First new Alembic bass!

[fivestringdan]

Last month acquired an Orion 6 string fretless. The first Alembic I have ever owned. Right after I got the bass my thoughts immediately to ordering a new instrument. So Susan and I have been working out a spec I wanted to share and get the groups thoughts.

Europa 5-string bass
Balance point body
Crown Peghead, beveled
Right handed
Fretted
Ebony fingerboard
MOP ovals
Side LED's, violet
Single Ebony neck laminate
Mahogany body
Ziricote top(I am trying to source a piece of Gaboon Ebony for the top)
Fatboy pickups
Brass hardware
Anniversary electronics w/pickup selector
Inlaid Logo Bronze with MOP cloud and Albalone Dragon Circle

That's what we have so far. I'm very excited to say the least!

[StephenR]

Looking like it will be quite a nice bass! The Ebony neck laminate is a great choice. Either Zircote or Gaboon Ebony would make a beautiful top. One suggestion, if you are getting a simple on/off switch for the LEDs I would consider asking them to put a trim pot in so you can internally adjust the brightness. After years of wanting an Alembic with LEDs when I finally got one the LEDs were too bright for me. I had a trim-pot installed so I can dial back the intensity, they are still quite bright at the lowest setting. You can also get an external control for the intensity but I didn't feel that was necessary at the time and still feel the same way. I can't imagine a situation for me where I would be frequently adjusting the LEDs.

What kind of wood have you picked out for the peg head?

[fivestringdan]

I will inquire about the trim pot for the LED's.

I assumed the headstock laminate was the same as the body laminate. Another question I need to ask Susan!

Thank you!

[mica]

The LEDs all come with a trim pot for the brightness now, so that's automatic.

Likewise the peghead veneers will coordinate unless you specify otherwise.

[lbpesq]

Hi Dan, welcome to the club and congrats on your new Alembics!  I, too, had an internal dimmer installed on my custom Further guitar.  Once I found the brightness level I liked I have never adjusted it.   One thing to consider if you will be playing on a lot of dark stages:  red LEDs affect night vision far less than any other color.    On mine the LEDs are red with double amber LEDs at the 12th fret.

Bill, the guitar one

[fivestringdan]

Bill,

Thank you for the suggestion. I don't play many dark stages. I do a fair share of theater gigs and either the pit or backstage is dark. I usually don't have to worry about either me seeing or the audience noticing the LED's on the neck. I chose the color from my sense aesthetic and though it would look pretty. I'm sure at sometime in the future it will work as a visual aid as well.

[keith_h]

Congratulations and welcome to the Alembic Acquisition Club. I started with a 5-string Orion with Essence electronics. It wasn't long before I bought a new Brown Bass from Bass Central. After that is was two customs but I'm just an amateur compared to some of the other members when it comes to collecting Alembics.

[fivestringdan]

Thank you Keith!

I've always wanted an Alembic. I had an idea about a Series II six string fretless. The Orion fretless 6 is an amazing instrument and solidified my decision to have a custom instrument made. I'm sure there will be others. I have a wonderful instrument collection but am understanding more the ethos of Alembic guitars.

If I may pontificate...I believe Leo Fender did a great thing for the instrument world by introducing affordable, electric guitars. However, even with my limited experience so far with Alembic I believe they got it "right". As to say, this is how electric instruments are suppose to sound. Or have accomplished the apex of electric guitar construction and sound.

Either way I'm very excited!

[hammer]

Dan, my sincere condolences cause…


 “You got fever….You got the fever…the Alembic fever.”


Based on years of research, medical experts indicate that once you get it, the fever never really goes away. The best you can hope for is that it goes into dormancy every now and again to give you time to save up for the next time the fever strikes.


Congratulations!

[jazzyvee]

So true.

[fivestringdan]

Thank you Hammer!

I see my instrument collection turning into an Alembic collection.

[dannobasso]

Congrats! I will agree with my fellow devotees that the sickness of the mothership pathogen is resistant to many interventions. I truly believe that life is too short and the joy that these creations give us is well worth the price of admission.I'm currently waiting on my most extravagant custom. This will be my 8th build and I wish you all the health, wealth and blessings as you see your dreams become reality. The Wickershams are a great family to work with and I've trusted them since my first build in 86. Cheers!

[fivestringdan]

Thank you Danno!

I agree, I have converted, been saved, changed paths, joined the "cult"...whatever you want to call it.

I have already have a six string fretted in mind!

[fivestringdan]

I just looked at your build thread, Danno. All I can say is wow! That is going to be a beautiful addition to your collection. A "feather in your cap" as they say.

[OJ Dorson]

Congratulations!!