Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on June 08, 2005, 07:00:45 PM

Title: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mica on June 08, 2005, 07:00:45 PM: Last week I found this little piece of wood with your name on it:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/19074.jpg)

It's the core of your soon to be Series II. It's the only chance you'll get to see before the top and back are in place.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mica on June 08, 2005, 07:05:16 PM: Cool! I was hoping to locate the picture I took when you visited of the top laminate mapped out:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/19076.jpg)
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mica on June 08, 2005, 07:58:58 PM: Here's your neck before the peghead veneers are glued on:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/19091.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/19092.jpg)
Really nice combo in the neck woods
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on June 09, 2005, 08:38:34 AM: Mica,

Thanks for posting these.

That core looks almost too good to cover up. The neck is exactly perfect.

If it isn't too much trouble, I'd love to have a shot of the body woods pre-gluing.

Brad
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mica on June 09, 2005, 03:26:34 PM: I bet you'll want to see the body laminates - sinec the one I took a picture of while you were visiting was changed later ;) Here's the top and back as of today, with a complete compliment of official shop dust:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/19125.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/19126.jpg)
This should look more like you recall
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on June 09, 2005, 04:12:36 PM: I had faith.

3755 really looks like a butterfly to me.

3754 (the right side) looks like a raptor on perch.

Brad
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mica on October 04, 2005, 05:13:19 PM: Fingerboard getting clamped:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/21332.jpg)
Peghead cut:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/21333.jpg)
Bookmatch to center assembly:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/21334.jpg)
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on October 04, 2005, 07:01:00 PM: One word: w00t!

Brad
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on October 04, 2005, 08:33:36 PM: Alright.

I'm trying to decide between two different inlays:

838 in silver at the 12th fret in a silver oval (like the initials).

Or

Think in ebony with a mother of pearl background at the 24th fret.

What think ye?
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on October 05, 2005, 09:50:46 PM: I'm looking for club feedback. I've narrowed my inlay ideas down to two:

Both would be a block of mother of pearl at the 24th fret with black lettering.

1) Acts 8:38

This has a lot of personal meaning to me; I was baptized in northern Iraq during the first gulf war. Long story short, we prayed for rain (a distinct lack of baptismal facilities at the time...), and it rained so hard that the desert floor filled up. I always felt this verse sort of parallelled my experience.

2) Gaudeamus igitur

Latin for let is rejoice, therefore
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mica on October 17, 2005, 07:24:30 PM: Looks almost good enough to route:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/21619.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/21620.jpg)
Mom's been mulling over the inlays, since we're approaching inlayland. She's got a couple other ideas to bounce off you, including some other locations. You two should speak / email soon. Any particular time better?
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on October 17, 2005, 09:24:28 PM: Valentino said it was beautiful, but oh wow.

Brad
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: the_8_string_king on October 18, 2005, 07:59:22 PM: Wow, nice bass! It reminds me of my own (custom of the month June 1999 -in the custom archives)in a couple of ways. The bookmatched-to-center... it looks like coco bolo... wood has similar figurings (liney in the middle -which helps disguise the centerline- and more detailed away from the center).

The neck also reminds me of my own, with the alternating laminates of maple, purpleheart, and ebony. You are going to positively love the sound and sustain your neck is going to give you! It's gonna rock your world. And the coco bolo won't hurt either!

(Message edited by the 8 string king on October 18, 2005)

(Message edited by the 8 string king on October 18, 2005)
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on October 19, 2005, 08:40:37 AM: Valentino said it was beautiful, but oh wow.

Brad
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: hydrargyrum on October 19, 2005, 08:43:27 AM: echo?
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on October 19, 2005, 06:47:44 PM: Crackberry got me.

It kept the update in cache, and I accidentally clicked the scroll wheel.

It was worth posting twice, though. =)
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on October 19, 2005, 09:24:30 PM: Mark,

Compliments from you are high praise indeed. Before I decided to pull the trigger on this bass, I remember looking wistfully at your bass. Very over the top-love it.

Brad
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: the_8_string_king on October 24, 2005, 06:49:40 PM: Thank you sir, and best of wishes on your beast! It is, of course, in the VERY best of hands. By the way, my vote for the inlay would be think!

There's also some new pictures of MY beast (but only I can call her that) on my recent introduction thread.

It'll be worth the wait.

By the way, I forgot to comment last time, that little mini-omega on the headstock is really cool! Did you come up with that? I bet a lot of people will incorporate that into their design. I know I'd like it if I was getting another bass.

Did my neck influence yours in any way, I'm just curious? It's very similar. Both our necks are made of maple, purpleheart, and ebony; but mine have every other laminate being ebony and the others alternating between maple and purpleheart, where you have maple for every other laminate, and alternate between ebony and purpleheart. If you had two more (outer) laminates of purpleheart, you'd have the exact same pattern of 13 laminates that I do, but just with a transposition of woods. As it is, this is still the case with respects to my inner core.

It really looks awesome!

(Message edited by the 8 string king on October 24, 2005)
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on October 24, 2005, 08:29:12 PM: Mark,

I was actually going to go with 5 ebony laminates, 2 vermillion, 2 purpleheart, and 2 maple (alternate those 6 with the ebony in that order-- kinda rainbowy), but Valentino talked me down off the edge every time I tried to put something other than 6 maple lams in the neck (and more ebony would have been cost prohibitive, at the time anyways-- before things got really out of control, i.e. once Signature, now series II)

I did not think of the omega headstock, that credit goes to our friend Valentino, who continues to build one sick (y'know, in a good way) instrument after another.

You can't see it in those shots, but the headstock will be completely carved like Rory's 6-string (as seen in his F-T-C thread). The omega will be carved as well. You can see this effect by looking at Rory's bass and Gary's balance K (carved omega).

I've decided on the inlay, and we're finalizing details. It isn't any of the above-- we'll see it when the elves do their magic.

Brad
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: the_8_string_king on October 26, 2005, 06:53:19 PM: Brad, I'm sorry I missed your response earlier, and again... what a schuhh-weet bass! Hey, I saw on another post that you wanted to have custom rotory switches or something for bass and treble controls. Are you getting separate bass and treble controls for each pickup ON TOP of Series II electronics? If so... I salute you, sir. What are you planning, 4 position switches with something like -6, 0, +6, +9 dbs or something similar? Mine go +/- 12, and they work very well. I occaisionally use the bass at maximum when using it in balanced stereo mode, but I never use the treble at maximum.

