Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on February 25, 2004, 01:02:25 PM
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Normally we suggest a bunch of different woods for customers to select from, but Bill spoke with Susan about what he wanted, and described what he was looking for very well, so we figure we've already picked the perfect wood:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/8383.jpg)
It's big enough to get the top and back from the same board (nice). It's got plenty of swirly parts, pinchy parts, dark grain, and intricate shapes. We hope you like it as much as we all do.
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Ooohhhhhh....aaahhhhhhhh
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I agree, spectacular!!
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Mica/Susan: ...and you did select very well! I love the coloring and figures. It is already my desktop wallpaper! Could I see the body template placed the way you have in mind and a close up with a swipe of acetone? It really looks great!
On a related matter, I Emailed you to ask that the neck be done in a satin finish. I also wanted to confirm the change to heart omega, since BassCentral has not called me with the price change.
I'm really excited about the bass and I love the wood. I sort of knew Susan would choose well, but she really outdid my expectations! Thanks!
Bill
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bill
now THAT's a piece of wood! congratulations! you're on your way to a spectacular instrument
marc
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Thanks for the kind words. I do love this piece of wood. I like the balance between plenty of movement and a variety of figures against nice colors and contrast. I really coudn't have envisioned a better match with all the things I like. Thanks to Val, who actually crawled through the wood pile to pick the piece out. This is very nice outcome for one of the truly important phases of the project.
FYI: The bass will be constructed as follows:
4 string
Medium (32) scale
Coco bolo front and back
3/4 Balance point body
Heart omega
Crown peghead w/ goldplated logo
Maple and purpleheart neck (narrow string spacing)
Green side LEDs
Series 2 electronics
I've talked with Val about changing the fretboard ovals to abalone and maybe and initial inlay on the fretboard. Still deciding on those.
Bill
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Hey Mica!! Any pictures of my bass under construction?? All my efforts to stop making changes and harrassing you all are taking a toll. Val can verify that I don't call Alembic every day any more! All this self discipline is KILLING ME! I've already changed out all the components of my rig that I wanted to upgrade, rebuilt all the bass cabinets in my son's bass-player's rig, balanced my checkbook, cleaned my garage, fed the dog, etc. (You get the picture.). Some pictures could save me from doing something really rash!!
On a serious note, did you/Susan get the Thomastik Infeld Jazz Flats I sent (at your request) a few weeks back so they would be on hand during the build?
Pictures, pictures, pictures... Worth a thousand words and a million bucks to a desperate bass player!!!
Bill
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I found these shots from a couple of weeks ago:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/8845.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/8846.jpg)
I'll round up some more soon. That little strip of sapwood on the peghead will be cut off.
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Thanks, Mica!!
Did you get the TI Jazz Flats I sent?
Bill
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Hi everyone!! Just got back from CA and a great visit to the happiest place on earth ? Alembic!! Thanks to Susan, Mica and Val for making my new bass come to life and for welcoming my family and me during our visit. Sorry we didn't get to see Val, maybe next time. What a wonderland is hiding out in Santa Rosa!!! Susan gave us the grand tour. I got to hold Stanley's new bass (quilted cocobolo with dragon neck inlay), saw Kevin's new cocobolo S2 (even prettier in person) and ?met? my new bass. My son Andy got to play a Chromallusion and a cocobolo Tribute and a Skylark (He's hooked.). Susan and Mica were just great to us. Here are some pix of my bass and the day. The cocobolo is on the dark side and I wasn't well-prepared to photograph it - but you get the idea. Here's a very happy dude:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/9612.jpg)
Here, hold this while I get a picture...
