Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on January 06, 2004, 08:51:46 PM
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Now the bass is in the setup department for the logo inlay:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/7487.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/7488.jpg)
This is the time to decide on gold hardware.
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Mica and Val: Thanks for posting these pictures. Mica - You were right - This body design looks much better in coco bolo than in the mahogany sample pix you sent me.
I think this will be the body style I order in a month or two. Thanks again.
Bill Sterling
Kevin - Your new bass looks as good or better than your present bass (which I really liked the looks of). What made you decide to upgrade to S2 electronics? Hope you are as pleased with it as I would be.
Bill
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Great peghead. Sometimes I'm convinced you guys culture these grain patterns to fit...
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What. A. Beauty!!!
Can't wait to see that bass when it's finished...
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Yes ...wow ...I really like this body-style.
I know the balance point is changed but is also the body made more ...well ...how should I put this ...euh ...lady-like ...euh ...narrower!?!?!? Help!
Bob : didn't you heard?? They breed them!
Paul the bad one
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Hi Kevin, hi Paul TBO, hi guys,
I have to agree: this body shape is really
gorgeous. Normally I don?t like that much those
extreme offset bodystyle (except the Spyders of course), but this one looks really great....
Paul, how are you?
Long time no see...
Oliver (Spyderman)
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Thanks to all for your kind words. This bass has been a long time in the making. I post some pictures of the predesign stage. The body is 3/4, that's why it appears slim. It's a 34 scale with ebony neck lams, which ends up being rather neck heavy. So the big difference is the extended balance point design. Susan even made a mock up before this went into production. The tough decision was which design to choose. I selected the longer horn to address any balance issues. Believe me I wish I could build them both.
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(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/7550.jpg)
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Kevin:
Thanks for posting the drawing. The mock-up I saw appears to have been the shorter-horned version. I actually think I like the longer horn better aesthetically. It's more graceful. The line of maple laminate peeking out from under the coco bolo on the horn adds nice definition to the horn's shape.
I too am concerned about balance, plus I really prefer a longer bass that brings the lower frets closer in to the center of my body, because having shorter fingers forces my wrist into an uncomfortable bend when I reach for the lower frets.
I struggled with which body shape would work best, plus I prefered to avoid the weight of a standard-size body. I wanted something that had the classic Alembic look (I'm an omega fan) but still addressed the other issues.
I considered several trade-offs, including a full-sized balance point or even a Rogue body. I even messed around with redrawing the horns on the small standard to add length (I had no luck envisioning a redesign of the 3/4 body - I'm definitely not destined for a guitar design career.).
When Mica showed me the picture of the mock-up you mentioned, I saw potential, but didn't like the top horn. If I understood you correctly, you selected the longer version shown in the drawing you posted.
The more I look at the picture of your bass, the more I like it. The longer top horn looks kind of elegant and seems like it balances nicely with the size of the offset between where the two horns join the neck. Mica said she thought the horn looked something like the Europa top horn. I think the picture of yours makes it look a little straighter.
Hybrid or not, I like it and am interested in having one made in coco bolo as well. I'm not sure about the peghead design yet (considering fan or something custom), but yours looks great.
Now - What would it look like with a point bottom? (Just kidding).
Enjoy.
Bill
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Bill,
I did choose the longer horn. After comparing each drawing side by side, the shorter horn seemed to end to soon. I was even considering the shorter one had it not been for my concern about balance. The reason for the Series II upgrade was that I heard from somewhere around here that they are pretty good electronics. I figured why not, I won't regret it. The only decisions I have left is whether or not to upgrade to gold hardware. I could buy a superfilter with the money instead. But not having to polish the brass would be nice too. I still can't wait to see the entire bass so that I can get the complete picture.
Kevin
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Kevin, I can't wait to see the completed bass, though less anxious than you no doubt. I've always loved the Omega shape but I especially like the 3/4 body that you've chosen.
