Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Community => Gatherings => Topic started by: mrbeezroom on March 16, 2008, 02:44:15 AM

Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: mrbeezroom on March 16, 2008, 02:44:15 AM: I'll go ahead and hope no objects to a new thread. Thanks to everyone involved for the Gathering. It was my first and I had a great time. Got to meet some new friends and face-to-face with some that I've met online. Also got to jam a bit (thanks Harry for your consideration and solid drum work)with the Series II (thanks Mica) before my gig and consequently was already warmed up for that. I even got a new hat! Looking forward to seeing some of the pictures. Thanks again!
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: hieronymous on March 16, 2008, 07:46:24 AM: I thought this would make a nice first pic:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49551.jpg)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: palembic on March 16, 2008, 10:07:49 AM: OK ....I'd like to add this one: the bassherd tending his flock

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49555.jpg)

Well ...guitarist could get picky on this (hehehehe)

(Message edited by Palembic on March 16, 2008)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: kenbass4 on March 16, 2008, 03:24:38 PM: Just a quick note to say that I survived my secong gatheroing unscathed this year :-) and I've just dumped 2 hours of video to my hard drive.
Paul, it was great to meet you face-to-face, and my wife and kids loved the Belgian chocholate.

Will get some pics up this week.

Ken
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: hieronymous on March 16, 2008, 08:43:33 PM: Before we get too deep into this thread, I wanted to post the link to the original Bay Area/Northern CA Alembic Gathering II - the Sequel? (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=9849) thread.

I'm really looking forward to Palembic's photos - my pics came out too dark, but it looked like Paul took some nice shots from up close. Last year my buddy Greg got the travelled the farthest award (he came from Boston), but Paul beat that record coming from Belgium!
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: tbrannon on March 16, 2008, 09:26:08 PM: I'd like to hear the story on that maple topped six stringer in the back. It looks like it has the Alembic oval fretboard inlays, but that's the only thing that looks Alembic-ish to my amateur eyes.
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: adriaan on March 17, 2008, 03:43:29 AM: Toby - the one to the right of that maple-topped Strat style is the true non-Alembic - IIRC that's a Fernandez, and the maple-topped one is an shop-night Alembic.
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: lbpesq on March 17, 2008, 07:20:03 AM: The Fernandes has Alembic guts - 3 pickups, filter, 3-way Q - along with RMC piezos in the bridge and a 13 pin synth out. The maple-topped strat-like guitar is, indeed, a shop-night instrument - two Alembic pickups using a strat-o-blaster as the pre-amp. A fine time was had by all. And Paul, tbo, my wife LOVED the chocolates. Thanks!

Bill, tgo
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: kungfusheriff on March 17, 2008, 11:28:28 AM: Top pic, far left: is that the long-scale Steve Fossen bass rescued from Guitar Center?
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: briant on March 17, 2008, 04:35:10 PM: Top pic, far left: is that the long-scale Steve Fossen bass rescued from Guitar Center?

It sure looks like it.
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: hieronymous on March 17, 2008, 04:41:19 PM: I'll let Ken give the details, but he did say that it belonged to the bassist from Heart.
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: briant on March 17, 2008, 05:19:26 PM: I'm going to have to ask Steve why he ever parted with it next time I see him... which very well could be the day I pick up my Rogue. :-)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: Bradley Young on March 17, 2008, 06:43:15 PM: if (Steve Fossen =~ /bassist from Heart/) { print Barracuda!`n; }
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: olieoliver on March 17, 2008, 07:11:10 PM: What's Ron holding in his fingers in the picture above? HMMMM is that a cookie or something he got from Bill?
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: David Houck on March 17, 2008, 09:37:19 PM: Wow! Nice collection! Looking forward to more pics and reports!
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: kenbass4 on March 18, 2008, 07:36:17 AM: Re: Steve Fossen Bass