I'll tell ya, the little 3 position quick change MID RANGE boost/cut switches that they made custom for my bass are really useful. I've found that it can be useful to utilize the cut for the neck pickup, especially when boosting the bass and having a slight q boost in the upper treble... it creates a really cool sound that sounds like two simultaneous sounds (even from one pickup): a crisp high and a booming low. Even more significant, engaging the mid boost on the bridge pickup gives an incredible boost, and also seems to emphasize the enhanced sustain of the ebony and purpleheart-fortified neck. I virtually always use my mid-boost on my bridge pickup. Perhaps this might be a option that would interest you. I don't recall where my original quote was, but I don't recall it being terribly expensive... I think it was a couple hundred bucks... I remember two numbers, $500 and $250... and I'm thinking maybe it was $500 but I paid $250 'cause I got the custom electronics half off (special of the month).

But since they have the specs, maybe it would be cheaper... then again, inflation, who knows? Anyway, maybe something to consider.

One other thing that I only recently realized that is really cool, and says something really cool about Alembic: my custom stereo switch allows me to assign either of my two independent sets of tone controls to the role of MASTER TONE CONTROL SET. Recently, I discovered when using it that each of my custom mid-range controls is set to a different frequency. I have concluded that Ron must have tested them individually and selected frequency ranges that were subtly different and specifically suited to the idiosyncratic tonal characteristic of EACH PICKUP... SPECIFICALLY... and DELIBERATELY. (Obviously, it's NOT something that would happen deliberately. The obvious default would be to make a switch, and then make an idenitical one; but this isn't the case; they each affect different frequencys, and this must have been/clearly was deliberate.)

This is just so cool. I didn't ask for it. I might have, if I'd thought about it. But I didn't. They could have just made one circuit or whatever and duplicated it... but they obviously had a higher standard in mind, and did the extra step of attenuating -or whatever the proper word is- each mid boost/cut switch -to each pickup.

Thanks Alembic! What attention to detail! What a great company! What nice, great, people!

You are SO going to love your bass! Hang in there, tiger! It'll be worth the wait and the price tag! Of this, there can be no doubt!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mica on October 27, 2005, 04:11:00 PM: Your continuous wood backplates, siiiir:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/21833.jpg)

These are getting the inside sealer coats, so you're looking at parts you won't see once it's all put together. In fact, the Coco Bolo ones will be covered in silver.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: the_8_string_king on October 27, 2005, 06:35:02 PM: For some reason, I can't access my previous post to edit an error.

(Obviously, it's NOT something that would happen deliberately. The obvious default would be to make a switch, and then make an idenitical one; but this isn't the case; they each affect different frequencys, and this must have been/clearly was deliberate.)

SHOULD say:

(Obviously, it's NOT something that would happen ACCIDENTALLY. The obvious default would be to make a switch, and then make an idenitical one; but this isn't the case; they each affect different frequencys, and this must have been/clearly was deliberate.)

Just wanted to clarify/correct this error.

I find editing/error correcting on internet sites in general to be difficult. I just accept errors as a given, as editing is often challenging for various reasons.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on October 28, 2005, 03:41:06 PM: Hey,

You can't call me sir, I work for a living!

Beauty. I can now stop drifting off into reverie thinking about what that coco bolo is going to look like under finish (and start drifting off about the assembled instrument, playing it, etc.)

Brad
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on October 29, 2005, 05:00:24 PM: I think that slice on the right might've been cut from a pair of Valentino's pants!

Thanks for taking one for the team, Valentino.

Brad
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mica on January 04, 2006, 05:31:20 PM: Peghead in the setup room, getting the hardware ready for plating:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/23876.jpg)

Now, I'm not sure if Jon or James is going to be doing your inlays, but we've all been working on the artwork, and I take a special interest in letter inlays. More soon!

(Message edited by mica on January 04, 2006)
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: 811952 on January 05, 2006, 08:19:41 AM: Sweet!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on January 05, 2006, 01:09:31 PM: I'm dying. Trying to remember how to breathe. These teaser shots are making the wait worse, I think.

The carved headstock is perfect! That pic almost looks like the edges are bound.

Super, super excited. Would it be possible to get a pic of the whole bass, and a closeup on the body?

If you don't have time, I understand. You can just email me the full jpgs if that is simpler.

Brad
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: rklisme on January 05, 2006, 07:04:38 PM: Hey Brad

This is going to be one very cool bass. I don't even mind that you got most of the ideas from me. If I sound a little jealous it is because I am. Can't wait to see this thing when it is done.

Rory
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: hb3 on January 05, 2006, 07:36:37 PM: I was baptized in northern Iraq during the first gulf war.

so you're, like, 12?
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: jlpicard on January 05, 2006, 08:30:17 PM: Congrats on a beautiful 6'er! Looking at the photos makes me think that we share similar tastes in wood. It looks alot like what I would do if I was going to build a 6 string. In fact, I was going to have a Heart omega carved into the headstock but I just plain ran out of money! Just wait till you see a shot of your body with the finish on it! You are going to freak out. I went totally beserk when I saw mine! The grain which looks mellow right now is going to jump right out at you! Best of luck and many years of bass bliss Mike
Oh yeah, and good decision upgrading the electronics. There really is nothing like a Series bass!!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on December 13, 2007, 03:13:28 PM: Well, I guess I'll just have to console myself with my new bass, even though Flaxman is claiming victory in the race.

I should be able to post photos Saturday am, same bat channel. Be here to see them.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: lbpesq on December 13, 2007, 04:24:01 PM: Bradley:

Things aren't always as they appear. And you get to live in a MUCH cooler time zone!

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on December 13, 2007, 05:19:52 PM: I know, but I'm sure someone will be posting photos of Jeff's bass shortly.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mica on December 13, 2007, 06:50:34 PM: We're looking forward to Bradley picking up his bass tomorrow afternoon, since it's done:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/46602.jpg)
Even a preview tailpiece closeup:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/46603.jpg)
Dad stayed late last night and worked today on the calibration. James stayed late tonight to finish up the final setup. The only thing left is final inspection, and Bradley's eager hands.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: bassjigga on December 13, 2007, 07:02:59 PM: WOW! Beautiful Brad. Congrats!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: flaxattack on December 13, 2007, 07:03:03 PM: WHOLLY MOLLEY
THATS-----------------
WOW
you da man brad,.,,,,
i was a kidding with you.....
am hoping to be done when you show up tmrw
need photo of you - this and mine for posterity please,,,
also if mine is ready? knock yourself out for a test drive
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on December 13, 2007, 07:11:38 PM: Mica,

I'm getting choked up. It is beautiful.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: David Houck on December 13, 2007, 07:12:56 PM: Wow! Gorgeous!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mele_aloha on December 13, 2007, 07:17:11 PM: WOW X 2 to the tenth. The niciest one yet, honest!

