Author Topic: What is this? 11 String with 'wave' frets (Read 363 times)

FC Bass · « **on:** July 26, 2006, 05:50:49 AM »

Definitely Alembic styling... Posted on a Dutch forum, with the question if it is an Alembic. I would say no, but I'm not sure... Also found this on the site mentioned in the pic. Epic with EMG's

jagerphan84 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 26, 2006, 06:38:38 AM »

I believe the top one is called the Hideous Beast or Hideous Claw or something to that effect, and was built as a gift for a pro bassist (possibly Alain Caron?). IIRC, there was a very long thread on talkbass about it, in which the owner stated that he cannot disclose the builder.

jagerphan84 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 26, 2006, 06:40:14 AM »

Ok, now after breathing and looking again, it's the Hideous Claw, and probably belongs to Jean Baudin.

FC Bass · « **Reply #3 on:** July 26, 2006, 06:55:48 AM »

It's Jean Boudin, you can find the info on the site, but there's no info about these basses... at least I couldn't find it

jacko · « **Reply #4 on:** July 26, 2006, 08:04:11 AM »

Ha! my eyes must be on their way out. I thought it said 'hideous cow';-)

Graeme

jacko · « **Reply #5 on:** July 26, 2006, 08:08:00 AM »

Also, I'm pretty sure I've seen Mica post somewhere that Alembic aren't licensed to install Fanned frets.

Graeme

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 26, 2006, 11:13:39 AM »

I believe Jean Baudin's band is Nuclear Rabbit. Both these pix came from Jean's personal site as credited on the first photo.
He's doing a clinic/show in Colorado in August.
Mike

george_wright · « **Reply #7 on:** July 26, 2006, 11:39:31 AM »

Here's the talkbass thread.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #8 on:** July 26, 2006, 12:47:22 PM »

see post below

(Message edited by jazzyvee on July 26, 2006)

jazzyvee · « **Reply #9 on:** July 26, 2006, 01:06:05 PM »

Here is a bloke with one of those instruments, No idea who he is. May be the builder, owner or model or all three.
I had the photo on my computer a while ago.
I doubt if its an alembic as I can remember a while ago in a thread that Alembic had not made any basses with the fanned frets due to the cost of the license from norvax for doing it.

Jazzyvee

keith_h · « **Reply #10 on:** July 26, 2006, 01:21:23 PM »

From what I remember reading in Jean Baudin's thread about this bass he said many parties were involved in the construction. He does say Michael Dolan did the final construction and the gloss finish. This allows for the possibility that someone with an Alembic background could have been involved (i.e. an employee or ex-employee project).

Keith

hb3 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 26, 2006, 01:41:39 PM »

Looks like a definite Alembic footprint on that thing to me -- besides the fanned frets.

But come on -- look at that guy's hand. How do you play the lower strings on that thing?

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #12 on:** July 26, 2006, 01:55:40 PM »

Double post, sorry.

(Message edited by hydrargyrum on July 26, 2006)

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #13 on:** July 26, 2006, 01:55:59 PM »

Well,

I am certainly no expert here, but I am guessing the lower strings are played using touch or tapping styles, ala Chapman stick.

valvil · « **Reply #14 on:** July 26, 2006, 05:09:34 PM »

I am fairly sure the fellow above is Michael Dolan a former Alembic employee back in the 70s who has his own shop now.
That bass does not officially belong to any company. I think I was told Michael Dolan put the finish on the bass. Couple of other guys, at least, did a lot of work on it, like the hardware and the assembly itself. I think Jean provided his own woods.

Valentino