Well, it was, literally, a group effort rescue of that bass. I was sitting in the house of my drummer & singer as they were on their computer, and I directed them to the site and said You've gotta check this out. This is the 'Barracuda' bass!! Lori immediately said Let's buy it!! and Jim, the accountant (literally) said, That would be a great investment and agreed. Of course, since I'm the one that plays it, I had to do the maintenance on it (it needed a bit of TLC) and now, when we do Barracuda, it sounds authentic. :-)
Ken
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: hieronymous on March 18, 2008, 11:03:41 AM: I am really jonesing to see some more pictures! So, in an effort to inspire people to post, I will put up this really low quality one, of myself on drums and John mrbeezroom Braselton on the Series II (in the first pic above, it's 2nd row, 3rd from the right):

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49593.jpg)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: hieronymous on March 18, 2008, 11:13:39 AM: Darn, double post! And I can't put any pictures in when I edit. So instead I will thank everyone that made this year's gathering possible, including but not limited to: Bill for organizing, Will for letting us use the space, Ron and Mica just for being cool, Ken and Eric for offering me a ride when I still wasn't sure if the doubleneck would fit in my car, and the soundguy for bringing the PA and getting a great sound.

If anyone can add to this list, please do!

(Message edited by hieronymous on March 18, 2008)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: hieronymous on March 18, 2008, 11:14:43 AM: Here's Matt on his Electrum:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49596.jpg)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: hieronymous on March 18, 2008, 11:24:48 AM: Here's one I snapped of Ken:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49599.jpg)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: kenbass4 on March 18, 2008, 12:08:50 PM: Thanks, Harry.

My pictures are currently on my wife's laptop, so when I get a chance to get control of it, I'll get mine up.

In the background of the shot of Matt is my singer/keyboardist Lori, co-owner of the Fossen bass.

John is a phenominal player, it's too bad we couldn't get him up there to help outnumber the guitarists when Matt, Bill, Harry, Will, Lori and I were playing.
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: palembic on March 18, 2008, 01:49:49 PM: I'll try to post some pictures later.
I am again overwhelmed with work.
Anyway, Bob will send my pictures to Mica so she can use them anytime.
They're acceptable indeed!
P
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: kenbass4 on March 19, 2008, 12:15:55 PM: So Paul,

How did the pictures of you jamming with Jim and Lori turn out? I tried to get good angles, but there was a lot of light coming through the windows. Check your email.

Ken
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: mica on March 19, 2008, 12:58:09 PM: Here's some of my shots. First, here's the stage area just before everyone arrived:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49634.jpg)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: mica on March 19, 2008, 12:59:22 PM: Ken with the Barracuda bass:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49637.jpg)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: mica on March 19, 2008, 01:01:09 PM: Ron explains the humbalancing procedure for his new-to-him Series I guitar to Scott:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49641.jpg)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: mica on March 19, 2008, 01:03:24 PM: Harry and his ubiquitous double neck (which he can really play!):
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49644.jpg)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: mica on March 19, 2008, 01:05:47 PM: Proof that while Paul is the president of the ACC (Anti Conehead Club), it didn't stop him from having fun with Ken's bass:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49649.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49650.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49651.jpg)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: mica on March 19, 2008, 01:08:07 PM: Ron and Bill discover the blinking LED cause on the 12-string guitar:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49654.jpg)
Bill's deciding if he'll have it fixed now or wait until the whole thing needs refretting.

We also found out that Bill is the vice president of the ACC (see above post for details).
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: mica on March 19, 2008, 01:09:35 PM: Paul falling in love:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49657.jpg)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: mica on March 19, 2008, 01:12:28 PM: Sadly, Scott, Doc, Matt and John's instruments didn't make it into my group shot:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49660.jpg)
So we're 9 short in this picture I think.

(Message edited by mica on March 19, 2008)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: mica on March 19, 2008, 01:14:18 PM: Ken, Will and Harry:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49663.jpg)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: mica on March 19, 2008, 01:15:57 PM: Harry and Bill:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49666.jpg)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: mica on March 19, 2008, 01:16:59 PM: John playing the Series II 4-string I brought:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49669.jpg)

(Message edited by mica on March 19, 2008)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: mica on March 19, 2008, 01:18:57 PM: Harry - he's not just for bass anymore:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49672.jpg)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: mica on March 19, 2008, 01:20:10 PM: Matt playing his Electrum guitar:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49675.jpg)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: 57basstra on March 19, 2008, 04:16:01 PM: Nice pics and info - thanks for sharing!
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: lbpesq on March 19, 2008, 04:39:15 PM: Mica's pic above also doesn't include Woody, my Further that I was probably playing at the time, so at least 10 more! I don't know how we will be able to top this year's gathering. Certainly we will have trouble beating our record for traveling the farthest since Paul, tbo, came all the way from Belgium! It really is a blast hooking up in person with all these people we get to know in cyberspace.

