My "DREAM" Alemric.

[ajish4]

My DREAM ALEMBIC is what I call an ALEMRIC. WHEN I hit the lotto, or the kids move out, whichever comes first, I DREAM of having Alembic design a RIC inspired shape body (sort of a RIC shaped Spector Euro, I love those rounded bouts on the Spector), with the S body (no binding and rounded edges) with a highly figured Walnut top. Add the one Ebony and two Purple Heart stinrgers, on a bird?s eye maple 7 piece neck with an ebony fingerboard with gold trim REAL MOP triangle inlays, coupled with some kind of Europa electronics. Must be a neck through, throw in a sustain block....
 
Hey, this is a DREAM thread...At least dreams are free! Aren't they?

[csissom]

Tony!
 
The AlemRic!
 
Like I was saying in the other thread, the scale length of a Ric is 33-1/4, and you said you like both medium and long scale.  So do you want to throw in requirement for an in-between scale size on your AlemRic?
 
And what kind of a headstock are you going to have on that beauty?  Something inspired by the Ric?  Or a standard Alembic shape?  Or something new and different?
 
Good luck on that lottery!
 
Curt

[ajish4]

Hey Curt,
 
I really do like the sound of that....The AlemRic...
You know, I'm almost afraid to ask the folks at Alembic what it would cost to make. It might tempt me to sell my old basses and go for the AlemRic!  
 
You know, as for the headstock, I was thinking of that very point...I don't know! I like both of them! I love the headstock on my 4001CS and my V63, but Alembic has some really cool ones too!  
 
Scale you ask? Medium with a NICE THIN neck like the Distillate has.  
 
A real SUSTAIN MONSTER, that's what I'm after....
There ain't no gain without that SUSTAIN!

[valvil]

Having a copy of a Rickenbacker made by Alembic has been a fantasy of mine as well, over the years.
Except I always thought of it as an Alembrick...
 
Valentino

[bsee]

I just want the triangle inlays...

[csissom]

So are you going to have some kind of stereo electronics on the AlemRic, with two output jacks, a la Ric-o-sound?

[s_wood]

Careful, folks...better watch your checkbook.
 
That's exactly the thought process that led to the creation of the Alembird!  
 
http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/17092.html?1100191353
 
(Message edited by s_wood on May 01, 2006)

[ajish4]

OH Man,
 
Steve, How cool is that? I'd be afraid to inquire on the cost, but it's right along the lines of my Alemric.  
 
After a lot of thought, I'd go with the RIC style headstock, and definately 22 frets. I REALLY wish RIC made a 22 or 24 fret bass.  
 
Now, I really wish I had the $$$$ to make this dream bass come true. WITH THIS TOP!!!
 
This top.
 
I figure if I sold all my basses, that would put me at about 8.5K, enough for a deposit, and probably land me in divorce court for sure!
 
Ugh, 24 years was a good run, don't you think?  
 
(Message edited by ajish4 on May 01, 2006)
 
(Message edited by davehouck on May 01, 2006)

[David Houck]

Premium feather flame Supurb Walnut.  Nice choice!

[David Houck]

More shots of the Alembird.

[David Houck]

Steve; where did the MXR knobs come from?

[jalevinemd]

I was wondering the same thing, Steve. I want to put those on the guitar that Alembic is currently building for me.
 
Jonathan

[s_wood]

Yeah, the knobs are cool, aren't they?  Either Mica or Susan had the idea for them, so I suppose they could find more for you.
 
Ajish, your wife will come around...just tell her that the bass will cost pennies a day.  Repeat after me: pennies a day  

[s_wood]

One other thing: if you stay away from things like Series electronics, gold hardware and fancy inlays you are probably way high on your guess about how much such a bass would cost.  My guess is that if you called Susan, Mica or Val and got a quote you would find that the bass is much more affordable than you think!

[ajish4]

Steve:
 
Thanks for the help, being one who has traveled the CUSTOM made road, it's of great help.
 
Actually, I LOVE my Distillate electronics (just want them louder), so I wouldn't need the Series electronics. I guess if I were to ACTUALLY try to order a bass like this, the PRACTICAL version of the bass would be...
 
1) Body Design based on the RIC.
2) Distillate/Europa style electronics.
3) Highly figured Walnut top, bookmatched.
4) Standard oval inlays would be fine.
5) I'd love the purple heart & ebony stringers.
   but that would probably be out of my league.  
   The neck on your Alembird is stunning.  
6) Sustain block (It HAS to be a sustain monster)
7) medium scale.
Brass harware.
9) THIN NECK. Vintage 4001 or even Jazz bass 1.5
   at the nut. The thinner, the better.
10)High Gloss clear finish on body & neck.
 
I LOVE wood grain, wood, wood, wood...NO PAINT.  
Especially, bookmatched. I really would like a visual balance. I'm a bit OCD I guess.
 
The more wood grain, the better. Matching headstock, possibly even some kind of grain on the fingerboard, but I realize I'm driving the price up. I really like what RIC uses on their FRETLESS 4003 necks.
 
The timing just couldn't be worse. I'd really have to sell basses to pull this off!
 
How long did the whole process take? How does it work? Do you put down a deposit, work on the design, make changes, updates, the actual build...how long did YOUR bass take from start to finish?  
 
How did it work with the SPECIALS? Did you have to wait until a great special was offered? You have me curious!  
 
Pennies a day.... it sounds great when you put it that way!
 
(Message edited by ajish4 on May 02, 2006)