Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on August 18, 2009, 07:32:37 PM
-
From time to time, someone compels us to make a Maple fingerboard:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/68915.jpg)
Neck isn't carved yet:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/68916.jpg)
So hard to see the central seam:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/68917.jpg)
I've got more, but I need to sort through a bunch of pics.
-
Love those Ebony lams on all that maple. Very nice indeed!
(Message edited by artswork99 on August 18, 2009)
-
Ha! I knew those pictures were around here:
-
Ooooooooh!! I love it!!!
-
Is that a solid Maple body?
-
Beautiful & absolutly impressive Reminds me of my twins...
-
This is what a 1976 Maple S1 looks like, after 30 years...
That's many years of playing in the Sun and being out of the case.
Maple and mahogany gets darker over time from the Sun's radiation. Oxidation kicks in...
Personally, I love the transformation. It proves beauty and authenticity of an aged Alembic. The color is what I love about my vintage.
At one point in time, I was going to sale it, but I just couldn't do it. I been through too much to own it. I would learn, you don't sell a prize find -- You hold on to it...
It's like holding a big jug of orange juice on a Sunny day
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on August 19, 2009)
-
is this bass getting paint or is it blonde on blonde on blonde?
-
Caution-do not open the filters all the way with the cvq's cranked, you might cut somebody's head off! ;)
I really love the subtle figure in the maple. What an amazing bass!
-
Oh man... what a long horn there... (The Bolt-on) Looks like that thing is something you got to hunt down and shoot it (before you can get it...).
I am just kidding... That's a cool bass bro!
I can't wait to see that lovely Alembic transform into something beyond my savings account.
-
Man, I really hope they aren't going to tint or paint this one. I think it is incredible as is.
-
Kevin, I would have to agree with you... I get a Natural HIGH looking at a natural colored bass.
Time for a song... One and a two...
Soon, you'll never be lonely. Soon, you'll find I live for you only...
When I'm with you, who cares what time it is, or what the place, or what the climate is...
Oh, soon our ship will come sailing... Home through every storm, never failing.
On that day you're mine, this world world will be in tune...
lets make that day come soon...
Enjoy.
-
Nothing can beat the beautyness of a nice wood figuring. I think one of the things that makes Alembic stands forward is their woodworking.
* Hal is making me happy. He is so glad these days that can't stop singing. Ha ha ha, congratulations pal. Seeing your joy is making my day!
-
The body on Eduardo's bass is Birch, but it only appears solid. We sliced the body in half down the center, hollowed out the inside, then glued it back together. It's almost impossible to see the center seam.
Spooky is to be left with a clear finish. This is especially interesting since you really concentrate on the form and are not distracted by wood figuring, though I agree that the subtle look of Birch is quite intriguing.
-
Sent us lions more raw meat (pictures)!
This bass is too beautiful for my words!
-
I am the future owner...I am very happy...this bass is based on a 1978 Spector bass with a birch body and gloss finish that I also own (one of the best basses I have heard!). I thought : If could have this wood with a Maple board, with Alembic's PERFECT construction and with Alembic's top of the line Electronics, I will be in Heaven!.
The bass will remain in clear gloss.... I will keep u posted! Thanks for your compliments.
-
Grrrr. Darned picture-swiping gnome again!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/69025.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/69026.jpg)
-
The Birch looks so silky!
-
Sure is... This bass is really gorgeous!
-
Hi Lalo! Welcome to the board and congrats on the bass!
-
I've got Birch as a laminate on my Series bass!
Don't know about the sonic capabilities??
Anyone help??
-
I have it in one Spector Bass (a 1978 one). It's a great wood....somewhere between Ash and Maple. Not as bright as maple but with more mids than ash; I personally like it a lot...but for some reason (just like Cherry wood ...another great wood); it is not used very much by Luthiers these days...
-
I have one Spector Bass made of Solid Birch (circa 1978) and I just love it....they only made about 15 with this wood. It's very bright and clear sounding, somewhere between Maple and Ash (not as bright as Maple , but with more mids than Ash). I wonder why it's not used that much as body wood any more? (Cherry is another great body wood not seen too frequently).
I don't care about the exotic look anymore....for me it's all about tone. I have owned some beautiful basses that did not have good tone...but this bass is looking very nice!
-
Lalo,
Love this bass!!
I've got birch, as I said above, as a laminate, with a figured Koa core, and Zebrawood top and back........sounds just great to me!!!
George
see my profile for pictures!
(Message edited by georgie_boy on August 25, 2009)
-
My '76 has Birch & Purpleheart in it's neck, Koa & Oak body... All in all I would describe it as Eduardo describes his Spector.
