Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Community => Gatherings => Topic started by: hieronymous on April 16, 2011, 08:36:16 PM

Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: hieronymous on April 16, 2011, 08:36:16 PM: Post your pics, videos, memories, etc. of the fourth Northern California Gathering - 4/16/11!

(original thread here (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=9816))
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: sonicus on April 17, 2011, 03:06:51 AM: It was nice to meet everyone who attended that I had only known before as a web entity in person . I had a really nice time; my sincere thanks to all who made it possible.
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: rustyg61 on April 17, 2011, 09:40:40 AM: Please give us details, how many were there, how many basses, pictures??? :-)
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: sonicus on April 17, 2011, 09:52:54 AM: Hi Rusty, I don't have the official count and I took this pic before the the official count,

Wolf(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102176.jpg)
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: oddmetersam on April 17, 2011, 10:11:30 AM: Hey, Folks!
Check out my pics on this public facebook link:

https://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=1659262041780&id=1244010328&aid=2078124&l=af5dba0a97 (https://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=1659262041780&id=1244010328&aid=2078124&l=af5dba0a97)

If I got anything wrong in the captions to my facebook friends (most are non-Alembicians), send me corrections and I'll gladly make changes.

I had a total blast meeting Wolf, Kimberly, Dave and a whole host of folks I didn't know, before. Plus, I got to see the usual suspects again. What a great time!

Thanks to Mica and family as well as our host and all the other great people who helped pull this off. Until next time....

-Sam
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: artswork99 on April 17, 2011, 10:35:05 AM: Great to see some pictures! Thanks!
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: rustyg61 on April 17, 2011, 11:08:08 AM: WOW!!! That is impressive!! Thanks Wolf! I've never seen so much greatness in one room!! Did anyone get a group shot of all the people? Any videos?

Sam, thanks for posting all your pictures on FB. I sent you a friend request so I can share your pictures with my friends.
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: tbrannon on April 17, 2011, 11:21:55 AM: Very cool- thanks for posting those pictures!
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: oddmetersam on April 17, 2011, 11:58:44 AM: One other thing I noticed. I'd be talking to some folks in a different area from the main sound stage room and all of a sudden I'd hear the most unbelievable bass tones and had to hastily see who was doing that on what bass! It was humbling to witness so many fabulous players under one roof.
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: oddmetersam on April 17, 2011, 12:32:19 PM: Forgot to mention the great 6-string guitar slingers who were in attendance, too. Sorry guys!
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: David Houck on April 17, 2011, 12:39:59 PM: I haven't left for home yet, but just wanted to jump in and say that it was an absolutely amazing and wonderful day! The energy was everywhere and in everybody. Words can't express just how good it felt to be with this group of people; and the feeling was constant throughout the day. It just felt so good to be with them all. Thank you to everyone who was there for making it such a wonderful day!

Oh, and there were some pretty guitars and basses too!
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: cozmik_cowboy on April 17, 2011, 05:54:08 PM: Great shot - way cool to see 10 & 14 side-by-side (I'm watching the Showcase, Bill....)

Peter
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: hieronymous on April 17, 2011, 10:12:25 PM: The gathering was a great time - I was exhausted by the end, but I wish that it had kept on going! Got to reconnect with old friends, met some new folks, got to jam 'til my wrists were sore, got to see some amazing basses and guitars, can't wait 'til the next one! I even pulled my bass out again to play - looks like my calluses are building up again, might as well run with it!
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: lbpesq on April 18, 2011, 07:32:53 AM: A splendid time was had by all. Great camaraderie, great instruments, great music. The weather was ideal. Thanks to everyone who helped set this up and/or attended with your wonderful basses and guitars. And a special thanks to Will for letting us use his family ranch. The perfect venue for a gathering. Afterwords, Jonathan Levine and I were treated to a hand's-on tour of Henry Kaiser's guitar collection. WOW!!!!! The whole experience inspired me and I spent the better part of Sunday afternoon cleaning and polishing Old #10. I'll try to add some pics to the Showcase thread when I have the time.

Bill, tgo

P.S.

