking bass; and I love the Fan Peghead!
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rklisme on September 12, 2004, 09:00:34 PM
Reid
 
What an awesome looking instrument, I bet you are a happy man! I shouldn't be to far behind you now myself. Have fun!
 
Rory
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rraymond on September 13, 2004, 07:33:18 PM
Rory,  
 
Good grief, you're double dipping in the Balance K pool. A quilted maple monster and a coco bolo blaster; I'm thinking you're going to be the happy man! Wait a minute, this is Alembic-land, there's lots of happy people here, and I'm one of them! You will love the Balance K, I promise. It is easily the most comfortable Alembic I've ever played. There's no keeping the body in-place with your forearm, or supporting the neck with your lefthand. This baby, even a 5-string, hangs at 2 o'clock all night long. It's lighter than my Elan and Orion 5-strings, and weighs the same as my 4-string Series 1. If the three most important things in real estate are location, location and location, then the three most important things to know about a Balance K bodied Alembic are comfort, comfort and comfort.  
 
Paul,  
 
The sunlight really illuminates the bass from the inside out. It looks like Cherry 'burst. In normal lighting it looks more like it does in the photos that Mica took. BTW, I did try the Jameson's and it is smooth, smooth, smooth. Very tasty! Of course, I grew up in Tennessee, and after Tennessee sour mash whiskey, almost anything else is smooth, including paint thinner.  
 
Dave,  
 
I love the Fan Peghead even more now that I have one; it really works with this particular bass, for sure.  
 
Take care all, and thanks for the compliments on the bass,  
 
Reid
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: basstard on September 14, 2004, 05:11:29 AM
*drooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool*
 
Stunningly beautiful! Congrats Reid, you lucky man...
 
*drooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool*
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: palembic on September 14, 2004, 05:32:58 AM
Hep ...can anyone get a towel???Jarek spilled the drool all over the internet ...my keyboard ....yuk ... (lol ...we understand you Jarek but please don't nibble your screen anymore!!!!!)
 
Paul the bad one
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: bassman10096 on September 14, 2004, 10:14:05 AM
Just beautiful, Reid.  A fan peghead's ahead for me!
Congratulations.  It sounds like you are already enjoying.
 
Bill
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: hollis on September 14, 2004, 11:10:24 AM
Reid,
 
Pinot's a gem!  The bursts that the Bob does are pieces of art within themselves.  
 
I have dreams of a vintage wineburst baritone Futher to compliment my Skylark...
 
I can only imagine how beautiful Pinot is in person.....  but I have a pretty good idea that it's breath taking.
 
Enjoy
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rraymond on September 15, 2004, 09:52:37 AM
Hollis:
 
Did you snag the Wineburst Skylark? I always liked that guitar. Pinot is a beaut! I'm still amazed at how easy to play and comfortable this bass is.
 
Bill, are you having the same experience? This body-style is so comfortable I can't believe it.  
 
Reid
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: hollis on September 15, 2004, 11:36:48 AM
Reid,
 
My Skylark is Vintage Wineburst.  It's very similar to the one in the showroom except it has  
abalone ovals (beautiful), brass backplates, and I added a Hipshot d-tuner.
 
Alembic bursts are the finest I've seen anywhere, period.  
 
Every time I open the case (several times a day), I'm blown away by its depth.
 
BTW Reid, I think I'm just a few hours north of you.  Mayhap we'll meet one day....
 
 
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rraymond on September 16, 2004, 10:04:12 AM
Hey Hollis:
 
So you're up in Tacoma, eh? I've got some friends out in Bonney Lake, a little bit east of Seattle, that I get up to see almost yearly. Maybe we can do a meeting of Pacific Northwest Alembic freaks sometime! I'd like to see that Wineburst Skylark - and I'm with you on the 'burst finishes, NOBODY comes close to Alembic.
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: jeff on September 16, 2004, 10:37:50 AM
Reid,  
 
Your bass looks like it is radiating flames from a celestial body!  The Wineburst finish and quilted maple make for a beautiful bass.  Most impressive.  
 
