Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on November 20, 2003, 05:48:05 PM
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Your Series II has begun:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/6847.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/6848.jpg)
The top and back laminates:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/6849.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/6850.jpg)
These Quilted Coco Bolo laminates are really interesting. Plenty of deep looking quilts abound, but unlike some of the others we've made, these still have a strong typical Coco Bolo graining with the dark lines. Very pretty.
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Up close on one of the laminates:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/6852.jpg)
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I really have to consult a shrink. This wood reminds me at Snowflakes in a forest.
I don't think that snowflake' would be the appropriate name for your bass. It's more a name for a pony in a children movie.
Anyway: congrats and patience Brother Jeff
Paul the bad one
(ok Mica ...and for you too!!)
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Paul: thanks for the kind words. I am really excited about this bass and the quilted coco bolo in particular. I agree that snowflake wouldn't be my first choice for this bass - I have the feeling that Susan or Mica will think of a cool name.
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Brother Jeff,
welcome to the club! I think a lot of people are very curious to see this beautiful wood transform in an excuisite bass. Can you tell us something about the model? Some features?
Paul the bad one
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Paul,
thanks for the welcome. Other than the gorgeous quilted coco bolo, this Series II bass will feature ebony neck laminates, triple omega body shape and a roman numeral inlay in honor of one of my bass gods - John Entwistle (and his Status buzzard bass). I know that Susan has put in quite a few hours working on the inlay design and I'm sure that it will be both unique and beautiful. Susan also says that she is adding her own small touch to the bass but she won't tell me what it is. The bass should be completed sometime (I hope) in mid-February. Can't hardly wait.
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Brother Jeff,
we all are anxious to see this beautiful specie of the low frequencies producing kind (jeeez).
If JE is your bass god ...he has quite some addicts here in this club ...Spyder Ollie to name one of them.
It Susan is inspired ...wew ...great things are going to happen! Beware my friend!
But ...you must be patient. Try to think zen the ultimate nothing, the art of patience as the highest goal ...believe me ...you'll need this kinda wabble!
Paul the bad one
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Uuaaah,
who woke me up?
I am here, Spyder-Ollie as Paul TBO said.....
And yes, JAE was and is my biggest influence
and bass god.....
Oliver (Spyderman)(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/7171.jpg)
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Oliver: what a fantastic picture of you and that beautiful Spyder bass! When I first saw this picture, I thought that you may be British and standing on the balcony of your flat surrounded by lovely English gardens. In fact, I did a double-take because you look like John's body double! By the way, I'm sure that you must have seen the recent DVD of the Who live at the Royal Albert Hall. Isn't it great? My wife and I were fortunate enough to see a concert there a few years ago. I was blown away by the venue and the massiveness of the organ pipes. Are you building any new Alembics?
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Jeff,
many thanks for this kind words. I feel honoured.
No I am german and this is the balcony of our flat. As for this pic I wanted to do this pic JE style following the cover of his TLTH album. Thanks for the body double but I think I am weighing a little bit more than John did....
John was and is my main bass influence and honestly said my playing style is VERY influenced by him. I am still on the search for JE memorabilia and my biggest dream would be to get one of his original basses he played. BTW I also showed this pic to the Who?s keyboard player and the last drummer of John?s solo band, and they told me the same than you did. Crazy world!!!
The Royal Albert Hall DVD is great and I am looking to as many DVD?s and Video and listen to as many CD?s of him and the Who I can get to further explore his playing style. My favorite basses John played have ever been his Alembic Spyder basses and I have dreamed to get one for more than twenty years. There had been a period of nearly 10 years that I haven?t made any music and then last June I went to the Alembic site following a sign from above and I saw the news about the Spyder limiteds. The 4string is here and I have ordered a second one, the Spyder 8string too. The 8string is still at my dealer as I still have to make some money but I will hope to get it soon.
I am planning to do a Who or a John Entwistle tribute band. I think I would prefer a John Entwistle tribute band; not to copy him but to remind the world what a great bass player and person he was!!!
Take care and again many thanks
Oliver (Spyderman)(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/7396.jpg)
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Well, Valentino already told you how we are all in love with the front of the peghead. For those who don't know, afer Tony carved this bass and did the final scrape on the peghead, he had to bring it to the office to watch us all gawk at it.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/7733.jpg)
i'm sure you can see what he meant, and that was before the finish was on it. Just stunning.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/7734.jpg)
Too bad thsi stuff is so darn difficult to photograph. Just very little contrast.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/7735.jpg)
Up close you can see what I mean. Enjoy!
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As a serious Triple Omega fan, I thought I had satisfied my appetite by buying one last year, and now Mica is torturing me all over again by posting these pics. I don't know if I have ever seen dark Coco Bolo look so good. What a sound this bass will produce - Ebony neck laminates and Coco Bolo top. Rami, are you also drooling?
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And it strikes again......
What can a man say about this. Just staring in silence and admiration.