Sam
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That is a REALLY nice bass; I've often wondered what a standard or 3/4 body would look like with a longer horn (even thought of designing it a couple of times)but now I know; beautiful and unusual. Can't wait to see the finished item!
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Yes ...this is truly a very nice template to start from. I'll keep it in mind!!!!
Thanks for the info!
Paul the bad one
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Kevin,
Wow. I've been anticipating news regarding the new body template since our discussion some months ago in another thread. What can I say, it's killer. I have noticed an increase in the number of postings with the balance point body, I think the 3/4 scale is tempting....
What did you do with the MK?
Mike
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The MK has been in my possession since it was completed back in June 2003. Since I was not happy with the balance Susan told me to hold onto it until she could make me a new one, as shown above. Susan has truely been so kind to me. I will be sad to see it go though, after playing it for the past half a year, it really grew on me.
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(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/7599.jpg)
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This guy really likes his job.
For future refernce here is the mock up. This is the shorter horn version made back in October 2003.
FYI: 3/4 Omega Custom Balance Point 34 scale
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Boy, I'd love to be left alone in that room for a couple of days!
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I think you would find that a couple of days wasn't enough .
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I'm in a sad, sad state when even the mock up looks tempting....ah, geez, Paul are through with that stocking yet?
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It seems that this Alembicitis is not only chronic but progressive and irrepairable.
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Hmmmmm, why is it I want every new Alembic I see? The more I look at that shape, the more I like it, and I liked it an awful lot to begin with! Either I need a lottery win or there's going to be another in the queue for that stocking.....
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Me too. Judging from everyone's words it sounds like Alembic might potentially have a new body model. I love the appearance and it seems like the smaller, lighter body with the longer horn may offer a neat solution to some problems (balance, reach to lower frets) that I (and maybe others?) have with the traditional point and omega styles. Best of all, in my view, it looks like a really sexy new take on the look and style of a traditional Alembic!
This style has also grown on me a great deal with a few days of looking at it. I'm definitely ordering my bass in this body design.
Bill
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I'm really liking this body, too. I've always been a fan of the traditional Alembic Standard Point and Standard Omega, as well as the Heart & Stinger variants. I like the Rogue and Europa, but would opt for one of the Standards any time I had a choice. I've also always preferred the Crown peghead to any of the others.
Having seen this design, I wouldn't be surprised if my next custom was a 3/4 Heart Omega with the longer horn and a cone headstock. Don't know when that might happen, but it might happen.
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As long as were voting , I too find this body style very attractive.
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Agreed, very nice....not too big, not too small, seems to have great balance, and visually quite different from anything else out there. I can see myself in a nice fretless version in the near future...........
Sam, is there a cure to the chronic, progressive, and irrepairable symptoms???? Please respond ASAP, as I feel the itch coming on again.............
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Sorry Chris, no cure. All you can do to relieve the symptoms is Alembic aquisition therapy.
Sam
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*gasp*
It's... STUNNING!
When I saw the mockup I drooled all over the keybord of my computer (and on my shirt, too). I imagined it as my dream bass, with flame maple body wings and cocobolo top, maple/purpleheart neck, custom elecs (vol, pan, low-pass filter w/q-switch + bass & treble controls) and chrome hardware... And old-style (pre '97, I guess?) cone headstock (the bigger one, like on early Rogues)... Oh... My... God...
I WANT IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gotta check lotto numbers (my bank account isn't ready to fulfill this dream yet)...
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Yep ...the longer upper horn version is absolutely fantastic. I'm a long time Standard body fan and those bodies are huge, sometimes too huge.
I also like the Rogue but that body is IMHO too small.
I think what we have here, is what our friend the late Robert Palmer would sing about: the best of both worlds.
However.... I think there is MORE to it than just a 3/4 body and a longer upper horn.
It could be my eyes but is that body not a little bit slanted???? It seems that were the body curves reach their deepest point into the body it is not on the same place compared to each other (gosh ...this is really not easy to write in english). See??
Paul the bad one
PS: anyway ...the more I see it ...the more I like the style. A template to keep!!!!