Jeff
 
(Message edited by jeff on September 17, 2004)
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: hollis on September 16, 2004, 11:59:32 AM
Hey Reid;
 
I know the Bonney Lake area pretty well (I used to drive the bus route though it).  Whenever you're going to be in the area, give a holler.  I'm sure a good time will be had by all!
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: bassman10096 on September 16, 2004, 01:46:53 PM
Hey Reid:  You are absolutely right, my K style bass is amazingly comfortable to play - both standing and sitting.  Sitting down, the body curves make it very easy to position where I want it (You know - not to far/too close).  Standing up with the bass on a strap is surprising too.  My bass is not a lightweight despite its slim shape (can't recall exactly, but I was surprised - I believe it was over 10 lb.).  But it rides nicely against me, balances perfectly and feels better than any I've owned Of course, the wide, comfortable Alembic strap has something to do with that, too.).  Of course, these are all probably somewhat subjective measures.  But I plan to buy another - when I can afford a 5 string with ebony lams.
 
Bill
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: kmh364 on November 01, 2004, 12:14:24 PM
Reid: Congrats on your baby Pinot's promotion to Custom of the Month for Nov. '04. That thing is gorgeous and the accolades are absolutely deserved.
 
Cheers,
 
Kevin
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: lbpesq on November 01, 2004, 03:39:36 PM
Reid:
 
 Custom of the month! Now comes Miller Time (or maybe Sierra Navada Pale Ale time).  A beautiful instrument appropriately recognized for it's uniqueness!  Play it in good health.
 
Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: flaxattack on November 01, 2004, 09:52:49 PM
congrats on the bass of the month...
its a beauty....
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rraymond on November 01, 2004, 11:29:42 PM
Thanks guys, I was appropriately stunned when I got an email from Mica stating that Pinot was up next for COTM, and asking for comments. Man, I am really enjoying this instrument.
 
Bill, your beer time comment amuses me, being that Pinot is all about the wine, and Wineburst influences. But, in true Southern fashion, it reminds me of a story. My ex and I took a beginners wine appreciation class a decade or so ago. The instructor always started the class with a few sips of beer - well Busch, a near beer, to be exact. Anyway, he would watch us with amusement when he did this, and finally someone posed the question, Why do you always start the class with a beer? This is a wine class. His answer was that beer is an excellent palate cleanser, and he could better gauge a wine after a sip of beer.  
 
Uh, OK...  
 
All I know is that the last time I tried mixing beer and wine, I was about 22, and I woke up in the front yard of my best friend's girl friend's house! I'll never forget the pleasing sensation of cool, dewey, morning grass in my face! At the same time, I hope I never experience it again!  
 
Alrighty then, I've totally derailed this thread!
 
Thanks again everybody, and have fun,
 
Reid
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: bigbadbill on November 02, 2004, 11:08:13 AM
Reid, I'm always the last to every thread it appears, but that bass is absolutely stunning. Love the shape, and the peghead was always a personal fave. If I could afford another Alembic I think I'd go for one very similar to yours; beautiful! I propose a toast to Pinot and raise a glass of Baron St Jean (which is all of ?2.20-odd here in the UK - anybody familiar with Aldi? - but strangely is my favourite wine. Lucky as I can't afford much else!)
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rraymond on August 27, 2004, 07:13:27 PM
Hi Mica, I can't believe you're about to ship! Cool! Time flies! Say, anybody know what a time fly looks like?
 
Reid
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rraymond on August 27, 2004, 07:27:39 PM
Mica, you guys got me again...I'm speechless! OK, maybe I'm not. I can't believe how gorgeous that logo is, and I can't believe I'm going to be thumping on that bass within days!
 
Thanks more than you guys can imagine! :-)
 
Reid
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rraymond on August 27, 2004, 11:52:12 PM
OK, get out the champagne, I'm about to Christen this here bass guitar. In honor of my favorite sunburst of all time, the WineBurst, and of the most favored grape status of the pinot noir varietal here in the Willamette Valley, Ladies and gentlemen, I give you 'Pinot.'  
 
Next, I'm going to order one in a tobacco sunburst and call it Stout. Only kidding...
Oh, and actually I'm not giving Pinot to anyone!
 
My thanks to everyone that's worked on the bass, I know it's going to sound every bit as gorgeous as it looks!
 
