Valentino's Custom Bass

[lothartu]

In historical order it goes...
 
the discovery of fire  /  sliced bread  /  Val's new bass
 
Wow.  If this doesn't assure that 95% of all new Alembic orders have coco-bolo then nothing will.

[echo008]

Wow .... Very Unique
Beautiful bass, congratulations!!!
 - Tom

[bsee]

Lothartu, as a low-carb guy, I'm not sure sliced bread is all it's cracked up to be.  That leaves two...

[the_mule]

Valentino, my compliments and congratulations! The most stunning example of 'custom' I've seen for a long time, too bad they've forgotten the frets. Just make sure the rolling heads don't hit innocent bystanding instruments ;-)
 
The tailpiece should be optional on all instruments from now on IMHO, especially those with a (heart) omega cut off course, but I believe it would even look great on an Orion! It looks like a design by H.R. Giger, I love it!
 
Wilfred

[kmh364]

Val: Absolutely spectacular (Che Spettacolo)! I guess it's a huge advantage working at Alembic WRT spec'ing a completely one-of-a-kind custom! The Klingon tailpiece is yet another Alembic work of art!

[811952]

Stunning!

[bkbass]

Well put kmh364!KlingonI was thinking Batman Returns et alBut Kligon fits the bill nicely.Before you ask,NO!Not yet,any day now though like maybe this week or next.Case maker a small part of the delay.Bass will ship with or without the case upon completion.Just when you think your getting somewhere close to the top with seriesII electronics and more advanced wood working features(more than I've had on previous Alembics but still nowhere near Rami)Along comes Valvil to raise the bar yet again.The bass is nothing short of arresting to the uninitiated as well as us Alembic druggies.Now a Valvilized Mark King DLX.is on the shopping list.Anybody want to buy two very hot rodded spoilers?LOL!Kudos Val!That tailpiece is on the next for sure(if it'll fit on a 6strg rogue)Will it Val?

[jalevinemd]

I guess working at Alembic has its benefits, but probably its downside as well when it comes to your own custom. I have a feeling that Val's bass was put on the back burner so the rest of our instruments could get completed. Can't show favoritism! I know my guitar started quite a bit after and was done before his latest coco bolo masterpiece. Made me feel a little bit guilty. Nice to know he finally got it finished.

[valvil]

I feel much like the proud papa with all these compliments, thanks again, guys.
 
The tailpiece...well, I have no idea how much that's gonna end up costing me although Mike, who made it, and Chip, who saw him do it, told me it was pain to make, so I guess it's gonna be a bunch, very likely more than any other tailpiece. I also do  not know if it will be offered reguIarly. I have no idea how well it would fit a rogue or an orion; it would be hard to fit into an extra long scale for sure, and I wonder how it would look; I designed it with the omega contour in mind so it might not look too good on an asymmetrical body shape with a slanted bottom, but then again it might. I guess a few minutes messing around in photoshop might give one a better idea of the likely result.
 
Valentino

[bsee]

While the tailpiece is beautiful on this bass, I wouldn't want one on a non-omega cut.  That said, it should fit well on any omega-cut bass, but I can't see it working on anything else.

[bassman10096]

I agree with all the places the tailpiece would not fit in.  But it is the best complement to a slightly squashed omega that I could imagine.  One of the reasons I've always like the heart omega is that it has a more complex visual dynamic than the plain O.  (To my eye) Val's tailpiece picks up and creates the same kind of dynamic as the heart does, only it adds a mixture of colors and materials where the heart uses only wood.  Really stunning.
Bill

[rklisme]

Val
Awesome bass, really tastefully done. I am sure it is very sweet. Thanks for sharing some pics.
 
Rory

[jeff]

Unbelievably beautiful bass.  The shape is killer and the continuous wood pick-up covers work exceptionally well with the coco bolo grain.  The finish looks super glassy and deep.  Just awesome Valentino.  Congratulations.

[hollis]

Hi Valentino,
 
Ditto, etc.
 
Enjoy,
Hollis

[muller1007]

Valentino,
 
The coco bolo on this Klingon Bird of Prey is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen. The cloaked hardware really does the wood justice.
 
The Batleth tailpiece is stunning and a true piece of art. Compliments to Mike.
 
Congratulations.
Enjoy the bass!
 
Duncan