Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on December 28, 2007, 08:11:31 PM

Title: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: mica on December 28, 2007, 08:11:31 PM: Caught freshly in carving:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/47044.jpg)
Closeup of the body:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/47045.jpg)
It may be hard to tell at this stage, but this is a killer piece of Quilted Maple. Enjoy - and happy new year!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: briant on December 28, 2007, 08:28:36 PM: I'm giddy like a little girl! I got my Christmas wish! :-)

Thanks for the pictures and update. I am very anxious to see how it progresses!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: David Houck on December 29, 2007, 07:02:36 AM: You can see in the second picture, it's a really nice quilt.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: funkyjazzjunky on January 03, 2008, 08:19:49 AM: Wow

What is the composition? Is that Quilted Maple, Zebrawood, Walnut, over a Maple core?
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: cozmik_cowboy on January 03, 2008, 09:12:05 AM: I think what you're seeing as zebrawood are burn marks from cutting the maple.

Peter
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: briant on January 06, 2008, 06:22:29 PM: That is indeed the case, Peter.

Body is mahogany, purpleheart accent, 5A quilted maple top. The neck should be pretty obvious but it's 1 ebony and 2 purpleheart stripes and maple.

This bass will have signature electronics and potentially a master bass and treble control - awaiting word back from Susan/Mica on the cost of that addition before I decide to go with it or not. I went with no inlays and the side markers are going to be blue LEDs. That's really about it - nothing too terribly outlandish but it is going to be the ultimate bass for me. So yea!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: funkyjazzjunky on January 07, 2008, 11:22:09 AM: Wonderful looking bass. Are you a low B or a high C player?
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: briant on January 07, 2008, 12:20:03 PM: Low B. I started playing 5 strings about 11 years ago when I was in a really heavy Tony Levin and Bryan Beller kick. Both of them play the low B so tastefully I just had to make the switch and get after that myself.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: jacko on January 08, 2008, 04:25:45 AM: Good choice on the Orion peghead Brian. I think it really sets off the rogue body perfectly. Looks like some nice figuring on the maple too.

Graeme
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: briant on January 09, 2008, 07:23:50 PM: My own update! :-)

I heard that the bass was about to go in for routing soon (today?) and we caught the addition of the master bass and treble controls in time. So they have been added. Neat!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: deburgh on January 10, 2008, 10:50:15 AM: I can't wait to see how great this is going to look with spray!

Todd
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: briant on January 10, 2008, 04:43:16 PM: You and me both, brother! Even in that raw stage above the quilt looks insane.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: tbrannon on January 15, 2008, 06:22:09 PM: Brian,

Just curious... are you going with the clear finish or are you adding the amber tint?

It looks great- love that quilt

Toby
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: briant on January 15, 2008, 07:26:45 PM: Clear clear clear! I want to bask in the glow of the natural wood colors (or colours if you will).

Mica informed me this evening that the first coat of finish got applied to it at some point today. She's hopeful that she will catch it between coats sometime soon and will post a picture. I can't wait. :-)
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: mica on January 22, 2008, 06:19:34 PM: Time for the long wait, Brian:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/47926.jpg)
Until all the finish is sprayed, it won't look much different in a snapshot, so I probably won't be posting again until your bass is in rubout or setup.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: briant on January 22, 2008, 06:41:03 PM: I so needed this to take my mind off other things. :-)

That looks absolutely amazing and I'm sure it's even more amazing in person! I could not possibly be happier with how it looks. It is absolutely gorgeous.