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/9613.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/9614.jpg)
This is just amazing in person:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/9615.jpg)
My son Andy with one of his newest favorites:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/9616.jpg)
My bass was about half through with spray and had just received its frets and abalone neck inlays. The recessed logo comes later. The carving is just great to look at and feel. I really love the omega heart point and tips. I think I'm going to develop neck problems trying to play AND look at the bass at the same time!!! I was really knocked over by how sexy the new K-style (3/4 balance standard) body looks in person and how smooth and easy (balance-wise and shape) it is to handle - gonna be great to play! It was also surprisingly light. Susan brought me down to earth about that when she showed me the shoebox full of electronic components yet to be installed (plus strings, bridge and a few other sundries). So it won?t be a featherweight. It was great getting a chance to see my bass during its construction. Seeing for myself how much of the crafting is done by hand left me with a strong feeling that Alembics are the products of real persons (which is not to talk down the steps done by the CNC machine, which is very cool, and seems to be programmable to do anything with almost any tool!!). I can?t think of the Alembic shop as a factory. It is a workshop. Seeing my bass part way through its construction brought to life the processes that will make it what it becomes. It left me thinking that so many products we own and use go through construction steps we are unaware of. Maybe it sounds weird, but I feel like I already know my new bass better than any I have owned. If you can do it ? visit the Alembic folks. I thought I knew what to expect ? but, BOY!!! It was much more than that!!! Thanks to all at Alembic - Hope I see you again soon. Bill Geeks in sweatshirts - No kidding, this is our Xmas card picture for this year!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/9617.jpg)
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Great pics, great story, great shot of the workshop, great looking bass, great sweatshirts! Sounds like a great trip!
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Nice.....Thanks for sharing these great pictures.
It's especially cool that your kids got to experience what goes into the making of these very fine instruments. Lessons in quality are rare indeed.
I'm heading in that direction around the end of May.....If all goes according to plan, I'll get meet these great folks too!
I can hardly wait!
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Kevin, thanks for sharing your pictures. That looks like a very happy family! Your bass looks better being held than by itself (and it looks amazing by itself). By holding it I get a better sense of it's scale. I'd be bouncing around with excited impatience. How do you do it?
And is there a custom Tribute in your future. Your son looks natural playing that guitar.
Sam
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Bill,
You have a beautiful family, it looks like they are pretty supportive too.
What a beautiful bass. It's my first look at a bass from top to bottom with this body style. (Except mine's 34) But it gives me a good idea of what to expect. Good to have you back posting again.
Somewhere down the line we'll have to get our two basses together for a photo op. (4 and 5 string versions)
Later,
Kevin
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Hi Bill,
glad to see you in person with family.
Your bass is gonna be great!
It must be something to be able to visit the bass-temple where they breed all those nice instruments.
And ...are you excercicing the word patience ...patience ...patience ....
Paul TBO
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OH MY GOD!! I said the wrong name.
Bill, I'm sorry.
Sam
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Thanks for all your kind words.
Sam: No problem. Like they say, If that's the worst thing that happens today, we're all gonna be alright...
It was a great visit. I am very fortunate that my family wanted to share it with me. I think they each came away with a little better understanding about what my new bass means to me. I am so knocked out to be able to share cool musical experiences with my son Andy. Reminds me of sharing music with my Dad (a piano-player), but Andy and I have more in common musically.
I should have mentioned, it was the first time I really got a sense for the physical size and fit of the new shape. In many ways, with the (extra) narrow 4 string neck, it reminded me of a 4 string Rogue. I should have thought to stand my bass and Kevin's 5 string next to one another for a picture (Hint! Hint!! Val and Mica!). The 5 string is slim and sexy, but th 4 is definitely slimmer. In person, the new K shape (in Kevin's honor) combines the lines I like most from the Rogue with shape features from the Standard. I seriously considered a Rogue body but decided I wanted the look you could only get with the traditional shape. I feel like I got the best of both worlds - sort of unexpectedly.