Congradulations Bradley, I'm glad I met ya-

Very Very Nice, Paul
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mele_aloha on December 13, 2007, 07:23:20 PM: Uh---

The tailpiece though, a little crooke-- haha

No no, just kidding. Actually that is the straightest of straight tailpieces!

Congrats again, Paul
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: jacko on December 14, 2007, 12:53:36 AM: Now that is sweet Brad. Bet you can't wait to collect it. Be careful not to drop jeff's bass if you get to try it out;-)

Graeme
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: bassman10096 on December 14, 2007, 05:27:52 AM: Very nice Brad. I love the figure and color. Enjoy it.
Bill
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mica on December 14, 2007, 06:51:31 PM: The eagle has landed.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on December 14, 2007, 09:33:02 PM: She's home. Completely unbelievable, more later.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mele_aloha on December 14, 2007, 09:46:03 PM: Big Island to Mothership, that's a Big 10-4.

From Captain Paul and little Mikey-

God it's a beautiful Bass!!! Bradley, are you still alive?

Hope your happy with it in your hands. You well deserve it!

Aloha, Paul
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: David Houck on December 15, 2007, 06:35:25 AM: Congrats!!!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: 5stringho on December 15, 2007, 08:47:19 AM: Bradley!

Are you breathing yet? DUUUDE, that is one MONSTER bass! In a month or 2, when you finally put her down for a few minutes, let us know what you think if her!

Congrats again and ENJOY! Mike, tho
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on December 15, 2007, 10:27:38 AM: Photographic evidence exists:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/46650.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/46651.jpg)
(Message edited by byoung on December 15, 2007)
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: lbpesq on December 15, 2007, 10:45:46 AM: Bradley:

Congrats on both the bass and beating Flax!! hehehehehe

Did you get my message?

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on December 15, 2007, 12:21:13 PM: I did. Thanks for the note; it put a smile on my face.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on December 15, 2007, 12:26:34 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/46665.jpg)

Seems another bass showed up in this picture.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: lidon2001 on December 15, 2007, 01:16:21 PM: Groupie's in mohair and everything! Looking good Bradley!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: David Houck on December 15, 2007, 04:21:16 PM: Great pictures Bradley!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: flaxattack on December 15, 2007, 10:51:17 PM: well brad
only one thing i can say

YOURS IS DEFINITELY BIGGER!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: jacko on December 16, 2007, 04:01:07 AM: So was that last picture taken just before you dropped Scarlett? Just kidding;-) yet again I'm insanely jealous that you guys can visit the mothership. Nice looking bass bradley, looks like your boy has his eye on it already!

Graeme
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: flaxattack on December 16, 2007, 08:22:44 AM: brad you givin me the finger in the first photo?
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: lbpesq on December 16, 2007, 12:01:40 PM: Bradley's may be bigger, but guitarists know more positions! hehehehe

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on December 16, 2007, 07:56:00 PM: As I told Mica, it'll be nice to have a normal size instrument again.

Bill, you aren't allowed to harass me, since it's a six string.

Jeff, my wife dresses me. That's a small price to pay for a wife that allowed an Alembic purchase.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: flaxattack on December 16, 2007, 08:52:40 PM: my wife approved 2
classico and scooter
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on December 17, 2007, 11:53:34 AM: Did anyone spot Erik? He's hiding in one of the pictures.

(Message edited by byoung on December 18, 2007)
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on December 17, 2007, 04:38:16 PM: The one piece of early feedback that I have is that this bass definitely has wow factor.

I've probably shown it to 50 people, and it never failed to elicit a sharp intake of breath and an ohh...

It plays beautifully, I finally had a chance to play through my rig last night, and even though I was exhausted from a whirlwind trip to the bay area, too little sleep, and 14 hours of driving, I had to play it for a half hour or so. It just sings. Deep, authoritative lows, and singing highs with nice articulation (chords in the upper register have tons of complexity).

I feel fortunate that a hack like myself would have an opportunity to own something so beautiful.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: jacko on December 18, 2007, 12:52:59 AM: Pushchair in the right hand door way in the standing shot?

Glad you're enjoying her bradley...
Deep, authoritative lows, and singing highs with nice articulation Sounds awfully familiar ;-)

Graeme
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: white_cloud on December 18, 2007, 04:45:45 AM: Just wonderful, best of luck with your incredible new Alembic
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on January 05, 2006, 11:14:51 PM: Rory,

It's a Rory tribute! I'll have to buy you dinner next time I'm around San-Fran-Psycho. I did change a bunch of really subtle things, though, we'll have to see if you can spot them.

Hugh, my wife is convinced that I act like a 12 year old, but Desert Storm was 14 years ago. Hard to believe it; a lot of water under the bridge since then- wife, kids, establishing a career. I would say, though, that Desert Storm was the real turning point in my life. I thought about having the Big Red One inlaid (where else but at the first fret!).

Mike- I thought about the heart omega headstock, but it just didn't work for me. I like the hearts at the tail, but not on a 6-- they seem to look best on a 4 or narrow 5 (Hi Flaxman!).

Brad
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on January 05, 2006, 11:30:04 PM: Hugh-

I just got what you must've meant (he who laughs last thinks slowest).

I may be infantile, but I was baptized after the age of majority.

Couldn't resist a bit of the old paronomasia.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: jlpicard on January 06, 2006, 06:35:23 AM: Brad, I know what you mean about the 6. A bit wide maybe for an Omega. I have a 90' Elan 6 that has purpleheart laminates and a rip roaring bottom sound. I can imagine what yours will be like with the ebony!! Can't wait to see it finished!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on April 19, 2006, 02:18:29 AM: I suppose this falls under "Customer to Factory" rather than the other way around, but here are some pictures from my recent visit:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27316.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27317.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27318.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27319.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27320.jpg)
Well, that about sums things up.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: foth on April 19, 2006, 12:42:44 PM: Brad
Looks like you went with the maple fingerboard. :-) Is your neck/fingerboard the Alembic classic 'series' width or the comfort (wider) width?
Paul
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: adriaan on April 19, 2006, 02:41:38 PM: Might I be so bold as to submit that the fingerboard is covered in tape?
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: David Houck on April 19, 2006, 02:46:36 PM: Adriaan; you could be so bold, but then folks might get the impression that you missed the little smiley face that Paul inserted at the end of the sentence. :-)
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: adriaan on April 19, 2006, 02:52:21 PM: Call me hypersensitive - but it's a regular happy smiley, not the ironic one. Ah, humbug!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: David Houck on April 19, 2006, 03:02:25 PM: You're right; it is the regular smiley face that says I'm in a good mood and not ;-) the one that winks at you. Global communication in the 21st century is so complex!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: adriaan on April 19, 2006, 03:05:44 PM: Dave, let not our musings obscure the focus of this thread - thoroughly NICE bass.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: David Houck on April 19, 2006, 03:09:07 PM: An absolutely gorgeous bass! My guess is that it's the comfort taper.

