Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on June 08, 2005, 07:23:36 PM

Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: mica on June 08, 2005, 07:23:36 PM: Here's the wood you picked out when you and your family visited a couple of weeks ago:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/19088.jpg)
We were going to make him a Spalted Maple Excel last year, but opted for Walnut since we didn't have anything stunning in the Spalted department. We chanced upon these pieces with great flame figure, great color, great spalting, and not totally punked out.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/19089.jpg)
Back is pretty, like the front. They look so cool on my pinball machine!
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: kenbass4 on June 08, 2005, 07:35:37 PM: Thanks for posting these, Mica!!

Hmmm...maybe you could line the sides of the Space Invaders with the leftovers...

Ken (TEO)

(Okay, this make the third Elvish Ring...errr...Bass...has to be the last, right?)
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: kenbass4 on August 12, 2005, 03:34:11 PM: Any word on this one yet??...
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: mica on August 19, 2005, 03:14:12 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/20486.jpg)
Top and plates awaiting assembly. For spalted woods, we use a wood stabilizer, that's why it looks like there's already finish on it.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/20487.jpg)
One half of the back with a temporary filler piece to hold the shape until the whole thing is glued together.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/20488.jpg)
Same story on the other side.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/20489.jpg)
Even without finish, I manage to take only blurry peghead front pictures.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/20490.jpg)
Looks nice too.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/20491.jpg)
Here's what the neck looks like for the bookmatch to center recess and truss rod access cavity.
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: kenbass4 on August 19, 2005, 03:26:59 PM: GASP!!!COUGH!!!!

OK, it was definetly worth the wait...

THANK YOU!!!

P.S. Sorry, Paul TBO...it's a cone peghead
:-)
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: palembic on August 21, 2005, 11:37:52 AM: ***yeaks***
Anyway ...this spalted instrument has the true elfish look
Bwearnegh hurlas lorghai thon
(mmmm ...that will do)

Paul TOBO
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: mica on August 30, 2005, 03:12:10 PM: Some more progress, this time from carving:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/20665.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/20666.jpg)
It's looking like a real bass now!
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: tbrannon on August 30, 2005, 03:32:28 PM: *gasp*
I think I am in love.....beautiful, simply beautiful.
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: kenbass4 on August 30, 2005, 06:45:08 PM: Thanks, Tobin...That's exactly what I thought when I saw the wood.
:-)

Ken (TEO)
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: bigbadbill on September 01, 2005, 02:22:06 PM: Ken, that looks FANTASTIC.....the wood is spectacular. And a series bass too? Wow, I'm jealous! Enjoy!!!!
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: jacko on September 02, 2005, 02:06:15 AM: Wow, can't wait to see this one finished. The ebony neck laminates really set off the spalted maple - in all, the 'colour scheme' looks to as near perfect as possible.

Graeme
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: kenbass4 on September 02, 2005, 07:31:28 AM: Thanks Shaun and Graeme!

With the black spalting, it was really a no-brainer to go with the ebony neck laminates(not to mention the other benefits). I really can't wait to see the front now, because as cool as the back looks, the front is so much more figured.

Ken (TEO)
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: mica on October 04, 2005, 02:03:43 PM: Here's the front, ready for preset:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/21279.jpg)

The flame figure is just awesome, and of course, looks much better in person!
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: kenbass4 on October 04, 2005, 02:26:17 PM: WOW!!!

And here I was just thinking, I really shouldn't ask Mica for an update yet, she's too busy and here's an update!!

Did I say WOW!! yet?

Ken (TEO)
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: jacko on October 06, 2005, 12:55:49 AM: Now that really does look special Ken. The figuring is fantastic.
WOW! indeed.

Graeme - the 'jealous a hell' one ;-)

BTW, what electronics are you having?
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: kenbass4 on October 06, 2005, 07:34:50 AM: Graeme,

It's a Series II with a Rogue body shape. (My Favorite of the Alembic Line)There's some other custom features that shall reveal themselves over time. :-)

Ken (TEO)
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: jacko on October 06, 2005, 07:48:23 AM: I'm with you on the Rogue being one of the 'best' body shapes (out of a range that are all pretty good).However, I'm pretty sure, once I can afford it, I'll be going for a Balance 'K' series II for my next bass.

Graeme
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: bigbadbill on October 09, 2005, 11:40:34 AM: Ken, that's dazzling! looking forward to seeing updates!
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: tbrannon on October 09, 2005, 11:58:48 AM: Ken,
I said it before and I'll say it again...

I love this bass. Absolutely stunning. If I had the bucks to build one, I'd just tell 'em, Make it like Ken's!

-Toby
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: mica on December 07, 2005, 10:01:48 PM: After the preset (note the mounting holes for the tailpiece), prepped and ready for another coat of spray last Friday:

Sorry I didn't get the 12th fret inlays before the board was taped, but you can just barely see them through the masking tape. You've got a pretty good idea of what they look like though!

And here's the peghead today, ready to get the logo inlaid:
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: kenbass4 on December 08, 2005, 08:18:37 AM: As always, each picture makes waiting for this more and more difficult. And I knew what I was getting into when I placed the order! So close, and yet so far...

Even prepped for spray, that figuring just jumps out. This is just too cool!

