Author Topic: 30 Years Old - And She Still Looks Beautiful! (Read 415 times)

bucky · « **on:** January 13, 2004, 04:47:47 PM »

My Alembic Bros: I've been striving to take some current pictures that would show my Brown Beauty in all her glory. This morning was re-stringing time so here are some further efforts. All questions and comments welcome!

valvil · « **Reply #1 on:** January 13, 2004, 06:35:20 PM »

I'd say she definitely still looks gorgeous, incredibly good looking maple you have there... but I'd a call her a blondie more than a brownie...
that just generated this wacky thought...
...maybe after the Brown Bass we should have the Blonde Bass, then the Brunette Bass and the Redhead Bass...match the Stanley to your senior management's hair specs...

Valentino

eastcoastepic · « **Reply #2 on:** January 13, 2004, 06:47:36 PM »

Class never goes out of style.....love that sculptured nut and early bridge/tailpiece combination. I hope my two (so far) Alembics look as good in 2034!

bucky · « **Reply #3 on:** January 13, 2004, 07:35:05 PM »

Hey Guys:

Thanks! Actually my name for my Alembic for many years was Big Al. Brown Beauty more aptly applies to Stanley?s mahogany Alembic Brown Bass. And yes, I believe that is maple on the top half. The bottom half is a wood called Myrtle which I'm not that familiar with. And yes, I love the sculpted scalloped (the word my luthier friend Ron uses) nut. And the old-style Bridge/Tailpiece. I must admit though I do like the way Alembic later modified the design to hide the battery compartment. The brass plate between the pickups is an acquired taste to some. And of course one more piece of brass to polish(-; I also must confess a love and fascination with the pre-Urethane Finish Era Alembics. Though they take a of a lot of care and upkeep, the oil finish just looks so, as you say classy. And handmade. . like a fine piece of art. Though in truth, they all look incredibly gorgeous.. Especially the woods they're using now. Thanks for the comments Bros. . I'd love to see pictures of your Alembics if you have them!

Jeff

David Houck · « **Reply #4 on:** January 13, 2004, 09:59:53 PM »

Great pics of a beautiful bass!

mint_bass · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2004, 02:29:46 AM »

thats a perfect bass there well done you are very lucky to have it

andrew

senmen · « **Reply #6 on:** January 14, 2004, 03:23:49 AM »

Bucky,
I had been stunned by the pics in your first welcome back thread. But these are gorgeous.
I really like this baby. It looks so good...

Take care
Oliver (Spyderman)

jet_powers · « **Reply #7 on:** January 14, 2004, 06:15:19 AM »

See? Some things do get better with age!

JP

rami · « **Reply #8 on:** January 14, 2004, 06:40:15 AM »

It's just so incredibly beautiful...and there are
so many details to admire. It's like a picture in time.
Thanks for sharing your pictures with us.

Great job preserving it as well. Something to pass on to future generations.

Rami

bucky · « **Reply #9 on:** January 14, 2004, 09:12:51 AM »

Hey Bros:

And thank you all for indulging me. Thanks so much for the positive, complimentary posts! I've really been frustrated about trying to capture her true beauty on film (digital that is). I'm sure if you've tried taking pictures of your Alembics you know exactly what I mean(-; It's like the difference between listening to a singer like Ray Charles or Van Morrison live (which I've been blessed to get to do) and then comparing the sound to even a great studio recording - somethings lost. . something intangible that even the greatest mikes on the planet can't pick up. That's also a good way to explain to any non-Alembic owner the difference between how our basses sound and how other basses sound. There's just something in the air molecules around them that get's excited by the precise and lovingly handmade way the Alembic is constructed. . .you all know what I mean. Again, thanks. . it took me years to get my Alembic back and YOU guys are the only ones I can get as excited about it as I am!!

You're all the greatest,

Jeff

P.S. Also, I've decided I want my next Alembic to be the Stanley Clarke Brown Bass that was made around the time mine was. I hope to find someone that will sell me an original (good luck!) but I'll settle for a reissue. I feel that would make my Alembic Collection complete!

wideload · « **Reply #10 on:** January 14, 2004, 11:27:18 PM »

Just wondering...
I've had struggles with fretless basses. Maybe I should have gone stringless like you (I'm sure my bandleader would embrace the concept!). It would cetainly solve my bad note problems. Seriously, beautiful bass!

Larry

bucky · « **Reply #11 on:** January 15, 2004, 08:51:40 AM »

Larry:

Yeah. .and think of the money you'd save not buying strings? It could be the first virtual Alembic . . .

Jeff

keavin · « **Reply #12 on:** March 12, 2004, 09:29:07 AM »

one good thing about antique alembics is ,NOT everybody has one,and theres only a few of us, (owners) ,and they are very seldom seen at all, in fact alot of them have been retired ... never to be seen again on stage by the public.

bucky · « **Reply #13 on:** March 14, 2004, 04:58:54 PM »

Keavin:

This is true. The other owner of My Alembic had it in his closet most of the time. In the many years he had it he only did 3 gigs and a handful of rehearsals! Lucky for me(-;

mint_bass · « **Reply #14 on:** March 15, 2004, 02:31:21 AM »

that bass is very pretty i really like the tail peice it is very cool