Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: wishbass on March 16, 2012, 09:47:22 PM
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Was just watching ELP,and wondered,just how many scorpions ar there? They seem to be the rarest of body styles.I can only think of one member who has a distillate w/a scorpion(my fav version)body.Anyone ,esp those of you who've been around awhile,know of anymore? (besides the one at GC in Hollywood).Just curious.
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+1 on the Distillate you mentioned Karl.
I think Dave owns it - it is a beauty, certainly drool worthy.
Paul TDO
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Yes Paul,that is the one! My current wish list is to build a EMW Spoiler,but of all the old school small bodies,that's my fav.It would be very tempting to switch to that, or something like it.Maybe just a smidge bigger for balance.....
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A Spoiler is not exactly a small body ...
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/126315.jpg)
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Whoops! Good catch Adriaan.Let me clarify,If I were to go with something like Daves Distillate,I would want to make it a little bigger,like a Spoiler.It appears to me that Daves Scorpion is closer in size to a Stanely than a Spoiler. Of course I may be mistaken.=)
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By the way Adriaan,I thought I'd read somewhere that these scorpion Distillates were more common in Europe.Have you noticed this to be true?
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They might be less uncommon here, but that doesn't make them any more common than hen's teeth ... In any case, I've never seen one in the flesh. I'd even guess you stand a better chance finding one in Japan than in Europe.
By the way, there are also 3/4 sized Spoilers out there - serial number with an R referring to the Japanese distributor at the time.
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Looking on the web I did find an 8st zebrawood, a 10st cocobolo, and a Series 1 w/a whammy,but they are all like Greg Lakes Scorpion.I think it would be nice if the Mothership posted some pics of some of the variations,as well as some of the more unusual builds they've done that have never made it to the Forum.Can't ever get enough....
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Rarest of body styles? I suspect the pretzels could give the scorpions a run for their money for that title.
Bill,tgo
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Pretzels? Any pics? I am still very much a newbie (1 year in July since my Elan came into my life),so I'm unfamiliar w/them.
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And I seem to remember Mica or Susuan saying somewhere here that they made 6 peanuts - pretzels & peanuts; it's bar-food time! (Did they ever make a pickled egg?)
Peter
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Compared to a Standard Point, the Spoiler is significantly smaller (and lighter).
I've never seen a Scorpion up-close, except walking past the stage at an ELP show back in the day, so I have no real grasp of how large they are. I would assume very, and heavy. Definitely beautiful though.
John
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Please show us pictures of the Scorpion
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My computer is my phone,so I haven't the ability to post pics from it(at least I haven't figired out how) to the forum. Perhaps Adriaan could.There are at least 2 variations I know of.
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http://www.ipass.net/jthrush/lake.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stickk/3435706004/
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Karl asked me to post a pic for him, a sweet 10-string scorpion!!!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/126624.jpg)
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Thanks Harry! I wonder who owns this.I've not seen it in the showcase.
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Karl:
Here's a link to my pretzel guitar, Old #10 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8379). And here's Johnny Winter's Guitar (http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/41383.html). These are the only two pretzels I am aware of, though I suspect there are more.
Bill, tgo
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Wow.Those are high on the cool factor.I love wood carving,and it's always interesting to see it incorporated into musical instruments.
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Don't forget pretzel 72-14 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8616).
Peter
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Dohhh!!! Of course I should have remembered #10's fraternal twin. (Dope slap)
Bill, tgo
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Dave DeMarco has a really nice one too -
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/126743.jpg)
Featured in this thread -
http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/100679.html?1305582164 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=10020)
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As mentioned above,I'm a big fan of Daves' Distillate.Sure wish he'd post more pics.=) (hint hint Dave!)
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I wasn't sure which Dave you were talking about, I thought it might be Dave Houck since he has many more posts than Dave De Marco.
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That's fine.I'm glad you posted the pic.
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This pic was the first Scorpion I had ever seen. If I ever get a custom made, this is the body I want!
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(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/126756.jpg)
This is the one that I played at Guitar Center in Hollywood in 5/09
(the number seems to a GC stock number)
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That's an interesting wood pattern in the neckthrough part of the body!
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Rusty, yes , It is an interesting Bass. It is medium scale as I remember. When you look at it very closely it has some finish crackling but otherwise seems to be in decent shape. Who knows, ____it might still be hanging there @ the Holly Guitar Center.
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We are coming to Hollywood to visit our son Easter weekend & I was hoping to go by GC while we're there so I'll see if it's still there. I'll post some pictures if it is. Thanks for the info Wolf!
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My doubleneck has the pistol-grip - isn't that half of a scorpion?
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/126762.jpg)
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That's the pic I'm using as a background for my laptop!
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Looks like you caught your knee on the jaggedy horn of your bass harry. I can come round with some sandpaper if you want it smoothed off :-)
Graeme
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Good one Graeme!
