Steve's "Alembird" Project

[katana_6506]

Any pics yet?

[moonlinermusic]

If you could please post some pictures it would be greatly appreciated!

[mica]

Here's a few of the snapshots I took before we shipped this bass:  

 

 

[moonlinermusic]

Beautiful and stunning!
 
Thanks Mica.

[lbpesq]

Steve:
 
Let me be the first to congratulate you on making COTM.  A very beautiful and unique instrument.  Very deserving of the honors.  I've been watching the progress for a while now, always taking a peek at the 'bird whenever I dropped in at Alembic.  I suspect it will be bringing you much happiness for a long time.   Enjoy!
 
Bill, tgo

[jalevinemd]

Steve,
 
What can I say? Beautiful instrument. By the way, are those MXR-type knobs or is it just the photo angles? I love them.
 
Jonathan

[s_wood]

It is a real thrill and honor to own an Alembic worthy of COTM status. The Alembird is beautiful, as you can see. The best part, though, is what you can't see - the bass sounds fantastic and plays amazingly well.  I am completely satisified with what Alembic has created.
 
I am particularly amazed, though not surprised, at the ability of Susan, Mica, Bob, Mike and everyone else to translate my necessarily subjective and vague concept of marrying an Alembic and a Thunderbird into a usable musical instrument with exactly the tonal qualities I was shooting for.  The bass really does sound like a 50-50 mix of an Alembic and a T-Bird.  It captures the warm and ringing mids of the T-Bird while retaining the clarity and tonal versatility of an Alembic, which is just what I was aiming for.  
 
Alchemy, indeed!  My profound thanks to everyone at Alembic - you all are the best!

[s_wood]

Jonathan:
 
Yep, those are MXR style knobs. They have a powerful '60's vibe, which is perfect for the project.  Those folks at Alembic don't miss a trick!

[jacko]

Congratulations on COTM steve. The rest of us are going to have to think pretty hard if we want our next instruments to join yours.
 
Graeme

[David Houck]

Striking!!  And another great feature layout by Mica!

[basstard]

I SO knew it was going to end up as COTM ;-) Congrats Steve - it's an absolutely amazing instrument.

[jpj678]

It doesn't seem like you'd be able to get at any of the higher frets.  Is that part of the neck mostly for tapping, or a similar technique?

[s_wood]

You're right about the inaccessibility of the upper frets.  It's pretty much impossible to play above the 16th fret on a Thunderbird as a consequence of the imperceptibbody design. By tweaking things a bit we were able to gain access to the 18th fret on the Alembird.  The extension of the fretboard past the 20th fret was my idea, and it was a mistake in retrospect as I should never have thought to chew up any of that qorgeous quilt maple.  My thinking at the time was to use a 24 fret fingerboard because that's what is standard on Alembics.

[jeff]

Steve:
 
I am absolutely thrilled for you that this beauty of a bass has made COTM.  It is just amazing that you and the crew at Alembic were able to achieve the tone you were seeking, and then some.  Your post on August 6 says it all. Congratulations Steve.

[gare]

Congrats Steve on a beautiful instrument..and very appropriate COTM.
How heavy is it compared to the T-bird ?