Rog's 'Conehead Dragon Buzzard'

[Roger Smith (rogertvr)]

We're going to have to think of a better name for it than that - but for the time being I'll stick with Michael Walker's affectionate suggestion to me!
 
Paul, I've been having an e-mail conversation this morning with Edwin.  Neither of us can decide who your question 'Ed??? Wew. Well tel me in the other dep how you got there!' from the other thread is aimed at. I thought it was aimed at Ed, Ed thought it was aimed at me.
 
So who's the question aimed at?  :-)

[Michael Walker (rockandroller)]

Roger: Fwiw, I inferred that Paul's question was aimed at you, asking how you got yourself hooked up with a certain Mr. Edwin van Huik at the Bass Connection in the Netherlands  
 
And actually, I typo'd that moniker, because I really meant to say Cone-headed Dragon Buzzard (Accipitridae Neoconocephalus Draco )

[Roger Smith (rogertvr)]

I ended-up at Edwin's door simply because he's been the most friendly and helpful of the dealers I have spoken to.
 
It's delighted Senior Management because it means she'll get a short break in Holland and Belgium out of it!

[Roger Smith (rogertvr)]

That's it - Edwin's confirmed his receipt of my deposit for 'Accipitridae Neoconocephalus Draco'.
 
Let the show commence!

[Paul Lindemans (palembic)]

Brother Roger,
 
I guess You lead us all to the wood-bank? Or is that already done?
I have an idea for the peghead.
I've seen somewhere here a cone-shaped peghead that was signficantly narrower than standard on the base it was just a litlle bit wider than the neck. Maybe adding to the special look of the dragon. Kind of spear like?
 
Paul
 
BTW: wasn't it Gene Simmons of KISS who had an Alembic bass in the shape of an ax? Brother Dino should know.

[Roger Smith (rogertvr)]

Haven't been to the wood bank yet Paul.  Not sure when I'm supposed to go there!
 
I'm not sure about a narrow cone - I really like the proportion of the standard one, it is a feature of Alembics that I have liked for years and is my favourite Alembic machine head shape.
 
I remember Simmons' axe-shaped bass - didn't know who made it though.

[F. Michael Miller (fmm)]

Simmons' Axe bass was a Kramer, I believe.

[Paul Lindemans (palembic)]

Hi Roger,
 
is this maybe an idea for the cone of the peghead?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2510912908&category=2384#DESC
Could match with the body design?
For the wood I think you should just bump into the Woodbank and start nosing in the piles there. It can give you some ideas.
What about burled Redwood?
Michael, you could be right about that bass. But for some reason I have this picture in my mind Gene playing one of those Axe-basses with 3 PU (it was in the time I was young and innocent and not having heard about a dummy-huncancelling PU). Beware, I just have this picture in my mind and I can be very wll mistaken.
 
CU

[Roger Smith (rogertvr)]

Hi Paul,
 
Thanks for the link, that's a sweet looking peghead - I might have to speak to Mica about that!  It certainly takes the straight edge off the standard cone.
 
The wood is going to be coco bolo front and back, as per the Signature Deluxe that the instrument is based on.
 
I've had a look around the wood pile over the last week or so, I've come to the conclusion that there is nothing in there I'm particularly taken with.  As it happens, there is a table in my local pub that has just the type of grain that I'm looking for!  The closest picture I have seen to what I want is the Coco Bolo wood on Clay Sharp's '95 King Deluxe.
 
Mica - is there anything in the wood pile that looks similar to that, both for grain and colour?
 
Cheers,
 
Rog

[Paul Lindemans (palembic)]

Rog,    
   
Yep ... I have the feel your bass must have something of a spear because the link with the dragon. The standard cone is too mathematical (for what my opinion is worth).    
   
I have this great idea:    
grab a camera,    
go to the local pub,    
chase the drunks from the famous table    
take pictures of it (not from the chasin', from the table!!!)    
Do this before YOU get drunk and start spilling pints of  ale all over it.    
Bring the camera home and not the table!    
Next day -after the hang-over and explaining your moves to Senior Management (just say: it was Paul's idea, she'll understand and forgive you anything)- send the pictures to Mica or Valentino ;-)    
You could also describe your favorite wood in terms as: high/low contrast, parallel/burling lines, reddish/yellowish.    
Just a hint.    
   
Paul  
   
1. I quickly checked Clay's bass. I should say: dark-reddish, lightly burled, low contrast. Hopes this help.  
Anyway when Mica feels better I'm shure she or Valentino will help you with this!  
 
2. Talking about dragons and Coco-bolo, have you checked this http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/1459.html?1037581699
  ?
(Message edited by palembic on February 25, 2003)  
 
(Message edited by palembic on February 25, 2003)
 
(Message edited by palembic on February 25, 2003)

[Roger Smith (rogertvr)]

I have suggested putting the digital camera to use in the pub - that may well happen!
 
That 'dragonslayer' is lovely - very nice wood, not dissimilar to Clay's MK.
 
I'm sure Mica will be most helpful when she is back to full health.
 
Cheers,
 
Rog

[Valentino Villevieille (valvil)]

Hey Roger,
 
maybe the pub owner will sell you the table?  lol...wouldn't be the first Alembic made with woods furnished by the customer...
 
About 2 months ago I picked the coco bolo for my latest bass, up at  Alembic, and rest assured they have (literally, I believe)  a TON of coco bolo to choose from.  Took me a while to find one I thought was special,  but I did.  
 
If you have any pictures you want Alembic to look at, definitely send them to Mica rather than me.  I'd just send them over to her if I got any. Plus I'm just a volunteer, she's the real thing.  
 
take care
 
Valentino

[Roger Smith (rogertvr)]

Hi Valentino,
 
I don't like the colour of the wood on the table, just the grain  ;-)  I really ought to get down the pub and photograph the table - any excuse to get to the pub (not that I normally need an excuse).
 
I'll have to give Mica some clues so that she can have a root around in the wood pile for me and photograph a few for inclusion in the wood bank.
 
Do I get to choose two pieces - one for the front and one for the back - or will one piece suffice for front and back of the instrument?
 
Cheers,
 
Rog

[Valentino Villevieille (valvil)]

Rog,
 
 I chose both sides on my signature, and actually opted for a different looking coco bolo for the back. I could have chosen similar looking pieces for both sides if I had wanted. Some of the wood at times is thick enough to make 4 pieces( 2 per side), at least  I think I remember Mica telling me that. The examples in the wood gallery are each good for just one side of the bass. I'm sure Mica will be a great help to you in picking the woods.
 
 
Valentino

[Roger Smith (rogertvr)]

Thanks for that Valentino.
 
I think, if I have the opportunity, I would like the back to be different to the front.  Two lots to choose then!  Better find another table that I like in the pub  :-)
 
Cheers,
 
Rog