I have made so many changes in the design since I first ordered this bass that I feel like the Alembic folks definitely deserve my patience. In the meantime, I've been busy building a new rig. I just received a Mesa Boogie Powerhouse 115 today. Tomorrow an Acme LowB2 should be on my doorstep. Later in the week I'll be recieving a Dr. Bass super light Neomidium 12/6/tweeter 3 way cab (only 34 lbs). I'm going to do a lot of A/B testing in the next week or so. Not sure yet what I'll wind up keeping in the end, but I'll probably choose between the Dr. Bass cab and the Acme (and get a second one of the one I keep). The Mesa will most likely stay for other reasons.
At any rate, I have a lot to keep me distracted while I wait for my bass. In the meantime, I'm just going to delay letting my impatience get to me. It will - pretty soon, too. I am just so stunned at how beautiful my bass is. I can't wait to hear how it will sound and feel.
Bill
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Mica, Val, Susan (anyone!!):
Any pictures, updates, completion estimates on my bass? I'm dying here! I've developed a really sick case of what I can only call Rationalizing GAS. I'm shopping the net compulsively for basses I don't really need - based on only 2 factors: (1) Any interest or curiosity whatsover on my part in hearing, trying out or for any reason owning a particular model, and (2) The ability of a bass to hold value so I can sell it when I regain my sanity!
I just bought a Lightwave Sabre (for a good price) out of curiosity. I'm stalking vintage Ric's and Guilds and have developed an entirely unhealthy attachment to a Modulus Q5 at my local music house. Oddly, I don't find myself drawn to vintage Alembics too much.
Ideally, purchases like these this could be put to use as a variation on James' (Malthumb's) Alembic Savings Plan. Here's how: I can park funds in fun, resellable basses (that I'd be happy to own for a while and later part with) until my wierd little collection can finance purchase of a custom 5 string (Ebony lams, Walnut top, 34 scale - Anniversary Electronics and another K-style balance 3/4 body).
This is fun and all, but it's really being driven by emotional desperation - I'm pining (pineing?) for my new bass!!
(Down on my bended knees) Please! A picture, an update, anything!!
Patiently yours,
Bill
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Hello Bill,
I am at home now, so I can't check for sure, but your bass is in the set-up room; I think it's almost done, don't know if Ron did the upgrade yet. I'll see about taking a picture tomorrow. I know we got some new cases in today, hopefully the new cases for the 3/4 balance K are among them.
Valentino
(Message edited by valvil on May 05, 2004)
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Thanks, Valentino. I think that rules out looking for a choice old Hofner...
Seriously, though. I very much appreciate the info.
Bill
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Tell me about it Bill,
I almost ordered an Essence the other week. Alembic doesn't know it, but I hung up before they had a chance to answer. Sorry folks at Alembic.
As Mica said when I called just this week, ...your bass is still done Kevin. I am just waiting on one of those new cases.
Just curious, when did you actually place the order for your bass? Or, if you know, when did it actually go into production?
I believe mine went into production late October to early November. It was finished in April. So 5-6 months build time. Not bad in my opinion.
Later,
Kevin
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Kevin; might I suggest a road trip. Rent a large van and throw a mattress in the back. Find a friend to share driving with and drive straight through, no stops. Take plenty of tunes and munchables.
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Kevin: That's really funny (and makes me feel somehow...less insane!).
I ordered initially on January 26th. We made a few changes in the next week or 2, but I don't think that delayed getting it into the queue. I don't know exactly when construction started, but it was my impression maybe 2.5 weeks after the order(?). Actually my bass seems to be proceeding at a record pace. No complaints about that or anything Alembic is doing - They've been great!
But, as you know, the better the bass, the harder the wait...
Hope yours is in your hands soon. Please post pictures and let us know what it's like. I'm especially interested in hearing about the ebony lams and your comparison between how they sound on your current bass (32 scale) and your new one (34 neck, right?).
Bill
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Mica: Any news or pictures on my bass??
Bill
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News: ready for final calibration. Pictures:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/10202.jpg)
The tape holds the hum canceller in place until my dad decides it's finished. The HX is non-adjustable and glued in place.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/10203.jpg)
A closeup of the wood to (hopefully) show that it is dark, but not entirely black. Your bass looks so different in person.