I believe there were either 41 or 42 Alembic instruments present. Does anyone have the final count?

(Message edited by lbpesq on April 18, 2011)
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: pasewark on April 18, 2011, 09:50:59 AM: I got some decent pics. I should have brought my Flash unit! I'll post everything to my Flickr account and post the link here.
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: jalevinemd on April 18, 2011, 10:14:21 AM: It really was a fantastic time! Bill Panzer was a most gracious host and made the trip doable for me. So many beautiful instruments, great music and down to Earth people. Still can't believe I finally got to meet Moder Dave. Plus, with the help of a music stand and one of Bill's cheat books, I actually was able to join in on several Dead tunes, which was a treat for me.

As Bill mentioned, Henry Kaiser has an unbelievable collection and was generous enough to give us a hands on tour of them. What a nice guy and a helluva guitar player!

Thanks again to Will for providing the means to an end and to Mica and everyone else for organizing everything. Hopefully next year will be as perfect!
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: mica on April 18, 2011, 10:21:30 AM: Just resonating what others have already stated, Canyon IV was an amazing day. To see so many smiling faces (and a number I hadn't seen in years), and to have them outnumbered by the instruments (I believe the final tally was 43 - Nate had one in a case sill), was an absolute honor and joy.

The music was great, the weather was great, the people were great.
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: kimberly on April 18, 2011, 10:39:42 AM: Hi Guys,

Wow!!! What an awesome time! I'm somewhat at a loss for words. ;)

How nice it was to meet the people behind the names we see here on the board! Off the charts energy and vibes! Great music! Incredible instruments! Way cool amps! Great location! Great hospitality! And of course, great people!

Thank you to everyone that made this possible! For the last 4-5 years I've seen the Nor-Cal gathering plans being made and thought about going, let life get in the way and didn't go and then, regretted not going. Not this time and hopefully not the next time! Just too much coolness for words. Highly recommended!

Don and I left just a bit after five to meet for supper with his son in Fremont. Spent about an hour yakking and hit the road for home a little after seven. Drove all night and arrived home safely a little over 15 hours later. I'm assuming we'll recover eventually from having way too much fun!

Thank you again to everyone that made this possible!

Very Best Regards,

Kimberly

PS. Not wanting to start another thread, let me say what a real pleasure it was to finally meet our own David Houck! I truly regret getting caught up in the scheduling of our supper plans with Don's son and leaving without saying good bye. Apologies and big hugs to you and everyone else!

PPS. I had a video camera with me and had intended to buy tapes when we arrived (poor planning on my part and not having them already part of the gear) and couldn't find any, so no videos. I also had a camera with me loaded with fresh batteries before leaving. Unfortunately, the batteries were not so fresh, so no pictures. Two out of two and so I got nothing. Any pictures and/or videos from the Gathering would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: sonicus on April 18, 2011, 10:56:03 AM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102243.jpg)

Here you go !
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: rustyg61 on April 18, 2011, 11:41:17 AM: Great picture Wolf...got any more? :-)
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: pasewark on April 18, 2011, 12:28:57 PM: I posted 40 images to my facebook account in a public folder:
http://on.fb.me/h8GXYM (http://on.fb.me/h8GXYM).

I had an awesome time and it was great to meet everyone. I lost track of the time and had to leave in a hurry for a family function. Great people, great energy, great music!