Ken
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: kenbass4 on December 16, 2005, 05:58:23 PM: Well after viewing all the pictures that are visible in this thread (and those that PG&E apparently took away in the power outage), I've decided on the name of this exquisit instrument. Since the spalting reminds me so much of tongues of black flame on the board, and the flame figuring on the maple, I will call this bass Gwathnar or Shadow-Flame in Elvish.

Ken (TEO)
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: palembic on December 17, 2005, 03:15:44 AM: Ok ...hoiw are the names of your basses in a rox??
Maybe we an invent some kind of story where the three of them are involved: The fellowship of the Lwer frequency Kind ...or The Return of the Bass ...My quest to Big Bom and Beyond ...My steps on Low End Road
inspiring instruments anyway!
I hope for your playing too!
HA

Paul TBO
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: kenbass4 on December 17, 2005, 02:28:51 PM: Hey Paul, good to hear from you!

How about this:
Three Longscales for the Elven One under the sky
Seven shortscales for DeLecarda in New Orleans
Nine Spoilers for mortal men, doomed to perpetually upgrade.
One Bonnie for The Bad One on his Belgian Throne.
In the Land of Alembic, where the basses lie...
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: dannobasso on December 17, 2005, 04:12:40 PM: Outstanding instrument. Enjoy it with all your heart, soul and fingers.
Danno
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: palembic on December 17, 2005, 04:48:00 PM: Right on the nose!
Love you Ken!
May Gwathnar be with you!
Ooops ...wrong movie!

PTBO
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: mica on January 03, 2006, 11:30:34 AM: Still working on finding out why the index to the pictures from the begining of December broke, but here's the missing pictures:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/23822.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/23823.jpg)
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: mica on January 03, 2006, 12:53:47 PM: And a new one from today:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/23832.jpg)

James is just stuffing all the electronics in place. I don't think the upgrade schedule for your bass is until the end of next week, but it will be ready if Ron gets a chance earlier.
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: palembic on January 03, 2006, 01:08:55 PM: Brother Ken,

here the choice for bookmatch to center was really a MUST to do!
Nice bass!
Really!
Oh weel ...ok ...you know my tache de beaut? eternal discussion point but ...oh what the heck!

Paul the bad one
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: mica on January 04, 2006, 05:53:12 PM: Today, a shot with the humx in place and ready for the pickups:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/23886.jpg)
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: kenbass4 on January 04, 2006, 06:28:16 PM: Mica,

Many thanks for the beautiful pictures. As always, customer service that is above and beyond!! I forgot to mention a huge Thank You to James for the wonderful work on the initials and inlaid logo. (For those just tuning in, I was up for a visit on Thursday with my family, just before the electronics were stuffed. I have GOT to remember my camera on these visits!!)

Ken (TEO)
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: 811952 on January 05, 2006, 08:15:27 AM: That's an incredible chunk of wood. The chrome looks good on it as well. It's going to sound as awesome as it looks!
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: jacko on January 05, 2006, 11:39:47 AM: Ken, she's looking better and better every time I look.
and PTBO - the spalted maple really suits the cone peghead in my opinion.
Another Alembic beauty.

Graeme
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: kenbass4 on January 05, 2006, 12:16:29 PM: Thanks, guys!

John - That's actually Nickle Plated hardware, which I have on my Rogue. Makes the hardware easy to maintain.

Graeme - Couldn't agree with you more about the cone peghead...I just think it works so well with the body shape as well. That's why we have custom orders...you get what YOU want!!

Patience...it will get here when it get's here...patience...it will get here...

Ken (TEO)
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: mica on February 08, 2006, 01:24:53 PM: It's fully assembled, and someone needed to test it:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/24948.jpg)

Will let you know when the upgrade is complete.
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: kenbass4 on February 08, 2006, 01:34:13 PM: HEY!!!! NO FAIR!!!!
:-)
Looks great...here I was hoping that would've been me by now, but that's life with a custom.

So Val, how is it, huh??
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: palembic on February 08, 2006, 01:43:57 PM: Ooooooops ....
that seems a frightening small body???
Well ...it's Bonnie's body I am used to ...ehhehehehee.
Now ...seeing the young man's face and the joy he seems to have in letting ring that F ...we may conclude that Gwathnar plays AND sounds like she looks huh??

Paul TBO
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: kenbass4 on February 08, 2006, 06:06:40 PM: Actually, Paul, the Series Rogue shape is a bit LARGER than the standard Rogue, which as you know I already own. It will be just right.

Ken (TEO)
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: crgaston on February 08, 2006, 06:18:30 PM: Ken, (The Excited One?)
That is absoloutely magnificent!
I bet you can barely sleep tonight.
What is that delicious accent wood? It looks a little too brown to be purpleheart in these pics.
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: valvil on February 08, 2006, 06:32:29 PM: It sounds & plays great, Ken...very quiet even before the upgrade...I fear for your other two...they're gonna be jealous

Valentino
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: kenbass4 on February 09, 2006, 08:13:28 AM: Hey Charles, thanks!

I wanted the accent wood to cordinate with the spalted maple and ebony neck lams, so I chose dark walnut as the accent. I think it works really well too.

Ken (The Elvish One)
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: kenbass4 on March 08, 2006, 06:45:34 PM: Well, it's completed and HOME.

Take a look HERE for more info!
http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/25969.html?1141872049 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8276)
Title: Ken's #3 - Spalted Maple Series Bass
Post by: mica on March 14, 2006, 06:32:39 PM: Here's one I took while you were first testing the bass:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/26293.jpg)