Marc's "Simple" Bass

[marcm]

hi brother paul
 
yes, alas.  i have learned, to my chagrin and at great and ever-mounting cost, that you never really know someone until you go through this particular process with them
 
i hope that all is well with you
 
 
marc

[tbrannon]

One of my favorite FTC threads and a killer bass- just curious if this bass was completed at some stage.... (not that it's any of my business).

[jazzyvee]

I didn't realise there was so much brass in the bird tailpiece.
I'm curious, how much does the bird weigh and how much does the sustain block?
 
Jazzyvee

[David Houck]

JV, that's a custom tailpiece; the normal bird isn't recessed like this one.

[marcm]

Hi Toby and Jazzy
 
Thank you for the kind words, Toby.  According to Susan back in mid-July, the bass is complete except for one last knob that was on the way from THG; otherwise all the work was done.  I haven't received it yet, but I'm really looking forward to it.
 
Jazzy, the so-called 'Big Bird' tailpiece weighs a bit more than four individual tailpieces added together.  I'm not sure how much the bridge block weighs, but the inspiration for it was the block in Phil Lesh's 'Godfather' bass.
 
Best regards,
 
Marc

[tbrannon]

Marc,
 
Outstanding news- be sure to post some pictures when it makes it's way into your hands.  I've always enjoyed the pictures in the build process, but I'd LOVE to see some full shots and some of the details.  Your bass is one of my favorites.
 
Toby

[the_8_string_king]

WOW, HOLY COW, I see the first FTC thread was dated October 27th, 2003!!!  And you haven't actually got the bass yet, almost 4 years later?
 
I'm curious, what was involved in such a long build time?  All the other ones I've seen that take more than a year seem to involve elaborate inlays... just curious.
 
It's clearly an awesome bass!!!  I also would like to see some pictures when you get it.  Ebony is one of my favorite woods, and sounds awesome -especially as a neck laminate wood.

[the_8_string_king]

Oh man, I just caught a couple of the previous posts, and read between the (obvious) lines.  The D-word, huh?  What a drag.  At least you'll have your bass.

[marcm]

Hi Mark
 
Thanks for the kind words!  According to Susan, my project is the second oldest of all current Alembic projects (no idea whose has been in the works longer than mine).  And you're quite right:  from August 2004 through January 2006 I went through a difficult divorce, which ended a nineteen-and-a-half year marriage (no kids).  It was a hard time for a number or reasons, but it's behind me now and since then I've made a good start on a new life.
 
Yesterday I spoke with Mica.  The latest delay with my bass was a problem with the gunmetal-blackening of my bridge.  Apparently the plater hadn't applied it very well, and it had begun to flake.  The bridge had to go back to the plater, and it is expected to arrive back at Alembic any day now.  Mica said that once it arrives and is mounted, she will be taking lots of photos of the bass and then it will be shipped off to me.
 
As odd as this might sound after four and a half years, I can't wait!
 
 
Marc

[mica]

The rumor is that the blackened brass part will be shipped tomorrow. Stay on target... almost there.