Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Showcase => Signature Basses => Topic started by: Takeo Sonoi (tkotmk42) on October 30, 2002, 04:35:02 PM
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Just received this bass today. I'll let the pictures speak themselves.
(http://club.alembicguitars.com/Images/411/2141.jpg)
(http://club.alembicguitars.com/Images/411/2142.jpg)
(http://club.alembicguitars.com/Images/411/2143.jpg)
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absolutely beautiful!!!
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Yeah... such things make you silent. Jeeez!-Waw
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OK, now that had a night of sleep (barely) I can finally write little more detail about this bass.
It all started when I saw the May special, free option upto 20% of retail price. I tossed around few ideas, but settled on more conservative options.
Bass started out w/
MK Dlx 4str
Medium Scale (plays so nice, wish my last bass was a medium scale)
5A quilted maple front and back (from same slab! how cool !)
Deluxe purpleheart neck laminate (I justlove them 3 stripes)
Continuous wood truss rod and back plates (stunning!)
Bookmatched headstock laminate (my favorite)
Prep for Series II electronics (hollow body)
Satin neck
Bass is EXACTLY what I had hoped to be. I guess this is what's expected from Alembic....
Best playing bass I've ever played. My last bass played excellent, but combination of Cocobolo and long scale neck made it pain to play the top part of the neck. Medium scale took car of that.
Also, it's much lighter than my last bass.
True piece of ART.
Why is machine made PRS Dragon (what a joke) in Smithonian and not Alembics?
American craftmanship at its finest.
I would like to thank everyone at Alembic for creating such a beautiful piece of art.
Takeo
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Hi Takeo,
Congratulations!! Wow, what a superb looking instrument!! (exclamation points all over)
Beautiful quilt and a very nice upgrade. The series II electronics preps are a great idea. I'll keep that one in mind. I am sure you'll be enjoying the medium scale, are you so far?
Have great fun with your very own piece of Art.
Duncan
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I have to echo everyone else's statements. That is absolutely beautiful, to quote Googe
I'd bet it sounds and plays like it looks too!
Congratulations and enjoy!!!!
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Duncan,
I had a month to play this bass and I can honestly say that medium scale is THE way to go. Especially if you're buying standard point/omega body. I am really with it. I didn't adjust my playing style at all, it just made it easier to play. I used to try to spread my fingers with so much effort, now it's a breeze!
I am so greatful that company like Alembic exists. This company represents what this country is capable of doing.
Bob Lutz once said:
It's part of re-educating ourselves as Americans because we have collectively as a country what I call the 'good enough syndrome. There's a view in the States that if we're too perfectionistic we're being anal.
Alembic is a prime example of how being perfectionist is contributing to their success.
I have a lot of respect for Mr. Lutz (having to work in Auto industry, you hear a lot of good stuff about him) and his approach to manufacturing.....
Anyway, you really can't compare mass-produced product with 50,000 components with hand-build low-volume musical instruments, but approach can still be the same....
Just my opinion.....I'm just so happy that Alembic exists and I was privileged enough to purchase their instrument.
Takeo
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WOW Takeo...
She's absolutely gorgeous!!! Enjoy!!!
Mikey/
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I know there are various names to describe quilted maple- sausage, bubble, blistered etc. -
But the 3 dimensional effect is so intense on this wood my mind is calling it mountain range quilt- it looks like what a mountain range looks like when you fly over it at high altitude. the depth of field the quilt has- it jumps off the bass-
You made an excellent choice in wood Takeo-the more I look at this bass the more I am impressed with that quilt.
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Googe you're right. I checked it out again and the more you look at it, the more it looks 3-dimentional. Beautiful. Great piece.
stoney
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Takeo,
That is one sweet piece of art. Get the best out of it. I see you have it prepped for Series II electronics. The best bass I have ever played BAR NONE is my Mark King w/ Series II electronics. Also glad to see you got the wood backplates. When wood is that gorgeous you just have to make the most of it. Have fun!!
Peace,
James
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Thank you all for nice comments. Let's give credit where credit is due and that's to fine people at Alembic.
I just love this headstock....
(http://club.alembicguitars.com/Images/411/2660.jpg)
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Hi Takeo, I totally agree with you on the 32 scale lenth being the way to go. I was a little hesitant about a 32 scale lenth when I purchased my first Alembic but after one week with the 32 I was so impressed with the way it played (especially with my medium sized hands) that I sold all of my 34's and bought another 32 for a backup. I cant believe I have struggled with 34's all these years because of that superior tone Myth associated with the 34's.
Thanks for the post, Clay
Oh Yea, Your bass almost looks too good to be made by mortals.
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le drool !!!!!
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Sonoi-San,
your Bass looks absolutely perfect to me. The quilted maple veneers are of unique beauty. It's exactly what I would order if I would be looking for a new bass. It seems we share the same preference in design. You must be a proud man to own such a fine piece of art. Congratulations for your wise decision.
Werner
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I am so greatful that company like Alembic exists. This company represents what this country is capable of doing.
Bob Lutz once said:
It's part of re-educating ourselves as Americans because we have collectively as a country what I call the 'good enough syndrome. There's a view in the States that if we're too perfectionistic we're being anal.
Alembic is a prime example of how being perfectionist is contributing to their success.
I have a lot of respect for Mr. Lutz (having to work in Auto industry, you hear a lot of good stuff about him) and his approach to manufacturing.....
It's funny that I just now ran into this quote 2 1/2 years after you posted it. I cross paths with Bob Lutz fairly often. Sometimes two or three times a week. The staff area I'm in often winds up doing presentations for him on new product programs.
At one of the meetings I attend, the guy facilitating the meeting puts a list of Top 10 Quotes from the meeting at the bottom of the meeting minutes page. There's always a couple good ones from Bob.
Peace,
James
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Please contact me and list all of the options. I am interested in purchasing this instrument. I am pay pal verified. Regards,