Alembic Guitars Club
Connecting => Introductions => Topic started by: cje on May 09, 2009, 08:42:25 PM
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Hello, everyone! My name is CJ. After years of thinking about it, and six months of planning and design, I have finally subjected myself to 'the long wait' - I've placed my order with Susan!
I'm assuming I'll be hanging around here more and more, so I thought I'd start here and say hi. Here's a little background about me...
I live in Rockland County NY, right outside of NYC. I'm just shy of 35 (birthday is later this month), Director of Post Production Technology at Showtime Networks, and am a location recording engineer - predominantly classical and jazz (I'm writing from the catwalk over a theater for a performance I'm recording - it's set break - uh, I mean intermission!). I've also done my share of sound editing and restoration. I'm sure I'll be asking many, many questions regarding all things Alembic - maybe I can return the favor to anyone needing some audio or video production help??
I started playing guitar when I was 12. I had been playing violin since 2nd grade, thanks to a great, progressive music program in my school, where playing an orchestral instrument was mandatory until the 4th grade. I remember exactly when and where I decided I wanted to play guitar. I was sitting on my driveway, thumbing through the Service Merchandise catalog, and came across a little guitar with a built in speaker. I went right to my dad with the catalog in hand, and made my intentions clear. Well, when I showed it to dad, he said something like, If you want to play guitar, let's get you a guitar - you have enough toys. So, off we went to the local music store (Alto Music), and after about an hour of looking around and playing, I walked out with a candy apple red Strat and a small Peavey amp. I was the happiest kid in the world. That's how it all began...
My dad had not a lick of musical talent in him, but thanks to his varied tastes and unmatched knowledge of music, he set me on the right path... The guitar that I've just commissioned from Alembic will be a tribute to him (he passed away in 2003).
I currently sing and play guitar in two groups, one of which borrows quite heavily from the Grateful Dead songbook. I know there are some locals (to me) that occasionally hit these boards, and I'll be on the lookout for a meet up!
Needless to say, 'excited' hardly describes how I've been feeling since I placed my order. I cannot wait... See you in 'Factory to Customer'!!!
CJ
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Hi CJ, welcome to the board and congrats on placing your order!! So, what are they building for you?
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Welcome CJ~
Dave has already asked for build details, but I'll second the request....
Regards,
Toby
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Hi CJ,
Welcome to the forum! Enjoy yourself... I'm sure you will as I've never met a better group of people.
I look forward to hearing about the build in the FTC section.
Thanks for sharing the background... and your expertise here.
Best,
Art
Oh yes, congratulations on your order!
(Message edited by artswork99 on May 09, 2009)
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Welcome CJ, from members in Scotland.
you'll learn loads here, and, hopefully teach us all a thing or two.
Congrats on the Custom order
George
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CJ:
A big hearty welcome to the forum. Always nice to have another six stringer around these parts. This place really is rampant with bass players, but, admittedly, they are as fine a group of bass players as I've ever hung out with! lol. So, another east coaster? I grew up in Yonkers, not far from you, though I got smart and moved to the west coast in '73. (The Dead played out here more often than in N.Y.). So tell us about your custom order: body shape? electronics? wood choice? Ain't making an Alembic fun?
Bill, the guitar one
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Hey Bill (and all)... I know Yonkers well. I was born in Bronxville, and lived my first two years in Yonkers! My mother taught in Yonkers for all of her teaching career. For al I know, she might have taught you!
Wow - warm welcomes form around the world!
So, here's what I've decided on...
Further guitar:
coco bolo top, bookmatched to center
maple/ph/maple/ph accents
flamed maple core
coco bolo back
continuous wood truss rod cover and back plates
neck laminates: flamed maple, purpleheart, maple pinstripe, ebony, maple pinstripe, purpleheart, flamed maple
brass hardware and knobs
standard Further electronics
Roland GK-3A MIDI pickup
No LEDs
Some custom inlay work, to be divulged at a later date!
There were going to be maple stringers along the front, but Susan and I decided against it - what do you all think?
This week, I'm supposed to be picking out woods with Susan. I feel like that might be one of the more agonizing parts of the process. Can't wait to see construction pictures, though!
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Hello CJ,
Welcome from the Windy City and congratulations on your order. I assume you've seen the announcements of the new Stage models of Further and Tribute guitars. Cultivate your patience quota (kinda like burning a DVD at 2X)
Isn't it a lovely ride
Mike
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CJ:
I do suspect there is a connection there. I went through the public school system in Yonkers K-10. My ex-sister-in-law (still very close) has been heading up the counseling department in Yonkers schools for many years. And my mom lives in Bronxville! You've made a great choice in picking a Further, IMHO. Of course, I'm biased - here's mine (http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_woody.html). One thing, though. You might want to reconsider on the side LEDs. When I was specing mine, I initially thought they were kind of gimmicky and wasn't going to get them. After asking for opinions on this site, I was overwhelmed with pro-LED sentiments. After having them for a while, I strongly recommend them. The side LEDs are actually VERY useful if you ever find yourself playing in a limited light situation. Also, even in brighter light, they tremendously help my peripheral vision - to the point where I can play without my glasses and still see where I am on the neck out of the corner of my eye. Not possible without the LEDs. Either way, enjoy the ride!
Bill, tgo
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Hey Bill - I'll have to investigate a possible Yonkers connection with my mom...
As for the LEDs, I was going back and forth, but I did go up to G Guitars to try a further (and an Alembic bass). They both had LEDs, and to be honest, I wasn't thrilled. To me, they just seemed out of place with what I was going for. We do often play VERY dark rooms/bars, and I haven't had a problem yet - but who knows. They are definitely interesting, but I don't think they're for me.
A lot of people must get them, because when I first spec'd out my guitar, I didn't have LEDs on them. Susan caught that, and thought I might have made a mistake!
...SO you're Woody's owner! I love that guitar. I often go over that featured custom and swoon...
CJ
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CJ; love the specs on your guitar!! I think Furthers are very cool, and the Coco Bolo and Flame Maple will look great!
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Welcome to the group CJ. Sounds like an awesome guitar you're having made. Can't wait to see the build in progress.
OO
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Welcome CJ! I'm a noob myself. I am totally unfamiliar with Alembic guitars and have never actually met anyone that played one. Maybe I'm too sheltered. But it sounds like you're getting a beauty (how could it be otherwise). Congrats.
I will say that LED's may not be as much of an issue for guitar players, but I've often wished I had them on all my basses. They're bright enough to be seen in the sunshine and in some of those murky clubs it's a must. Then again, my eyes ain't what they used to be either. I'm sure your guitar will do the trick for you regardless. Enjoy the thrill of the build too!
Will
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CJ; welcome aboard! Maybe they could do cubic zirconia side dots as a compromise; I've put them on a few of my guitars and they're great in low light; the tiny dots on my Distillate are not nearly as visible in low light; oh well...enjoy the new instrument!!! Tony
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Hey Tony - I've decided that the side dots will be brass, to match the hardware.
The way I see it, I usually play with my eyes closed or I'm looking straight ahead anyway, so I can just go for the look I want!
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Fair enough; I'm new to bass so I'm not as used to the reach, I have to look sometimes...thankfully both my basses are 32 scale...I had a 34(1981 bc rich eagle-nice bass, but no Alembic) and switching up basses was way hard...Tony
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Well, of course I look! But I guess I've gotten this far without them, so the less batteries I have to change, the better!
I think I start picking out wood next week... [EXCITED]!!
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Very nice tribute to your father.