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Yes Paul TBO, the body curves are not symmetrical like on a regular standard,.. as Kevin pointed out this is a 3/4 size version of the Balance Point Standard shape (with omega), not the traditional standard shape...make sure that stocking of yours is pulled up and not over your eyes when you read...
Valentino
P.S. I guess I should admit that the guy above who really loves his job, as Kevin very accurately put it, and sporting the sardonic/moronic smile is yours truly...although now I look different...;)
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That's awesome Bill.
I would have loved to visit the factory, especially when one of my bass was being made. If I do make the trip, I'll have to order another bass first.
Are you going for business or is this trip strictly pleasure? Either way I am sure it will be a treasured memory, first time seeing your bass and all. Have yourself a safe trip if we don't converse before then.
Kevin
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Kevin: Thanks. The trip is strictly family vacation. I'll bring back pictures and post them.
Bill
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Bill,
Right on...My bass will still be there...It will be in the set-up room awaiting Ron's magic. Stop by and visit her if you can...let me know how she is doing. I should see her the week after next.
Kevin
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Kevin: I'll look for your bass.
Bill
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I have had the pleasure of playing Kevin's bass (which is doing great but is not yet calibrated) and it sounded and played fabulously. It looks really nice with Roger's custom knobs, which are my favourite knobs from TGH so far.
Valentino
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Valentino,
Have I missed something or is there no picture of the knobs anywhere?
The bass is stunning though - lovely wood!!!!
Rog
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Wow! Fantastic! (I know, I'm late again...). Congratulations!
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That's not fair Valentino..but thanks for the heads-up.
Take care,
Kevin
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Chant with me, Kevin:
Patience....Patience...etc,
Mike
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Roger, there is a picture Kevin posted (Feb 22) when he was still undecided on the knobs. Those look like what we got from TGH Roger, although at that point the knobs did not have the gold markers on them yet.
Valentino
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They're not dissimilar to the ones I had Roger make for The Dragon's Wing then, I assume?
Rog
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Hi Rog,
They are indeed similiar to your Dragon's Wing knobs, which by the way is a gorgeous bass. I think they compliment your bass perfectly and that's exactly what I was looking for. It is much easier making a decision after somebody else has already forged the path. I made only a slight variation from your design. Top wood is coco colo and the inlays are all 10K gold. I wanted something that will complete the bass instead of competing with the bass. And if Valentino's earlier post is indicative of that, I should be all set.
Later,
Kevin
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Hi Kevin,
Thanks for your compliments! I had snakewood on the top of the knobs for The Dragon's Wing, as both Roger and I felt that coco bolo would get lost against the actual body. Obviously the maple body of the knob compliments the maple neck on mine - or that was the idea anyway. I do feel it has worked.
I went for 22k for the gold stripe and dot in mine. Looks fabulous up close - obviously I haven't seen it from a distance as I'm too busy playing it!!!!
The knobs are the icing on the cake with the DW. Roger makes a mean set of knobs and the quality of them perfectly matches the quality of the instrument. Worth every single penny and more if I'd had to pay more for them!
Cheers,
Roger
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Agreed.
I even think that Alembic should design a standard set of wood knobs for Roger (or however) to produce, to be included on all basses instead of the plastice knobs. I think people would pay aliitle bit extra for something that IMO adds great value and apppeal.
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Oh ...uhu ...not for me dear friend Kevin. I really don't like the Roger knobs. It's a bit too much. I can live very well with the COllet type knobs ore the old hat-type ones. I said already that I DO like the Roger knobs on a let's see drak silver metallic guitar body. Would have a nice contrast and put the little jewels (that those knobs undiscutably are) more in the picture.
Just my opinion.
Paul the bad one
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Hey Kevin: I saw your bass last Monday at Alembic. It's better looking in person!! You lucky dog...
Bill
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very curvey!!! yeah i love those big hips shes got!
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very curvey!!! yeah i love those big hips shes got!
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very curvey!!! yeah i love those big hips shes got!