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Holy S**T!! That's beautiful!!!!!!
Any estimate on how long before your Dad is likely to be done with it????
(Message edited by bassman10096 on May 14, 2004)
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Well, I'm hoping the line of basses to calibrate right now is done by the end of the month, There's at least 2 others before yours, let's just hope they go smoothly. The 4-strings are always the hardest, and 2 in front of yours are both 4-strings.
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Mica: It looks great. It is no darker than I wanted it to be!! It has both darker and lighter coloration and EXACTLY the figuring I pictured. Thanks to you all. I thought I was charged already. Can I come visit it again (just kidding!)??
Any pictures of the whole bass? Particularly the headstock and inlaid logo?
Thanks
Bill
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An amazingly beautiful instrument!
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Brother Bill, will you be able to bring the instrument with you when you'll visiting us next spring?? Then ...oh ...huh ...maybe ...I oculd ....huh ....??????
Paul TBO
Ok ...ok ...I'm jumping to conclusions, but ...hey ...it was worth the try!!!
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Thanks, guys. I loved it when I saw it a few weeks ago in Santa Rosa. I must admit though that my pictures showed it as darker (to the sacrifice of contrast) than I remembered. Mica's picture is much closer to the reality. And in person, the light areas pop very vividly. This was exactly what I was hoping for - a dark and rich look with cool, detailed figuring and a range of contrasts - you know: dark and a little lighter, dark and still lighter, dark and light amber, etc. It's perfect, and Ron can not possibly finish with it soon enough!!
Paul: I'd love to, but at this moment, I need to get through getting it shipped safely to me, first! You could also come here! As you know, Summerfest is a good time. BTW, check out the new JC on Ebay. I'm talking to the seller about the scrapes on the neck - but - who knows? Also, I'll Email some impressions about my other new acquisition (sorry folks, it's a Lightwave Sabre 5 string). Very different, but cool.
I can't wait for my bass!...I can't wait for my bass!...This is doing permanent damage to my psyche!...Can't sleep - Clowns will eat me!! (sorry, different delusion!).
Actually, all I hope is that Alembic does its last things to finish up with the same class and quality they've put into everything else I've seen them do! ...and, of course, that Mary is not in the plant right now figuring out production for several hundred cases to fit the K-style body!!
Also, please note, with this post or the next - I believe I will become a Senior Member of the Alembic Club! Do I get to learn a secret handshake? Keys to the executive Men's Room? Invitations to better parties? Or do I just become obligated to clean up the spelling in my posts?? Can some others who have achieived this lofty status enlighten me?
Patiently awaiting the most wonderful bass I could have imagined...
Bill
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Well, obviously that didn't do the Senior Member thing. I love to see counters turn over and indicators change, so...Sorry, but here goes...
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I don't mean to sound let down, but what does a guy have to do for some recognition around here? Ah, there it is!! Everything looks different!! Sounds are somehow more vivid!! I have a deeper understanding of the unfathomable mysteries of the universe!! (OK, enough already).
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Congratulations! And yes, the world is no longer the same as it was back on post 399.
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Dave: Now I know it's not just me!! And what it does for a guy's virility, too!!! I had no idea what I was missing all this time...
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Bill,
As you know, your bass is absolutely stunning! You, as well as our own Val, are obviously fans of the darker coco bolo. I was a bit skitish about using such a dark wood on my guitar, especially since it's hard to get a feel for how the various subtle tones will really express themselves on the finsihed product. But, I must say, your bass has such an incredibly deep and rich feel to it. You almost feel like pouring it into a wine glass and gently sipping it, savouring every drop.
Truly an instrument to behold.
