Alembic Guitars Club
Connecting => Community => Gatherings => Topic started by: chuck on July 21, 2007, 04:52:56 PM
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They were everywhere, About 21 guitars and basses.Alembic owners came out of knowhere with some beautiful and unique instruments. Wait a few days and pictures will be posted.Thanks to all who showed up.Just got back and im tired.Later.
Chuck
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Here's a teaser.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42233.jpg)
(Message edited by Precarius on July 23, 2007)
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I just got in, and I'm tired too!
It's interesting. Although I had never met Alan, Chuck and Mike in person, I felt a kinship with all three of them. All three are great guys and it was very nice to be able to spend time with them. In fact, the day ended to soon; we spent so much time gawking at all the beautiful instruments, we didn't get to do any organized group playing; and I wish we could have spent more time together. I did get to hear Alan play, and he's a great player, as Mica had told me earlier. And I tried out a lot of the basses. I especially enjoyed the tone of Mike's Excel; and I now know why Rami and others love Excels with Ash bodies.
Also joining us was Ryan and his absolutely gorgeous Tribute. And a couple other Alembic owners came by with more beautiful guitars and basses. Another bass I enjoyed playing was Alan's SC; I think he was concerned I might take it home with me. Alan brought a lot of beautiful basses. For me, the most special bass there was Alan's red Essence, just for where it's been; it was nice just being there with that bass. And I finally got to hold a Dragon's Wing; and I played a Spyder! And there was a really nice Distillate, and a really nice Elan, and a really nice Europa; and I'm going to stop here; but no, before I stop I want to say that Kim was an excellent host, and a really nice person, and if your looking for an Alembic dealer in North Carolina, you might want to drop in and see him. He seemed to be having as good a time as we were having just looking at all the instruments. Did I mention the S1 guitars, and the ...
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Hah!!!
See, I told you I got to play a Spyder.
Thanks again guys; it was a great day!
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Thanks to all that came to Shomaker Guitars today. We had a great turn out. WOW! Nice Alembic Guitars and Basses. 21 of them. Count 'em 21. Great people and Great players! Kim Shomaker / Shomaker Guitars
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That Spyder looks AWESOME!!! Sounds like you had a fun gathering. I'm still stoked from the NC (Northern California, not North Carolina!)/San Francisco Bay Area one. No Spyder there though!
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Looks like I missed good time. I was out of town on business last week and didn't get in until late Friday night. Not only was I tired but also felt it best to stay home with the wife before we are both back off to work on Monday.
I second Dave's comments about great people. After having been guests in a couple of your homes or meeting somewhere else you have been some of the nicest folks I've met.
Keith
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Alan sent the following pictures. I've edited some of them to get the size down, and some to adjust light.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42269.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42270.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42271.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42272.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42273.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42274.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42275.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42276.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42277.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42278.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42279.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42280.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42281.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42282.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42283.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42284.jpg)
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That's Mike on the far left, then Chuck, Alan, I can't remember this guy's name but he's a long time Alembic owner since I think '75 and brought several instruments, then Ryan, and then I can't remember this guy's name either and I don't have all the stories straight but his S1 guitar was bought new by his father. Four pictures up, Kim, our host, is behind and to the left of Mike. My apologies; if I don't write stuff down, I don't remember it. Hopefully, someone can fill in the missing names.
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Whose early Small Standard bass was that? It's gorgeous.
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That's John Clontz with the black and white shirt and Christopher Clontz with the 75 S1. Christopher is the son of the late great Alan Clontz
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Here are a few more.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42305.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42306.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42307.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42308.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42309.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42310.jpg)
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les photos sont MAGNIFIQUE!
GREAT PICTURE and GREAT BASS&bass player
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I would love to see more pics of that zebrawood guitar. That thing is downright juicy.
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I too must chime in and say what a great time it was. Everyone I met was just a great person. Special kudos go to Kim Shomaker who graciously allowed us to hold this event at his fine establishment.
I must say Dave is one hell of a player. He certainly played circles around me, that's for sure. In any event, I consider the gathering a complete success if for only one reason - we got pictures of Dave playing a Spyder!