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I hope the case arrives at Alembic soon. I would like that very much.
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I feel your pain.
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Well, the big shipment of cases is here, but no cases for these new trimmed down Series basses. Mary will be modifying another case to fit your bass (and a couple of others waiting). It's likely that we'll be shipping your bass out on Monday or Tuesday, and we will call you to confirm you'll be there ready to receive. The waiting is almost over.
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allmost time i bet you are going nuts by now but it will soon be in your hands congratulations
andrew
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Thanks Mica,
If you don't mind my asking, what do you mean by modify?
To tell the truth, I am not impressed with the case that came with the MK to begin with, it began falling apart from day one (inside & out), so a modification might not make things much better.
What are the alternatives:
- A modified case
- Wait for the new case from the factory
- A flight/road case
If a road case is the best alternative, then I insit we begin the ordering process immediately.
I will call before 4pm PST to discuss further.
Thanks again,
Kevin
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This is more of an update for the rest of the Club, since I spoke with Kevin a little while ago. We'll be sending the bass out in a modified case on Monday or Tuesday.
To modify, we rip out the original plush covered forms and then make a new form and cover with plush. These are glued in the same way the case makers does it. Sort of a pain, but it gets the job done and we won't be waiting.
We've made a tracing of the body to keep on file to get a flight case made for the bass in the near future.
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Yeahhh Team!!!!
I hope you folks at Alembic have good fitting shoes to avoid blisters from all the times you go the extra mile.
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Thank you so much Mica for taking time on Friday afternoon to speak with me.
Here I am worring about a modification made by Alembic. Having Alembic modify the case will make it a better case then the original case manufacturer could do. Silly me.
In about a month will begin the flight case.
Thanks again Mica.
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Good Morning everyone at Alembic.
It's Wednesday morning. I haven't heard from anyone yet about shipping.
Keep me posted via email.
Thanks,
Kevin
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This is getting really tough. I don't mean to be a throne, I know, it will get here when it gets here.
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I understand, you can _almost_ taste it! You're going to see it on Friday. I will email you the tracking number privately so you can track its progress.
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YIPPIE!
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Kevin,
What is a throne?
Jonathan
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Jonathan,
Throne was not the word I meant write. Sorry to confuse.
I wasn't too sure about my spelling...I meant thorn, like on roses. I meant to say, I don't want to be a thorn in one's side.
I guess I need to work on my English.
Later,
Kevin
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Kevin,
Hope no offense was taken. I'm hardly one to criticize anybody's grammar. I thought 'throne' may have been an interesting little piece of slang. Always in the market for those.
Oh well...here's to typos. May we all play better than we spell!
Best,
Jonathan
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No offense taken at all.
Most of the time when I post a message, I am at work. So I have to make it quick.
I have been unusually stressed lately, so if I have been short with anyone, I do apoligize.
It is much more relaxing browsing the site in the comforts of home.
Ahhh, all is well.
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Brother Kevin,
I couldn't agree more. The comfort of my own leather chair in my den with the Alembic website at my fingertips...need I say more?
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Kevin: The waiting's almost over! You have a tracking number! Make sure you keep us all informed as you are able. I, for one, can not wait to hear about your new bass. One more day! Wow!!
Bill
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Kevin,
My friend I KNOW you'll love your new beauty. Don't forget, we have to get together to share Alembic hand knowledge
(Translation: I've bugged Kevin the last two times we've seen each other to let me check his Series out when it arrives, and he expressed an interest in seeing my fretless Epic with LEDs)
I know it's been tough, but the waiting is in active final stages.
Mike
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I got it!
Amazing, simply amazing!
Thank you Alembic, dreams do come true.
Kevin
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I got it!
It is breathe taking.
Thank you Alembic, dreams really do come true.
Kevin
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I THOUGHT I LOST THE FIRST POST, OH WELL.
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Hey Kevin,
When you remember to breathe, You KNOW we need pics of that beauty in your hands. See you back in the world.
Mike
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Then how about an updated photo, Val.