Reid
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: the_mule on August 28, 2004, 01:10:51 AM
Reid, I'm also a wine lover, and both the Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris are favorite wines of mine. Your beautiful Pinot is certainly amongst my favorite basses, cheers!
 
Wilfred
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: adriaan on August 28, 2004, 08:01:51 AM
Great name - and Alembic is situated in wine territory too, right?
 
I can see the tint of the pinot noir. But the picture has a purple haze all over, could be due to the carpet. If it is more like purple in real life, perhaps you'd have to re-baptize her Merlot.
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: bsee on August 28, 2004, 08:18:08 AM
Yep, there are some great wineries within a few minutes of the Alembic shop.  Santa Rosa is in the middle of the Sonoma wine region.  Among other wines, it's the heart of Zinfandel country with lots of grape trees.  They are really vines, but if you've ever seen a 100+ year old zinfandel vine, you know why I call them trees.  I think they might be big enough to get a headstock laminate out of them.
 
If you go for a factory tour and have an interest in wine, you will be torn between hanging out in the showroom and playing great instruments and racing off to the wineries before they close.  The only solution is to plan to be there for multiple days.
 
For an Alembic-area Pinot, Mayo family winery has their last vintage of a pinot made from grapes grown up the road at Kunde.  Kunde ripped out the vines last year to plant something else, so this is Mayo's last year releasing this wine.  We bought half a case of that, among other things, when we were there last month.
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: adriaan on August 28, 2004, 08:48:39 AM
Unfortunately I don't have a wine budget to match my taste buds. But sometimes there's an opportunity where you get a taste of the real stuff.
 
One comforting thought is that if you never get to drink top wines, you won't know what you're missing (sounds like sour grapes anyway [:D]).
 
As far as California wines go, i once tasted a very velvety red Fetzer that I can sort of remember having in my mouth. And once a very, very nice white Benziger (not entirely sure about the spelling) probably a chardonnay.
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: bsee on August 28, 2004, 09:00:49 AM
I'll make a shocking recommendation then.  Try Black Box wines.  They're quality California wines sold in a box.  The price is excellent at about $20 for a 3 liter box, equivalent to about $5 per bottle, and the box can live a month or more in the fridge.  You don't have to worry about what to do with the other half of the bottle if you only drink two glasses, because the bag keeps it fresh.  
 
I'm not affiliated with them, but was pleased with their quality when we did a tasting back in May.
 
-Bob
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rraymond on August 28, 2004, 09:33:13 AM
Wilfred, I forgot about pinot gris, that is a fantastic white! I discovered it just a couple of years ago and it restored my interest in white wines. Well that and Evolution, a special blend done by Sokol Blosser here in Oregon. It's purpose is to accompany hot food dishes, and it works really well!
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rraymond on August 28, 2004, 09:57:22 AM
Adriaan and Bob, I also like California merlots, cabernets and zinfandels. Rodney Strong makes some great merlots and cabernets, and I liked Bonny Doon zinfandel so much, I have a framed poster based on their label in my dining room! The artwork was done by Ralph Steadman for their Cardinal Zin zinfandel, and was so controversial that it was actually banned in some places! I first came across Ralph's work in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, the book by Hunter S. Thompson. What a wild story!
 
Reid
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rklisme on August 28, 2004, 03:32:07 PM
Reid
 
Thanks for the compliment but your bass is pretty stunning as well. What a great idea I don't think I would have ever thought about doing something like that. What a beauty!
 
Rory
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: kmh364 on August 29, 2004, 06:46:32 AM
Reid,
 
Very, very nice! Another surface mount logo as well, and with the Alembic script! What'll they think of next. I'm sure those pix don't even come close to doing this bad boy justice. Quilt tops are very hard to photograph without the figuring washing out (ask me how I know, LOL!).  
 
While I really enjoy Cali, including wine country, I'm not much of a wine drinker (I could tell you more about balsamic vinegar than I could wines, LOL!), but I am a stout fanatic (Guiness anyone? LOL!) so I am a little disappointed about it not being a tobacco sunburst (LOL! J/K).  
 
Never mind my authentic frontier gibberish, Good Luck with the thing: I can't wait to see it completed.
 