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I believe that is Nick playing Harry's bass.
Dave DeMarco! He's the one I can never remember with the bass that I can never forget.
Thanks for digging that up Rusty!
That is one sweeeeeet Distillate!
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I just realized that pic was taken in my home studio!
So Rusty, will your California trip include a venture north? If you're going to be this close, you really should check out the mothership if you can swing it.
Bill, tgo
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Paul, Dave plays with one of my favorite bands, Crack The Sky, as well as several other bands. You can check him out at http://www.davedemarco.com/ (http://www.davedemarco.com/)
Bill, unfortunately we are only going to be in Hollywood for the weekend, so we won't have time to head to Santa Rosa. I toured the Mothership last June when we moved my son out there. It was an experience of a lifetime! I do plan to go back someday when I have more time!
Rusty
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Yeah, that's me with the torn pants leg. I was going for that 80's look. :-) Really, my dog and I were scrapping earlier in the day and he took me out. (http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/126858.jpg)
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Nice piece of buckeye...
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/126861.jpg)
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Boy! Wouldn't that look great on a Scorpion?I've not really been drawn to buckeye,but I can see the possibilities w/the right shape....
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Oh, sorry, that was your dog. Never mind.
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Another couple of pics from Karl:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/126875.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/126876.jpg)
The second one looks like a graphite neck maybe?
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Indeed, Greg Lake's Pirate 8-string is graphite. If you have Bass Culture, the Entwistle collection book, you'll see that John owned this bass as well. In that book there is also another graphite Scorpion bass with a Bigsby vibrato! And the two basses in the previous post are different basses as well!
I always called these gunslingers. I believe they referred to this form at Alembic as the pistol grip.
Mica hasn't mentioned it yet, but way back in the 80's she visited me at my office with Greg Lake's guitar, which was the sibling of the bass in the first picture. If I remember correctly, it was also pistol grips and had amazing mythical beast inlays (I particularly remember a manticore on there, which was the symbol of ELP's record label). I'm a huge Greg Lake fan, so I should have bought this, but it had a signficant pricetag (just imagine what those inlays would cost today) and I wimped out.
David Fung
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If you google images Alembic Scorpion,that bass w/the Bigsby shows up as well as the other 2.I'd post a pic but I'm unable from my phone. Very cool stuff about Greg Lake.Thanks for sharing David.(would love to see that guitar!)
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I wonder when the earliest pistol grip was? Mine (the doubleneck) is from '75...
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Santana's 73'-028 has pistol grip.
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Santana's 73'-028 has pistol grip.
Thanks Eiji san! That would be this thread (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8400) in which I was an active participant! I forgot that my question had already been answered. Maybe this guitar (Santana's) could be viewed as the earliest embryonic form of the Scorpion?
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Hi folks,
I just saw this thread and will post some pix of my beloved Distillate/Scorpion when I get home. Coincidentally, I'm in the Napa Valley at this moment on a spur of the moment trip and I thought I'd take a chance and call Alembic to see if I could pop by for a quick visit. Wouldn't you know it - they close at 4pm and I called at exactly 4:01 so I missed them.
It's just as well - I probably would have made an equally spur of the moment purchase.
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Hi David,can't wait! Your Scorpion is legendary, and there are far too few pictures of it! Would love to see it from all angles.......
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Awww shucks! I'm still here! but Napa is a good hour away. I will probably be here in the morning tomorrow, so email me if you will be in THIS valley then. I promise to only tempt you a little
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Oh yeah, and there are tons of variations on Scorpion bodies.
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Karl, I went by Guitar Center in Hollywood yesterday & the Scorpion is gone! :-(
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Dave, I too look forward to seeing more pictures of your amazing Distillate! Yours is the first Scorpion I ever saw!
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Rusty , When I checked out the Scorpion in Hollywood they were asking over $6K or so ( if I remember correctly ).
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Wolf, I gues someone came up with the $6K, it wasn't there anymore.
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Rusty , Yes .It was hanging out for a long time there ,it seemed to be a note worthy piece . I could feel it calling; grab me please, like a piece of candy and I did long enough until my Wife stood there glaring at me with her eyes saying ,___ OH NO !!!!! (LOL!!!!!!)
There was also a 20TH Anniversary there at the time , I also played that one and said , I like them both she said ,OH look at the time, that Restaurant you wanted to go to is across town, we , only have 20 minutes till our reservation _______
Rusty , I hope you have a great time , be safe .
