Author Topic: He's baaaack! (Read 293 times)

bassman10096 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 10, 2007, 05:37:18 PM »

Ain't life grand.

artswork99 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 10, 2007, 06:57:28 PM »

Bill, Here's a more current profile of Austin with the user name as darkstar01.

http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/20540.html?1187355343

the_8_string_king · « **Reply #17 on:** September 10, 2007, 09:37:59 PM »

Well doesn't that just suck for everyone. It's clearly Austins' Brown bass... the figuring on the wood, the writing on the back of the headstock...

Boy, doesn't this suck for everyone. My condolences to Bill, Art, Austin, and everyone else involved in this sad and twisted story.

My heart goes out to all you guys... and I hope the people involved in these crimes get the HARSHEST possible punishment. Stealing dreams is no small crime.

As bad as this is -and it's bad- it's good that club members are looking out for each other. Without this, it would be a lot worse. Better to find out the dismal news now rather than later.

bsee · « **Reply #18 on:** September 11, 2007, 02:27:00 PM »

I don't know, guys. My recollection of Austin's report was that Dark Star was stolen, but that his other Alembics were not.

-bob

darkstar01 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 11, 2007, 02:38:16 PM »

The MK and Brown Bass were stolen on a seperate occaision, a little more than a week ago. I'm trying to work all of this out.
Austin

olieoliver · « **Reply #20 on:** September 11, 2007, 02:42:34 PM »

So you've had 3 Alembics stolen?

bsee · « **Reply #21 on:** September 11, 2007, 02:53:42 PM »

Yuck! Okay, well that answers that question.

sorry...

bassman10096 · « **Reply #22 on:** September 27, 2007, 03:19:09 PM »

Here's an update. I think the news is all good. The Ebay seller who sold me Austin's Brown Bass stepped up to the plate and refunded my purchase price (fwew!). It's my understanding he's been in touch with Austin's Mom and wheels are in motion to get the Brown Bass back to Austin.

I, on the other hand, never really had the BB I thought I'd get. And thank heaven I found out about the problem right away, literally within hours of receiving the bass. Thanks (sincerely) to everyone here who played a part in identifying and addressing the problem - Reid, Mica, Susan, Art, Tom others who looked out for me and for Austin's interests.

As unpleasant and unnerving as the experience began, my faith in people and appreciation for the Alembic community came through it all stronger than ever. On yet another positive note, Mica and I just finished spec'ing a Brown Bass I'll be having built. More on that as time goes by. I think I'll start a new thread at some point with thoughts about rejoining the ranks of Alembic owners (This thread has baggage, you might say.).
Bill

rraymond · « **Reply #23 on:** September 27, 2007, 07:57:59 PM »

Bill, I'm glad things are working out for you. I hope also, that Art has found his way into Alembicland and that Austin's wayward basses found their way back home. I felt a lot of trepidation when I made the post above, but my gut told me it was the right thing. One thing that's kind of funny, is that it wasn't the Victor Wooten signature on the back of the headstock that made me remember that bass, but the grain in the walnut top. I'm not religious, but I have to believe that there's a seriously bad karmic place that people who steal other people's instruments go to. I hope everything works out for you guys.

It sounds like we'll be watching a Brown Bass FTC thread before long! Congrats!

Reid

the_8_string_king · « **Reply #24 on:** September 27, 2007, 09:21:17 PM »

Hey Bill, that's great that you're getting your $ back, Austin's getting his bass back -sure hope he gets Dark Star back- and you're getting a new Alembic Brown Bass.

A thought... have you seen and/or played one of the the new Balance K basses? I just got my brand new MK Signature Deluxe in that shape -and it's incredibly awesome. I strongly recommend it... it's awesome looking and incredibly comfortable and ergonomic. It didn't cost anything extra (aside from the omega cutout)... if you check the price quote generator, it's a no-cost option (if you're getting a Signature Bass -which is basically what a Brown Bass is... with Anniversery electronics).

I think it would be really cool to get a Brown Bass with the Balance K body... I don't think they've done one yet, (if) so, yours would be the first!

Also, since you haven't had an Alembic in a while, I want to make sure you're aware of a relatively new and extremely awesome option: Ebony neck laminates! Even one will do wonders for your sound, increasing the low end response and sustain in a way you have to hear to believe! If you want more info, ask around -or consult the experts, Mica and Susan!

Best of luck with your project, I'll look forward to seeing it when it hits FTC! Take care, Mark

bassman10096 · « **Reply #25 on:** September 28, 2007, 05:23:38 AM »

Thanks guys.

Mark: Interesting suggestion about the Bal K body. I actually gave some thought to What if you did all the Brown Bass woods, oil finish, short scale in a Balance K instead of a small standard? (Are you invading my mind? What else am I thinking?). As much as I love trying untried stuff, Austin's bass convinced me that I really like the small, symmetrical body + short scale and crown headstock. Combined with the walnut facing and oil finish, it's a really nice, very compact (which I like about shorties to begin with) throwback to the Alembics of old - before the really glamorous woods and incredibly deep gloss finishes were part of the Alembic look.

On the Balance K body - I love them. They are ergonomically great and a fantastic design that combines new and old and appears to have really taken off. I'd love to own another Bal K (chokes back tears) -- http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/12133.html?1094104551-- if the cards get dealt that way. But the traditional look of the small standard body and the fact that it's just a little shorter than the Bal K made up my mind for this bass.

When I ordered my S2, I was thrilled with the look, feel and sound (Still gives me chills to think about). But there are always things you choose not to have because of what you choose to get. The Brown Bass is a lot of the things I had to forego in designing the Bal K bass. As much as I wish I still had my Bal K, I'm unbelievably blessed to get to make these decisions all over again on another Alembic.
Bill

lidon2001 · « **Reply #26 on:** September 28, 2007, 07:38:58 AM »

Congrats Bill,

My only suggestion is 70's pickup spacing and a dummy hum cancellor, or maybe full series prep.

Can't wait to see it.

T

bassman10096 · « **Reply #27 on:** September 28, 2007, 10:45:49 AM »

Tom: 2 questions - (1) What do you mean by 70s spacing? and (2) How on earth did you get hooked up with Uncle Bob's (located 10 min from my house, but definitely not from yours)?

I don't picture I'm going to upgrade to Series, so the added expenditures (and don't they also need to make the body a bit thicker?) probably don't make sense for me.
Bill

lidon2001 · « **Reply #28 on:** September 28, 2007, 11:41:44 AM »

I grew up in 'Tosa, and my dad bought me my first real bass from Bob & Dennis, 1978 Ric 4001 Jetglo new for $450 for my 17th birthday.

70's pickup spacing is like on Stanley's bass, with very little room between the neck pickup and the end of the neck. People complained of not being able to slap easily so they moved the neck pickup back to allow easier finger access when slapping. But I think moving the pickup this far toward the bridge would change the sound too much. I like a nice thick dub bass sometimes, and moving the neck pickup as far forward as possible should help this, I would assume. Plus with the dummy hc, it keeps the series look alive at minimal cost for wanna-be series owners like me. I can't find the pics of the first of the BB series being made that had the spacing with the dummy hc, so here's my short scale BalK with said spacing again (yes, it needs a flitzing...):

(Message edited by lidon2001 on September 28, 2007)

lidon2001 · « **Reply #29 on:** September 28, 2007, 11:50:06 AM »

And dont' forget 3 way Q switches.