This probably isn't the best place here to post this, but here's what I just posted in the Talkbass Alembic Club about my super fun visit with Mica:
Howdy folks. I recently picked up my first-ever Alembic (a 1992 short scale Spoiler) and am super psyched about it. Really been enjoying the incredible craftsmanship and clarity.
I'm fortunate to live about 45 minutes away from the so-called Mothership, so of course I had to contact Alembic and arrange to bring my new Spoiler in for a tune up and some upgrades. Boy am I glad I did! Yesterday I got to spend probably over an hour with Mica just jibberjabbing about Alembic and bass and tone. I got to handle some of the basses that were on hand and was just blown away by the commitment to excellence and attention to detail. Saw some inlay work in-progress or in-design that was just incredible in its intricacy and how seemlessly they fit into the fretboard or wherever (got to see a remake in progress of Phil's famous bass with all the groovy inlays, a tie-dyed guitar and other goodies). Got to handle a Stanley Clarke short scale with a 1.5" wide jazz neck that was felt so good in my left hand I can't tell you - the fretboard edges are angled so they seemlessly integrate with the neck that it reduces "bulk" and makes the neck super fast (whatever that means).
The whole experience was a total delight and I highly recommend it. Mica is so generous, knowledgeable, down-to-earth, funny - everything you've heard before is true. (For those not in the area, you can make a nice holiday out of it, since Russian River brewing (makers of Pliny the elder), wine country and other attractions are just around the corner.)
Can't wait for when I go back and pick it up. Maybe I can meet dad, or see other parts of the shop. Will be fun no matter what.
Thanks for reading, DM