In the South we call that a sh*t eating grin because you look so pleased with yourself. No, I don't know the origin of that saying. Yes, I know it doesn't make sense.
Sam
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I would say that the guy above who really loves his job looks happy and content! I don't see anything sardonic or moronic; but then you know that guy better than we do!
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It's clearly a tortured man who is forced to play Alembics that he will never own
Auuuuuuuuuu-augh!!!
Paul the bad one
Funny ...now I know who I'm talking to
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You'll see me 'updated' as soon as Mica posts pictures of the new Alembic straps we've been having made...they are absolutely fantastic, extra wide, comfy, made of great leather, incredible grip...I modeled the sample strap today with one of the club's favorite basses (not the one in this thread, not ready yet)....I can't wait to get mine...
Oh yes, Paul... the torture! the nightmares! terrible, I tell you...just terrible.
Valentino
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Val,
Will the straps have the Alembic name / logo on them? Will they be in the Alembic Store?
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Hello James,
yes they will have the logo, you'll be able to see it in the forthcoming pictures; the sample we have has both the name and the logo, not sure if it's been decided to have just the logo or both... and yes I believe they will be available through the store.
There will be more info coming soon.
Valentino
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Nice ...I'm up to a new strap!!
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Need some help trying to decide what might look the best. Any opinions are welcomed. The top is coco bolo, the sides are maple. Need to decide on the inlay for the top and side. Gold or MOP or something else...maybe a wood inlay.
My bass has the inlaid logo. The fingerboard inlays are abalone. The neck lams are ebony & maple. Any thoughts?
Thnaks,
Kevin
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(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/8352.jpg)
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What do you think of an goldish abalone kinda arrow or pointer? Or making the pointers in Maple again???
Paul the bad one
Gosh ...I LOVE this design of a bass. Maybe I change my dream design for the 6 string fretless to this one? What do you think Val???
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I think it's a great idea, Paul.
I like this design a lot as well; infact my new bass is kinda based on it (with my crazy stuff added). It balances quite well and still keeps the feel of the traditional Alembic shape.
Valentino
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OK ...agreed!!!
Let me know when you figured something out in budget.
I'll mail you from prison where I've hidden the money from our last robbery.
So ...honey ...where are your stockings!?!?!?!
Paul the bad one
PS ....Val ....huh ...mmm ...I like this design more (aiaiaiaiaiaiai)
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How about ebony dots on the top or lines exending from the center of the top and down the side. Suround the ebony with silver or abalone, whatever is in the logo? Ebony matches the maple it is next to in the neck and silver (abalone) matches the wood in the headstock.
Hopefully I will be in a position to order my custom this summer. I also would like custom knobs. I think the accents in the knobs should tie all of the loose ends together in the rest of the instrument.
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Kevin: Did you decide to goldplate the hardware? If so, I'd go with something gold to pull together with the hardware. If not, I like abalone to draw in the fingerboard inlays.
Bill
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Thanks guys for some of your ideas. It helps me think out my decision. I thought about using a wood inlay, but Roger suggested the ebony might be lost in the coco bolo top. Bill, I did have the hardware gold plated so I believe gold will end up being the best inlay to use, I think.
Geeeeeeez, I spent a fair amount of time getting my bass right...now I am stuck on the knobs. I'll have to think about this some more.
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Funny how you can't get all wrapped up in choices when you buy a Fender, ain't it?
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Bill,
Did you already order your bass? Did you have any trouble trying to decide on options? How about after making your choices, did you ever second guess yourself? My bass should be done soon and I still am second guessing some of the options...all fairly insignificant items. For instance...fret board inlays...I selected Abalone...and here I am thinking, Should I have selected MOP Another one is string spacing, I went with comfort tappering and I find myself wondering if narrow spacing would be better.
I guess there is such a thing as too many choices. I don't mean it in a bad way, just a I am driving myself crazy trying to make the best decision sort of way.
Once it is done, I will be able to sleep better at night, that's for sure.