Please feel free to tag any and all images!
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: kenbass4 on April 18, 2011, 12:38:25 PM: Just a quick note to say that I had a great time Saturday, and my only regrets were that I couldn't arrive earlier or stay later! Met alot of new people, caught up with old friends, and heard some AMAZING players!
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: mica on April 18, 2011, 02:08:06 PM: I'm sifting through the pics I took...
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102261.jpg)
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: mica on April 18, 2011, 02:09:53 PM: (although I didn't take the group shot!)
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: mica on April 18, 2011, 02:14:13 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102265.jpg)
Wolf, Bill, Jonathan and Will playing Grateful Dead tunes.
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: mica on April 18, 2011, 02:16:24 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102268.jpg)
Erik checking out the gear. He showed me all the Alembic guitaaaaaars!
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: mica on April 18, 2011, 02:18:52 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102271.jpg)
Don, G. Michael, Michael, Dave, Dan, and DJ standing in front of the grove of guitars.
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: mica on April 18, 2011, 02:23:15 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102274.jpg)
Most of the instruments that attended. I'm pretty sure Kimberly was setting up to play her fretted 6-string bass at this time, and my lens just wasn't wide angle enough to capture everything. I think Nate's basses were off the edge to the left for starters.
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: mica on April 18, 2011, 02:29:15 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102277.jpg)
And from the other side (this one is for pauldo)
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: artswork99 on April 18, 2011, 02:43:19 PM: Sweet!
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: mica on April 18, 2011, 02:48:29 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102282.jpg)
Dave, Will and Bill.
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: mica on April 18, 2011, 02:51:59 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102285.jpg)
Kimberly live!
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: 811952 on April 18, 2011, 02:57:49 PM: Erik sure is getting big!
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: kenbass4 on April 18, 2011, 03:02:10 PM: Okay, I figured it out! I need to wear a grey hat so that I can play bass as incredibly as Dave and Kimberly!
:-)
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: rustyg61 on April 18, 2011, 03:15:07 PM: Awesome shots! Thanks Mica!
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: mica on April 18, 2011, 03:49:30 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102289.jpg)
Dave and Kimberly sharing secrets!
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: mica on April 18, 2011, 04:33:20 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102294.jpg)
G. Michael with 5-string Essence in very lovely Bubinga.
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: mica on April 18, 2011, 04:46:44 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102298.jpg)
Sam with his 35" scale Signature Deluxe.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102299.jpg)
Bill with #10 and Matt with a vintage Series I he got in the last month.
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: mica on April 18, 2011, 05:36:50 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102305.jpg)
Dave playing Bill's 1980 graphite short scale bass.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102306.jpg)
Bill and Henry.
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: mica on April 18, 2011, 05:46:58 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102315.jpg)
Vic and Sam jamming. The look on Nate's face says it all.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102316.jpg)
Bill's 1980 graphite was the center of attention.
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: mica on April 18, 2011, 05:53:58 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102320.jpg)
Erik managed to get in on the jam just a little bit.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102321.jpg)
Long shadows on the last pic of the day: Harry with his short scale 5-string.
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: tbrannon on April 18, 2011, 05:59:25 PM: Any details on the Tribute that Henry is playing? Looks to be a dark veneer under the top, non ebony fretboard and an old-school style logo...

Keep the pictures coming!
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: oddmetersam on April 18, 2011, 06:11:03 PM: Great pics Mica. And just when I thought I'd finally be able to sleep, tonight, all the memories from Saturday have come flooding back. What a total blast!

Still can't thank you and everyone else, enough.
-Sam
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: pace on April 18, 2011, 06:22:28 PM: I'd imagine that Henry's Tribute has an Ebony veneer. But here's one with an ebonized maple veneer~

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102325.jpg)

Henry has some cool Alembics. When I saw those first pics of the Bloodwood SI and Featured Baritone on the couch, I knew you guys were in for a treat!!!! Wish I was there!
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: mica on April 18, 2011, 06:43:10 PM: Some of the details for Henry's guitar are listed in his old Factory to Customer (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=7184) thread.

There's alot of Pink Ivory and Ebony in there. He recently had Ebony inlays put in the fingerboard. He sent the original logo back to me and had just a piece of Ebony inlaid in the outline. It's quite clandestine (sh!).
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: pauldo on April 18, 2011, 07:25:09 PM: Bless you Mica!

Cool pics - makes me yearn to have another Chicago Gathering.
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: tbrannon on April 18, 2011, 08:19:18 PM: Thanks Mica! Very cool guitar.
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: sonicus on April 19, 2011, 08:48:49 AM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102368.jpg)
Harry & Sam play some great Bass!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102369.jpg)
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: sonicus on April 19, 2011, 09:00:11 AM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102377.jpg)

Bill & Matt give us some sweet vintage Alembic tones .
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: pace on April 19, 2011, 12:57:19 PM: I see that 75-149, which was up for auction a few weeks back, made it into the hands of a Club member!... Congrats!
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: kimberly on April 20, 2011, 12:48:42 PM: Awesome pic's! Thanks!

