Author Topic: Thus Inspired. . . (Read 804 times)

bucky · « **on:** June 19, 2003, 04:19:38 PM »

Hello My Fellow Alembic Brothers! I spent a good part of yesterday afternoon on this site educating myself further about the history of this phenomenal company. I read Susan Wickershams first installment of "The Long Story" and was SO moved I was motivated to get into my picture archive for my band Glass and dig out every single old picture I could find of myself playing my Alembic Brown Bass SN# 74 - 52. So at the risk of boring you all or seeming too self-indulgent I'd like to post some of them here. . Enjoy ? Please and feel free to ask any questions! (Just no laughing about the bellbottoms o.k.?(-; A lot of you guys had ?em too. . come on. . .let me know if you want to see more. Thanks Alembic, Jeff p.s. Also I was graced with a returned phone call from none other than Mica Wickersham herself just the prior afternoon. Between my sons repeated interruptions and requests for "candy" and "Daddy. .why isn't my computer working" we had a great conversation about Alembic Brown Basses, Alembic in general and my specific problem of trying to track down a vintage Gold Plated Schaller Tuning Gear. . she was so down-to-earth and cool I wanted to pack up my Brown Bass and drive right up to their shop and meet her and the whole family! I intend on doing just that sometime this summer. What a great heritage to be a part of.

elzie · « **Reply #1 on:** June 19, 2003, 06:08:33 PM »

That's so great that youy have such a history with that bass Jeff!

All my old pics have me playing an old Gibson and such. I'm trying to decide if in the third pic you look more like Geddy Lee....J/K The first picture reminds me of one you would see in a 70's era Time-Life Year In Pictures. The photo has a cool, old funky look to it.

bucky · « **Reply #2 on:** June 19, 2003, 07:25:14 PM »

Thanks elzie!

That 3rd picture - obviously a concert shot - was done by our longtime friend, soundman and photographer Erik Poulsen. He had been experimenting with various B&W film speeds for graininess and also that blurred effect. I've always liked that shot too. . Erik has a real talent with tripping the shutter at exactly the perfect moment. . I'm sure you've known a few photogs like that too. The second shot I included - from the same concert - is rare because for some unknown reason I didn't take a lot of pictures of my gear back then. I guess I just thought I would have it forever. . ah, my youthful naivet? showing through. At the time I was playing mainly the BB but had also started in playing Rhodes and bass pedals as well - NOT an easy thing. But I got pretty proficient. The Strat was a great one too that I let go - '61 had an incredible neck. And last but not least the ever-present can (or bottle) of the bands unofficial beverage - Dr. Pepper! The first picture I included because it was taken the day I brought my new Brown Bass home. Man. . I couldn't put it down! Seriously. . I think I even wore it to bed!

Jeff

P.S. Should I post more? Is this getting boring yet? Please let me know. .nothing worse than a guy who won?t turn off his old ?home movies?!

palembic · « **Reply #3 on:** June 20, 2003, 12:50:13 AM »

Hi Jeff,

You're not bpring anyone up here. It's good to see how man and their instruments have a history together.
BTW: I suppose we'll use this thread to post pictures of our past.
I think I have a picture somewhere me playing my first bass in a concert on university. I'll check.
Now this bass is an Alembic.
Excuse me if I'm asking things already answered but:
* how did you and your bass met in the first place?
* Was it your first bass?

Paul The bad one

PS : old home MOVIES?? No problem, as long that there's an Alembic on screen it's okay. LOL

stoney · « **Reply #4 on:** June 20, 2003, 05:07:42 AM »

Jeff,
Very cool pics. Thanks for posting them.
stoney

dean_m · « **Reply #5 on:** June 20, 2003, 07:24:20 AM »

Jeff,
Great stuff man!!!! I agree with Paul (tbo). We should dig up our old pix and post them here. I've got some old pix of my metal days that my wife is black mailing me with. Maybe if I make them public, she can't black-mail me anymore.

