Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Showcase => Artists and Their Alembics => Topic started by: mica on October 25, 2004, 04:57:55 PM
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Valentino and I met Stanley backstage shortly before showtime on October 22 at the Masonic Theater in San Francisco. He was more than a little pleased with his new bass:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/13654.jpg)
He said he'll have to get a new wardrobe to match the new bass. Then he sat down and played it - the first thing he said was, "this is my neck." Stanley wasn't able to use the bass at the show - it was an all acoustic performance with Al DiMeola and Jean Luc Ponty The Right of Strings. We enjoyed the show and then brought the bass home. We'll be shipping it tomorrow so he can be enjoying it at home very soon. When Stanley's schedule settles down, he's planning his first visit to the factory. He wants to meet the people that made the basses "that have been such a part of my life."
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/13655.jpg)
This will be the December Featured Custom - you'll have to wait until then for the rest of the pictures and details.
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Beautiful! I am so happy that he was pleased, and can confirm that he has great taste in necks.
That's a great shot, too. The pic of the bass really shows up the figuring.
Congratulations, Alembic!
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Oh my . . . What a gorgeous bass. The top is so rich - I can only imagine that the neck inlay will likely render me unconscious. Sublime!
Tom
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I agree with all the above. What a fantastic bass. Wait until december? Mica, 2004 is only 11 months because we, all club members, decided to take november out this year. So, better hurry up, it's almost december.
Manfred
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I can not think of anyone more deserving of such a magnificent instrument than Stanley. The quilted coco bolo top is drop-dead gorgeous and I have no doubt that the inlay is spectacular. I only hope that I will be lucky enough to see him play this bass live. In the meantime, I look forward to seeing more of this bass as the Featured Custom!
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a magnificent instrument for an extraordinary player. i know we're supposed to wait until december for the details, but i'm very intrigued by the controls. obviously the concentric knobs are custom; in fact, the controls look just like a series-ii but with all three volume controls and the filter-frequency controls doubled. very interesting indeed, especially for those of us who aspire to having some part or variation of an sf-2 in our next alembic!
mica, won't you please tell us something, just a hint, about what's behind those knobs? please throw a little bone to the faithful
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Marc, they look more like five collet-type knobs for the volumes and filters, and pointed knobs on the p/u selector and the CVQs. Some impressive materials there. Okay, I wouldn't mind having one.
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They're just regular knobs, nothing concentric.
As much as it seems a super-custom bass, it's really very standard. The neck is maple/ebony with an extremely narrow profile, the top is an awesome piece of wood, and the neck and headstock inlays are spectacular. Beyond that, it seems to be a 'generic' Series II in an SC shape.
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OH........MY........GOD........WHAT........A........BASS!!!
That's wonderful, just wonderful. That facial expression says more than a thousand words! True happiness, a true work of art. Hats off to all Alembicians who so obviously lovingly worked on this!
Wilfred
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That is indeed a great picture of Stanley's reaction! And the bass is pretty amazing too!
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adriaan, you're right. i'm not sure why, but this morning they looked like concentric knobs, as on hartmut's doubleneck 4 + 6 for example. they are indeed standard collets
i guess i was just projecting an item from my next-bass wish list onto stanley's bass!
thanks!
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adriaan, you're right. i'm not sure why, but this morning they looked like concentric knobs, as on hartmut's doubleneck 4 + 6 for example. they are indeed standard collets
i guess i was just projecting an item from my next-bass wish list onto stanley's bass!
thanks!
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oops! i posted the same message twice, inadvertantly. sorry folks
(Message edited by marcm on October 26, 2004)
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Standard collet type knobs, yeah right. Notice the shiny tops?
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i did notice them. i was referring to the shape as 'standard': standard collets with very nice m.o.p. caps!
another touch of understated elegance for a great master of the bass
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Best. Alembic. Ever.
Considering what SC has done for the brand over the last 30 years, if Alembic was going to give away one bass, this would be it. I can't think of a happier moment. Congratulations to all.
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Absolutely! It was Stanley who first turned my head and stretched my ears with that incredible technique and awe inspiring sound way back in the 70's! I've never been the same since!!
Alembic and Stanley.... I am honored and humbled to be alive during a truly grand era of musical history! Ah, the stories I wil tell my grand children!
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If needed I can provide a save home for this bass for the time that Stan is on the road. And, sure, I will do this at no charge.....
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If needed I can provide a save home for this bass for the time that Stan is on the road. And, sure, I will do this at no charge.....
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Is it a Piccolo?
Anyone knows Stanley's opinion upon various Alembic necks ? : I suppose some of his former basses were Brownbass, whith perhaps Mahogany, Beech lams, Walnut center, and this one seems Mapple, Ebony lams. ( could be brighter sounding ).
Anyone experiment these ?
Questions, questions ? floating into the mind of young concerned people today!!!
(Message edited by nanookanono on October 27, 2004)
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It's not a piccolo. I'd be interested to know Stanley's neck material preferences, too. He has his necks carved narrow (a shade less than 1.5 at the nut), which is surprising, considering his style of play and the size of his hands.
As for Stanley's facial expression: I think that's a standard look people assume when they unwrap their new Alembic for the first time! My wife says it's how I looked when I got mine...
Bill, TBO
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Tonight oct 31st there's a LIVE online chat with stanley on his website,check it out or just join in !
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Hey what about me?,ive been with alembic for 25yrs, what do i get?
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Is this a trick question? Some of the best tone to be found anywhere on the planet? The knowledge that you picked the right bass 25 years ago instead of muddling around with compromises like many of us?
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My first one was ordered in 1983 so I guess I have about 8 years till I get one like that. Now that would be something to look forward to.
Willie
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What a nice gift for 30 years of loyalty to Alembic. He deserves it. I wonder if Mr. Stanley Clarke wouldn't mind giving up one of his other Brown Basses now that he has this amazing legend. Too many of us out there I guess.(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/15434.jpg)
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I wonder if Stanley will use his 30th anniversary bass at the shows in Oakland next week?! Has anyone seen and/or heard him play this one yet?
(Message edited by dgcarbu on January 20, 2005)
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It would be my guess that those shows will be played on upright bass.
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Yeah, probably so, just a bit of wishful thinkin'
Peace,
Darrell
(Message edited by dgcarbu on January 20, 2005)