And needless to say, what a great time it was!

Kimberly
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: hieronymous on April 20, 2011, 02:34:14 PM: Kimberly, it was great to meet you and especially to get to hear you play! Everyone was just standing around with their jaws on the floor! I'm sorry we didn't get more time to talk - you'll have to come back next time!
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: David Houck on April 20, 2011, 04:17:08 PM: After a significantly long delay at the airport, I finally made it back home.

Donald, I can't get to your facebook page, though Art says he didn't have a problem; perhaps it isn't public, Art is a facebook member but I'm not.
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: David Houck on April 20, 2011, 04:22:56 PM: One interesting thing about the room with all of the instruments in it; it's like standing in front of a shrine. When you see one Alembic, it's a work of art that you enjoy looking at closely. When you see over 40 in front of you at once, it is literally awe inspiring.
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: sonicus on April 20, 2011, 04:34:39 PM: Hello Dave , it was really cool to have meet you in person. I had the same experience with Donald's facebook link as I am not a member as well. I did have success with Donald's flickr account;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasewark/sets/72157626526481416/with/5632405734/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasewark/sets/72157626526481416/with/5632405734/)

Donald ,it was nice you meet you as well . Thanks . You took some great pics !
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: pasewark on April 20, 2011, 04:36:21 PM: Thanks Sonicus. I was just going to post that link.
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: pasewark on April 20, 2011, 04:42:58 PM: Wolf, it was great to finally meet you as well! I had a really great time. Great group of people.

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/102485.jpg)
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: David Houck on April 20, 2011, 04:56:40 PM: But the true joy was the people. I didn't get to talk with everyone who was there, but the exchanges of smiles and the feeling of family with everyone there was wonderful. It felt so good being there; and I think that is a reflection of our community here.

Another note I wanted to mention. A number of people put a lot of work into this event; and of course many of those who attended put a lot of work into packing up their instruments and loading up their rigs, the kind of work that goes into doing gigs as musicians. But as I was with her from Friday evening on, it became apparent to me that Mica had indeed put a lot of work into this gathering. And I now know firsthand that she is indefatigable. The direction signs that she made and tied to the trees up to the site, the little stickers and other details that she finished up late Friday night, the huge amount of food that she bought, set out, and attended to all day, all of the instruments that she loaded up from the shop. Thank you Mica!!! And thank you again to all who attended!

Oh; and the music! Wow! And there was no cover charge!
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: David Houck on April 20, 2011, 05:17:40 PM: Thanks for the Flickr link Wolf; looking at them now.

Which reminds me, one of the unexpected highlights of the day was Wolf's trumpet playing! I can't remember what the tune was now, but it was a really cool jam; Wolf went out to his car and came back in with his trumpet and perfectly added to the tune! Very cool moment. There was a lot of very good music on Saturday.
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: sonicus on April 20, 2011, 05:35:42 PM: Thanks Dave,I took that Trumpet with me at the last moment when I realized my car was just about packed full . The jam at the time felt right for me to play a spontaneous Trumpet part. I love spontaneous moments in musical improvisation , I had lots of fun .
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: rustyg61 on April 21, 2011, 04:02:23 AM: Here's a souvenir photo for those lucky enough to have been there! If you want the full resolution picture, email me at rustyg61@gmail.com (mailto:rustyg61@gmail.com)

(http://alembic.com/club/messages/65124/102515.jpg)
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: billostech on April 21, 2011, 08:53:42 AM: This is great! I wish I could have been there.
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: rustyg61 on April 21, 2011, 12:11:00 PM: Me too!!
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: apdavis on April 21, 2011, 03:54:01 PM: I'm a facebook participant and Sam's link is working for me, FYI.
Title: Northern California IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: mb94952 on April 21, 2011, 06:16:38 PM: Maryann and I were there, too ! We had to leave before the group shot was taken, but there's always next year !!! It was sooo much fun. Thanks Mica !