Author Topic: Purpleheart top laminate (Read 263 times)

mtjam · « **on:** October 30, 2013, 06:16:54 PM »

I am loving the look of the basses on Will Gunn's website with purpleheart top laminates! Anyone have other pictures of Alembics with this feature? If ya got em, show em!

jazzyvee · « **Reply #1 on:** October 30, 2013, 11:58:38 PM »

Here are some from the Featured Custom Archive
http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_prettyinpurple.html

http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_grapejam.html

http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_plum.html
http://www.alembic.com/info/FC_purpleprincess.html

Enjoy
Jazzyvee

mtjam · « **Reply #2 on:** October 31, 2013, 02:56:31 AM »

Nice fuel for my GAS!!

jazzyvee · « **Reply #3 on:** October 31, 2013, 06:28:50 AM »

I love the colour of purple heart, it would be even better if there were some dramatic grain structures like on cocobolo or even a 5A quilted purpleheart. Just by looking at the purpleheart neck lams in my bass, the bright purple colour looks less dramatic over time. Not sure if that is to do with the wood colour changing or the finish taking on a colour cast over time.
Jazzyvee

5a_quilt_top · « **Reply #4 on:** October 31, 2013, 11:34:15 AM »

It does look awesome but I've got to mention a word of caution - it will add some weight.

There is a substantial amount of purple heart in my custom 4-string and in my soon-to-be completed Europa 5-string.

As a result, both are fairly heavy.

This doesn't bother me as I'm a fairly strong guy so the visual and sonic benefits outweigh (no pun) any minor comfort issues.

mtjam · « **Reply #5 on:** October 31, 2013, 12:56:59 PM »

That's good to know. My rickety back needs light (relatively) weight. Thanks!

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** October 31, 2013, 04:10:25 PM »

Jazzyvee; if I recall correctly, Purpleheart does change color over time. It gets darker, moving more towards brown. Comparing neck lams between newer and older basses in the showcase section might give some sense of this darkening over time.

smokin_dave · « **Reply #7 on:** October 31, 2013, 05:45:09 PM »

Here is my flame Purpleheart Rogue.It has darkened a bit over the 10 years I've had her but still to this day plays like a dream.

mtjam · « **Reply #8 on:** October 31, 2013, 06:48:22 PM »

Nice Rogue!

hammer · « **Reply #9 on:** November 01, 2013, 03:58:44 PM »

One of the most interesting things about purpleheart is that while it changes color over time as others have indicated, no two pieces change to the same extent. On one of my basses with 2 purpleheart stringers the color differential is so great I've been asked if they are different types of wood.

spose · « **Reply #10 on:** November 02, 2013, 08:21:30 AM »

kind of on topic..I play Alembic
and I built a purpleheart Tele style git for myself a few years back. It stayed purple too!

mtjam · « **Reply #11 on:** November 02, 2013, 09:39:56 AM »

Nice guitar!

spose · « **Reply #12 on:** November 02, 2013, 09:50:03 AM »

thanks and she plays and sounds fantastic too

here's a later pic...it didn't fade much at
all