Jonathan
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Thanks Jonathan. I didn't regard the choice of darker colors as a risk - at first - but later I had a few moments of doubt. That's all resolved now, as the effect I was looking for is clearly there. Nice metaphor, the wine sipping. It does have a rich look - almost a flavor, doesn't it? I can not wait to see it finished in person.
Bill
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Hey Bill
I just saw your bass for the first time and all I can say is wow! You are the man! What a beautiful instrument. I will be heading up to Santa Rosa tomorrow to look at woodstock and only hope my final product will be that nice. Of course I have a long way to go since production won't even start until next week but I am trying to work on spirital balance and a little drinky-poo to keep me from going crazy with anticipation.
Nice pictures of you and your family and congratulations on becoming a Senior Member! Does this mean you have to show your AARP card to post messages now? Maybe a Gold Watch or at least Tuning Peg!
I know you will be happy when you finally receive your new bass.
Take Care
Rory
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Thanks Rory! I'm counting the days now (Don't know how many to count, but, never mind...). I've made a lot of changes in my rig, bought a dehumidifier for my basement to minimize environmental effects, etc. Time for the baby to come home!!
Hope your trip to Alembic is fun. I'm sure it will be!
Bill
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Bill
I got a chance to see your bass in person and it is even sweeter than I thought. You were in very good company because right next to your bass was Stanley Clarks Custom bass. I wish I was as far along as you, all I could look at was a block of wood with a drawing! Anyway, it won't be long now.
Rory
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Rory: Thanks. I can't wait to see it. When I was there it was only halfway through spray. Isn't Stanley's bass incredible! When we walked into the room where the basses were hanging, Susan handed it to me without first telling me what or whose it was. Some inlay! Down the rack row were Kevin's 5 string, which I recognized right away (also prettier in person than in pictures) and my bass - which I recognized once the wood color sunk in for a minute.
Too bad your bass isn't further along, but I'm sure it was a neat visit. What were your impressions of seeing the place, the scale, the people, machines, workshop where all this magic happens?
Hope it was good.
Bill
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Bill
I have done the tour before but not at the new facility. I spent the whole morning with Mica choosing the best quilted maple top for my bass and setting up the custom electronics I will be adding. Everyone was great as before and it was actually really cool to see all the different instruments in production. I don't know any of you personally but I know your basses and to see them kind of created a bond for me. I also need to say meeting Mica and Susan again was really awesome and then this guy came strutting in with Purple pants and it could only be one person, Val! I look forward to the weeks to come as my bass goes through transformation and I promised Mica and Val that I would restrain from calling them everyday as the time gets near completion. I only live 45 minutes away so a quick drive up to Santa Rosa will be the best way to keep tabs on progress. Bill, I had the opportunity to show one of my students your bass over the internet and now he wants one. He just purchased his first Essence and really digs the smaller body style. After seeing your bass though I think we have another Alembic for life person on our hands! It will be there before you know it!
Rory
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Rory:
Sounds like it was a great time. It is a kind of different experience, seeing the instruments that are intended for others in the Club. We see lots of instruments through the Factory to Customer looking glass from idea to raw material, through construction. I really appreciate having the opportunity to give feedback (which I hope = support) to others in build mode. Discussing and reacting to others' thoughts on their designs helped a lot in firming up what I wanted my bass to be. During the process of building my bass, the kind words of others have helped limit the second-guessing that would otherwise have happened, had I felt like I was in this all alone.
BTW, make sure to tell your student he is not alone in his appreciation for the K-style body. Susan let me play a 5 string K-style Omega that Beaver Felton at BassCentral had already ordered as a stock bass for his shop.
Finally, so....what did you decide about your own bass? If you are interested in telling, what kind of specs and features are you looking at now? I'm sure they will establish an FTC thread for your bass, soon.