Wolf
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Wolf I'm glad you at least got to play the Scorpion! I have never seen one in person & was hoping to at Guitar Center. I can relate to your story with your wife, while we were in Hollywood visiting our son this weekend, we stopped by Alembic Club member James Young's house & he let me play his bass through his F-1X & SF-2 & I was blown away! I had already been lusting after that setup, but had never had the opportunity to experiment with that rig. James gave me the full tour of the AMAZING capabilities of the SF-2, & now I MUST have one!! I told him my wife (who was sitting in the other room) was going to hate him now!! LOL! On a side note, I must say that there is something about Alembic that attracts the best of humanity. I have had the privilege of meeting 2 Club members, first you Wolf, then James, & both of you have been incredibly generous inviting me into your homes & allowing me to play your wonderful instruments! Alembic owners are the cream of the crop & I'm honored to be a part of the family!
Rusty
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Rusty , thank you so very much for your awesome sincerity . It was fun when you and your Wife showed up for the visit. I could sense that you were both great people.
Wolf
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Thanks Wolf! The feeling is mutual!
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Ok - I uploaded some pix of the Scorpion-bodied Distillate into an album on my public Facebook page. I hope you can see them w/o logging into FB. If not, let me know and I'll try something else. I didn't want to hog the thread by posting them all here.
Btw, there may be a few infidel basses in the album so don't hate!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150915389013508.515509.55619428507&type=3 (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150915389013508.515509.55619428507&type=3)
(http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/128339.jpg)
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Great shots Dave! Thanks for sharing!
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Very cool Dave.That's a beauty!
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Here's a cool one,
(http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/129386.jpg)
... and it's up for auction ! ebay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/1993-Alembic-Custom-5-String-Bass-Scorpion-w-Heart-Omega-Anniversary-Electronics-/261008877164?pt=Guitar&hash=item3cc557666c#ht_6893wt_1112 target=_blank)
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If not for the preservation of my marriage.....I'D BE ALL OVER
THIS!
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Someone must have really liked the omega,
considering how it brought the tailpiece right to the bridge assembly.
It might have a touch more punch with the increase in pressure at the saddles, ...just a guess.
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That one is super cool, Elwood.
Seeing how the strap button isn't on the upper horn, paired with what looks like the longer scale, I wonder if that one required a neck-dive disclaimer.
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Regarding the ebay Scorpion shown four posts above:
Anyone know what the electronics package and control layout is comprised of? The pickups seem somewhat thin in the top-to-bottom axis, for lack of a better term...
Could be interested.
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That's so tempting....
graeme
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Those are MXY pickups with the anniversary electronics package. Same size coils as the AXY, except the mold is thinner...
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Thanks for the info. I'm watching this one.
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Did I mention that the 8 string Scorpion with the skull and crossbones (eyes are red LEDs) used to be for sale at a well known bass shop in Romford Essex (UK).
I had the privelage of being allowed to play it---or at least try.
It's huge, and weighed a ton, but it was Greg's, so---
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LOL!!!
Just LOVE that dog!!!!
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Bet it sounded glorious(the 8).
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The seller's claim that we won't make a bass with a Scorpion body is incorrect, but it does look that that is a super-small Scorpion variation, and that we might decline to make a long-scale 5-string with that shape for balance reasons. Can't really tell, but that could be long or medium scale, and either one is obviously not going to balance like a Rogue!
There is no scale length mentioned in the listing, and there is no way the gig bag came from us in 1993.
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That's good to hear Mica because my next bass will be a Scorpion!
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Rusty. what electronics package do you think you might want in your Scorpion ? Series I/II perhaps ? . Scale length ? I was just wondering because I have often pondered upon potential customs as well. It is really fun to ponder upon all of the many variables possible. I have thought of some wild ideas as well.
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The seller has brought to my attention that the scale length is in the listing, it's 34 long scale. I did read that listing early today while drinking my first cup of coffee, so I guess I just missed it.
Anyway, If you like that Scorpion body, it's available as a 4-string short or medium scale. For long scale or 5 strings, I'd recommend one like Nate's (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2968515332294&set=a.2968506372070.2118237.1244010328&type=3&l=528a10268d&theater) with that slightly longer upper horn.
The bass on ebay now was originally made for a dear friend of our family and company, and there was much thought put into the specifications for that particular person. It's a lovely bass!
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Mica, I posted another shot of it here at the thread for the Gathering (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=9797), in case people can't access the facebook pics. I like the one on eBay now, but Nate's really struck me!
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Thanks, Harry!
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Wow.Mica, I have been lusting over that paticular scorpion shape for years.It's my win the lottory,and buy twobass.I had always wondered about the longer upper horn,and lo and behold,its been done! It would be great to see more pics of this or others like it.Nate, if your out there......MORE PICS PLEASE!
