Author Topic: Hey Guys - I'M BACK! (Read 382 times)

bucky · « **on:** January 09, 2004, 10:22:07 AM »

Alembic Bros: I just got from a LONG road trip and I wanted to check in with you all. I've been promising to post some pictures of my '74 Brown Bass and have been waiting until I can purchase a camera good enough to capture it's deep beauty. After Christmas I realized that's not going to happen for awhile! So I had my wife Bev shoot me this morning warts and all, working out on my Baby while I write a new bass pedal part. These are taken in my little home Studio where I do most of my recording. All comments and questions welcome! Sorry it's taken so long. . Jeff p.s. I also wanted to wait until I had my re-fret done. And to find (for those who have followed my plight) the gold-plated Shallers I need . . I'm STILL looking! If anyone can point me towards a source it would be greatly appreciated.

senmen · « **Reply #1 on:** January 09, 2004, 10:30:32 AM »

Hey Jeff,
welcome home!
The community is growing every day!

Take care
Oliver (Spyderman)

bucky · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2004, 10:55:33 AM »

Oliver:

I've noticed! On the road I always have my laptop and I check The Club on the web when I can. It's great to belong to such an esteemed group of discerning musicians and collectors. .generous souls too!

Jeff

bracheen · « **Reply #3 on:** January 09, 2004, 11:00:27 AM »

Jeff, I don't think we've met but welcome home!

Sam

bucky · « **Reply #4 on:** January 09, 2004, 11:17:55 AM »

Sam:

Thanks! It's a long story that I had posted in another thread last year but basically I just regained ownership of my Brown Bass last Fall. I had originally purchased it on April 4th 1974 in Lakewood (south Tacoma) Washington. Foolishly I sold it some years later to a very close friend who kept it and only played it occasionally. And It truly was in MINT condition! I was able to purchase it back last Fall - some 24 years later! So how lucky is THAT?!?! I am truly a blessed man. Playing it now I can't even imagine how I ever let it go. . but such is the foolishness of youth.

My Baby is staying with me for good now. . I hope to leave it to my 7-year old son Dylan someday if he should express an interest in playing music when he gets older. What a great legacy for him to carry on, eh?

Jeff

elzie · « **Reply #5 on:** January 09, 2004, 12:06:36 PM »

Hey Jeff!

Welcome back! You know, it's funny, the other day I was listening to your cd and thought to myself, I wonder why Jeff hasn't been on the board lately! What a coincidence...... There is much catching up to do.

Paul TGO

bucky · « **Reply #6 on:** January 09, 2004, 12:19:24 PM »

Paul:

I completely agree. I shant be gone this long again my friend! When I get some time in the next couple of days I'll chronicle my continuing search for the ever-elusive circa '74 Shaller Gold-Plateds and the re-fret - neck adjustment problems my luthier friend Ron encountered while bringing my Brown Beauty back up to spec after having sat in my friends closet most of 24 years. My Brown Bass *did* however make it's first stage appearance this past Fall at the 2nd Annual Progman Cometh Festival in Seattle, Washington. Everyone that remembered my band Glass from the '70s were SO shocked to see me with her again(-;

Jeff

p.s. It pleases me to no end to hear you listen to my CD BTW. . Thanks!

dean_m · « **Reply #7 on:** January 09, 2004, 12:37:38 PM »

Hey Jeff,

Welcome back!!! Funny you had mentioned how you hope to leave your bass to your son. I'm actually willing each of my Alembics to each of my daughters. These things truely are worthy of becoming heirlooms aren't they?
I've said before, long after I'm gone from this world, my great-grandkids will be playing bass somewhere with his great-grandfather's antique Alembic.
BTW-I used to love riding my Harley up to Ojai from LA. I spent many Sundays eating at the Deer Lodge just outside of town. I forget what that pass was that takes you out to Frasier Park. Is it the Santa Suzanna? What a beautiful area!!!

Peace,
Dino

bucky · « **Reply #8 on:** January 09, 2004, 01:51:13 PM »

Hey Dino. . how ya doin my friend? You know I don't know the name of that pass but I know the area you're talking about - it is really beautiful. Right there at the mouth of the Ojai Valley. Re leaving our instuments to our progeny. . yeah, it's funny how time has a way of re-shuffling your priorities, eh? I was a pretty confirmed bachlor when my wife and I got together as a couple. We had been friends for years but had always been with other people. She did a stint in the Air Force (much to this ex-Hippy Peace-Niks dismay) but when she got out she was free and I took the plunge. I'd always liked her but timing is everything in life, isn't it(-; Anyway, when Dylan came along I was scared to death but now I can't concieve of life without him. He says - at least right now - he wants to play drums. Which I figure is a karmic payback for all the times I drove my family and girlfriends crazy practicing in shared living quarters with my bands(-; My wife is hoping he'll grow out of that and settle on something that has a volume control. I say Let him Rock! And the Alembic will be right here for him when he does. .

Jeff

bracheen · « **Reply #9 on:** January 09, 2004, 02:04:06 PM »

Wow it's hard to believe that bass is 30 years old. It looks great and I bet sounds better. That's a good story about how it came back to you. My daughter is a musician but a singer with no interest in fretted things. Her husband however is a bass player. He may luck out one day. Maybe not luck, but you know what I mean.

Sam

bucky · « **Reply #10 on:** January 09, 2004, 02:21:49 PM »

Sam:

Yeah, I do. My son has a cousin who is 16 and just licking his chops for my Alembic. But I'd prefer to keep it a little closer to the Tree, if you know what I mean. We'll see though. . someone who *really* can appreciate it will end up with it. We can't take our stuff with us (though I must admit I did entertain the thought of having it put in my coffin when they bury me(-;!) I mean after all it took me 24 years and more luck than one man's entitled to in a lifetime to get 'er back!

Jeff

p.s. And your right. .she *is* looking good. . especially for 30! But then she's only seen stage time with me. . her one other owner did only 3 gigs with her in 24 years! Thats truly like a Little Old Lady from Pasadena being your cars prior owner. .

811952 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 10, 2004, 06:33:08 PM »

Bucky,
Beautiful bass! I used to gig in Ojai in '84 with a country-ish band, and only ever got to make that drive up from LA after dark. :-( Nice country, nice bass!!
John

bucky · « **Reply #12 on:** January 10, 2004, 07:07:47 PM »

Hey John:

Thanks! Yeah it is nice up here. We can't really afford to live here - it's pretty pricey - but we get by because I know the schools here are some of the best in the state and I want my son to have every opportunity I can give him. . I almost moved back to Washington State (I was born and raised there) about 10 years ago before I discovered this area. I had been living in The Valley at that point for around 10 years and had had it with the pollution, violence etc. . then a friend suggested I take a trip to this area and the second I saw it I thought Hell yeah. .I could settle here. . It's quite artistic here. Lot's of artists and musicians and entrepenuers. Lot's of other guys my age walking around with ponytails running their own small businesses as I have most of my adult life. I felt right at home. .

Jeff