Bill
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Bill
As far as my bass goes it will be based on the Mark King Signature standard with a 5A maple top, contoured body = no tail piece, purple heart laminate through the neck and body, blue side LED's, bass and treble boost and cut for each pickup as well as the standard 2xQ switch,2xlow pass filter, volume and blend etc, etc.... I thought it more prudent to customize the electronics and gain more control over the sound since I was working with a limited budget. My thought is the absence of a tail piece will change the looks dramatically while giving it a personal touch all my own. I could not resist the Blue Led's they are soooooooo cool! I can only hope it comes out the way I would like it to. I am already thinking about a Stanley Clark bass but first I need to move some of my other basses. That is it in a nut shell hopefully we will start at the end of next week! Talk to you soon.
Rory
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Rory:
I like the electronic customization. Should give you a lot of tone shaping, with a layer of more immediate control with the boosts & cuts. I can't wait to see the combo of the maple top, pheart laminate and blue LEDs.
There's an Orion on sale locally here that combines quilted maple with purpleheart. It's a very rich looking combination!
Help me understand the no tailpiece part. Do you mean a single purpose bridge/tailpiece (w/ no bird piece) or are you referring to the pointed tail on the Standard bodies?
Bill
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Bill
Sorry for the confusion, I was referring to the pointed tail on the Body.
Rory
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Cool. Maybe I'm not understanding the base body style, too. Is it the small standard (Stanley Clark-type) style or the large standard that would normally have either a point or omega cut at the bottom? If the latter, are you going to have some kind of Omega cut?
Bill
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Bill
Maybe you can help me out here I'm at that point of indecission and could use a little help. I am going with the large standard body and my thought was to have no point, no cut of any type but now I seem to lean towards the Omega cut like yours. What is a guy to do? Did you have simalar thoughts when designing your bass or did you know exactly what you wanted? What are your thoughts? Do you think the clean bottom would look to odd on the large body? Give me some feedback, I need help. I was trying to not have my instrument look like everyone elses without going totally custom but now I don't know. Well this is my situation. Since you are now a Senior Member, (code word, Jedi Master), I am looking to you for guidance. Show me the way of the Jedi so that I too can master the force! I think it maybe a little to early in the morning for me, better go have coffee!
Thanks in advance for your support,
Rory
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Rory: I hope others will weigh in with their artistic suggestions, but here's the progression I went through.
Yeah - I knew what I wanted. It was just that what I wanted changed several times and wound up being something I originally had thought I didn't want. I knew I wanted a neck-through and liked the idea of Signature or Anniversary electronics. That kind of pushed me into a Signature design.
First, let me say I always considered some kind of omega cut. Second, I did want something that looked like a traditional Alembic (That ruled out Rogues and Europas). However, I was not too keen on the large standard body - just too big, I guess. My first design iteration was a 3/4 size body with an omega cut (but not a perfectly round omega - more like a squashed or oval cut). I thought the heart omega cuts were just a little too fancy - while I preferred a cleaner look.
Then for a while, I became captivated with a small standard (Stanley Clark style) with an omega cut. I still think the omega version is the prettiest way to do a small standard. I was troubled, though because the small standard develops balance problems if you put a medium scale neck on it, particularly if 5 string (as I was considering at the time). I drew a lot of reshaped small standards, elongating the top horn. Actually, some looked pretty cool. But when Mica explained the mechanics of ensuring good balance (essentially the horn needed to be elongated more than I like on the small standard), AND she Emailed me a picture of a prototype of the K-style body - I was off the small standard idea permanently (for this bass anyway).
The trouble was that I just couldn't settle on the prototype K shape. The upper horn was fatter and it was not as graceful as the ones Kevin and I have had built. For a brief period, I considered seriously just going for a large standard with an omega cut. However, when some early design drawings for Kevin's new bass were posted, the shape had changed not too radically, but it had gone from ho hum to Va-va-voom. Everyone seemed to agree with that assessment, too.
What I realized was that by considering these different approaches over a period of 2-3 months, I had really learned the Alembic body styles.