Edit: I've changed my mind. I can't really tell, but now I'm guessing classic taper.

(Message edited by davehouck on April 19, 2006)
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on April 19, 2006, 07:45:30 PM: Paul,

Dave was right the first time-- comfort taper.

I have lots of pictures; I didn't want to swamp everyone with them. Maybe I'll parcel them out and post them every little bit .

The fingerboard is covered in an ace bandage-- removal pending the results from the plastic surgeon. Is there a smiley for I'm just making things up?

The cocobolo, as is cliched, does not properly show up in photos (well, at least at this resolution-- the 8 megapixel closeups that I have do show the freakyness of it).

Brad
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: lidon2001 on April 19, 2006, 08:15:15 PM: Hi Brad,

I love how red the wood is. Amazing.

It's been 30 minutes. That's a little bit. PICS!

Happen to catch one of a burly custom Essence shaped morsel?

You have a true winner there.

Tom
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: foth on April 20, 2006, 03:24:59 AM: Thanks Brad. I'm going to Alembic on Tuesday, and I'm hoping to find a classic 5 or 6 string neck that I can compare to my Rogue.
Hey, which is faster, an 'ace bandage maple' fingerboard or a 'masking tape maple' fingerboard? I bet they're both slower than rosewood.
Paul
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on April 20, 2006, 09:28:07 AM: I think that the real deal with the masking tape is that there is you never have to worry about the frets protruding due to changes in humidity.

I didn't get a chance to play it (since most of the hardware is missing!), but Valentino assured me that it does add a real mwah to the tone.

Anyhow, hippy sandwich anyone?

And here's Valentino reprising his sometime role as guitar stand. Photo is complete in that the bass has its complement of shop dust.

And here's one of the back of the headstock, showing off those awesome neck laminates:

Giddy like a schoolgirl,

Bradley
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on August 10, 2006, 07:07:00 PM: Patience young grasshopper.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: lbpesq on August 11, 2006, 08:49:07 AM: Bradley:

I see you went for the double bevel too. And the Valentino head Omega. Looks very cool. I was thinking of this too, but decided on the double bevel only. On your's, with the standard Omega, the little headstock one balances very nicely visually. Someday our babies will get to come home!

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: georgie_boy on August 18, 2006, 10:18:55 AM: Beautiful!!!
It seems that the combination of the mind, together with the beauty of Mother Nature and a little help from the best luthiers in the world can provide something of such beauty.
Long may the union last!!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on August 18, 2006, 05:53:40 PM: George,

Thanks so much for the kind words. I'm waiting for inlay, and then (hopefully) the process should be a little more predictable (except for the wait for Ron's bench time).

Oh well, it'll get here when it gets here.

I've had quite a run of good things happening since I ordered the bass (20-odd months ago), maybe bass being built == good mojo.

Bradley
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on January 01, 2007, 07:50:27 PM: So, I'm wondering. Alembic used to make cream/brown/clear pickups (maybe they still do, haven't seen any, though). What do y'all think about having cream colored pickups installed?

Bradley
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: the_8_string_king on January 01, 2007, 10:30:00 PM: Wow, that looks exceedingly awesome, and reminds me in a lot of ways of my own custom in progress (in the very early stage).

Shoot... I'd been thinking about the double-bevel... and now I might have to ask 'em about the peghead omega... it looks freakin' awesome!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: bassjigga on January 02, 2007, 09:30:30 AM: You should get the peghead omega on yours 8SK. It looks so cool with that head, especially if you have it in the body.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: the_8_string_king on January 02, 2007, 10:07:06 AM: Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. Limited though funds be, the $250 minus dealer discount isn't too hideous for the front & back bevel -and it REALLY makes the peghead look extra-exceptionally sharp! The peghead omega just pushes it over the top! I'm really curious how much extra the mini-omega is. (And I've asked 'em!) I'm assuming it would be less than the big omega -since it's smaller and would presumably entail less labor.

You've really got a striking beauty there, Bradley! The Coco Bolo is gorgeous, the headstock is over-the-top awesome, and for me, your neck came out especially awesome. The maple/purpleheart/ebony combo is awesome-sounding and awesome-looking... and yours came out especially awesome. The way your two outer Ebony laminates go into the peghead and seem to turn... it's really awesome. Visually, you've got one of my favorite Alembic necks, definitely the best-looking one I've ever seen with that specific recipe!!!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on January 02, 2007, 12:28:41 PM: Mark,

I've got to tell you... the Omega looks a lot better in person.

Bradley
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: the_8_string_king on January 02, 2007, 12:51:22 PM: Thanks for the word! I'm pretty much sold. It's just a simple matter of the moolah. I was already nearly sold on the dual bevel, but holy smokes, the mini-Omega just makes an already visually stunning form substantially more freaking awesome.

(You do realize now that may blame you, if I get it, don't you?)

Congratulations on a stunning custom! It's definitely one of the top 5 Coco Bolo Balance Ks I've yet seen. The top is gorgeous enough, but when you add in that killer peghead, and then the awesome neck in-between, it's an absolute knockout!!!

It's also making me drool and wonder and contemplate 'cause my own custom has just begun, and it has several (of the) same/similar specifications (Balance K Omega, crown headstock, Coco BTC, upgraded custom neck) ... so I'm vicariously enjoying your bass, hope you don't mind!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: cozmik_cowboy on January 02, 2007, 01:27:28 PM: No doubt about it - the headstock omega is way slick. But I'm enough of a D'Angelico fan that it looks just a bit weird without the little brass pineapple in it.

Peter
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on January 02, 2007, 06:29:18 PM: Vicarious away!

I was lusting after Rory's 6 string when I ordered it.