Bill, tgo
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: palembic on March 19, 2008, 06:53:22 PM: Sorry guys ...not succeeded!
Too busy, wanted to work too fast to get you my picturesd but it didn't work out, so bad results
It will take some weeks before things will show up from my side!!!!
I took it away!
Cross your fingers for next time!

(Message edited by palembic on March 19, 2008)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: kenbass4 on March 19, 2008, 07:12:33 PM: Also, Gwathnar was jamming with Woodie at the time, so make that 11!!!

(as in these go to..)

Ken (TEO)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: briant on March 19, 2008, 07:42:05 PM: Thanks for all the pictures! Looks like a great time! :-)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: kenbass4 on March 20, 2008, 07:51:21 AM: Ok, so here are some of my pictures: First public performance with the "Barracuda" Bass
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49716.jpg)
Jamming with Bill and Will
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49717.jpg)
Lori jumps in while Harry sets up
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49718.jpg)
Paul jams with Jim and Lori
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49719.jpg)
Doc Jumped in on Guitar (!)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49720.jpg)
He even still had the tags on the Tribute!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49721.jpg)
Group shot with my 4 in front
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49722.jpg)
Harry's Double Neck
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49723.jpg)
Bill Harry and Will play some Dead
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49724.jpg)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: David Houck on March 20, 2008, 10:30:09 AM: Great pics!!!
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: lbpesq on March 20, 2008, 11:44:20 AM: If only Alembic made drums, we could have had an all Alembic band going there for a while!

Bill, tgo
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: David Houck on March 20, 2008, 12:59:21 PM: I apparently don't get out enough; what is the thing on the front of the kick drum?
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: David Houck on March 20, 2008, 01:18:31 PM: I see Bob's custom 5 string fretless on the right in the group pictures.
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: icecreamman on March 20, 2008, 01:28:49 PM: What a great gathering! here's a few shots that paige and I took:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49730.jpg)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: icecreamman on March 20, 2008, 01:29:45 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49733.jpg)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: icecreamman on March 20, 2008, 01:39:44 PM: Shoot..I need to shrink down the rest of my photos in order to post them.

Just a quick super-thanks to everyone- we really had a great time and were bummed we had to leave early. Quality alembic folk! (the hat was a sweet goodie btw!!- thanks Mica!!). And the red caps fit great on my F2-B as well....and the music was great.... and the foot and drink excellent... and the conversation.. and the baby photos... and the... and the......
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: David Houck on March 20, 2008, 01:42:37 PM: The picture of the laptop is certainly intriguing.
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: icecreamman on March 20, 2008, 01:45:36 PM: yeah, ron was giving me a sweet demo of these $100 laptop for kids in 3rd world countries. Of course, he's hot-rodded his to do all sorts of cool stuff. This shot was showing some analysis of the positive alembic vibes in the room......
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: elwoodblue on March 20, 2008, 02:10:57 PM: I'm curious about the bass drum too...reminds me of the re-amping concept...tho' live (sympathetic snare?tom?)
great pics all ...
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: kenbass4 on March 20, 2008, 02:17:44 PM: I believe it's THIS (http://www.yamaha.com/drums/drumproductdetail.html?CNTID=544671&CTID=5040593)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: hieronymous on March 20, 2008, 02:29:58 PM: Yup, that kick drum sounded great through the PA!
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: hieronymous on March 20, 2008, 02:33:22 PM: By the way, thanks Mica and Ken and icecreamman (who I didn't get to meet) for feeding my jones for pics! Paul, I look forward to seeing yours whenever you can get them up - no hurry!
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: kenbass4 on March 20, 2008, 02:47:14 PM: Hey, Icecreamman,