The Long Wait(tm) cannot pass fast enough! :-)
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: David Houck on January 22, 2008, 08:24:10 PM: I love this quilt! There have been a lot of nice Maple Quilts recently, and this is certainly one of 'em! I'm tilting my laptop at different angles looking at it! This particular picture catches the light in such a way that it looks electric.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: jacko on January 23, 2008, 01:05:07 AM: WOW! That quilt is fantastic Brian.

graeme
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: bassjigga on January 23, 2008, 11:20:05 AM: Nice quilt! Love it! Man I can tell the FTC page is going to cost me a lot of money...
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: tbrannon on January 23, 2008, 11:31:14 AM: Beautiful quilt~

Hard to tell, but it looks like the body wood (Mahogany?) has a bit of cool figuring or flame to it as well. Nice choice on the headstock choice too (IMO).
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: briant on January 23, 2008, 12:59:34 PM: Thanks guys! I really am stunned at how wonderful it looks. I can't wait until this thing is in my hands!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: 5stringho on January 26, 2008, 01:31:50 PM: Hey, Brian!

That's gonna be one LOVELY Rogue! Well thought out, I must add. Signature, B and T controls, Ebony Lam, Killler! Gonna sound as good as the quilt top looks! Can't wait to see the finished product.

BCoool, Mike, tho =]
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: briant on February 06, 2008, 07:36:42 PM: *sigh*... how insane is it that I had a dream last night that Mica called me to tell me my bass was done and ready to ship? I know. Completely insane. I have problems - this I'm aware of.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: pinbacking on February 06, 2008, 11:50:22 PM: Looks badass man. Ya, I'm totally thinking about getting bass and treble controls for signature electronics, or at least cut/boost switches (when I have the dough for a custom!) When you get it, the next time we get together I will want to play it!!! See for myself. I'm sure that bass is going to blow the house down!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: deburgh on February 07, 2008, 07:45:26 AM: My my my, that is a beautiful top.. The quilt is fantastic, and I love the Rogue body shape.

Todd
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: georgie_boy on February 07, 2008, 11:01:55 AM: Took my breath CLEAN away!!
Yet again-----------More beauty than my pea-brain can handle
Just a STUNNING top-------yet without the spray etc it wasn't that stunning---but now!!!!!!
Wowwwww
You will love this bass
G
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: georgie_boy on February 07, 2008, 11:06:12 AM: Brian
I've just gone back again to look at that top.
I say it often, but that is the best maple top I've ever seen!!
On par with the Unicorn bass in the arquives
Will the beauty never cease for us lesser mortels that can't afford a custom ??
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: georgie_boy on February 07, 2008, 11:14:24 AM: And then-the question
Why not Series elctronics??

G
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: briant on February 07, 2008, 03:50:40 PM: Why not Series elctronics??

I don't think I need them plus it's a comfort thing. I have Signature electronics on my JPJ custom and I love them - and I can get/reproduce many tones with it consistently on the fly. Adding the master bass and treble on this bass was even a mild after thought; I figured since I can I might as well.

The Series electronics frighten me some. I've honestly never even had the chance to play a bass with Series electronics - well, plugged in anyway! I played Brad's Series II 6 string at the last local Alembic gathering but didn't get a chance to do that until the power had already gone out. :-(

I look at it this way: if I really really fall in love with Series electronics sometime later I can use it as an excuse to order another bass. :-)
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: bassjigga on February 07, 2008, 04:11:36 PM: Not to mention they're like $5m more!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: 5stringho on February 07, 2008, 08:40:18 PM: We really need an excuse to order a new bass? I found begging, pleading and snivelling work best!
Have fun! Mike, tho =]
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: briant on February 18, 2008, 10:49:50 PM: Sad.

Anything interesting happen in the last month besides spraying a lot of finish and doing a lot of sanding?
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: briant on February 29, 2008, 01:40:11 PM: I don't mean to be a nuisance but... Bueller? Anything new to report?
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: mica on February 29, 2008, 05:20:12 PM: Your bass is in the final cure right now. Will probably be completed within a couple of weeks.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: briant on February 29, 2008, 06:24:26 PM: Thanks, Mica! That is wonderful news! :-)
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: mica on March 28, 2008, 09:49:11 AM: Here's the finished bass:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/50094.jpg)
You should be hearing from Bass Northwest any day with the good news of your bass' arrival.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: Bradley Young on March 28, 2008, 11:33:17 AM: And in other news, Bradley is seen trolling Yesler Avenue, waiting to hijack the UPS truck.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: briant on March 28, 2008, 11:38:51 AM: :-)