D

dean_m · « **Reply #6 on:** June 20, 2003, 07:26:29 AM »

Of course they would include Alembic basses too....

rogertvr · « **Reply #7 on:** June 20, 2003, 08:31:00 AM »

They're great pics those! Jeff has started something here for sure!

bucky · « **Reply #8 on:** June 20, 2003, 09:05:34 AM »

Hey Guys: Couldn't agree more with your comments and thanks for the support. And as far as posting your old pics here I say BRING ?EM ON! I?d love to see you guy?s musical pasts. It?s a little weird posting old pics ? kind of like running through a Supermarket naked ? but who better to ?streak? with than your Alembic Brothers, eh? In answer to your question Paul my very first bass was a knock-off Hofner copy. Made out of plywood - seriously! The next bass was my first *real* bass - it was a '62 Gibson Newport. One big fat Humbucker and a neck that was incredibly fast. I got it used from another bass player for $80! Gave that one up for my one and only Rickenbacker 4001 in 1972. Chris Squire was my first BIG Hero then. . I saw him with the Classic Yes lineup in ?71 and he BLEW ME AWAY! When he did his solo part of the show - playing bass pedals at the same time as he played these incredible bass licks, I was hypnotized. So I just HAD to buy a Rick. . got the pedals too, eventually. I thought that was the absolute killer setup. . that is until I walked into Bandstand Music in Lakewood Washington on April 3rd 1974 and saw this VISION from Heaven looking down at me from the wall. . .I couldn't believe my eyes!! really. . I had NEVER seen anything . . any man made artifact that looked THAT beautiful. It was my one and only Baby. . my Alembic Brown Bass. As if she were waiting for me. . of course the store people knew absolutely NOTHING about her. I don't even think they knew how to pronounce "Alembic" let alone where and who they were. . later on I read about their history and being a HUGE Jefferson Airplane fan (I think Jack Casady is a genius and one of the unsung heroes of Bassdom - his melodic style is just SO unique) I saw a picture of him playing an Alembic and I felt I had a brother there. . like minds finding the same axes kind of thing. . anyway. . I?m rambling. Here?s a couple more. . .Come Now. . .you post some ?Golden Oldies?! I Dare Ya! Jeff P.S> Roger. . really? I thought I might be being a little selfish. . I'm glad everyones seeming to enjoy this. Can't wait to see everyones pictures!

elzie · « **Reply #9 on:** June 20, 2003, 11:36:12 AM »

I'll see if I can find someone with a scanner so I can add some pics, but I'm not running naked through a supermarket! At least, not the frozen food section

Paul, one of the many

dean_m · « **Reply #10 on:** June 20, 2003, 12:03:03 PM »

Paul,

You mean that wasn't you I saw running through the Stop & Shop the other day. You had a bag of potato chips, a six pack of beer, and an Alembic Excel?!?!? LOL

Dino (bptfo)

elzie · « **Reply #11 on:** June 20, 2003, 01:05:46 PM »

Yikes! I thought I was running fast enough not to be seen. I think the cold beer is what slowed me down.....

Paul, The Supermarket Streaker

bucky · « **Reply #12 on:** June 20, 2003, 01:13:22 PM »

I'm dying here I'm laughin so hard! You'd need one heck of a large bodied Alembic to hide my gut these days(-;. .and I'd only be going to the cold case for beer!

I can't wait to see everyones pictures. .

Jeff

bucky · « **Reply #13 on:** June 20, 2003, 06:11:37 PM »

Hey Michael:

I got your package today. . WOW THANKS! Sent you a long rambling email about it all. . I may have to take a special trip down your way just to check out your basses! I am so envious. .

Here's one more picture of me. . this one was taken at that same concert. .

Jeff

bucky · « **Reply #14 on:** June 23, 2003, 08:45:35 AM »

My Alembic Brothers:

O.k. . . this is the last one I have. NOW. . wasn't there some talk about YOU GUYS posting some? Let's do it! I can't wait to see them!

Cold here alone by the beer case,

Jeff