Author Topic: Trip to Alembic. (Read 664 times)

jeff · « **Reply #15 on:** October 21, 2004, 10:23:04 AM »

Susan mentioned this bass to me several months ago while my quilted coco bolo bass was being born. Looking at that inlay, it is easy to understand why Stanley's bass took longer to build. Rory, you are one lucky dude to have even held that bass, and you have a picture to prove it!

wideload · « **Reply #16 on:** October 21, 2004, 11:28:52 AM »

Great pics! My son and I were there last week, and I imagine I was a blithering idiot to those in the know. The only thing I could think to play on Stanley's bass was I/V ala Waylon Jennnings (since I knew THAT would never happen again on that instrument!). By the way, Rory, should they have let you hold that bass, what with a screen name of reckless me?
By the way, when I left for my trip, my wife didn't say Have a nice time, Drive safely, or I'll miss you today. Just DONT BUY ANYTHING!

Larry

wayne · « **Reply #17 on:** October 21, 2004, 02:46:42 PM »

My wife was with me when I visited. She kept repeating that phrase like a mantra - with an emphatic NO!! thrown in every now and again.

C-Ya...............wayne

rklisme · « **Reply #18 on:** October 21, 2004, 04:17:05 PM »

Hey Guy's

I can not tell you how beautiful an instrument it is, words can't begin to describe it. I can only hope that some Stanley Magic dust rubbed off on me during the process. The look on my face was one of pure fright and joy at the same time. One side of the brain was saying, I can't believe I am holding Stanley's new bass the other side of the brain was saying, You better not drop this bass dummy! Valentino sent me to lunch after holding the bass I think he could tell that I was moments away from passing out! I needed to nourish myself and slow my heart rate. As always good to share my Alembic moments with all of you!

Rory

tom_z · « **Reply #19 on:** October 21, 2004, 04:32:13 PM »

Rory - that's priceless!!!!! I'm laughing out loud in my office and my coworkers are wondering if I'm insane. Thanks for the laugh.

pace · « **Reply #20 on:** October 21, 2004, 04:52:52 PM »

Thanks for the recon photos Rory!!! I was hoping to spot pieces of my instrument~ no luck.... Do you recall a 7piece purpleheart/ebony core and some flame maple SC wings?!?!? lol....

Is that a vermillion tribute on the wall behind Marc's simple bass??? Gawd what a wonderland.....

bsee · « **Reply #21 on:** October 21, 2004, 05:28:02 PM »

When I finished my tour back in July, we went back to the entry area where there were over a dozen instruments on the walls, tables and couches. Val handed me that bass and asked me what I thought, then told me what it was after a couple minutes of noodling and commenting on how wonderfully it played. I should have known, but I didn't think about it until I was told. It was quite the experience, and a million different thoughts were spawned.

Forget about the inlays. Forget about the pretty wood top. That is the finest playing/feeling bass on the planet. If I decide to go back to playing a four instead of a five, I will order an instrument with a clone of that neck. It should almost remain on display at the factory forever so that everyone has the opportunity to stop by, touch it, and be inspired.

I hope he loves it as much as I do and starts using it at shows. If he does, I'll be extra interested in catching him if he's playing in the area.

susan · « **Reply #22 on:** October 21, 2004, 07:46:31 PM »

In one sense we are giving it away in another sense it's payment/ reward for all he has given us, inspiration, loyalty and beautiful music. He's earned this tribute and I hope tomorrow night when he recieves it, he'll be delighted with the surprise since he has no idea of what it looks like wood wise or the elaborate inlay. He's never played one with the ebony lams as yet and that should be interesting for him as well.

bsee · « **Reply #23 on:** October 21, 2004, 08:04:37 PM »

Susan, we'll all be dying to hear his reaction, especially those of us who have seen it in person!

bob · « **Reply #24 on:** October 22, 2004, 01:08:41 AM »

What a coincidence - I just got back from another SF JazzFest concert tonight, was thinking on the way up that maybe I should see whether there were any tickets left for Rite Of Strings (sorry, gang, I've always wanted to see Stanley on upright...).

Anyway, looks like there are still some tickets left, so maybe I'll head up there. I also got to see the instrument, maybe around March? Didn't have any strings at the time, but I doubt I would have played it myself even if it did. Yeah, it's a beauty.

keavin · « **Reply #25 on:** October 22, 2004, 04:31:55 AM »

that dragon inlay,is it mother of pearl, or is it silver? whatever it is it's very stunning!

gare · « **Reply #26 on:** October 22, 2004, 06:37:47 AM »

Rklis..thx for the pix. Mr.Clarks new axe is beautiful. Look forward to seeing the specs on it.
Your instrument looks interesting, I also look forward to seeing its incarnation. It's looking a bit like a Steinberger right now tho huh..

G

gare · « **Reply #27 on:** October 22, 2004, 07:25:09 AM »

Rklis..thx for the pix. Mr.Clarks new axe is beautiful. Look forward to seeing the specs on it.
Your instrument looks interesting, I also look forward to seeing its incarnation. It's looking a bit like a Steinberger right now tho huh..

G

pookeymp · « **Reply #28 on:** October 22, 2004, 08:58:37 AM »

Wow...that's a beautiful instrument, and I'm sure the pics don't do it justice.

Can't wait to see the specs on this baby.

Mikey/

bsee · « **Reply #29 on:** October 22, 2004, 09:22:59 AM »

Mikey, you're right. The top wood is pretty dark, so it's very hard to capture the figuring in a photo. As for specs, it's really a reachable instrument in terms of building one that would play similarly. If I remember correctly, over half the cost associated with this bass is in top wood upgrades and inlays. In terms of creating a player's version, the only things that are really different from an SC deluxe are the narrower neck dimensions, ebony neck laminates and electronics/pickup locations (which seemed to be stock S2).

Keavin, I suspect that the dragon has a bunch of materials involved including abalone and golden MOP. Unfortunately, my hand is covering the dragon's face in the pic I have and I remember a lot of detail there that would have to include a variety of materials. I am not sure if it is a 'standard' dragon, but I remember seeing a description of the materials used somewhere on the Alembic site.

I am still hoping/suspecting that they have done a thorough photo essay on it, including taking the time to capture the beauty of the top wood, and that this bass will be the November featured custom. Either that, or they make it a one-time special featured custom for the ages.