Marco and I plugged in our basses back to back at the NJ gathering, and his '77 Maple/Walnut had a little more snap on the upper end, mine was just slightly rounder.
-
One thing I forgot to mention, besides the Solid Birch body and the maple fingerboard. The bass will have Blue LEDS in the fingerboard and the neck has 3 ebony laminates AND it's reinforced with Graphite Bars to make it extra stiff and responsive. I look forward to playing this!
-
I forgot to mention that besides the solid birch wings, triple Omega body and the maple fingerboard, this bass is quite custom because the neck has 3 pieces of Ebony and is reinforced with Graphite Bars to make it even stiffer. It will also have frtont Laser LEDS in Blue. Series II electronics, gloss finish and Gold Hardware complete the little monster (Mica calls him Spooky, I call him Son of a Birch!).
-
Very very unique!
-
Hanging up to dry:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/71091.jpg)
Look pretty cool! I sent you an email about a change we'd like to make. Let me know if you agree.
-
I remember that one of the issues Alembic has with maple fingerboards is that they tend to look dirty over time. Is anything special being done to prevent this? Or is that not an issue this time?
-
Eduardo,
I thought you might had received you bass by now, because sometimes Mica just have them shipped off after she speaks with the owners -- so, you'll never know...
However, that's great news to know your bass is about 1 week away from the finish line.
I will always remember your bass through the months and the 4 seasons of development. Since my bass followed yours, there's no-way I'll ever forget.
If your bass is done in one week, then I am really excited, because according to Mica, my bass is next.
I can't wait to hit the road, to Santa Rosa and congratulate everybody for doing an outstanding job!
Peace and Love,
Hal-
(Message edited by the_jester on January 30, 2010)
-
Oh yes, it's like 2 babies who were born at the same hospital on the same week...
So you are going to Santa Rosa personally to pick it up? Lucky you! Well if my bass happens to be there tell Mica to call me 202 445 3441 I will give full green light for you to try my bass. If the bass has already been shipped then I will get you a sound clip.
If you Type Lalo Garcia bass in YouTube you shoul see a couple of videos of me, one has a bass solo played on a Spector, I want that sound but even brighter...
I am having anxiety attacks!
All the bass
Lalo Garcia
-
Eduardo,
Oh my goodness, you are so right. It does feel like going to the hospital... (I know, been there twice)
Yes, I live about 2 hours from Santa Rosa and I been there before and had coffee. I love those guys over there. They are family period. I will always honor them, and do good by them as I try with my own family.
Seeing you bass in person, would be a huge treat, but I don't want to make my Toma_Hawk jealous, so if it's there, I'll just look-but-don't-touch as I look at all the beautiful ladies while on vacation.
If you were there in Santa Rosa, I would be honored to kick back, and watch you play the heck out of my Toma_Hawk. That would be OK with me my friend.
I know what you mean, when you say anxiety... (believe me I do...). But frankly, our basses are in the best place in the business, so I have absolutely no farther questions at all. (The question periods are over and done, I am sold...)
In the mean-time, I'll wait for that faithful day to hit the streets of Santa Rosa with the joys of picking up a new friend. However, if I see your bass, I would still call you, and tell you just how beautiful Spooky is in person... That would be a double treat!!!
Peace and Love,
Hal-
(Message edited by the_jester on January 30, 2010)
-
Nice job Lalo.
The tapping part was especially tasty!
Lalo's Bass Solo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WYjcIlep6U target=_blank)
-
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/76012.gif)
-
Hi
thanks buddy there is some imperfections but I still like it this was back in 2003.
I like the sound of a maple board, and my favorite Spector is a 1978 birch ns 2 (very rare!!) that bass is pictured at the Spector website:
http://www.spectorbass.com/newfiles/gall2.html (http://www.spectorbass.com/newfiles/gall2.html)
I am the 8th player under Lalo Garcia counting from the bottom of the page....
I want Alembic construction with Alembic electronics, with birch body and maple board , only Alembic could do that for me, so I didn't mind the investment, this time I wanted the best!!
-
Got my feet tapping with that solo, and IMHO that means you're awesome!!
Congratulations Lalo, can't wait to see you playing your Spooky Bass!!
Greg
-
Gearing up to ship this out on Monday:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/76152.jpg)
Sounds great! I had fun playing this bass today after Kent and his amazing son Josh stopped by. Your bass got a little attention from both of them as you can probably imagine.
-
Stunning...
Greg
-
NOTHING BUT ALEMBIC FEATURE WRITTEN ALL OVER IT'S BODY!