I am speechless. I can't wait to see it in person. Every Alembic I've ever experienced in person is so much more amazing than any pictures ever do justice! And that picture screams AMAZING!!! at me. :-)

Then of course there is that whole I've been dying to play it since before I ordered it thing!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: foth on March 28, 2008, 12:51:17 PM: Beautiful bass, Brian! Very nice electronics....
Paul
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: jacko on March 28, 2008, 02:06:51 PM: Wow! That's a fantastic rogue Brian. Remember to breathe.

Graeme
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: briant on March 28, 2008, 08:25:34 PM: I picked it up this afternoon from Bass Northwest.

Pictures can be seen over here:
http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/50152.html?1206761034 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8574)

I'll need to marinate for a while to fully express my thoughts about this bad boy. It is nothing short of amazing.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: briant on March 29, 2008, 11:55:20 AM: I guess here is the best place to say this:

THANK YOU!!!! A very huge and heart-felt thank you to everyone at Alembic for all the hard work that went into creating this fine instrument. A special thank you is in order for putting up with me bugging you about how things were coming along so much. :-) I'm terribly impatient.. sorry about that.

This bass of my dreams is everything that I wanted it to be and more. Thank you!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: briant on March 30, 2008, 05:57:53 PM: Link to a page with sound clips of the bass:

http://www.briantimpe.com/page/Rogue5.htm (http://www.briantimpe.com/page/Rogue5.htm)
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Rogue
Post by: David Houck on March 30, 2008, 07:55:31 PM: Congrats again!
Title: Bass and treble controls
Post by: mica on January 10, 2008, 06:44:18 PM: Steve from Bass Northwest called me yesterday and added global bass and treble controls to add to the Signature electronics you originally ordered.

I'm working up a control layout to squeeze them in. Is there anything in particular you require in the control layout?
Title: Bass and treble controls
Post by: briant on January 10, 2008, 10:36:27 PM: Nope! Whatever you think makes the most sense is cool with me. Thanks!
Title: Bass and treble controls
Post by: mica on January 14, 2008, 01:22:48 PM: Here's the layout I was working on when you phoned:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/47648.jpg)
And with labels:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/47649.jpg)
These aren't perfectly aligned, just placed for rough assessment. Obviously the extra knob and washer on the neck are not part of the scheme, just what I cut and paste for the other controls. The only slightly weird thing about getting the extra controls in is the jack placement. Normally, the jack would swing down about 30 degrees from this placement, but as you can see it takes up a good deal of space. Let me know if something like this looks good to you.
Title: Bass and treble controls
Post by: briant on January 14, 2008, 04:24:01 PM: Mica, I realized that after we talked on the phone that there is no LED on/off switch located on it. I figure that would probably take up very little room but wanted to point it out now as opposed to later.

Something like this maybe?

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/47652.jpg)
Title: Bass and treble controls
Post by: mica on January 14, 2008, 04:36:16 PM: DOH! We do need an LED switch (I should have seen those wires coiled up in the truss rod cavity). Let me think about this a little more and post a new pic for you later in the week.
Title: Bass and treble controls
Post by: briant on January 14, 2008, 08:31:07 PM: Cool, sounds good. If in doubt I'm basically married to my phone so you can give me a call anytime. :-)
Title: Bass and treble controls
Post by: mica on January 15, 2008, 05:44:02 PM: Drilling template reveals all:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/47693.jpg)

Everything is as far apart as possible, but it's still a tad more cramped than I would normally like. Of course, there are 3 more knobs than usual on this Rogue, so it's not that bad all things considered.
Title: Bass and treble controls
Post by: briant on January 15, 2008, 06:09:20 PM: ...and as we discussed on the phone it is perfect. :-) I can't wait to see some shots with finish on it!