Once I had settled on the 3/4 K-style omega body, I called and spoke to Val about wood. I had been struggling with choosing between Superb Walnut (less like the norm, I felt) and Coco Bolo (a beautiful and classic look). Val is a coco bolo fan. He suggested going with coco for its sound qualities and basically, because I had to agree I couldn't go wrong. I decided to go with a dark, but still contrasty coco bolo, rather than a brighter, oranger one. I still may buy a walnut Alembic before they carry me out...
Susan and I talked about electronics and between a little arm twisting on her part (with no resistance on mine) and some superior deal making by Beaver Felton (Bass Central), I upgraded to S2 electronics. The addition of the heart omega was an afterthought, but one I'm glad I did. I found I added more fancy touches (abalone ovals, inlaid logo, omega heart) after my bass was already beginning construction. I guess once I was settle on the big elements, adding pretty touches was very easy.
Sorry for the book. My two cents on your body style question - I've seen pix of large standards and balance standards with plain bottoms. They've looked kind of, well, plain, to me. Sort of too simple. I hope others will comment, because it was helpful to me getting feedback and reading discussions about others' basses.
Don't worry too much though - you'll love what you decide on. Don't be afraid to delay a bit, though to give yourself a chance to get used to an idea.
Bill
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hi rory & bill
like many alembic owners, i, too, spent a good bit of time finding the 'right' body shape. i wanted my first alembic to be relatively simple (whence the 'simple bass'), with a smallish body. i started with an essence, with just a few standard options, but i didn't want the standard k-body shape. initially i wanted a small-standard body with an 'old-style' point, which is more softly carved than the standard point of today. then i changed my mind to a 'stinger point', an elongated point slender enough that the end of it would be ebony only, shaped from the center ebony neck laminate, with no mahogany showing
then one night i was browsing the showcase threads and i found the shape i REALLY wanted: the bass edwin van huik had made for his baby daughter tania. it's basically a mini version (22-inch scale!) of a small standard with a slightly elongated upper horn for balance and a version of the EvH bottom: a shallow double-scallop cut they call the 'baby's butt', for at least a couple of reasons
i asked mica if the 'baby bass' could be scaled up to 32-inch scale, and mike's predecessor sketched it out. the 32-inch-scale version of that shape turned out to be massive -- too hippy -- so some redesign was necessary to small it down. we worked together to refine the shape to what you now see on my thread, which is very close to the shape of tania's bass and about the size of a small standard
i found the EvH bottom to be a good compromise: there's something going on down there aesthetically, so it's more interesting to my eyes than a plain round bottom, but it's more understated than a point or an omega
it's not for everyone, but it might work for you too
as bill suggests, give yourself all the time you need to be comfortable with your choices. i had my first conversation with susan years ago, and mica and i formally started this project over a year ago. mike just started gluing the body last friday
as the design evolved over a period of months, my initially-'simple' bass experienced a bit of 'option-bloat'; i suspect that's pretty common. that temptation is the flip side of taking your time
best regards
marc
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Hey Marc and Bill
I would like to thank you both for chiming in with some sound advise. After careful consideration and readings from both of you I found that I was settling on something that may not have been right for me. For many years now I have enjoyed my Essence body style because of its smallish body and light weight and I still find myself very attracted to it still. I think since I was a teenager I considered the S1 to be the ultimate bass hence the Standard body style. Now that I have matured a little I think my mind was stuck in the 70's and what was considered to be the ultimate bass then and not now. I find myself truly attracted to the K body style that Bill has but did not know it was available until I saw Bills. I have totally changed directions and feel much more confident in my choices. I would like to thank both of you gentlemen for your valued advise and opinions. I have put every option that I can afford into this project and now I think I can sit down and call it quits. Bill, you have been great as always and Marc, I appreciate you stepping up to give your thoughts as well. Now all I have to do is see what all my new options are going to cost me. Once again thanks!
