Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Introductions => Topic started by: rickkessler on January 04, 2006, 08:39:48 PM

Title: Newcomer Anxious for News About His Custom Alembic
Post by: rickkessler on January 04, 2006, 08:39:48 PM

Hi everyone. I'm a newcomer to Alembic-land, though I've wanted one since at least my first viewing of The Kids Are Alright --when it first came out in the theater, that is.  Well, thanks to my wonderful wife, I'm finally getting one as a 40th birthday present.  It's a custom Dragonwing that I ordered through the great folks at Bass Central (particularly Beaver Felton) and after a number of discussions with Valentino, who's also been very helpful and enthusiastic.
 
I understand my Dragonwing is getting pretty far along in the process and was wondering if Mica or one of the other folks at Alembic could post some pictures and otherwise provide an update.
 
Thanks much and pardon my excitement and inexperience.
 
Best wishes for the New Year --Rick

Title: Newcomer Anxious for News About His Custom Alembic
Post by: bob on January 04, 2006, 09:44:00 PM

No need to pardon your inexperience (we all go through that phase), and certainly not your excitement (that seems to happen over and over again). Welcome, and congratulations!
 
Now just try to work on the patience thing... and in the meantime, go thank your spouse, again (and again).
-Bob

Title: Newcomer Anxious for News About His Custom Alembic
Post by: tom_z on January 04, 2006, 10:31:22 PM

Welcome Rick and congratulations on your Alembic-in-progress. What a wonderful birthday present - you are fortunate to be married to such a considerate woman. I am very lucky as well. My wife admires the instruments Alembic creates and we have been involved together with Susan in configuring a custom Further. I too am looking forward to a progress update.
 
Tom =)

Title: Newcomer Anxious for News About His Custom Alembic
Post by: jalevinemd on January 05, 2006, 05:45:44 AM

Rick,
 
Ditto on the congrats. This has been discussed before, but as I'm sure you've already found - given their price tags - it's nice to have your wife behind you when it comes to buying/customizing an Alembic. Hard to enjoy a new guitar or bass if you're getting shot evil glances every time you pick it up.
 
Happy Birthday.
 
Jonathan

Title: Newcomer Anxious for News About His Custom Alembic
Post by: palembic on January 05, 2006, 05:54:05 AM

Oh ...you can get them with non Alembics too you know ...even with Yasufengibsocki's of 100 bucks a pair!!!
Believe me ...I can tell!
 
Paul the bad one

Title: Newcomer Anxious for News About His Custom Alembic
Post by: jalevinemd on January 05, 2006, 06:08:49 AM

Paul,
 
What are Yasufengisocki's?

Title: Newcomer Anxious for News About His Custom Alembic
Post by: palembic on January 05, 2006, 06:18:47 AM

Hehehehehe ...my private word for all those basses  in ALL ASPECTS most OPPOSITE from Alembics

Title: Newcomer Anxious for News About His Custom Alembic
Post by: David Houck on January 05, 2006, 07:28:52 AM

Welcome and congrats!

Title: Newcomer Anxious for News About His Custom Alembic
Post by: bassfingers on January 05, 2006, 08:14:45 AM

Welcome to you Rick,
Congratulations on your forthcoming bass and big time respect to your good lady.What an incredible birthday present!.
Best Wishes,
Simon.

Title: Newcomer Anxious for News About His Custom Alembic
Post by: j_gary on January 05, 2006, 03:59:07 PM

A Dragonwing! Your first Alembic???!!!  
 
Rick, apparently you did not read the Alembic rulebook. This is a clear violation. I'm afraid I'm going to have to confiscate the bass as soon as she is done. If your wife has a sister, it would be best if she delivered the bass to me personally.
 
Great chioce Rick, welcome and congrats! Pictures!!!

Title: Newcomer Anxious for News About His Custom Alembic
Post by: richbass939 on January 05, 2006, 04:16:10 PM

Rick, welcome to the club and congrats on the Dragonwing.  
Let's see, Congressional Chief of Staff in a band called Coverup.  Hmmmm.  Well, we know already that you have a sense of humor.
Rich

Title: Newcomer Anxious for News About His Custom Alembic
Post by: rickkessler on January 06, 2006, 04:38:39 AM

I'm glad you appreciate the sense of humor with regard to Coverup.  I should note that we're a bipartisan band, which might suggest a name change to conspiracy.
 
Anyway, I hope I get to see some pictures of my bass in progress soon.  Apart from being a longtime fan/lurker/drooling fool over Alembics, I wanted one because they are unique.  I build basses and have 2 I've put together from various parts and one that I've recarved/refinished/rewired, so I was after something I couldn't possibly do myself at any level.

Title: Newcomer Anxious for News About His Custom Alembic
Post by: mikedm on January 06, 2006, 09:14:06 AM

Rick,
 
Welcome and congratulations.
It's my guess that if you haven't expressed it already, you'll need to notify Alembic that you would like a Factory to Customer thread. I don't think it's an automatic courtesy when you order a bass.
Besides, we want to see your bass, too.
 
Mike

Title: Newcomer Anxious for News About His Custom Alembic
Post by: rickkessler on January 06, 2006, 11:13:55 PM

Groovelines,
 
I appreciate the advice, but how does one notify alembic?  Should I post something in the factory to customer category requesting this or should I take another route?

Title: Newcomer Anxious for News About His Custom Alembic
Post by: bracheen on January 07, 2006, 03:30:43 AM

Rick, you could call them or email directly.  Chances are either Valentino or Mica will see this thread and set it up.  
Congratulations, getting any Alembic is great but a custom Dragonwing as your first has to be exciting.
 
Sam

Title: Newcomer Anxious for News About His Custom Alembic
Post by: David Houck on January 07, 2006, 05:54:57 AM

Rick; emailing Mica might be the best way to go for requesting a Factory To Customer thread.

Title: Newcomer Anxious for News About His Custom Alembic
Post by: rickkessler on January 12, 2006, 03:59:16 AM

Thanks for the help on Factory to Customer.
 
Mica started a thread and has posted some pictures.  For those of you who haven't seen it, my dragonwing looks awsome!

Title: Newcomer Anxious for News About His Custom Alembic
Post by: senmen on January 12, 2006, 01:43:36 PM

Rick,
welcome to this forum and congrats. This will be a nice piece you get. BTW I am the one beside your Dragon. The Dragon Wing with the Bird?s Eye maple top and back and the bigger front horn. This bass already got a name on the forum here - Tears for John.
 
Take care
Oliver (Spyderman)

Title: Newcomer Anxious for News About His Custom Alembic
Post by: rickkessler on January 13, 2006, 04:21:08 AM

Oliver,
 
I've been looking at the thread on Tears for John for a while now and it's beautiful.  I was originially thinking of getting a figured purpleheart top and calling mine the purple dragon, but Valentino indicated that tops for a dragonwing in that kind of wood are very very hard to come by, so cocobolo it is.  
 
I'm curious about the horn: is that purely stylistic or is there a functional reason for it?
 
Also, looks like you're getting series 1 or 2 electronics: am I correct?