Bradley
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: David Houck on January 07, 2007, 08:11:15 PM: Bradley; here (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=2755) is a previous thread on pickup colors.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on January 08, 2007, 01:27:26 PM: Mmmmm... colored pickups.

Bradley
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: the_8_string_king on January 08, 2007, 05:06:39 PM: By the way, Brad, I just added the dual peghead bevel and mini-Omega to my order... and I consider YOU responsible!!!

Thanks!!! Your bass looks awesome!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on January 08, 2007, 10:52:12 PM: It's all my fault.

I'm not apologizing, though.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: lbpesq on January 09, 2007, 07:26:18 AM: The dual peghead bevel is very attractive IMHO. Of course I'm biased - my in progress Further was the first Alembic to receive this treatment (though not the first to be completed). It gives the peghead a smaller more delicate look - very classy. I really like the Valentino peghead omega too. It wouldn't work on my Further, but in general I think it's very cool. Lookin' good Bradley. One of these days (months? years?) We'll have to get these two long gestation instruments together!

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on January 09, 2007, 08:23:21 AM: Well, technically, counsellor, they are together right now, but I think I understand your intent.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on June 22, 2007, 02:14:25 PM: Inlay is getting closer. We're inching along.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mica on June 22, 2007, 02:27:55 PM: Inching, that's a good word! We should know on Monday if the material we can get in the large size you want to inlay to be is pretty enough to put on your bass.

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/41390.jpg)

We're also thinking that some engraved shading to give the banner more of a 3D effect will look cool.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: tbrannon on June 22, 2007, 02:36:12 PM: Somehow I think the Latin translation I tried isn't quite right....

until to live tacui dead of the gods to praise

Anyone care to translate for this non-latin speaking fool?

Where is the inlay going to be positioned Bradley?
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: lbpesq on June 22, 2007, 04:13:42 PM: Dumb vixens tackle the dead. God applauds?

Of course, I flunked latin in 7th grade.

Bill tgo
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on June 22, 2007, 07:48:25 PM: The quote is appropriated from a quote that has been found on the inside of violins and pianos. The original quote was:

Dum vixi tacui, mortua, dulce cano. Living, I was mute, dead, I sweetly sing.

Interesting reference here (http://www.usd.edu/smm/Violins/1850-1899/violins1850-1874.html). (second paragraph)

Which was then transformed into the quote above, Dum vixi tacui, mortua, Deum laudo i.e. I praise God.

Bradley
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on June 22, 2007, 08:07:42 PM: Banner placement is approximately:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/41414.jpg)

We're currently waiting on some mother of pearl, which, if it looks good, will allow us to finalize the design.

Apparently, pieces that are over 1.75 inches are rare-ish, and I wanted the inlay to be bigger while retaining the same shape. And looking nice. And not having seams.

I feel sorry for Mica.

But I can definitely say: this bass is going to be the one.

Bill, how'd you make it out of law school with such b-movie inspired Latin? *snicker*
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mica on June 25, 2007, 05:02:50 PM: The super huge material did not show up today. I'll let you know if we get it tomorrow.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: lbpesq on June 25, 2007, 05:21:16 PM: Bradley:

Lookin' good! As for law school, the only Latin I seem to have retained is Pro Bono. Good for the Karma, bad for the Alembic collection. LOL By the way, I just got off the phone ordering a Calton Case for my Further. I was feeling weird without having something to wait for!

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: flaxattack on June 25, 2007, 08:43:31 PM: brad
dont leave me here by myself
first bill now you?
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on June 25, 2007, 10:43:52 PM: Heh. Doesn't look like your guitar collection is languishing too much. Maybe you're doing some Pro Bill-o work too?

Only a few items left in the custom hopper:

custom pickups (wood, but discontinuous)
custom tailpiece

2 1/2 years on, and it's looking like the light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe I should start finishing off my rig-o-doom.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on June 26, 2007, 09:57:16 AM: Flax,

You get no sympathy from me. I'm sure the wolf will keep you company .
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: flaxattack on June 26, 2007, 09:01:49 PM: stand clear brad
bob goes to work on scarlet next week
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on June 26, 2007, 10:37:15 PM: That sounds like a challenge, dude.

Alembic drag racing at its finest.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: lbpesq on June 26, 2007, 11:07:44 PM: The race to second place! hehehehe

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on June 27, 2007, 03:00:34 PM: Bill,

I may be second, but you managed to finish in the top ten.

Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum videtur

Bradley
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: flaxattack on June 27, 2007, 03:24:48 PM: EXCUSE ME
Didnt jeff get scooter first?
see -thc does cause long term memory issues
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: flaxattack on June 27, 2007, 03:26:42 PM: ars dicktim pukas vomitus
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on June 27, 2007, 06:53:28 PM: Oh, I see how it is, Rhett:

You talk about Scarlet all this time,

And when you're going to lose the race you fall back on scooter?

Scarlett: Cathleen, Who's that?
Cathleen Calvert: Who?
Scarlett: That man looking at us and smiling? The nasty dark one?
Cathleen Calvert: My dear don't you know? Thats Rhett Butler! He's from Charleston, he has the most terrible reputation!
Scarlett: He looks as if he knows what I look like without my shimmy
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mica on June 28, 2007, 01:49:28 PM: So the shell arrived this am, and it looks really nice. I'll rescale the artwork according to our last email exchange on the matter and you can give me the go ahead if it's okay.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: lbpesq on June 28, 2007, 02:27:44 PM: As the beaver said to his former beaver girlfriend when she asked him to tranfer all title to their residence to her name exclusively: Frankly my dear, I don't give a dam

Lookin' good Bradley. It shouldn't be long now.

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: flaxattack on June 28, 2007, 03:14:59 PM: did jerry mathers really say that?
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: rraymond on June 28, 2007, 03:29:55 PM: Sounds more like Eddie Haskell!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: lbpesq on June 28, 2007, 06:12:41 PM: No, it wasn't Beaver Cleaver, it was his eldest brother, Eldridge!

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on June 28, 2007, 06:22:52 PM: Woo Hoo! Here we go.

Bradley
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: hifiguy on June 28, 2007, 07:18:39 PM: Couldn't resist this.

Scene 8

Romanes Eunt Domus

[scary music]
CENTURION:
What's this, then? 'Romanes Eunt Domus'? 'People called Romanes they go the house'?

BRIAN:
It-- it says, 'Romans, go home'.

CENTURION:
No, it doesn't. What's Latin for 'Roman'? Come on!