-
Thanks Mica! And thanks to every one for the kind words ... Any body with a little bit of bass knowledge can tell this is an Alembic just within seconds of looking at this bass....not even tiger woods has such a beautiful blonde!!!
-
My goodness, that's a pretty bass!
-
Looks like it picked up an extra knob since the 12/29 pic. LED dimmer?
-
Yes u have good eyes my friend that is a dimmer...
There is nothing more sexy than being alone with a blond like this and controlling the dimmer! There also 6 more knobs on the back of the bass (Sic!!!)
-
Those knobs look like semisweet chocolate chips, like I love them...
-
Oops I am sorry somebody told me I posted the wrong link on previous posting; try this one :
http://www.spectorbass.com/NewFiles/gall2.html (http://www.spectorbass.com/NewFiles/gall2.html)
I'm the 8 th player starting from the bottom of the page under Lalo Garcia, and that is my birch bass,the inspiration of this new Alembic bass...
-
CHUCK BERRY?!?
Wow....
Greg
-
For serious concerts, Lalo may just have a new favourite. (apologies to Stuart Spector and Ned Stienberger)
That is a beautiful bass Mr Gacia. Look forward to hearing sound clips when you get around to posting some.
-
Also according to that page, Lalo owns the only Spector with a maple fingerboard ever made.
-
I love mr. Spector and his crew, they are great people; this posting first appeared in 2002; since then 3 more basses with maple fingerboard have been built ( I own the 3 of them); as much as I love them ; I have always felt the electronics and the options were limited; that's why I ordered another Alembic. I am not new to Alembic I have used them for more than 20 years, and the only reason I dont have more is price!!
I wonder if I also own the only Alembic bass with a maple fingerboard ? Mica : any others on record?
-
The bassist for The Moody Blues had one in the 1970s, which was featured in one of the Alembic catalogues. The recent FC Love Giver had one too. Not too many others, I think.
-
Wow thank u for that information , I would love to see a picture of those basses, if u find one on the Internet please share it!
Thanks buddy!
-
Hi!
My god u were right! As soon as I read your post I did a google search with the words: Alembic moody blues
Guess what I found? That bass is on sale at Gruhn guitars of Nashville for $20'000 bucks!!! Check it out on the bass section of www.gruhn.com (http://www.gruhn.com)
any others Mica???
-
Lalo,
Just in case you didn't find it, here is the Love Giver (http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_brutallegend.html) that Adriaan mentioned.
Also, I remembered Mica's first post on this FTC thread:
From time to time, someone compels us to make a Maple fingerboard
That must mean that there are others out there!
Greg
-
Hi every one!
I finally got my bass last week...I am extremely happy....It's a killer! well worth the wait...
The construction, playability and tone are what I expected...
Now for the big question: Is this the best bass in the world?
It's hard to tell...I have 43 basses...all kinds and flavors....Three of them are very impressive too...I can say that this is one is second to none...just as good as the other 3....
Overall I am very happy!
Thanks for all your nice comments during this waiting period.
Bass Wishes
Lalo Garcia
-
Lalo, congratulations!
The next step is getting pictures. It is mandatory for everyone who gets their new basses!
Greg
-
Hey Lalo, congrats on the Spooky Bass. Do you have any pics of your entire collection? I would love to see that 43-bass arsenal...probably looks somewhat like that famous Entwistle pic.
-
I dont really know how to post pictures in the Internet, I use my phone I don't have a computer !! Somebody please give me an email adrdress and help me to post them!!
In terms of the collection: I can try to take one of the whole collection and again somebody help me...I don't have one single picture with all of them...I have all kinds of flavors and configurations:
Or if u want a specific bass let me know; there are 5 status , 15 spectors, 2 vintage 80's Warwicks, 2 vintage ken smiths upgraded with Alembic pickups! One 88 Tobias, a 1999 mtd. 4 string, 3 curbow, 7 string surine, 2 hamer with 2tek bridges, a 1968 hofner, 1 Jerry jones , 1 dipinto , 1 acoustic Kelly ,1 upright, one custom moses, etc...of course 2 alembics.
That's what happens when u don't have kids...at least not officially!
-
......OMG! (http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/77696.gif)
I don't have kids :-)
I do have an email adress, click on my username ;-)
-
if I read that one more time, my mother will be mad at me, cause I wont give her a grandchild.
What a collection!
And if somehow Flip's email doesn't work, I would be glad to help.
Greg
-
Darn nice looking bass you got there, I just can't get all the adjectives out that are stuck in my head! This is going to be awesome to watch this bass as it comes to life. Nice choice of woods, hope the tone is all or more you dreamed of. Peace....Bear
-
Wouldn't be great using those cream colored PUs?
