Paul's Custom Series II Mele Aloha

[tbrannon]

Paul,
 
Just think... in about 40hrs you'll be hearing that filter 'wah' and holding your own masterpiece.
 
Enjoy it and make sure you take plenty of pictures.
 
Toby

[mele_aloha]

Thanks Toby so much,
 
It is so awesome to be able to communicate with such wonderful people around the world of whom I've never met yet whom have inspired my life so much.
 
You as well as other members in here have been such a blessing in my life this last year,---and I thank you!
 
I look forward to communicating with you in the New Year.
 
Aloha, Paul

[mele_aloha]

Hey Everybody,
 
It's Monday morning and my bass is at UPS here. I called the 800 number and asked them to get alhold of our station and put a stop on the truck delivery so that I could pick it up because he comes to my house late in the afternoon. They said they would try and took my number.
 
Within 5 minutes my driver (who is my friend) called me on his cell and said he already had it loaded by that it was my choice. I told him I kind of wanted to pick it up myself cuz I was excited and he said why, you can't open it until tomorrow anywayLOLOL? We lauged but he said whatever I wanted and said he would take it off the truck and leave it there for me. He said he hadn't located the second package with the control box and wiring but I am sure it's there.
 
So that's the latest. I just opened our store as there will be many last minute shoppers today but it is pouring rain and the front was flooded where I move all of our clothes racks out to.
 
As soon as my wife comes and relieves me here my son and I will be off to pick up Mele Aloha.
 
Happy Holidays to all and I will post an update later today for those who care.
 
Aloha, Paul

[tbrannon]

Drive safe Paul-
 
I'll be checking in this evening to get your impressions/gasps/drooling.  
 
Count me as one of those 'who cares'  Enjoy bro~

[mele_aloha]

Right On Toby!!!

[the_8_string_king]

Congrats on your wait being almost over, Paul!!!  I look forward to hearing your review.
 
I couldn't be any happier with my new 6-string; it's just absolutely amazing, COMPLETELY satisfying in every way!
 
I sure hope you feel the same way.
 
I'm curious to hear what you end up thinking about the lack of bass and treble controls.
 
Worse case scenario is it'll be a very minor issue.  Any decent amp has eq controls on it; but the Alembic filter & q system is unique, and just can't be beat.

[artswork99]

Paul,
 
Not much to say but CONGRATULATIONS!
 
A new bass life is about to start for you!  Your bass is gorgeous!  ENJOY IT!  
 
Play it Healthy!
 
Art

[hifiguy]

What an Xmas present to open up - one of the most magnificent and distinctive custom Alembics ever.
 
From one Paul to another - Merry Alembixmas and may you play her for many happy, healthy years!

[mele_aloha]

Hello Mark, Art, and Paul,
 
Thanks for contacting me. First of all, Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays to you.
 
I've just wired up the DS-5R Power Supply earlier and have been cooking dinner for my wife and son and now focusing on getting my son to bed.
 
While he is having his milk in the main part of the house and my wife is on her computer near the tree, I am out in my carport/shed/office/jam room hooking up my bass under the shimmering of Christmas lights. I can hardly see my bass as I open the case with It's a Wonderful Life on the wall mounted TV and the sound coming through my Yamaha PA with Bose 201's and an old RCA subwoofer that I got from Radioshack about 10 years ago.
 
I gently lift the case of Mele Aloha and try to find the flat spot of the 5 pin cord which came with the DS-5R. This cord carries not only the power for the 18 volt pre-amps but also for the Blue laser LED's protruding from the Ebony fingerboard and the side fret markers.
 
Inset in the Oval Abalone shell in the lowly faded setting the blue lasers light up the whole Abalone Oval. On the 5th fret the blue laser sets between the 2 Mother of Pearl Coconut Palm Trees like the Northern Star Hokulea.
 
The smell of the freshly built bass with the odor of the new case fills the air when I lift the lid. Every second as I type to you I think of the awesome times I have had the last year seeing basses being built, seeing them being shipped out, hoping and praying that there won't be anything that holds up my beauty from being built or delivered.
 
I created many challenges which Mica and Susan handled like they had been doing this for most of their lives. And indeed they  proved that they could overcome any challenge that comfronted them.
 