Cheers,
 
Kevin
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rraymond on August 29, 2004, 11:38:30 AM
Kevin and Rory,  
 
Thanks for the compliments on Pinot, I'm stoked for sure! I love the natural quilted maple look too, and you guys have prime examples of that wood's eye-popping beauty. Kevin, I imagine it might be a bit frustrating trying to photograph that stunning top on your Orion. For what we spend of these basses, it isn't too silly to think of taking them to a professional photography studio to have them photo'd! Heck, they're members of the family!  
 
Another good/bad thing about living in Oregon is the fabulous micro-brewery scene out here. I like fine beer as much as fine wine and here there's dozens of locally brewed stouts, porters, bitters, amber ales, it goes on and on... I switched to wine as my preferred poison in part because of all the calories I was getting drinking the killer ales! Red wine is of course, a health drink, since it is good for your heart! Yeah, right! :-)  
 
Here's to ya,  
 
Reid  
 
P.S. I do drink beer when I'm out playing, since beer is the official lubricant of rock 'n roll!
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: palembic on August 29, 2004, 12:11:49 PM
Woooof!
 
I thought for a moment : Wine??wine? Wine? What happened to the good'ol beer??
I was ready to start some beertalk but ...well ...brother Reid beated me in the end run!
 
To your health!
 
Paul the bad one
 
 
DOH! Did I tell y'all that I like Irish whiskey too?!?!?!  Bass-beer-women and whiskey ...that must be PTBO.
 
Kiddin' ...well ..kindoff
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rraymond on August 29, 2004, 02:39:58 PM
Brother Paul, educate me in the ways of Irish whiskey. Having grown up in Tennessee, I tended to stay close to home whiskey-wise. I like Jack Daniels, of course, and up in Kentucky, Makers Mark and Wild Turkey are good. As far as international whiskeys, well Canadian Club is about all I've sampled. After all that then, the question is, What Irish whiskey do you prefer?
 
Top of the mornin' to ya,
 
Reid
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: kmh364 on August 30, 2004, 05:44:02 AM
Hot-rod Bourbons and/or Sour Mash whiskeys are good stuff...there's a growing market for boutique whiskeys in this country, much like the demand for domestic wineries and micro-breweries (albeit on a much smaller scale).
 
Even though I have a 100% Irish Catholic name... I'm actually 50/50 (Italian/Irish), I'm preferential to single-malt Scotch whiskey. I know, it's blasphemy I tells yah (say that with your best Brogue, LOL!).  
 
It's all good though....variety is the spice of life, no?  
 
With my life-long disposition towrd brutal migraines, however, my consumption of alcohol these days is minimal. Alcoholism runs in my family as well, but I seem to be about the only one on my Father's side that doesn't suffer from that malady (Thank God!).
 
For those that can drink freely, enjoy and drink responsibly!
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: palembic on August 30, 2004, 09:20:11 AM
Oh ...I am not really the Conoisseur. Jameson (of course), Tullamore Dew, Old Paddy, Bushmills' Malt, and there is 1 I really enjoyed but forgot the name.
Single malt scotches ...yep ...heerooo too ! You will not believe this but I am a Laphhroaig lover ...really.
OTOH I do like soft tasting whisky's too: Cutty Sark is my altime favourite and is not to expensive in Belgium.
Canadian Club, Tensessee's Jack Daniels, Four Roses and other Kentucky stuff but ...well ...I tried my parts but not enough to really know it.
 
Drunk?
Well ...I can handle a few but I am reluctant to alcohol these days. Alcohol sometimes after dinner, wine with a meal, beer for refreshment but ...well quantum est venenum.
So ...i try to be sober in all meanings of taht word.
 
 
Paut the bad one
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: bracheen on August 30, 2004, 09:21:54 AM
OK Reid since this thread's already trashed I may as well jump in.
Irish Whiskey: my favorite is Jameson with Tullamore Dew a close second.  Bushmill's from the northern part of the island is the oldest operating distillery being founded in 1608.
The word whiskey comes from the Irish Uisce Beatha meaning Water of Life
Unfortunately my consumtion has been severly curtailed.  The older I get the less prodigious quantities of whiskey agree with me.
 
