Author Topic: Custom progress (Read 198 times)

jetbass79 · « **on:** February 21, 2005, 08:18:00 PM »

Greetings. My name is John Tompson and I ordered a bass from your dealer in Austin, TX in December and I have been trying to find out how it is doing and if it were possible to see if some pictures of its progress are available. My email messages seem to have gone lost or unnoticed but because of my work schedule the computer is my most useful means of communication. Any light would be great.

dannobasso · « **Reply #1 on:** February 21, 2005, 09:40:14 PM »

Try to Relax and let nature take it's course. I'm on my 7th custom and you learn to have the folks wake you when its ready. These instruments are lovingly hand made and individually crafted. Val, Mica and Susan are amazing people who do their utmost to get to everyone and make sure your instrument is the best Alembic can produce. Hang in there! I gurantee it's worth all the nail biting wait. Welcome to the club.
Danno

beelee · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2005, 02:55:18 AM »

Hi John,

Welcome to the club,

I put my order in on 10/31/04 and no pics were put up until January, this is my first custom as well, Mica takes great pics and will post them in the FTC when she has time ( with all she does I don't know when she sleeps..LOL) Alembic has received a ton of new instrument orders the last few months, they will keep you updated, don't worry I assure you it will be worth the wait.

best wishes,
Bruce

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2005, 04:03:32 AM »

Hi John, and welcome! And congrats on your order. I do think you have to specifically request a Factory to Customer thread; so hopefully Mica will notice this thread and start one when there is some progress on your bass. As you know, Alembic is a small shop; and with lots of orders for new basses, they are always busy. It's been my observation that some weeks Mica gets a chance to take some pictures of the many basses in progress; and other weeks she doesn't get as many in. It's also been my observation, but I could be wrong, that pictures tend to happen more often on Fridays. So, again, congrats on your order!

jetbass79 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2005, 08:14:36 AM »

Wow. I didn't expect such quick responses from people. It's great. I think for me part of it is that this is the first bass I will own that does not follow the Ford Motor Co. (though I think of my old Fenders as Novas and Chevelles -- not Fords) model. This is all quite exciting.

bsee · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2005, 09:21:17 AM »

We're pretty active around here, John.

If you're new to the world of Alembic, then you may not be aware that there was a price increase at the start of this year. As a result of that, there was a larger than usual quantity of orders made at the end of 2004. This puts extra pressure on the staff between finalizing details on these instruments and actually building them. Everyone out there is insanely busy.

I believe this is a temporary thing, though, as they have always been extraordinarily responsive in the past. Your dealer is probably in touch with someone at Alembic on a regular basis and should be able to follow up for you. If you are comfortable that your instrument was fully specified when you placed your order, then I would let it ride. Otherwise, you can try checking in through your dealer, or calling Alembic directly.

I am in a waiting mode as well and I will try to check in every couple weeks until my bass actually starts production, then I will get out of the way until it's done.

pace · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2005, 11:55:37 AM »

I placed my order 4/04 and my FTC thread didnt go up until the fall.... dont sweat it, and dont get upset if you see orders placed/built/delivered relatively quicker than yours~ rest assured there's a reason....

jetbass79 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2005, 06:37:09 PM »

Timing is everything it seems. It wasn't until I went to a dealer's website that I found out about the price increase for the new year. I'm glad I got mine in when I did. The bass I ordered is unusual: a set neck with the balance K point body shape and europa electronics. So it wouldn't suprise me if it took until late April or so.

flaxattack · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2005, 07:56:44 PM »

patience is a virtue and a requirement..am waiting 6 months for my custom.. worth every minute,
chill baby- ftc thread is a courtesy. want pictures or finished products? cause if someone is taking photos then posting your thread? whos a makin da basses? this aint ibm.. its a small shop
it will come- youll be happy....

David Houck · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2005, 04:42:22 AM »

A set neck balance K point with Europa controls sounds like a great idea!

jetbass79 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2005, 11:47:09 AM »

I originally wanted to go with the standard point shape but the Alembic people suggested to the dealer who then suggested to me that the balance K point would be better to keep weight down. To me it's all about the body shape. When I think Alembic I think of a Mark King or a Series I or II bass. But of course I didn't want to spend the money on those and I actually prefer the tone of the set neck because it means the body makes a difference in how the bass sounds. Somehow I think they haven't made many set necks in the blance K point shape. I also took a nod from an old Series II bass that I saw by going with a birdseye maple body top with a walnut peghead overlay.

David Houck · « **Reply #11 on:** February 24, 2005, 04:47:47 AM »

I can't remember yet seeing a balance K with a set neck; so I'm guessing yours would probably be one of the first.

valvil · « **Reply #12 on:** February 24, 2005, 04:27:38 PM »

Hello John, welcome to the club.

Yours will indeed be the first balance K with a set neck. It went into production this week. We should have something for you to look at sometime next month.
I don't know to which address you have been sending your e-mails, but you can always e-mail me directly at valentino@alembic.com if you have any questions.

Valentino