Author Topic: I just bought my last bass (Read 497 times)

glocke · « **Reply #15 on:** April 13, 2009, 03:31:38 PM »

he-he..... I said that also when I bought my SI.

Later, when I bought my SCSD and a SII, I told myself as I wrote the check for each one, that not only will this be my last, but I will sell other basses to help pay for the new additions..Its all lies.

pauldo · « **Reply #16 on:** April 13, 2009, 03:34:07 PM »

That top is certainly awesome.
You can always tell a REALLY fine piece of wood, you see it and can't resist the urge to touch it.
- thanks James - now I have finger prints on my monitor screen :-P

keurosix · « **Reply #17 on:** April 13, 2009, 06:04:38 PM »

Wow James, a stunning bass!
Just one word FYI: Check the instrument cable jack. It looks like it is loose, and hanging out of the side of the body in the picture. This happened to my Europa jack, and was an easy fix.
(If I remember correctly
You can tighten it from the outside, but will want to hold onto the jack from inside the control cavity so it doesn't rotate as you tighten. Being loose makes the sound cut in and out - tightened, and the problem goes away.
Happy success with this beauty!
Kris

tbrannon · « **Reply #18 on:** April 13, 2009, 06:14:26 PM »

'I just bought my last bass' from a bass player's mouth is alot like a longtime smoker saying, 'I just smoked my last cigarette.'

It does happen on occasion, but it's usually a messy, painful process trying to quit. I suggest you just give in to the temptation when that itch starts up the next time!

Lovely bass- one of the prettiest tops I've seen.

jbybj · « **Reply #19 on:** April 13, 2009, 07:47:32 PM »

Just one word FYI: Check the instrument cable jack. It looks like it is loose

Thanks for the heads up, I will check it out.

altgrendel · « **Reply #20 on:** April 14, 2009, 05:00:14 AM »

I'd like one like that but with the curly redwood top.

smokinbear · « **Reply #21 on:** April 14, 2009, 09:43:16 AM »

James you are one lucky guy. Saw that top and well lets just say I had to think of other things to calm myself down! Didn't think Redwood could be so pretty. Enjoy till you find another last bass to buy! Looks similar to some of the claro-walnut tops where the graft was kinda.

jbybj · « **Reply #22 on:** April 14, 2009, 12:50:23 PM »

I was quite enamored with this
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=390040216167
for many months. Maybe it was my time spent living in Northern California, but the redwood just spoke to me. I don't own any MusicMan basses, like they way they sound, and I think this top is freakin spectacular. Everytime I'd see it I would want to buy it, but then in a few seconds reality would set in, and I'd remind myself, for that kind of money I could get a pretty spiffy Alembic. So I find it very interesting that my big splurge Alembic has a Redwood top, and I love that it's three different textures, flat, curly, and burly. It's on a truck...........

artswork99 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 14, 2009, 02:00:23 PM »

Congratulations James,
Really nice! Breathing excercises now that it's on the way and ENJOY!
Play it Healthy!
Art

David Houck · « **Reply #24 on:** April 14, 2009, 05:42:34 PM »

Nice catch Kris!

keurosix · « **Reply #25 on:** April 14, 2009, 06:05:51 PM »

James,
Here's a pic of the loose jack before I tightened it. You can see the rubber o-ring peeking out. After tightening, it is not visible. Good Luck and enjoy that stunning bass!

Kris

jbybj · « **Reply #26 on:** April 23, 2009, 10:52:12 PM »

Well, the Last Bass arrived last Monday. UPS came by my work, didn't leave the bass, then sent me a notice that it had been delivered. The driver had left it on his truck and marked it as delivered! After a few phone calls and 4 long hours, it finally showed up. It has met my very high expectations. Some sweat induced finish checking on the back, but otherwise very clean for a 17 year old bass. The brass covers for the battery and control cavity still had the protective paper coating on them! At first I was somewhat mystified, thinking they were some odd composite replacement covers that the seller had forgot to mention. I had never seen covers like these on any Alembic. Underneath was brand new brass! It's been a busy week and I haven't had much continuous time to play it, until tonight. I was messing around with and old Roland bass pre, with really pungent compression built in, and exploring the filter and pan settings when it just leapt out at me, without any warning or hint. A very distinctive tone, that immediately made me think of the late, great, Mr. Entwhistle. I've never had a sound like that come from any instrument I've played, not even my Epic. I got goosebumps. I'm 50 years old, and I'm as giddy as a little school girl. So whether or not it holds true over time, this has been named, Last Bass.

Oh yeah, the output jack is snug and stable. It is an Alembic replacement, and seems to have a thick rubber washer on the outside of the body. Maybe the washer is supposed to be on the inside? Regardless there are no functional issues at all......
Here's a link to my photobucket.
http://s312.photobucket.com/albums/ll349/jbybj/Europa/
and here are a few previews.

(Message edited by jbybj on April 23, 2009)

(Message edited by davehouck on April 24, 2009)

elwoodblue · « **Reply #27 on:** April 23, 2009, 11:33:40 PM »

I love those ripply flames emanating from the bridge.Congrats on your new baby!

jakebass · « **Reply #28 on:** April 24, 2009, 02:09:45 AM »

I love that body shape, I'd like a fretless with sig or series electronics in that shape, I would like a narrower neck though.
Beautiful bass!!

kungfusheriff · « **Reply #29 on:** April 24, 2009, 07:30:13 AM »

Such a pretty bass, and you got a good deal on it, too. Was tempted to buy it myself, but my house is starting to look like the Alembic showroom and I don't think my wife enjoys that as much as I do.

I know exactly what you mean by that oh my God moment when you begin to understand what the bass is capable of. Wait until you get the chance to record with it, then sit back and listen passively instead of the way you listen actively as you play. That'll raise the hairs on the back of your neck.

Play her in good health.