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Wolf, I don't have any experience with Series II electronics, but I would definitely check them out before building my custom. I love the Signature electronics in my SCSD, & I just ordered a SF-2, so I'm sure I can get amazing sound from which ever electronics package I would go with. I had a Series I 30 years ago, but was too young to really understand or appreciate what they could do. So I would definitely do lots of research before I committed to the build. As for scale, I love the short scale on my SCSD, but I think I would go with a 32 just to have something in between. I had a 34 on my Series I & it felt too long for me. I like the symmetrical horns over the longer upper horn. Of course, I will have to win the lottery or sell one of my Harleys to pursue this dream!
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Rusty, I think that you might like a 32 scale . I find it to be a fun scale length to play with the Alembic line of instruments given the wide range frequency response of the electronics and pickups. I think that your SF-2 will bring you hours of amazing experiments upon its arrival into your hands as well. You never know when you might run into an Alembic Bass that needs a new home ; all of a sudden one day that Scorpion that you would like to have might show up in your neck of the woods without any major sacrifice or financial long shot like the lottery. It might just fall into your hands sooner then later. I have been amazed how that works! When that does happen , its a sign that is good for sure . It is the Power Of Manifestation
Wolf
(Message edited by sonicus on April 24, 2012)
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Wolf, I agree, I played a 32 scale & it felt great! The best of both worlds! It would be awesome if I cam across a good deal on a Scorpion, & that is not beyond reason. If you would have asked me 2 years ago if I would have a brand new SCSD shipped to me directly from the factory built to my exact specs & only had to wait a week to get it, not 6 months or more, I would have said dream on! But that is exactly what happened, things fell into place in my life that alowed me to pursue my dream of owning another Alembic, & it took less than a month for me to research, shop around & find the exact bass I wanted, then I had it in my hands in a week! I got the tracking number for the SF-2 from Will Gunn today, I should have the unit on Monday! I look forward to hours of mind blowing tone experiments!
Rusty
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Just had to look again at Nate's Scorpion!
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Hello, Here are some more pics of my Walnut Scorpion...
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/129994.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/129995.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/129996.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/129997.jpg)
It has Anniversary electronics and amber side LEDs. Thanks, -nate (Message edited by cntrabssn on April 29, 2012)
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I also have a cocobolo SII Scorpion...
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/130011.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/130012.jpg)
-nate
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Nate, I'm trying really hard not to develop a case of Scorpion envy, but you're not making it very easy!!
(Message edited by rustyg61 on April 29, 2012)
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HOLY CRAP!! That is some serious walnut, Nate!
Peter
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Oh man.....must remain calm! Stunning! Absolutely STUNNING! Nate,I am so glad you posted these.I knew there had to be something like your beauties out there.David mow has company!
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Someone got a real bargain on that ebay listing. Was it Will?
Graeme
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Does this Scorpion count?
http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/msg/2987164124.html (http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/msg/2987164124.html)
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Wasn't me, Graeme...my time is coming, though! Any future Alembic custom for me will definitely be Scorpion-shaped---I am truly digging the Scorpion love on this thread.
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I'm with you on that Will! You & I could have 2 sets of matching basses!
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Here is another interesting looking twist on the scorpion theme.
http://www.left-handedguitars.com/5966/alembic-custom-series-ii-left-handed-bass-guitar-2/ (http://www.left-handedguitars.com/5966/alembic-custom-series-ii-left-handed-bass-guitar-2/)
(http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/130188.jpg)
There are some great photo's on this link and a good write up about the bass.
jazzyvee
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Beautiful,what a wonderful neck sand body recipe as well!
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Here is the build record on that bass- Paul was a regular here for awhile.
http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/46934.html?1198207656 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=7282)
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Sorry for the late post, but I was looking at Val's Bird of Prey Custom from 2006 and was wondering if the 5 Point Balanced K custom he had was considered a Scorpion? I was also curious that if that design is a Scorpion has anyone ever considered having the upper and lower horns be identical. For some reason I can't get that image of a mirrored Scorpion design out of my head.
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Chuck, if you will start at the top of this post & scroll down, you will see several pictures of mirrored Scorpions. That is the design I want too! Just like Dave DeMarco's!
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(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/133578.jpg)
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Yea Rusty I saw those but I have never seen a mirrored scorpion on the body design that Val had made. Not sure if it's playble but it sure would look interesting. Here's Val's
http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_bop.html (http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_bop.html)
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My bad! I had not seen a picture of Val's before. Now I see what you are talking about! That is one gorgeous bass!
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Here you go Chuck!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/133803.jpg)
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Rusty, you Photoshop wizard, thanks. From the looks of it this could be a whole new line of body styles, The Stag Beetle series. It sure has an extreme look to it?
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It DOES look like a beetle! You might be onto something! This was a quickie Photoshop I did at 3am today before coming to work.
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Now that is a look. Would definitely make a statement.
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Rusty , Fantastic ______Photoshop work!
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Thanks Wolf! This may never replace the Hofner as The Beatle Bass but it would be an interesting addition to the name!