Mattheus
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*gasp*
*droooooooooooooooooooool*
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WOW! I'm sure that many of my fellow Alembic Club members have experienced the incredible adrenaline rush I just did when they know that pictures of their new bass have been posted here, and they ever so slowly scroll down to reveal something as awesome as these pictures! The quilted coco bolo is truly magnificent but that peghead is a work of art! Hey Eastcoastepic, mattheus and basstard,I really appreciate the flattering comments. And Tony, you are going straight to heaven. Thanks Mica and Valentino for your comments and the pictures. I can't wait for more.
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Ack-ack-ack-ack-ack!!!!!!!(That's the sound of me choking by the way)
Just when you thought you'd ordered your dream bass.....Jeff, I am not worthy. I have never seen the like. I've ordered the knobby headstock on my triple O, but that is the knobby headstock to beat all knobby headstocks. In fact I'd be happy just to have the headstock! As for the rest of the bass......I don't know how you can sleep at nights knowing you are going to be receiving that. Its an absolute masterpiece. Congratulations are certainly in order, but are hardly necessary.....I can't wait for more pictures either!
All the best
Shaun
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Thanks Shaun....I have already lost sleep over the expense of this bass. Now I get to lose more sleep anticipating how beautiful the bass will look and sound.
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I think I'm going to have to start borrowing Paul TBO's stocking... That is simply the most beautiful instrument I have ever seen. Wow. Let me say that again for emphasis: Wow. There are not words that do it justice. Beautiful...
John the Paul the John the Other Paul One too, or something like that..
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I'd have a heck of a hard time deciding whether to play such a beautiful piece of art, or just sit and hold it, at arm's length ... then up close ... then with my nose almost against the strings ... then slowly OOPS!
excuse me, I've gotta go do something
Mike
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It really IS amazing to look at, isn't it? Just too pretty!
Bill
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Hey Jeff - remember how I was telling you a couple of days ago how awesome the logo turned out? Well..
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/8545.jpg)
The roman numerals were almost done when I took this shot:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/8546.jpg)
It's looking great!
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Omigosh. How AWESOME is that logo????? Jeff, when this is finished, if you ever feel the urge to give it away to someone less fortunate, I'll be first in line!!! (I have a feeling I may be waiting a LOOOOONG time....)
All the best
Shaun
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Absolutely nice. I liked this project already from the snowflakes in the wood stadium. Now ...well ...it's REALLY growing! The logo ...those Roman numbers ....WOW.
In what are those roman numbers cutted out??
Paul the bad one
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My description of this project would be:
SONIC JEWELRY.
Outstanding.
EffClef
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Paul,
The numerals are cut out of Golden Mother of Pearl
Susan
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Thanks Moder Susan. I always thought that mother of Pearl had also a kind of design in it, kind of swirl. Great! NIce work!
Paul the bad one
BTW: how is your husband Ron doing? STill sick? Recovered? It has been bad I read.
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Jeff,
How dare you??!! I had the baddest Triple O in NJ, until now. Would it have hurt you to order a Rogue or Essence?! Geez, now I'm #2, and I am not happy
Let me know when you take delivery, and I'll meet you at Exit 16 (195) to compare our 'weapons of mass entertainment'! Sincere congratulations, and best of luck trying to concentrate at work after you actually meet her face to face (you'll know what I mean in a few weeks)! Get ready...................
Chris
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Hey everyone, I apologize for the late response but I do have a good excuse. On Monday, March 8, my wife gave birth to Elizabeth - all 8 lbs, 14 oz. of her! She and my wife are both healthy and happy so that now I can think more about the birth of this beautiful bass. Mica, you did not exaggerate - that logo looks like a fine piece of jewelry (thanks effclef). Hey Eastcoastepic, think of our Triple O's as a couple of bad-ass Jersey boys - brothers! Hopefully, I can see you perform sometime in the future. Thanks again Shaun and Paul for the kind words. Mica and Susan: the Roman Numerals look beautiful and the design is just the way that I envisioned. Fantastic!
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Congratulations Jeff!!!
That's a great thing to happen!
Don't forget: Low frequencies bring peace and quiteness over those young borns (ask Brother Paul the fake one -the artist formerly known as Dino)
Paul the bad one
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Congatulations on the blessed event!
And that is indeed one bad-ass bass guitar!
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Jeff, that's great news! You can't imagine the joys ahead of you!
My baby girl's first anniversary is this month. At least she had the sense to marry a bass player.
Sam
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Thanks Paul, Hollis and Sam from myself and baby Elizabeth. She has already been soothed by some very deep bass in the form of pipe organ pedal generated by my Definitive Technology speakers and their 18 inch, 1000 watt subs. Not to worry, the decible level was very low. While my wife was pregnant, Elizabeth enjoyed Les Claypool, Chris Squire, John Entwhistle and of course, Stanley Clarke. She will be a well rounded bass player. Speaking of bass, Mica, I'm hoping that you can give me an update on the construction of this beautiful bass. Thanks all.
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I saw your bass getting rubbed out today. That means Thursday or Friday for buffing, then it's #4 in line for the calibration by Ron. Should be in your hands before tax day.
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That's great news. Thanks Mica.