Experiments in Color (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=1296)
-
Ooooh. Great idea Mario. I'd love to see those cream pickups in this bass.
-
Eduardo, let me just say from the bottom of my heart...
You have exquisite taste in basses. This bass may be called: Spooky however, I don't see nothing spooky about it. Maybe I missed the joke...
In my opinion, this bass captures the top '5' Baddest Alembic basses I ever seen.
When I say Baddest I mean: Supreme Beauty Eminence of everything I ever seen...
I truly hope you continue to stay in contact with Alembic.com to allow people like myself to see action shots as you plow through the pages of time.
With those huge black bar of soap Alembic pickups will really make ebony stripe laminates POP out at anybody who looks at this bass.
This bad boy is Super BAD!
Thanks.
Hal-
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on November 12, 2009)
-
Thank U Hal!
I am really anxious about this bass; I know it looks beautiful, but it's the tone that I think it's gonna kill! The bass should be ready in 10 days or so. I will keep you posted.
Thanks and Good Luck with your custom bass (that one is UNIQUE too to say the least!).
-
This alembic has gotta be the featured custom for January 2010!!!
-
Ed,
The sound of your bass is going to hit beautiful 'brights' like I never heard any Alembic.
Based upon the wood you chosen, I think your bass will have the most unique sound ever created with an Alembic.
This is what I truly believe makes your bass most unique. I predict this bass will sound bright, Funky and in the pocket!
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on November 13, 2009)
-
Well , when I placed the order back in May, Susan said to me over the telephone:
...I don't know why but I get the feeling this bass is going to be a featured custom in our website....
I would love that, however, the competition is fierce, because there are some other Unique basses being built at this time.
What I really admire about Alembic, is that they are basically willing to design anything you ask for in a Bass or Guitar. I don't think any other company in the world (not only in the Music Industry but in ANY industry, is so open and flexible).
Mica and I are more or less the same age, I ordered my first Series II bass, back in 1990; since then we have kept in touch; there is something very special about this company and about this family (the Wickerhams...The High Tech Hippies) )
-
I agree completely. An amazing family company that will do their utmost to make your dreams come true. Congrats on your instrument and the fact that they made a maple board is testament to your relationship and character. Play it in good health and inspiration when it arrives. And don't forget to order coffee mugs if you do get cotm!
-
So I saw James was getting ready to fit the string nut on your bass today:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/74169.jpg)
There are two other Series II basses in line ahead of yours for the final calibration, but maybe at least one will be done before James presents your bass to my dad.
-
I would really like to hear/play this thing when it's done. Beautiful instrument.
-
Wow, look this brown veneer contrasting with all that Maple, gorgeous!
-
Wow.....I am getting anxiety attacks! I would love to use it on December 31st. I hope it's ready by then! thanks Mica, Susan and Ron.
-
Lalo,
Your bass is next for dad's calibration:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/74799.jpg)
-
beautiful!!!
~Taylor
-
Oh my goodness gracious... Now that's what I am talking about.
Given in to the flesh... this bass is so sexy.
Peace and Love
(Message edited by the_jester on December 30, 2009)
-
Yeah.....who says a bass must always have exotic woods on the top to be considered beautiful.... Just like some bass lines, SOMETIMES less is more....
Thanks Mica!!!
-
So nice!
-
What a Super Model!!!
-
I'd love to see a full body shot. What a cool bass.
-
Wow!!!
-
Awesome !
Very unique bass.
-
Man,awesome bass. Love it
-
Yes... Very unique!
If anybody wants to order a twin copy I won't get upset and I am sure Mica wouldn't mind either!!
here are the specs:
SOLID birch wings
maple board
7 piece maple and ebony neck reinforced with graphite bars
gold hardware
gloss finish
series II electronics
blue laser LEDs
-
I love it _ Blue LED's _ Cool.
That contrast works well with the LIGHT complexion of the instrument.
-
Dude i caint wait for some Gig pics!!!
-
reinforced with graphite bars
This bass will soon sustain notes; equal to the sound waves and vibrations of a very strong; and extremely active thunder cloud system.
Eduardo, your bass is of beauty and unique innovation (brains).
Peace and Love -
Hal-
-
How I wish to hear close such beauty...
-
Eduardo,
I hate to request a favor like this, but I am extremely curious to know the sound of your bass.
I would love to receive a sound-clip of this bass.
Peace and Love,
Hal-
-
Sure buddy! I don't have the bass yet, I talked to Mica today the bass should be ready next week, but I will gladly play it for you. Is your bass ready? Your bass is certainly VERY original and unique to say the least.
Best wishes,
Eduardo Lalo Garcia