BRIAN:
Aah!

CENTURION:
Come on!

BRIAN:
'R-- Romanus'?

CENTURION:
Goes like...?

BRIAN:
'Annus'?

CENTURION:
Vocative plural of 'annus' is...?

BRIAN:
Eh. 'Anni'?

CENTURION:
'Romani'. 'Eunt'? What is 'eunt'?

BRIAN:
'Go'. Let--

CENTURION:
Conjugate the verb 'to go'.

BRIAN:
Uh. 'Ire'. Uh, 'eo'. 'Is'. 'It'. 'Imus'. 'Itis'. 'Eunt'.

CENTURION:
So 'eunt' is...?

BRIAN:
Ah, huh, third person plural, uh, present indicative. Uh, 'they go'.

CENTURION:
But 'Romans, go home' is an order, so you must use the...?

BRIAN:
The... imperative!

CENTURION:
Which is...?

BRIAN:
Umm! Oh. Oh. Um, 'i'. 'I'!

CENTURION:
How many Romans?

BRIAN:
Ah! 'I'-- Plural. Plural. 'Ite'. 'Ite'.

CENTURION:
'Ite'.

BRIAN:
Ah. Eh.

CENTURION:
'Domus'?

BRIAN:
Eh.

CENTURION:
Nominative?

BRIAN:
Oh.

CENTURION:
'Go home'? This is motion towards. Isn't it, boy?

BRIAN:
Ah. Ah, dative, sir! Ahh! No, not dative! Not the dative, sir! No! Ah! Oh, the... accusative! Accusative! Ah! 'Domum', sir! 'Ad domum'! Ah! Oooh! Ah!

CENTURION:
Except that 'domus' takes the...?

BRIAN:
The locative, sir!

CENTURION:
Which is...?!

BRIAN:
'Domum'.

CENTURION:
'Domum'.

BRIAN:
Aaah! Ah.

CENTURION:
'Um'. Understand?

BRIAN:
Yes, sir.

CENTURION:
Now, write it out a hundred times.

BRIAN:
Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Hail Caesar, sir.

CENTURION:
Hail Caesar. If it's not done by sunrise, I'll cut your balls off.

BRIAN:
Oh, thank you, sir. Thank you, sir. Hail Caesar and everything, sir!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: rraymond on June 28, 2007, 08:29:48 PM: Glomming onto the Monty Python slant, I'll add a Wink, wink, nudge, nudge!

BTW, Bradley, the bass that's the reason for this thread in the first place, is amazing! Congrats!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on June 30, 2007, 08:49:42 PM: Reid, thanks for the compliment.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on September 06, 2007, 05:40:05 PM: Rumor has it that there might be some updates coming soon...
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: flaxattack on September 06, 2007, 06:52:48 PM: hmmmm
i wonder if i should make a bet with you brad
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on September 06, 2007, 08:04:45 PM: I don't know...

All the custom pieces are pretty much sorted, including the newly christened fatmanchu tailpiece.

Inlay is complete, and I'm hoping to get some pics from the spray department shortly. Nudge, wink- hey Mica...
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mele_aloha on September 06, 2007, 08:14:43 PM: BRADLEY!!!

Your not spreading viscious rumors are you? hehe
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on September 06, 2007, 09:44:38 PM: Paul,

I would not spread any viscous rumors, only solid ones.

I just can't pass on a good pun.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mele_aloha on September 07, 2007, 10:40:25 AM: tHERE YoU GOe on MY speeling again!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mica on September 10, 2007, 06:02:02 PM: Bradley's seen one of these pictures already. Before cutting the wood for the inlay:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/43875.jpg)
During the cutting process:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/43876.jpg)
My timing has been terrible for getting a picture of your bass before it's prepped so you can see it with the inlay in place. I'll keep trying!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mele_aloha on September 10, 2007, 06:13:47 PM: Whoa Bradley, Nice! It's coming along beautifully, congrads!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on September 10, 2007, 08:14:49 PM: Woo hoo!

Looks like my bass took a trip to the casting couch, and then went under the knife for some cosmetic surgery.

And it now has a hole for the master volume, I see.

I'm psyched!

Now the waiting for the tailpiece begins.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on September 13, 2007, 11:02:39 AM: Decisions, decisions.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/43975.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/43976.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/43977.jpg)
The voting is now open-- Slender bird or fatmanchu? For reference, the fatmanchu would probably go on a diet to be slimmed up a little. Participation open only to legal residents of the Alembic Club, purchase not necessary to win. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope in your contest submission. One man, one vote (and I'm the man-- you can call me Havelock!)
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: tbrannon on September 13, 2007, 11:27:28 AM: I'm loving the slender bird- but perhaps it simply because the brass looks nicer than the wood prototype for fattyboomboom.

my vote goes to the slender bird
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: eligilam on September 13, 2007, 11:28:13 AM: Slender bird.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: olieoliver on September 13, 2007, 11:44:48 AM: Bird gets my vote.

Olie.
PS. Is that chad hanging down on the fatmanchu?
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on September 13, 2007, 12:22:58 PM: I accidentally voted for Pat Buchanan.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: bassjigga on September 13, 2007, 01:29:44 PM: I like the slim bird as well.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: pierreyves on September 13, 2007, 05:12:25 PM: Slender ... slender .... too nice ... other is like an hippo !!
Be carefull it well centered !
;o)
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: flaxattack on September 13, 2007, 07:48:15 PM: personally
i think you should copy the wolf's
it would blend perfectly with the omega....
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on September 13, 2007, 10:02:12 PM: Pierre-Yves,

That was one of my concerns-- and the fatmanchu hides some of that, visually. The slender bird isn't truly on-center, and I'm trying to decide whether I can ignore that or if it'll bug me.

It may not be clear from the pictures, but the fatmanchu mockup is actually much larger than the final piece would be. I'm hoping to get a thinner mockup, and maybe we'll hold another poll.

Flax, nice try . Although I do like the tailpiece on the wolf, it isn't the look I'm going for.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: adriaan on September 14, 2007, 01:20:42 AM: To me, the fat manchu echoes the omega too much. If you don't like the bird, why not see what a bar tailpiece would look like?
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: jacko on September 14, 2007, 05:01:50 AM: I like the tailpiece developed for Val's bird of prey (http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_bop.html)

Graeme
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: crgaston on September 14, 2007, 05:12:23 AM: I second the bar, and nominate a regular bird for your consideration, as well.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: cozmik_cowboy on September 14, 2007, 07:11:32 AM: OK, so I'm a weirdo, but I'm down with the fat one - probably more so if were, as you indicate it will be, slimmed slightly. Under no circumstances would I put a straight bar by that graceful omega curve. I eagerly await a look at Fatmanchu MK II.