As I listen to Wonderful Life in the background I am brought back to reality by the Volkswagon commercial song Roller Coaster, Roller Coaster with an awesome Bass popping notes in the background and I am immediately brought back to my senses that I am getting to deep into discription with you. Possibly because of the certain Christmas Cheers that I am indulging in.
 
So on that note, what do ya say I go get that baby out of the case for the first time and put myself to the test. I'll be right back as soon as I put my son to bed and try the bass.
Aloha momentarily, P
 
Amazingly just as I struck the P above on my computer the phone rang. It is 9:34 here which is 11:34 pm California time. Low and behold guess who is on the phone but Mica and Susan. Unbelievably they are calling me on Christmas Eve to make sure that the bass arrived and to wish me and my family Mele Kalikimaka in their very own words and tell me a little about the instruments sounds they heard while testing it out before packing. What an awesome surprise!
 
By the way friends, Susan is still coughing and didn't sound to good so if you could all send here a Christmas Cheer I'm sure it would be warmly accepted. She has been ill since before Thanksgiving.
 
Well you guys, I must now break to put out Santa toys and assemble a John Deere tractor to put around the tree so I will return with a sound check.
 
Aloha again, P

[artswork99]

Paul,
A very Merry Christmas to you and yours!  What a wonderful experience between family, friends and music!
Best,
Art

[bassman10096]

Merry Christmas, Paul!  This is the magic it brings to you.  Enjoy the bass and your family.  Have a great moment.
Bill

[ivartshiva]

Paul, you don't know me but I've been following this thread for about a month.  Your expressions of gratitude and appreciation, especially today, whether it is for your wonderful new bass or for the fullness of your life, is a great Christmas present to me.
 
And tomorrow (or the next day) I'll be taking my 'new' Essence out of the case too.  
 
Best wishes to Mica and Susan and family, you've certainly brought a lot of joy into thousands of people's lives, a great gift of music and art.  The Source of all this goodness seems to be standing right behind you and it is beaming out into private music rooms and out from performances stages all over the world - what a great gift you've been given, thank you for passing it on.
 
And I'm not drinking anything but coffee this morning, playing Roller Skates
 
Michael

[tbrannon]

Paul,
 
Enjoy your family, the day and that bass.  Your post above brought a smile to my face early this morning.
 
Toby

[mele_aloha]

Merry Christmas to all,
Thanks Art, Bill, Toby, and especially nice words from you Michael.
It's kind of like I don't know how to act in here now that I recieved my instrument. And by the way Michael, congradulations on your Essence. I hope that it meets all of your expectations and then some!
 
I barely got a chance to play mine last night and had to come work at the store today after having a fun time opening presents this morning.
 
I can tell you though that the bass is absolutley beautiful. With the blue laser lights on the front and side fret markers, it is absolutely gorgeous! And the action is perfect so far.  
 
SSSssooo, I am happy right now!
 
That's about all I have for now. I will inform you tonite or tomorrow when I dig in a little more.
 
I hope you are all having a very Merry Christmas!
 
Thanks again for keeping in touch with me and giving me support.
 
Alooooooooooooha, Paul M

[the_8_string_king]

Hey Paul, how ya doin' witcha new toy...?
 
Pretty overwhelming, huh?  It's okay, you'll have a lifetime together.
 
Listen to the voice of experience here, for just a second.
 
Since you previously indicated you WERE NOT familiar with the filter/Q system, let me just cover the bases and make sure you know something about the filters.
 
To really hear what they do and understand their practical effect on the sound, first use the pickup selector and select the individual pickups;
Then, set your CVQs up 1/2way or more and trill/hammer-on with your fretting hand (RIGHT hand -in your LEFT-handed case) while rolling the filter from one extreme to the other.
 
Pick one of the middle frets on the middle string as your reference.  Trill, say the 11th and 12th frets of your A string with your fretting hand while turning the filter for whichever pickup you're using with the plucking and (LEFT in your case).
 
This'll REALLY let you hear what the filter and Q do.
 
It's quick and easy.
 
Maybe you already know this... you probably do... but just in case, try it, I wanted to make sure.  Cause doing this helps your brain/ear understand how the filter & Q work, and how to use 'em!!!
 
Congrats again, Paul, and best wishes!
 
(Edited to change/correct we're to WERE NOT.)
 
(Message edited by the 8 string king on December 27, 2007)
 
(Message edited by the 8 string king on December 28, 2007)