Sam
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: fmm on August 30, 2004, 09:50:26 AM
Favorite Irish Whisky: Bushmills Millenium Malt (25 year old single malt, good luck finding any.  I still have 7 bottles).
 
Favorite Scotch: Cadenheads bottling of a 14 year old Lagavulin, cask strength.  I don't think this is available anymore.
 
Favorite widely available Scotch: Lagavulin.
 
Favorite American Whiskey: Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: kmh364 on August 30, 2004, 12:07:02 PM
You're in a LOT of trouble, Reid. Now you have to order TWO more custom Alembics: one finished in stout and one finished in whiskey. This will complete the triumvirate with Pinot, LOL!
 
Cheers!
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: bracheen on August 30, 2004, 12:22:32 PM
I like how you think Kevin. If it's worth doing, it's worth doing in excess!
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rraymond on August 30, 2004, 12:29:48 PM
It's enough to make your liver quiver!  
 
I will need a bass finished in Champagne, maybe a blush wine, then there are all the ales, IPA, amber, etc. My head - and wallet - hurt just thinking about it! Man, what a beautiful collection that would be!!!
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: kmh364 on August 30, 2004, 06:54:32 PM
Remember: You only live once, so make it count!
 
When I was whining about all the money I lost during my divorce, a wise man told me something I'll never forget: It's only money, and you'll make more!
 
Good words to live by Methinks, LOL!
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: bsee on August 30, 2004, 07:49:58 PM
You could even get an acrylic bass for those nights when you're in the mood for martinis or sambuca....
 
I strongly apologize for derailing this thread with a wine discussion and urge Mica to archive it soon so that we can get back to pictures of beautiful basses.
 
-Bob
 
PS - I will be hitting Chateau Ste. Michelle and the Yakima Valley during my free time in the Seattle vicinity.
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rraymond on August 30, 2004, 08:54:15 PM
Bob, I just looked up Chateau Ste. Michelle on the web and noticed that they are in Woodinville, WA, also the home of Mackie. That could be a very interesting day, Days of wine and mixers!
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: palembic on August 31, 2004, 12:54:03 AM
Ok ...the story goes that Brother Sam is ordering a new 5 string Excel with Darkgreen to yellow on AAAA-grade maple called Jamesonburst. There will be front and side leds in red. The only problem Susan has is that he wants the PU's colored bright RED.
 
Paul the bad one
 
 
hehehehehehehehehehe ...
 
 
oh yeah ...the SUBJECT ...this wonderful bass.
Well ...it surely will have a fine nose and a full bouquet with a fruity afterdrink ...
no ....wrong again???
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rraymond on August 31, 2004, 06:27:35 AM
Alright Paul, on my list of things to do this weekend: cut grass, clean sunroom, try Jameson whiskey...
 
Fine nose = quilted maple = attack and bright tone
Full bouquet = mahogany = warmth
Fruity afterdrink (I think they call it finish in wine circles) = purpleheart = sustain and low-end
 
Pinot will have all of that!
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: palembic on August 31, 2004, 06:49:07 AM
CHEERS ...I'll drink to that !
To Pinot!!!
 
PTBO
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rraymond on September 01, 2004, 11:17:33 PM
Mica, I've been staring at the pictures of Pinot you published last week, and I continue to be astonished by that finish. When you buy a Fender, or Gibson 'bursted instrument, you get your run-of-the-mill sunburst. That Wineburst, I'm assuming Bob did, looks more like a Thomas Kinkade study in light, the bass just glows and radiates light and energy from its center. I'm sure that as is often said here, It looks better in person.  
 
Cheers, to everyone who has worked on Pinot, and I hope you all have a happy Labor Day weekend!
 
Reid
Title: Re: Reid's Fanhead Balance K
Post by: rraymond on September 12, 2004, 02:44:05 PM
I thought I'd post some pictures, now that Pinot is mine! A, hah, hah, hah! ;))  I took it to a gig last night and freaked everybody visually, and sonically. This bass, is a hit! So, here's some pictures of Pinot at dawn, in my sunroom:  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/12641.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/12642.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/12643.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/12644.jpg)
  Good Golly, Miss Molly!