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Well, this bass wasn't in Jeff's hands by tax day. When we buffed it out, there were some weird long scratches deep under the finish. These scratches were in a lower layer of the finish from the prepping between coats. I was very depressed when I had to tell Jeff we had to refinish his bass. But we had some good news - the scratches were only one coat down! We got a new topcoat on and rubbed out and buffed up and it looks GREAT! Here's some previews:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/9528.jpg)
Jeff, you had asked for another shot of the wood. Sorry about the shop dust and fingerprints, but I think you get the general idea. How about a some of the inlays:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/9529.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/9530.jpg)
Hope you like! Still in line for calibration, but the news isn't as somber as when we spoke last. Hope you have a great weekend.
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WOW! I woke up Monday morning to these new pictures and I can tell you that this is the happiest I have ever been on a Monday morning! The wood looks great in this new shot and the roman numeral inlays look fantastic. Susan and Mica have proven, once again, that artistry and craftsmanship are joined as one in Alembics. THANKS!
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I got in my car yesterday morning to take a drive that all of my fellow Alembicians can relate to - I went to pick up my Alembic bass! Averaging 75-80 m.p.h. on the highway, I made the journey from New Jersey to B&B Music in Delaware in a mere 95 minutes. When I arrived, I was greeted by long-time Alembician Greg Gantzer who removed my prize from a locked closet and escorted me to the bass players section of the store.
With a wide grin, he opened the case very slowly as I stood and stared. I will say this - during the ever so brief amount of time I had to play the bass, it is obvious that the addition of ebony neck laminates in the neck is worth every penny if you favor god-like, bottom end sustain on your bass. I won't say anymore because I have the feeling that all of you will get to see more of this bass. Stay tuned.
Jeff
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Jeff: Congratulations!!! You made it! I'd love to hear your bass. It sounds like it's fantastic (We already know a little bit about how good it looks.). Post pictures. Play a lot. Enjoy it!
Bill
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Oh no .....do I have to do it again???
***sigh***
oh ...well ...ok ...It will be nice to have the Paul's back on the table again ...it has been some time.
a-one, a-two, a-three, a-four
PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES stop that odd-meter thing PTFO and get in line - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES
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Brother Paul, you don't give a person time to get home, much less time to play their new bass before yelling for pictures, but he's had enough time now, PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES let's see some PICTURES and a full review
David T
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PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;-)
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THE PICTURES ARE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://www.alembic.com/info/featured_custom.html (http://www.alembic.com/info/featured_custom.html). How great is it that on my son's second birthday, a bass that he is likely to play someday appears on the Alembic website as a featured custom. I realize that, as an Alembician, it is a true honor to have your bass featured by a company that produces the finest musical instruments in the world. I am greatly indebted to Susan, Mica, the craftsmen at Alembic and Greg at B&B Music in Delaware for making this bass come to life as the Roman Conqueror!
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Jeff,
This thread is about to get very quiet, but do not be offended. We have just run out of superlatives to describe this magnificent work of art. Bravo to all, well done.
Chris
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Chris,
Being relatively new to the club, I don't yet have a feel for how my fellow Alembicians will respond (or not) to a post in a thread. Forgive me if I sound like a jerk accepting an Academy Award but I am so damn proud to have my bass honored in this way. Thanks Chris for your kind words.
Jeff
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You should be proud! It's a magnificent instrument. Roman Conqueror is a better name than Snowflake after all.
Sam
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Snowflake?!?!
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Jeff,
Congrats on your new bass. It looks great!
I bought my first Alembic from Greg @ B&B as well. He's a great guy and he knows a lot about Alembics as well. I took lessons from him too. I used to live 5 minutes from B&B.
Too bad I moved away. I could have been there to welcome you into the fold.
Enjoy,
Kevin
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STill like Snowflake more than Roman Conqueror. It is a name I invented by looking at the wood. There is a kind of lighter burl in the wood that gave me the impression of snowflakes falling in a wood before a net of trees.
Paul the bad one
yes-yes ...I know it is toooooo poetic for such a bass
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Bill, scroll up to just below the photos of the wood. That will explain Snowflake.
Sam
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that is so very nice your bass really deserves the featured custom spot because it is just perfect that wood is mesmorising i am sure it will play like a dream so have fun after investing all that time and money it is time to reap the benifits congratulations on our new extended family i am sure your baby daughter is every bit as perfect as your new bass so well done
talk to u soon
andrew
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Thanks Andrew and Sam for the compliments, and I agree with you that the Roman Conqueror is a much better name than Snowflake (sorry Paul, BTW, I absolutlely love the Riff King!). It is certainly a more masculine reference. I am catching flak for the name though - Greg at B&B answers my phone calls by proclaiming ALL HAIL CAESAR!
Kevin; speaking of Greg, I'm glad to hear that you bought your first Alembic from him at B&B music and that he gave you lessons as well. He is a great source of Alembic knowledge as a long time Series I owner. I live over 90 minutes away but that hasn't stopped me from spending a small fortune there. The fact that there is no sales tax in Delaware is even more incentive to do business with them. I will see Greg within a couple of weeks to pick up an F1-X and SF-2 and I will tell him what you said.
Jeff