Peter
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on September 27, 2007, 03:36:15 PM: Voting begins anew.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/44488.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/44489.jpg)
Thin bird, or Fatmanchu Mk. II?
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on September 27, 2007, 03:54:04 PM: I should add, the fatmanchu is going to be slimmed further on the omega side (by about 1/8th inch or 3mm).
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: tbrannon on September 27, 2007, 07:26:50 PM: I'm diggin' the latest fatmanchu.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: ajdover on September 27, 2007, 07:50:45 PM: My vote's for the thinner one.

Beautiful bass Brad, congrats.

Alan
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: rraymond on September 27, 2007, 08:02:38 PM: Thin is in!

However, it'll be a great bass whichever way you go. Enjoy!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: artswork99 on September 27, 2007, 08:03:22 PM: I like the Fatmanchu... sweet bass!
Play it in great health Bradley!
Art
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mele_aloha on September 27, 2007, 08:37:12 PM: I really like the skinny one Bradley. The big one looks like a mustache on a Chinaman!

Beautiful, very attractive and unique.

Aloha, P
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on September 27, 2007, 09:24:54 PM: Paul,

It is named after the Fu Manchu moustache...

But like the Dennis Hopper (in Easy Rider) version, not the thinner version: hence FatManchu.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on September 27, 2007, 09:28:14 PM: I got an absentee ballot, so we're at 3 for the thin and 3 for the fatmanchu. And apparently, one vote for Ron Paul.

No hanging chad yet, but I've already placed a preliminary call to the Supreme Court.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mele_aloha on September 27, 2007, 09:41:23 PM: Damn,

Voting booth is staying open late tonite-
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: 82daion on September 27, 2007, 10:09:04 PM: My vote goes to the second Fatmanchu.

I love the way the shape goes with the omega-it's the perfect complement for that bass.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: flaxattack on September 27, 2007, 10:40:47 PM: well damn those tailpieces arent centered correctly
lol
if those 2 latest photos are the fatman
it has my vote brad....
nice symmetry......accents the omega and i think a 6 string deserves a meatier tailpiece.
the original looks chinsy next to it
plus if it slows you down and gets me out the door first,,,,,go for it.... lmao
:-)
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mele_aloha on September 27, 2007, 11:48:13 PM: HHHHHAAAAAA Flax, good one! It's the only time we can laugh at that one in here and not be out of line.

Physics says the skinny one will transmit the most vibration straight to the wood without loss due to absorption!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: jacko on September 28, 2007, 12:53:26 AM: I like these latest pics Brad. And to echo earlier comments, beautiful top.

graeme
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: adriaan on September 28, 2007, 01:40:38 AM: Hope I'm not to late to the vote ... This new version doesn't squeeze out the omega like the first one appeared to do - I think I'm starting to like this one.

(Message edited by Adriaan on September 28, 2007)
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: cozmik_cowboy on September 28, 2007, 05:28:44 AM: I'm still for Fat - but is there a chance of a side-by-side with the Mk I?

Peter
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: lbpesq on September 28, 2007, 07:11:45 AM: The above two pics look the same to me. Hard to tell the difference. Sort of like most elections! lol

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: jacko on September 28, 2007, 07:16:51 AM: The above two pics ARE the same Bill. We're comparing that tailpiece with the bird tailpiece in bradleys 752 post ;-)

graeme
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: eflat on September 28, 2007, 10:27:16 AM: Slender Bird. I like the way the tail point contrasts with the smooth Omega cut. It also seems to me that the Fatmanchu's heft distracts me from looking at the coco bolo, but that could just be me.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on September 28, 2007, 10:47:28 AM: This just in---

Dade county elections staff have it at:

Fatmanchu 7
Slender bird 4
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: olieoliver on September 28, 2007, 11:00:01 AM: The updated Fatmanchu looks pretty good now. So now I'm stuck in the middle and can't decide.

Guess I'll vote for Pat Paulson then.

Olie.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mele_aloha on September 28, 2007, 11:41:35 AM: Bull----, Bull----, Bull----, Bull----
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mele_aloha on September 28, 2007, 11:42:20 AM: Bull----, Bull----, Bull----, Bull----

We want a recount!!!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: lbpesq on September 28, 2007, 11:52:34 AM: If the Dade county vote is as reported above, then I guess the Slender Bird wins! (Florida rules & regulations, of course).

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mele_aloha on September 28, 2007, 11:57:12 AM: It's a little known fact that the large one can cause an exterstanchile rise in the bylateral rapistat thus creating an extroliated spew which may vary from town to town.

My suggestion is to go with the small one.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mele_aloha on September 28, 2007, 11:59:40 AM: Oh ya no right Bill, ya that's the ticket, ya Dade County. You're right. See?
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on September 28, 2007, 12:51:22 PM: Pat Paulsen. Ha!

Great quote:

I feel proud to be living in a country where people are not afraid to laugh at themselves and where political satire is tolerated by the government, if not the television network. (From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Paulsen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Paulsen) )

Please no serious politics, I just think the American tradition of satirizing politics is something to be proud of. If you wish to satirize, however, Bring It On.

I should add that we're using an electoral college in the current voting; I'm the only elector. As I said earlier, one man, one vote (I'm the man, I get the vote).

Still 7 votes in favor of the Fatmanchu, 4 for the thin bird.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: artswork99 on September 28, 2007, 01:27:45 PM: And here's the West Palm Beach count as I remember it.

(Message edited by artswork99 on September 28, 2007)
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: artswork99 on September 28, 2007, 01:49:58 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/44517.gif)
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on September 28, 2007, 02:02:07 PM: classic.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: foth on September 28, 2007, 03:46:31 PM: Shouldn't Rory have a say? After all, this is the Rory tribute bass.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on September 28, 2007, 04:33:52 PM: That, sir, was a good call. Unfortunately, it looks like he hasn't logged in since March.

Bummer.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mele_aloha on September 28, 2007, 08:54:39 PM: Looks like the white dots have it.

