Hey, Kevin,
 
Thanks for tipping me that there was good news on my bass.  As for my compliment - no graciousness or modesty on my part...Your bass looks fantastic!  BTW, there are NO cheap Alembics (God only knows...).  
 
I'm very interested in how you like your electronics package.  I haven't decided exactly what I'm looking for in the 5 string I have planned.  But I don't want it to as challenging from a tweaking standpoint as the S2.
 
I really like the quilts on your basses top and the way the accent lam peeks out of the elbow cut.  The logo looks great, too.  Send pix and give us a review of the electronics when you recieve your new friend.
 
Bill

Bill:  
 
Thanks again. Cheapo (i.e., in quotations) is a relative term, LOL! If I spent a little more, I could have just about gone Series. I did want a set neck versus a neck-through to try and limit the weight and keep the J-bass vibe (i.e., midrange punch).  
 
It seems East Meets West electronics are all the rage these days. I'm seeing a lot of queries about them lately on this site. Innocently enough, I just really wanted that damn original EMW, so I took that bass as a starting point and just started dressing it up and adding options. While this thing is certainly Spartan in absolute Alembic terms, it will certainly be the most complicated control layout I've ever used. I'm used to simple passive stuff (i.e., Stratocaster & Les Paul) and pseudo-active (i.e., Jackson with the passive master vol and tone with active mid-boost). Even though I'm an Electrical Engineer, I'm afraid I don't know what I'd do with all those knobs and switches on a series (I or II). I hope I made the right choice with the EMW electronics package. Bkbass tells me it was a good way to go, so given his Alembic experience/savvy and playing pedigree, I'll take his word for it until I can try it for myself. He volunteered to show me how to use the Q switch and filter knob...I just hope I can get it away from him when he tries it out, LOL!. I will certainly let everyone know how it sounds. I'm assuming it'll give me the versatility of several instruments as this is (currently) my only bass. With the cost of it, it may be an only child for some time, LOL! Du'oh! I still have to learn what all those knobs on my Eden WT-550 do, LOL!  
 
As is de rigeur, Mica and Co. conjured up their usual magic when it came to picking out the woods for this bad boy. I actuall wanted the top to match the original EMW (at a minimum) or the Almost Twins Specials (the ultimate!). I loved those rare huge symmetrical baloney curl quilts of the almost Twins. If you ck out the boo-boo EMWII in the Alembic Store, they matched the top on that one to the original EMW top quite closely. It turns out that the top they chose for this bass is relatively unique amongst quilt tops, and quite stunning...better than the EMW or the boo-boo EMWII IMHO. The thick Purpleheart accent lam and Louisville Slugger ash back were all Alembic as well. I didn't get to pick out any of the woods, but it turned out awesome despite me, LOL! Obviously, Alembic know what they are doing, so I should keep my eyes/ears/mind open, and my mouth shut!
 
(Message edited by kmh364 on July 05, 2004)

Kevin,
 
I agree whole heartidly with Bill about how great that purpleheart looks beneath the quilt top. My Orion guitar (which I didn't design) has a similar purpleheart lam, sandwiched between a dark mahogany body and dark burl redwood top. It is completely lost except when viewed up close. What a waste! Love the logo as well.
 
Jonathan

Thanks, Jonathan. Alembic did an awesome job with the top lam. What you may not have noticed is the purpleheart neck pinstripes (go back to the last archive of this thread) that look much nicer than the standard walnut stripes. Like a moron, I almost substituted another accent lam wood as I didn't like the original EMW's thin PH top lam. I also didn't realize that I could have gone for wide PH neck lams (as well as a bridge block). Oh well, hindsight is 20/20, and I did spend a small fortune already on this thing! The logo was also all Alembic...I originally just asked for a gold-plated version of the standard bronze Alembic logo (see the original EMW), and they surprised me with that gorgeous surface-mounted gold plated logo w/ MOP cloud and paua abalone shell. I went nuts over the series II sterling inlayed logo w/shell, but I didn't wanna go for the extra dosh. Having seen it now, I think I actually like the surface mount better! Gotta love Mica!

Mica,
 
Did you receive the THG knobs yet?
 
Kevin

Mom/Dad, are we there yet? LOL!
 
(Message edited by kmh364 on July 12, 2004)

Easy boy, take it easy...I fear that soon you'll be trading the when's it gonna get here anxiety for the when do I get off work, gotta go home variety.
 
Beautiful bass, glad to see you're getting what you want.
 
Mike

Thanks, Mike. Just having a little fun at Mica's expense...I know from other's past experiences that an Alembic is done when it's done and not a moment before.  
 
It's actually a blessing that I couldn't get a deal on the original East Meets West because I'm paying what I wanted to (i.e., discount off of MSRP-wise) and I feel that this one is, at the very least, aesthetically superior.  

Oh man that is the most beautiful Orion I've ever seen.  The gold plating and logo really accentuate the rich tone of the quilt.  Amazing.

James:
 
Thanks. Coming from you, with the nice axes that you have, that is indeed a compliment.
 
Kudos for the inspiration for this bass go to Kevin and his Almost Twins, and Marcus Morgan & Co. @ Larry Morgan Music. I took the idea of EMW (because I couldn't make a deal with Marcus for the original) and tried to dress it up like the Almost Twins without breaking the bank. Throw in a little faerie dust and wave or two of the magic wand by Mica and Co. and there you have it.

I can't wait to see the thing with the coordinated-wood hippie sandwich knobs I commissioned from Roger over at THG. That should really put the crowning touch on this beauty.
 
Mica: any more pics for the expectant father?

Got the knobs, only snag is I lost one of the inserts! It came lose in the bag during transport and it found a life of its own somewhere on the floor, but it's been illusive. I've asked Roger to shoot me up some spares. Will get you some pics with (most of) the knobs tomorrow afternoon, I'm expecting company in the morning.  
 
BTW, these knobs look great, and Mary particularly liked them.

Thanks, Mica.
 
I thought you forgot about me, LOL! J/K. If you and Mary both think the knobs are great, then they really must be! Thanks to you for sending Roger the wood(s). These knobs weren't cheap, but I think they'll make the bass. I'm dying to see the thing with the knobs in place.
 
BTW, After the knobs, we're waiting for the case and nut re-plate, right? Any ETA yet for a shipping date for me?

Kevin,
  Yet another masterpiece enroute to NJ....East welcomes West, if you will! That 5A top is absolutely wonderful, and the gold logo is truly a work of art. Can't wait to see what you & Roger dreamed up for the knobs on this beauty! Nothing against black, but custom THG's really add an extra touch of class to an Alembic.  
 
Best of luck, and, of course, more pics when you two finally get together..........
Chris

Chris: Thanks. I tried uploading a pic of the knobs Roger sent me, but it didn't work. We'll have to wait for Mica to post them later today.
 
(Message edited by kmh364 on July 14, 2004)