Rory
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(Message edited by the_mule on May 24, 2004)
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Hello Rory, not trying to interfere in your thinking process in any way, but only to show you how incredibly well the EvH 'bottom' works aesthetically on a smaller bodied instrument:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/10345.jpg)
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I started a new , so we can keep all the thoughts about it together.
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Mule
I do appreciate you showing me some other options as well as an opportunity to see your beautiful Alembic. I also think that you and Mark are correct with that body style it is a lot more suited to what I would like when I custom build Alembic #3! I think the classic body shape with a few tweaks is much more suited to my taste. I would like to thank all the members who have felt my pain and have responded with idea's and suggetions. For a short while I thought I was going to self implode from trying to make the right choices. Isn't this wonderful! I have guys from all around the world helping me make decisions that I was having trouble with. I have to say now that I do feel at peace with my final choice for now and I thank all the members and the Alembic family for having patience with me.
Rory
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Rory: I saw your thread. Congratulations. I can't wait to see what the K-style looks like in 5A!! You will be a trail blazer there, for sure. I've been thinking about quilted or flame maple for the 5 string I'm dreaming about - either in the K-style or (I'm surprised to tell you...) a large standard body style. Either one will have a big old, traditional point on the bottom!
It's fun hearing you think through your options. I can appreciate how crazy it can get. Don't worry. The adrenalin subsides a little after a few weeks.
Bill
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Hi Mica!
Can you give me an estimate on when I'm going to see this baby?
Bill
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My dad finished the calibration late Friday night. James will need to go over the final setup on Tuesday, but if all goes well with that, we should be able to ship it no later than Wednesday.
(Message edited by mica on July 03, 2004)
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Bill
Are you ready? There is still time to pass a little more GAS! I am sure you will let us know when it arrives! I am so jealous!
Rory
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Wheeeeeww!!!!
Thanks Mica, Val, Susan and Ron!!
I thought it was never going to happen! For those who don't know, Ron has been forced to divert a lot of time to various emergency endevours lately, making solid time commitments (understandably) impossible for completing the final calibration.
I've all but stopped calling to check on things (only weekly). This has left me with too much time on my hands to acquire (and dump) gear. My rig is pretty near evolved to what I think well sound best. 3 cabs: I bit the bullet last night and bought a BagEnd INFRA 18 and M2 processor. I'm choosing between my Acme LowB-2 and an Eden 210 XST. Finally, I'm going to look for a superlight 212 with neomydium drivers, a 6 or 8 high mid and tweeter.
I've been avoiding 4 strings lately because it just reminds me of the waiting! When I did happen to play a 4 str Orion the other day, it was so great! Now this news makes it all worth while.
More later. Yipppeeeee!
Bill
Mica and Val.
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Brother Bill,
if I were you I quitted job for a while.
Or maybe a loooooooooooo-ong vacation, with only basses, and amps ...and speakers ...and playing ... and testing ...and tweaking
Paul TBO
Oh ...uhuh ...did I mentioned the yelling neighbors ...????
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Oh yeah. I'll be in bass heaven for a long time. All the new amp gear, my new Alembic and my first (I guess I'll try something else new...) fretless 4 (a Ken Smith Design active Jazz). I can't believe my Alembic is finally coming home! For a medium scale guy, the pickin's are pretty slim most places to find a bass that feels anything like mine will...Heaven, at last!
Bill
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Bill, let us know what you think of the Bag End Infra and how it compares with the low end of the B-2 and XST.
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I will. I can't wait to hear the comparison myself.
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Alright Bill!
Here's hoping your your new rig brings you hours of low frequency bliss. What a long strange trip it's been.
Mike
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Thanks Mike. I just spoke with Mica. If all goes well with the final set up of my bass, I should have it on Friday. I won't have the ELF sub till next week, but I think there's a lot of listening and tweaking to do in the meantime. In order to learn the S2 controls, I'm going to unplug my SF-2 temporarily and just go from the F1-X to power amp.
Bill