Bush is white isn't he?
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mele_aloha on September 28, 2007, 08:57:32 PM: Forget the tailpiece man, let's just get the vote right, OK?!!!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mele_aloha on September 28, 2007, 08:59:19 PM: Ya ole dang thang, they didn't count them ole dang votes right ole dang- did they Hank?
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mele_aloha on September 28, 2007, 09:02:04 PM: I wish they'd stop them dang dots from flashin-
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: artswork99 on September 29, 2007, 05:58:24 AM: Please let me know if you want the dots image removed from the thread...
I'd be glad to take the image down if it is annoying.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on September 29, 2007, 07:21:10 AM: No way! It cracks me up.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: artswork99 on September 29, 2007, 07:27:35 AM: Your thread, image stays! Enjoy that beautiful bass!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on October 10, 2007, 09:59:55 PM: Thin is in, but fat is where it's at.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mica on October 29, 2007, 02:22:32 PM: The thin one reigns:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/45384.jpg)

Hope you like it.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: artswork99 on October 29, 2007, 03:25:30 PM: I like that! It follows the Omega like Fatmanchu and a nice amount of brass (a little bit bigger than the last thin bird). It appears to be cut from Fatmanchu due to its shape. Very nice, look forward to seeing it on the bass.

Bradley, when is your expected delivery? Could be getting close, eh? Beautiful bass!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mica on October 29, 2007, 05:04:24 PM: Here's the other pictures you requested, Bradley:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/45392.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/45393.jpg)
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on October 29, 2007, 05:05:20 PM: My wicked GIMP skills produced the following:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/45395.jpg)

Open to comments.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mica on October 29, 2007, 05:07:57 PM: Nice GIMPing.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on October 29, 2007, 05:22:59 PM: Day late and a dollar short, I see.

Mica posted the real thing before I finished my post.

We are systems go.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: flaxattack on October 29, 2007, 07:00:40 PM: i love it brad,,,,
its perfect,
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mele_aloha on October 29, 2007, 08:38:13 PM: I think it's a little crooked-

Aloha, Paul
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: jacko on October 30, 2007, 01:55:15 AM: i think it just looks that way due to the reflection and the red ink.
I think it looks very cool Bradley. I'm guessing Pierreyves will have something to say about the alignment though ;-)

Graeme
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mele_aloha on October 30, 2007, 10:39:33 AM: That was a pun Graeme from the continuing saga of crooked tailpieces. LOL!!!

I thought it landed well since there are no screws in it yet!haha

This should be along Bradley's humor line I hope.

P
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mele_aloha on October 30, 2007, 10:42:52 AM: I should correct myself. Not the continuing saga of tailpieces, but the continuing saga of complaints of crooked tailpieces. I have never complained about them as I know that it takes what it takes but then again some complaints have been well deserved also so I'll cut the sarcasm.

Thanks Paul
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on October 30, 2007, 07:35:23 PM: Part of the reason for this design is that it won't, hopefully, call attention to the sometime necessary practice of mounting tailpieces where they are *visually* off center.

But I will say that I think it looks pretty cool.

Did anyone notice the ebony shim?
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: artswork99 on October 30, 2007, 07:43:30 PM: I saw the shim under it in the first picture Mica posted. Didn't know it was Ebony, very nice indeed!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mele_aloha on October 30, 2007, 07:49:31 PM: Hello Bradley,

All kidding aside, this is my first serious statement in your thread because I love your sense of humor.

But in all honesty I think the tailpiece is the only and the best one that could fit here. And I agree with you, the lines or curves I should say are such that if when Alembic sets it, if it has to be a little bit off, it will show the least amount if any. But I'm sure that is the least of your worries.

I give it a two thumbs up!

By the way, I didn't notice the ebony. Pretty cool.

Good job, Paul
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mele_aloha on October 30, 2007, 07:50:11 PM: Hello Bradley,

All kidding aside, this is my first serious statement in your thread because I love your sense of humor.

But in all honesty I think the tailpiece is the only and the best one that could fit here. And I agree with you, the lines or curves I should say are such that if when Alembic sets it, if it has to be a little bit off, it will show the least amount if any. But I'm sure that is the least of your worries.

I give it a two thumbs up!

By the way, I didn't notice the ebony. Pretty cool.

Good job, Paul

I forgot to say, Beautiful instrument!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mica on November 30, 2007, 05:48:22 PM: Actual tailpiece with actual goldplating:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/46314.jpg)
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on November 30, 2007, 06:04:08 PM: Oh, man. Ohmanohmanohmanohman.

That is the coolest tailpiece I have ever seen.

Wow.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: flaxattack on November 30, 2007, 11:24:35 PM: looks like a flying wing brad
love it
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on December 04, 2007, 04:26:32 PM: tick tick tick tick...

I feel like I did as a kid... Waiting for Christmas Day.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: flaxattack on December 04, 2007, 06:38:53 PM: naughty boys dont get toys,,,
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on December 04, 2007, 07:39:13 PM: I've been good!

Well mostly. Besides, I already told my kids that I'm the only jolly fat man that brings them presents.

Here's my 7-year-old's refrain: How many days until christmas? How many days until Christmas? How many days until Christmas...

I've been peeking under the Christmas tree, and I know what I'm getting!!!
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: mica on December 11, 2007, 04:40:06 PM: This is where the rubout was when we spoke today:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/46549.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/46550.jpg)
Just a little visual fun for you.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: artswork99 on December 11, 2007, 06:12:21 PM: Wow, wow, wow, etc...
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: lidon2001 on December 11, 2007, 06:28:41 PM: Just a little..., such a tease...

I almost feel guilty having been able to enjoy the top you originally picked in my hands for over two years already! Hope it gets home soon.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: Bradley Young on December 11, 2007, 06:30:35 PM: The elves are sprinting to an early Christmas finish.

Lord willing and the creek don't rise, should be picking up this week. Looking good.

And beating Flax.
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: flaxattack on December 12, 2007, 09:53:35 PM: sweet brad
hope youre picking up yours thurssday since thats when scarlet will be sitting in my hands,,,
it shipped tuesday
:-p
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: 5stringho on December 13, 2007, 04:18:27 AM: Its beginning to look a lot like Chrismas !!

BEEEOOOTIFUL Bassooon, Bradley! Hope ya get to pick her up this week! Don't forget to take the old Brown Paper Bag for treating the hyperventilation!!
Congrats, and enjoy her!! Mike, Tho...
Title: Re: Bradley's Once Signature, now Series II
Post by: lbpesq on December 13, 2007, 12:45:55 PM: Bradley & Flax: Congrats on nice Xmas presents for you both. Of course I had mine WELL in advance of Hannukah! hehehehe

Bill, tgo