Kevin
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Three deep breaths....okay, now if I may set your mind somewhat at ease, I have abalone inlays, and they are breath-taking. Two of them look like oval maps of Earth. Each one a small masterpiece in its own right.
Hope that helps a little.
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Kevin,
I put in my order about a month ago, and yes, I am still having trouble settling on options. I've changed the order twice: Once radically - 5 string w/o LEDs to 4 string with green LEDs. And once to change the omega to heart omega. I'm struggling with whether to move from MOP to abalone ovals at the moment, though Hollis' comment certainly has me leaning toward abalone.
Susan and Val picked out the wood for me and I love it. They managed to find everything I was looking for. It's posted under Bill's Coco bolo Custom in FTC. I also posted the (current) specs I ordered in that thread.
One thing I really got in ordering is that it is going to be a great bass and...may not be the last one I build (though it's going to be a while before the next comes around. My wife is definitely not ready for that idea.)
I like the options you chose and particularly the body style, which I also ordered (Based on comments by others, not the last of Kevin's 3/4 balance we'll see.). Given that I am likely to go with abalone, it's hard for me to get a clear line of sight to what you would like best. I had MOP on my Spoiler and didn't think it would do enough to complement the exotic swirls and color, green LEDs on my custom. It looked great on the even tone of the bubinga Spoiler. As for spacing, my fingers are SHORT. I like a narrow fingerboard and chose not to go with 5 strings on this bass because I realized I wanted it to be really effortless to play. Mica and I concocted fingerboard measurements starting at 1.5 at the 1st fret down to 2.17 at the 24th. That was intended to get the same spacing as the Spoiler near the bridge.
Come to think of it, you've made all these design choices twice in a year to build not one, but two cool basses. That's got to be some kind of record. No wonder you're having a few doubts (A lot of us would melt down completely under the strain you've endured and we salute you!!!).
When is your bass due to be done? Are you still turning in your first bass? If so, someone should really take Alembic up on what could be a fair deal on a very nice looking (barely) second hand instrument.
I'm sure you are going to love your bass with the options and design you chose. Are there any more recent pictures available? I'd like to see what your bass looks like put together.
Congratulations on your bass - you're going to enjoy it!
Bill
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(Message edited by bassman10096 on February 26, 2004)
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Here's your bass, patiently waiting for Ron's calibration:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/8717.jpg)
You're number 3 on the upgrade list, so we're almost there!
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And another great looking bass!
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OH.....MY.....GOD!
That is the most incredibly beautiful wood I've ever seen!
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Wow Kevin!! It's stunning. I can't wait to see what mine will look like. The body shape is even better with strings and pickups and hardware breaking up and softening the lines. The wood came out great. I REALLY like your bass! Actually, your first bass is great too. It was a very real part oh my decision to go with coco bolo for mine.
Congratulations. Let us know how it is when you get it.
Bill
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If I'll ever have the time to order an Alembic 6 string fretless ...this will be the template ...I guess ... help ...those choices!
AAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh
to use someonelses words.
Paul the bad one
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Oh great, I drooled all over the computer's keyboard (and my t-shirt as well).
Gotta check my Lotto numbers... Still nothing?! Oh well, I'll have to borrow a nylon stocking from my wife...
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You and me both! That is fabulous!!!! One of the best looking Alembics I've ever seen!
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And !? And !? And !? Is she finished ? Did she play well? Does she have a sister??
Brother Kevin this body template is very close to the ultimate Alembic design.
Paul the bad one
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Paul, what do you mean very close... HA!
I promise you, once I get my hands on her, I will tell you all about it. I expect to hear from Susan any day now.
Also, I have been waiting to post pictures of my rig, but I wanted to include the rest of the rack pieces. (DS5R and the bass that goes with it)
Later,
Kevin
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Kevin: The envy I experience for you right now is so thick I could cut it with a knife!!! Actually, I'm going to be visiting Alembic and my bass (which just finished being carved) next Monday. Wish I could take it home right away, but it's the next best thing...
Bill