Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on May 05, 2006, 01:58:33 PM

Title: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: mica on May 05, 2006, 01:58:33 PM

You've got neck!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27848.jpg)
   The front veneer is a cool Burly Maple:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27849.jpg)
   The wings in a position they won't be in for long:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27850.jpg)
   And finally that wicked Mutant maple top with burl clusters, flame up in the horn, and very distinct, squiggly growth rings.  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27851.jpg)
  How do I know that this is the type of top that dela just loves? One hint: it's more than 25 years old. We have a collection of this hard to classify figure, so it just never seems to gets used. In the shop we call it "Mutant Maple" because it can't seem to decide what it wants to be other than cool.

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: mica on June 20, 2006, 05:35:29 PM

In the pipes:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/29198.jpg)
  and the peghead up close after drilling:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/29199.jpg)

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: mica on September 15, 2006, 06:52:12 PM

You haven't seen this with finish yet. Oh my - I think you will be blown away!  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/31467.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/31468.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/31469.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/31470.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/31471.jpg)
  It's hard to believe that nobody has wanted this piece of wood for so long. Chip and I both absolutely love the mixure of figuring on it.

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: tbrannon on September 15, 2006, 06:58:02 PM

Absolutely stunning- I don't care for Maple all that much, but THAT is a beautiful piece of maple.
 
Love the knobby peghead w/ that body style as well.

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: pace on September 16, 2006, 05:36:52 PM

The 2+3 knobby configuration is SWEET!!!!  
 
Great combo of body style, electronics, etc. But that Maple would make any instrument a keeper imho.... Congrats, and enjoy!!!!

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: jacko on September 18, 2006, 04:51:00 AM

Wow! That's a spectacular piece of Maple. Can't wait to see it finished.
 
Graeme

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: alemboid on September 27, 2006, 07:23:14 PM

Oh - my - GOODNESS!!!!
 
This one has done me in!!!  
 
Pictures-- PLEASE!
 
Alemboid

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: mica on February 23, 2007, 01:14:21 PM

It's darned close to being finished. Here's some shots in the setup room today:  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/36648.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/36649.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/36650.jpg)
   This bass has the satin finish all over. Makes for a nostalgic look.

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: guitarbeau on February 23, 2007, 04:06:51 PM

Absolutely Stunning!!!

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: sixway on March 06, 2007, 02:35:30 AM

It's been too long...more pics! Jonesing to see it completed... love that piece of maple...

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: Bradley Young on March 06, 2007, 01:06:52 PM

Knobby peghead.  Just gotta love it.
 
Beautiful bass.
 
Bradley

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: David Houck on March 10, 2007, 02:08:48 PM

Beautiful bass indeed!

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: crgaston on March 12, 2007, 10:34:10 AM

That is amazingly cool.  What is the body wood?  It's fantastic!!

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: flaxattack on March 12, 2007, 12:36:52 PM

its mutant maple
per mica;s post above
say sorry...
go to bed  
no dinner charlie
;-)

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: crgaston on March 12, 2007, 12:55:00 PM

Umm...Flax, isn't it a little early to be partaking of the herbal tea?  8-)
 
The top wood is mutant maple.  The body looks like some sort of figured vermillion to me.

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: dela217 on March 12, 2007, 04:50:27 PM

I would love to see more pics of this one too.  You are right Mica.  I really like that top!
 
Michael

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: valvil on March 12, 2007, 05:54:47 PM

You are right, Charles,  
 
that is a  Vermillion body.
 
Valentino

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: flaxattack on March 12, 2007, 07:24:06 PM

got me charlie

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: mica on April 12, 2007, 12:57:37 PM

Custom hardware finished, electronics loaded, ready to start the calibration process next week:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/38666.jpg)
 
Dad's going to start with the lower-drain chips you specified, and see if the sound isn't compromised. I'll know more toward the middle or end of next week.

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: mele_aloha on April 12, 2007, 06:24:53 PM

Vance,
 
This is such a beauty. I love the look of this bass. Congradulations.
 
And what I really admire about you is that you are not writting in the changes/additions thread every day. You are just letting go and letting them do the job and excepting what is coming along. Much to be admired for!
 
I bet that wood is going to have a nice flavor to it also. WOW. Nice
 
Aloha, Paul

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: olieoliver on April 12, 2007, 06:56:15 PM

I really like the top on your bass Vance, Very nice.
(The one behind it looks familar too.)

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: jtussing on April 12, 2007, 07:54:07 PM

Beautiful piece of maple. I really like the tint on this one - if that's a tint. Makes the figuring jump right off there.
 
- Jim

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: sixway on April 27, 2007, 06:16:07 AM

OK, it's been too long... what does it sound like?!  It's a beautiful bass, and I like the satin finish. It allows the wood to be the Star of this build!
 
Congrats Vance, and let us know how it sounds and feels when you get it in your hands...
 
-Ian

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: s_wood on April 27, 2007, 11:57:39 AM

Killer!  What a beautiful bass!

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: sixway on May 21, 2007, 02:31:46 AM

Hey Mica, any new pics - or electronics info?

