Bill's Coco Bolo Custom

[bracheen]

OH MY GOD!!  I said the wrong name.
Bill, I'm sorry.  
 
Sam

[bassman10096]

Thanks for all your kind words.  
 
Sam:  No problem.  Like they say, If that's the worst thing that happens today, we're all gonna be alright...
 
It was a great visit.  I am very fortunate that my family wanted to share it with me.  I think they each came away with a little better understanding about what my new bass means to me.  I am so knocked out to be able to share cool musical experiences with my son Andy.  Reminds me of sharing music with my Dad (a piano-player), but Andy and I have more in common musically.
 
I should have mentioned, it was the first time I really got a sense for the physical size and fit of the new shape.  In many ways, with the (extra) narrow 4 string neck, it reminded me of a 4 string Rogue.  I should have thought to stand my bass and Kevin's 5 string next to one another for a picture (Hint!  Hint!! Val and Mica!).  The 5 string is slim and sexy, but th 4 is definitely slimmer.  In person, the new K shape (in Kevin's honor) combines the lines I like most from the Rogue with shape features from the Standard.  I seriously considered a Rogue body but decided I wanted the look you could only get with the traditional shape.  I feel like I got the best of both worlds - sort of unexpectedly.
 
I have made so many changes in the design since I first ordered this bass that I feel like the Alembic folks definitely deserve my patience.  In the meantime, I've been busy building a new rig.  I just received a Mesa Boogie Powerhouse 115 today.  Tomorrow an Acme LowB2 should be on my doorstep.  Later in the week I'll be recieving a Dr. Bass super light Neomidium 12/6/tweeter 3 way cab (only 34 lbs).  I'm going to do a lot of A/B testing in the next week or so.  Not sure yet what I'll wind up keeping in the end, but I'll probably choose between the Dr. Bass cab and the Acme (and get a second one of the one I keep).  The Mesa will most likely stay for other reasons.
 
At any rate, I have a lot to keep me distracted while I wait for my bass.  In the meantime, I'm just going to delay letting my impatience get to me.  It will - pretty soon, too. I am just so stunned at how beautiful my bass is.  I can't wait to hear how it will sound and feel.
 
Bill

[bassman10096]

Mica, Val, Susan (anyone!!):
 
Any pictures, updates, completion estimates on my bass?  I'm dying here!  I've developed a really sick case of what I can only call Rationalizing GAS.  I'm shopping the net compulsively for basses I don't really need - based on only 2 factors:  (1) Any interest or curiosity whatsover on my part in hearing, trying out or for any reason owning a particular model, and (2) The ability of a bass to hold value so I can sell it when I regain my sanity!
 
I just bought a Lightwave Sabre (for a good price) out of curiosity.  I'm stalking vintage Ric's and Guilds and have developed an entirely unhealthy attachment to a Modulus Q5 at my local music house.  Oddly, I don't find myself drawn to vintage Alembics too much.  
 
Ideally, purchases like these this could be put to use as a variation on James' (Malthumb's) Alembic Savings Plan.  Here's how:  I can park funds in fun, resellable basses (that I'd be happy to own for a while and later part with) until my wierd little collection can finance purchase of a custom 5 string (Ebony lams, Walnut top, 34 scale - Anniversary Electronics and another K-style balance 3/4 body).
 
This is fun and all, but it's really being driven by emotional desperation - I'm pining (pineing?) for my new bass!!  
 
(Down on my bended knees) Please!  A picture, an update, anything!!
 
Patiently yours,
 
Bill

[valvil]

Hello Bill,  
 
I am at home now, so I can't check for sure, but your bass is in the set-up room; I think it's  almost done, don't know if Ron did the upgrade yet.  I'll see about taking a picture tomorrow. I know we got some new cases in today, hopefully the new cases for the 3/4 balance K are  among them.  
 
Valentino
 
(Message edited by valvil on May 05, 2004)

[bassman10096]

Thanks, Valentino.  I think that rules out looking for a choice old Hofner...
 
Seriously, though.  I very much appreciate the info.  
 
Bill

[kevin_k]

Tell me about it Bill,
 
I almost ordered an Essence the other week.  Alembic doesn't know it, but I hung up before they had a chance to answer.  Sorry folks at Alembic.
 
As Mica said when I called just this week, ...your bass is still done Kevin.  I am just waiting on one of those new cases.  
 
Just curious, when did you actually place the order for your bass?  Or, if you know, when did it actually go into production?
 
I believe mine went into production late October to early November.  It was finished in April. So 5-6 months build time.  Not bad in my opinion.  
 
Later,
 
Kevin    

[David Houck]

Kevin; might I suggest a road trip.  Rent a large van and throw a mattress in the back.  Find a friend to share driving with and drive straight through, no stops.  Take plenty of tunes and munchables.

[bassman10096]

Kevin:  That's really funny (and makes me feel somehow...less insane!).
 
I ordered initially on January 26th.  We made a few changes in the next week or 2, but I don't think that delayed getting it into the queue.  I don't know exactly when construction started, but it was my impression maybe 2.5 weeks after the order(?).  Actually my bass seems to be proceeding at a record pace.  No complaints about that or anything Alembic is doing - They've been great!  
 
But, as you know, the better the bass, the harder the wait...
 
Hope yours is in your hands soon.  Please post pictures and let us know what it's like.  I'm especially interested in hearing about the ebony lams and your comparison between how they sound on your current bass (32 scale) and your new one (34 neck, right?).  
 
Bill

[bassman10096]

Mica:  Any news or pictures on my bass??
 
Bill

[mica]

News: ready for final calibration.   Pictures:  

 The tape holds the hum canceller in place until my dad decides it's finished. The HX is non-adjustable and glued in place.  

 A closeup of the wood to (hopefully) show that it is dark, but not entirely black. Your bass looks so different in person.

[bassman10096]

Holy S**T!!  That's beautiful!!!!!!
 
Any estimate on how long before your Dad is likely to be done with it?
 
(Message edited by bassman10096 on May 14, 2004)

[mica]

Well, I'm hoping the line of basses to calibrate right now is done by the end of the month, There's at least 2 others before yours, let's just hope they go smoothly. The 4-strings are always the hardest, and 2 in front of yours are both 4-strings.

[bassman10096]

Mica:  It looks great.  It is no darker than I wanted it to be!!  It has both darker and lighter coloration and EXACTLY the figuring I pictured.  Thanks to you all.  I thought I was charged already.  Can I come visit it again (just kidding!)??
 
Any pictures of the whole bass?  Particularly the headstock and inlaid logo?
 
Thanks
 
Bill
 

[David Houck]

An amazingly beautiful instrument!

[palembic]

Brother Bill, will you be able to bring the instrument with you when you'll visiting us next spring?? Then ...oh ...huh ...maybe ...I oculd ....huh ....
 
Paul TBO
 
Ok ...ok ...I'm jumping to conclusions, but ...hey ...it was worth the try!!!