Author Topic: Ebony/purpleheart/maple neck... who was first??? (Read 276 times)

the_8_string_king · « **on:** October 31, 2005, 07:00:28 PM »

Hey everybody!!! (In the voice of Dr. Nick)

I've noticed that -since I've got my custom bocate Europa 8-string bass- that may other people have followed in my footsteps and commissioned necks that combine ebony, purpleheart, and maple. This has led me to wonder -purely as a matter of curiosity, as opposed to ego- whether I was the first (I would assume not) to get this combination. So I'm curious. Was I the first? What is the history of this combination of neck woods?

I absolutely love my combination of neck woods. It just couldn't be any better. My neck does exactly what I wanted it to do... it looks awesome... but more importantly, it sounds great! It does both these things.

Yeah, I see lots of other people are ordering their necks with combinations of these 3 woods... it seems like the most popular combination is to have every other laminate be rock maple, and then to alternate ebony and purpleheart for the remaining laminates.

Again, I'm really curious. Was I the first? If not, who? How long have customers been ordering combinations of these 3 woods. Also, I'd like to hear from those who have also ordered this combination of woods.

I'll tell ya, if I ever ordered another custom bass or guitar, I would never consider NOT using this combo... it is indescribably fabulous, and FAR superior to anything/everything else I've ever heard. I strongly suspect that others with the same neck laminates would agree. So please respond/educate me folks! My inquiring mind wants to know!!!

(Message edited by the 8 string king on October 31, 2005)

the_8_string_king · « **Reply #1 on:** October 31, 2005, 07:07:37 PM »

Once again, the system will NOT -after multiple consequtive attempts- allow my to edit a typo from the post I posted moments ago (changing customer bass to custom.)

I'm just going to give up on editing typos, folks... it's not my fault! I'm literate, but the system simply does not allow me to edit typos! It's a clusterf#@k!

rami · « **Reply #2 on:** November 01, 2005, 03:06:15 PM »

Hey Mark,

My custom was inspired in part by this beauty:

http://www.alembic.com/info/FC_dt12string.html

Rami

the_8_string_king · « **Reply #3 on:** November 01, 2005, 05:11:16 PM »

Thanks for the response, Rami! I HAVE seen this in the custom archives (in fact, I have -of course- checked out EVERY instrument in the custom archives).

I found this to be a particularily intriguing and awesome guitar, and wondered if IT was in any way (duh, particularily the neck) influenced by my instrument/neckwood choices?

By the way, sir, I would like to say that your ebony masterpiece is most definitely one of the top 10 most awesome Alembic (or any other brand) basses that I've ever seen -period. Your Dark Prince is just outstanding, and an inspiration to us all. I particularily (trying not to overuse the word) appreciate YOUR instrument as ebony is one of my top 4 wood choice... I actually prefer it to the popular/favorite son choice of coco bolo, and think/recognize that it is just awesome.

Anyway, thanks for your response. You undoubtably share the priveledged information that I know about the awesome sustain-enhancing qualities of an ebony-fortified neck... it's really something, isn't it? (A rhetorical question.)

I like to tell people (any who are inclined to care) about it, as it's something that changes your whole world (or at least bass) view.

Once you go ebony, there isn't any going back...

mica · « **Reply #4 on:** November 01, 2005, 06:43:40 PM »

The first Ebony neck laminates were found on David's (dfung60) 5-string Series II. He requested it, we decided we could do it, and then our eyebrows were raised when we heard it. It's not every day that my dad comes to the office with an instrument and says, I think this is the best sounding bass we ever made. Those things have a tendancy to stick out.

We don't really track every variation of firsts that would really be some job to categorize I just happen to know about David's since it was a major sonic event.

I know that the other David's 12-string guitar was made to have a similar look to his graphite necked 6-string guitar made in the wayback. It's hard to find Alembics that weren't inspired by other Alembics it seems.

the_8_string_king · « **Reply #5 on:** November 01, 2005, 07:06:09 PM »

Thanks again for this response as well, MRS. Mica!

the_8_string_king · « **Reply #6 on:** November 01, 2005, 07:09:00 PM »

By the way, I hope this doesn't sound either sappy and/or brown-nosey, but I had just a little tear roll out when I saw the picture of you and you chosen one at your wedding...

You looked so pretty and happy, and it was very moving... it's really nice that you could share such an intimate and wonderful moment with everyone...

Again, best wishes to you both.

the_8_string_king · « **Reply #7 on:** November 01, 2005, 07:17:25 PM »

Again, after multiple attempts, I simply cannot edit my post... it says account suspended, contact Mica if you have any questions.

There seems to be an issue with the system. Sometimes I can edit posts... I've done it before... but in this case, as with others, it seems impossible. I've tried everything, carefully, over and over again.

I officially absolve myself of any/all responsibility for editing typos... it's not my fault... IT'S THE SYSTEM!!!

Funny, to make a new thread and/or respond to a thread only requires that I put in my user name and password, but the system won't (at least consistently) accept this for edits, but it will/does for new posts... oh well.

mica · « **Reply #8 on:** November 02, 2005, 11:12:44 AM »

Thanks for your kind wishes - the day was wonderful and we had so many friends and family to share it with us. David Fung was kind enough to post the pictures on the Club.

I can't understand why you would get the message that our account is suspended, since you can obviously post messages. One thing I might suggest is that since you have the preview screen enabled (default), to just carefully read the post and make edits at that time, before actually posting.

If you actually get to the edit screen by pressing the edit icon in the upper right corner of the post, then the system is recognizing you are a valid user. It should even report to you Note: You are logged in as the_8_string_king to edit this post. at the top of the page. Let me know if it doesn't.

Make sure you have cookies enabled, and of course use the Save Message button under the editing window. Note there is a 72 hour time limit for self-editing of posts.

I frequently make typos online, and usually just leave them. Usually such communications are done quickly and most readers I think understand that. If I'm drafting a letter or a brochure, I edit away.