That graph on the laptop looks like there's too much guitar

:-)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: icecreamman on March 20, 2008, 03:05:21 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49743.gif)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: icecreamman on March 20, 2008, 03:06:35 PM: ok, photo-shrinking in effect. the above was the collection around 4pm
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: icecreamman on March 20, 2008, 03:07:31 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49746.gif)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: icecreamman on March 20, 2008, 03:08:23 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49749.gif)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: icecreamman on March 20, 2008, 03:09:09 PM: Series 1 action...
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: icecreamman on March 20, 2008, 03:10:04 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49752.gif)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: icecreamman on March 20, 2008, 03:11:38 PM: Paige and Mica

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49755.gif)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: lbpesq on March 20, 2008, 05:30:00 PM: Ken, there's never too much guitar ... especially when a bunch of Alembicians get together! hehehehe

Bill, tgo
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: keavin on March 21, 2008, 08:25:25 AM: Wow......looks like a very good time!(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49810.gif)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: hieronymous on March 21, 2008, 10:20:59 AM: I realized that I could put the wishbone shot up here too, because it never would have happened without the gathering:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49816.jpg)

You can see the original catalog shot and my b&w version at the bottom of the page here (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8334)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: jacko on March 21, 2008, 05:03:08 PM: Wow again guys! I'm so jealous. Still it won't be long till our mini scottish get together. I don't suppose there's much chance of Mica and Ron coming out to that one.
You know, I've see quite a few photos of Ron on the internet and in mags and books and he's always had a huge smile. Now I wonder why that is?

Graeme
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: bob on March 21, 2008, 09:42:40 PM: It seems Brother Paul has been overwhelmed by his return to work, and real life in general, after his week here in the SF Bay area. So he asked me to post a few of his photos for him. By now, you should know who all these people are.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49848.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49849.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49850.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49851.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49852.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49853.jpg)
I don't know why, but whenever I look at this one I think that conehead is saying "take us to your leader":
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49854.jpg)
By the way, it's great to be back. I took a year-long break from the club, and just started catching up about a week before Paul arrived. Feels just like home. -Bob
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: palembic on March 22, 2008, 02:51:17 PM: OK Thank you Bob!!! Here some others Drumtalk
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49876.jpg)
Dougtalk
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49877.jpg)
Harrytalk
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49878.jpg)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: palembic on March 22, 2008, 02:58:59 PM: Erik (unable to play his gorgeous bass)gives the finger
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49883.jpg)
Given the EXTREME good quality of Bill TGO herbs he ended up playing outside. "The audience was very silent and attentive to my playing" he mused afterwards ...ts-ts-ts ...those flowers really ARE powerfull young man!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49884.jpg)
Some people were not into basses but very interested in a chess-book I think. Well ...it IS less decibels!!!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49885.jpg)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: palembic on March 22, 2008, 03:04:27 PM: Jerry was watching and liked it ...you can see that no?
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49890.jpg)
Boys and their toys ...although this was a scientific tool!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49891.jpg)
Put to the test analysing Alembic sounds
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49892.jpg)
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: palembic on March 22, 2008, 03:09:15 PM: Of course we had some drinks. Bill TGO too, after his fourth car-concert ....
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49896.jpg)
Some found their peace on the ground. Nobody played lied flat down like Clapton did though
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/49897.jpg)
That green guitar was the first Alembic guitar I ever touched. It was love at first sight. I hope she will find a good owner!
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: jerryme on March 22, 2008, 05:06:11 PM: That picture of Matt? playing the electrum with ol' Jerry in the background is great. I would love to go to a Bay Area Alembic gathering...
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: elwoodblue on March 23, 2008, 04:36:59 PM: Thanks for the photos...smiling smiling....

...still smiling.

I second that motion Colin.
all my best
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: David Houck on March 24, 2008, 08:42:34 PM: Hey Bob!!! Welcome back!

And thanks for the pics!!
I love the one with Mica and Ron!
Title: Northern California Alembic Gathering - THE AFTERMATH
Post by: David Houck on March 24, 2008, 08:49:18 PM: I agree with Colin; the picture of Matt with Jerry is really cool!

Ken; thanks for the link on the Subkick. Interesting!