Author Topic: Planning my alembic purchase (Read 531 times)

tom_z · « **Reply #15 on:** July 18, 2004, 11:32:27 AM »

Okay folks - with the help of your suggestions and advice - and after scouring these boards for possibilities I am about to awaken from this dream into an Alembic reality. I had a wonderful conversation with Susan on Friday during which we arrived at a specification for my future guitar. It is modest in comparison to many of the custom basses and guitars that are crafted at Alembic, but no less sweet or exciting to me.

Thanks to all - these boards have a great vibe.
Those interested in the details, please read on:

I am about to place my order for a custom Skylark.
- Long scale 25.50
- Body - Mahogany core/ Vermilion bottom laminate/ maple pinstripe/ Coco Bolo top laminate
- Peghead faced with Coco Bolo
- Mahogany backplate
- Small custom inlay piece on the neck (we have not worked out all the details yet)

After shoping around a bit I found that Ed Roman (my hometown guitar shop) offered quite an agressive price, however, Beaver Felton at Bass Central made me an offer I could not refuse and Roman would not beat.

As this is my first Alembic purchase - I would imagine that there are stages of anticipation and excitement during the process of acquiring a custom instrument - I'm looking forward to each stage.

bracheen · « **Reply #16 on:** July 18, 2004, 02:17:17 PM »

Congratulations, I'm looking forward to watching the progress in the factory to customer section. It sounds like it will be a beauty.

Sam

hollis · « **Reply #17 on:** July 19, 2004, 12:44:09 PM »

It sounds like another masterpiece in the making. I've said it before,and I'll say it again, I love my Skylark. The long scale is very responsive.

Will the Coco Bolo top mellow the tone slightly?

From many club member's experiences as well as my own, I think you've made a wise decision with regards to the dealer.

It's always nice to have another guitarist on board, sometimes we can't help but feel a little out numbered... Although a finer group of folks would be very hard to come by.

You guitar is going to be sweet. Congratulations.

tom_z · « **Reply #18 on:** July 19, 2004, 02:24:37 PM »

Thanks Sam - As I'm a just a bit beyond a quick days drive from Santa Rosa, I too am looking forward to following the progress of my guitar on Factory to Customer.

Holis - Susan spoke to me about the tonal variations from one type of wood to the next and I decided that the tonal difference between Maple and Coco Bolo was not as significant as my desire to have a nice reddish-brown top. The tonal range of my playing has, of late, been quite limited by my Guild S-50. The Skylark, with a top in any of Alembic's fine woods should provide me with tonal colors far beyond anything I'm currently able to achieve. Perhaps one of the experts here can be more specific with respect to the tonal qualities of a Skylark when topped with something other than Maple.

hollis · « **Reply #19 on:** July 19, 2004, 03:13:16 PM »

Hi Tom,

Coco bolo is indeed a very beautiful wood. I'm glad to know that it won't make a hugh difference in tone only because the tone with maple is so fine. I'm sure that the Coco bolo top will add that much more to the equation. I've come to understand that much of Alembic's magic is in the subtleties of tone that can be achieved. The pass filters took me a little time to get used to. At first, I way over compensated.... But with the help of the fine folks of this club and a little patience (something that took me a long time to gain), I've learned to shape the sound to whatever I'm after. It's all very subtle, as well as very cool. Alembic electronics, even (and forgive the understatement) as basic as the Skylarks, are the most amazingly versatile as I've ever used. I can only look in wonder at what the Tribute or Series electronics must be like. For now, my Skylark's electronics are so much better than anything I've come across, I'm quite content (again, for now).

Enjoy

(Message edited by hollis on July 19, 2004)

kmh364 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 19, 2004, 05:25:13 PM »

Good for you, Tom. Beaver will take much better care of you than Roman. Did you try Steve @ Superbass.net? His pricing made even Beaver blush, LOL!

tom_z · « **Reply #21 on:** July 19, 2004, 05:44:33 PM »

I did speak to Steve at Superbass. I had a difficult time reaching him on Saturday, so I dropped by Ed Romans and got a quote which he said would be his lowest and only offer. It was quite a bit less than the original quote from Bass Central (in his email Beaver suggested that I contact other dealers). When I got home I tried Steve again and - he was in! He said he would have a difficult beating Roman's quote and suggested that I buy from my hometown guitar shop simply for convenience of location.

Because I told Beaver that I'd give him an opportunity to gain my business after I got a couple of other quotes - I called him back and he discounted even more than Ed - done deal.

In the end, I felt they were all helpful and professional and a pleasure to deal with.

kmh364 · « **Reply #22 on:** July 19, 2004, 06:25:21 PM »

I'm surprised! Beaver wasn't happy when he sold me my Eden amp stack and found out I had already ordered my Alembic from Steve. When I asked him if he could beat the price, he said he couldn't even match it. This was on an order: I could have done better on one he had in stock.