Dave, Mike, John, Chuck, Kim, and everyone ... thanks for making this such a great day for me personally and for all concerned.
Alan
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KFS; the early small standard belongs to John Clontz. I didn't hear the whole story, so hopefully if Kim sees this he can fill in and correct, or maybe one of the other guys heard the whole story, but I'm thinking John said that he built it, or modified it, and had a friend of his put together the electronics. Sorry, there was just so much to take in.
Kim; thanks for filling in the names!
Alan's just being modest and gracious; I heard him do a number of things that put a big smile on my face. And again, I regret that we never got around to some organized playing where everyone could play together, or as Chuck put it, where we could actually play some songs.
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Looks like you guys had a really cool time. Wish I could have been there.
Graeme
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what a showcase!....great time, great people. Look forward to another gathering. Thanks Kim and to all of my new-found Alembic friends!
Ryan
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I'm with KFS - anymore shots of the Small Std. with creme pickups? Any pics of the inlays? Looks to be a medium scale. Yum!
Oops - didn't see the one above - what a bass - please post more if you have them.
(Message edited by lidon2001 on July 23, 2007)
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Yeah- It was a great time. I felt like a fat kid in a candy store (or a fat guy in a room full of Alembics!) Chuck, Alan, Dave, Ryan, Kim, John, and Christopher are all great guys. Especially Dave. He gave me a 10% discount for paying my Advanced Member dues to him in cash!
Seriously, it was a well-spent Saturday. I would drive 100 miles to see 21 Alembics any day.
Mike
(Message edited by Precarius on July 24, 2007)
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I will try to Photoshop a solo picture of the small standard Series 1. It had a lot of electronic modifications including a switch for a Wah-wah bass setting. It also had a nut that was made of quartz!
Mike
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Here's just the small standard.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42386.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/42387.jpg)
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Incredible. Thanks, Mike!
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When and where is the next North Carolina gathering? I would love to be a part of it!
What a beautiful collection of instruments!
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Art.
Anytime any place.
I would suggest that we have one or more drummers and guitar players,also make it an all day affair so every one gets to do their own thing.
And maybe a vocalist or two.
My place is an option however it is a bit of drive for those living out west{40 miles north of Durham}.
Its possiable Kim may wish to host another one but I'll let him chime in with his thoughts on this.
Chuck
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Thanks Chuck, I will certainly stay in tune with the forum so that I don't miss another NC meet!
Art
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I'll be glad to be the host. Anytime
Please look at my website.
shomakerguitars.com
Thank, Kim Shomaker
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Wonder how much the plane ticket is from UK to North Carolina..what a lovely sight.
Some outstanding basses & guitars and of course you have to wear your alembic T as I did when I visited the factory in 2000.
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Where there also tables with first full and than empty bottles to bang on with ???
Great brothers!
PTBO
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Outstanding!! Thanks for posting the photos. It's nice to put faces & Alembics with some of the names here. Wish I could have been there.
Dean
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Paul; no, there were no tables with full and empty bottles. But as Terry pointed out, there were some nice T-shirts!
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Paul.
Would a large parking lot and a pickup tailgate qualify?
Chuck
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Paul.
Would a large parking lot and a pickup tailgate qualify?
Chuck
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Let me know if there is another gathering like this. I wanna come, too! So many Alembics, so little time!
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Count me in for the next NC GTG. :-)
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Chaz,
Does this mean that your Epic has arrived? Please post some pictures when it does.
The next NC gathering will be my first as well!
Art
(Message edited by artswork99 on October 09, 2007)
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Thought I'd bump this thread... looks like it may have been a while since a Gathering took place around here.
I'm in Southwest Virginia, only a couple hours away from Raleigh/Durham. I might could even find an appropriate venue and make such an event happen up this way too.
Inclement weather is almost always in question in the mid-Atlantic from November until March, especially out here in the mountains... but if anybody's up for planning a Spring Fever Alembic Gathering, VA-NC-TN Edition, chime in here; if it takes off, I'll start a new thread.
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Yeah, it's been a while. We should plan something.