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: mauibassplayer on May 21, 2007, 09:53:04 AM

All I can say is WOW!!!  It is amazing!!  Every bass that I see being built is so unique and beautiful, everyone there is a true artist and magician.  I am so happy for you Vance, I understand your on Oahu, so now we got Paul on Big Island, me on Maui, and you and Ian on Oahu.  Any other Islanders out there?
Ken.

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: sixway on May 21, 2007, 10:46:13 PM

Hi Ken,
 
as I posted before, the satin finish really allows the beauty of the wood to be the main focal point. There is also another bass player here on Oahu named Tim that has what appears to be a Signature Deluxe-style bass that he bought back in the 70's. It sure sounds great through my Walter Woods, and El Whappo Jr. cabinet (product plug), even when not plugged into the power supply.
 
As Ken asked, anyone else out there in the woodwork?
 
Ian

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: mele_aloha on May 22, 2007, 06:24:57 PM

Hi Ken and Ian and Vance,
 
Wow from the Big Island also. I absolutely love that finish, let alone the whole machine. It is beautiful.
 
Nice to talk to you guys from the outer Isles. Ian, you mentioned El Whappo Jr., and I know all about them. I just got a complete set of accugrooves. They are sweet. They just added so much more sound to my little ole one pick-up Excel, it's amazing.
 
I'll keep in touch with all of you and hope you get yours soon Vance! Congradulations.
 
Aloha, Paul
 
P.S. If you guys come over to the Big Island I am right here at the Hilo Farmer's Market downtown. We have a little shop here called the Coconut Cave. Can't miss us.

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: sixway on May 23, 2007, 03:50:51 AM

I'll be coming over to the Big Island in a couple of months to see friends in Hilo, and to help a friend build his house about ten miles or so outside of Hilo. I'll make sure I contact you, and stop by when  I'm there...
 
Ken, I have a friend I've been meaning to see In Wailuku - his name is Bob Jones - and he plays guitar around the area. I'll contact you when I find time to get to Maui.
 
Aloha to you both....
 
Ian

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: mica on June 22, 2007, 01:33:15 PM

Done! We'll talk again on Monday to confirm the best day for you to receieve:  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/41376.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/41377.jpg)

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: jtussing on June 23, 2007, 05:39:05 AM

Dream machine!  Congrats!

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: bassjigga on June 23, 2007, 10:49:54 AM

Wow! I love this bass!

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: rraymond on June 23, 2007, 10:58:40 AM

Beautiful bass! Enjoy it!

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: sixway on June 23, 2007, 05:03:37 PM

I'm sure this bass will sound as beautiful as it looks! And, I have the good fortune to live close to Vance, so I'll be able to hear it in person, and get a first hand listen... speaking of hands, I'm a lefty, so I won't have the pleasure of getting to play it! grrrr....

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: David Houck on June 23, 2007, 06:25:59 PM

Wow!

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: rollo on June 24, 2007, 08:33:15 PM

Vance, your bass guitar is absolutely gorgegous!!!
Congratulations...
 
Another islander, a guitar builder living in Kailua,Oahu.
 
Aloha,Rollo

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: smokin_dave on June 24, 2007, 10:46:42 PM

WOW indeed.

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: lbpesq on June 25, 2007, 07:23:05 AM

Vance:
 
Congrats!  This has certainly been a great week in Alembicland with both our instruments (similarly light on front, dark on back) being finished.  You've got one stunning bass there.  I love the satin finish.  So what's the story on the lower-drain chips?
 
Bill, tgo

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: fish on June 25, 2007, 11:44:03 AM

NICE!!

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: mothy4 on June 28, 2007, 05:22:05 PM

Here's the new proud Alembic owner playing his bass fresh out of the shipping box!`  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/41615.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/41616.jpg)
  Vance is presently unable to access the internet from home but he asked me to convey to Mica and all the staff at Alembic his heartfelt thanks for the help and support building his dream bass!  When he's not playing it, he can't help but stare at it!  It's unbelievably beautiful and that Alembic sound makes it so compelling to play.  We have a growing number of Alembic players in Honolulu and we're going to get together for a group photo to be posted on the club website.  I also think there's a couple of our fellow bassists that are now considering Alembics of their own after seeing and hearing Vance's bass.  What a beautiful bass!  (Message edited by davehouck on June 28, 2007)

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: David Houck on June 28, 2007, 05:54:56 PM

Timothy, thanks for the pics!  Looking forward to the group photos.

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: mauibassplayer on June 28, 2007, 11:35:09 PM

I wish I could be a prt of the photo representing Hawaii, let me know.
Ken

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: tbrannon on June 28, 2007, 11:39:23 PM

Vance looks right at home on it- what an absolutely beautiful instrument.
 
ENJOY!

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: mele_aloha on June 29, 2007, 10:21:26 AM

Haaaaaaaawaiian!
 
Your new ax wen broke da eyes bra. I get choke envee, I stay seeek from da kine. My tinking stay all buss up. I like know whe mine stay.
You go bra, you get em.
 
Aloha, P

Title: Re: Vance's Custom 5-string
Post by: mele_aloha on July 27, 2007, 07:05:37 PM

Hey Vance,
 
Sorry about the silly message last time but I just want to know how your bass is? You must be playing alot as we haven't heard from you.  
 
Let us know when you get a chance. Oh ya, I forgot you might not have a computer now but if so let us know.
 
Aloha, Paul