Author Topic: Randy's Custom Clarke Deluxe  (Read 1058 times)

cdf

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Re: Randy's Custom Clarke Deluxe
« Reply #45 on: January 19, 2004, 11:51:53 AM »
Randy,  
 
Looks like a great bass you have there. I can offer a suggestion for cocobolo knobs. Roger at www.thgknobs.com makes great wooden knobs and other accessories. I don't think I'm speaking out of school here as I heard about thgknobs from someone on this forum who had been directed there by Alembic (how's that for excellent customer service). Anyway Roger has a similar view on customer service as Alembic and he makes great knobs. In fact he made for me 4 beautiful coco bolo knobs with recycled ivory position marker lines. Through miscommunication that was entirely my fault they were not the style I had hoped for (I wanted dots instead of lines). Despite the error being mine Roger insisted on making me a new set with no extra charge. Anyway to make a short story long. He may still have these on hand and ready to go out if you wanted some right away. They are really great looking and if you want I could email you a picture of them.

randy

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Re: Randy's Custom Clarke Deluxe
« Reply #46 on: January 19, 2004, 08:49:39 PM »
Thank you for your replies, Court and James.  I really do appreciate your taking the time to offer your advice.  
 
James, I am familiar with your method of estimating the instrument's weight, but for a variety of reasons I'd like to have the factory spec.  For a smaller bass, it is surprisingly somewhat heavy.
 
And yes, Court, I would definitely like to see your photo of the knobs, if it is convenient for you to send.  This is an attention to detail that I candidly underestimated when setting the original specifications for the instrument.  I'd strongly recommend to future Alembic owners to put a bit more into your knobs - they really set off the instrument (as do the continuous wood backplates and trussrod cover).  Yes, they do raise the cost, but you'll be glad you did!
 
Again, thank you James and Court.  May God richly bless you both, Randy

bracheen

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Re: Randy's Custom Clarke Deluxe
« Reply #47 on: January 20, 2004, 05:01:44 AM »
Randy,
I think every new Alembic I see is the best one yet.  
That is a beautiful bass and I like the dove inlay.  Clever how it's pointing toward the nut so that it's descending.
 
Sam

cdf

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Re: Randy's Custom Clarke Deluxe
« Reply #48 on: January 20, 2004, 09:29:01 AM »
Randy,
 
Here are the knobs I mentioned in my last post. I don't know if Roger still has them, but they might still be around.

randy

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Re: Randy's Custom Clarke Deluxe
« Reply #49 on: January 20, 2004, 06:55:35 PM »
Thank you for your kind comments, Sam.  It IS a special bass.
 
And thank you for the photo, Court.  I have a message in to Roger at THG Knobs, and I'm anxious to see what he comes up with.  Can't wait to have his knobs adorning this instrument.  
 
Thanks again, Randy

cdf

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Re: Randy's Custom Clarke Deluxe
« Reply #50 on: January 21, 2004, 02:40:27 PM »
Randy,
No problem, and once again congrats on the great bass!

mica

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Re: Randy's Custom Clarke Deluxe
« Reply #51 on: January 21, 2004, 04:04:04 PM »
Hi Randy,
 
We don't officially record the weight of every bass we make. If your bathroom scale won't support the body on its own, malthumb's suggestion is a good one. I weigh them on the UPS scale when I get a chance.  
 
We don't have any coco bolo knobs in stock. All wooden knobs are made to order. We've been referring folks to THG knobs simply because they can offer a much lower price than us and their product is of quality.  
 
Nothing special for your fingerboard, just a good clear lemon oil should do the trick. There are lots of other products out there, we just don't have any experience or advice to offer about them.  
 
If you want a quote for custom turned knobs from us, let me know, otherwise you'll be in good hands with Roger. If/when you change the knobs, I'm sure everyone here will appreciate a picture. If you have trouble posting one, email me and I'll prepare it.

palembic

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Re: Randy's Custom Clarke Deluxe
« Reply #52 on: January 21, 2004, 04:29:27 PM »
IMHO
 
most of the time I don't like same wooden knobs on a bass as the body. The topwood of the basses is mostly so breath-taking that the knobs mostly are lost in the overall beauty.
 
THIS DOESN'T MEAN I'M AGAINST WOODEN KNOBS.
 
The black Collet or hat knobs are contrasting with the wood but forming unity with the PU's.  
I think it would be great to have for instance a glittering dark silver/steel  painted guitar with very nice PU's in a wooden housing with matching knobs for instance.
Or on a dark-wooded guitar work with Myrtle or Maple knobs.
 
Well ...just some ideas.
Most of the time -there ARE excpetions- I would see Coco-bolo knobs on a coco-bolo guitar a litlle bit over the edge.
 
Just my ideas with my full respect for otherones taste.
 
 
Paul the bad one

randy

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Re: Randy's Custom Clarke Deluxe
« Reply #53 on: January 29, 2004, 08:19:06 PM »
FYI, James' suggestion for estimating the weight netted this instrument at 12 pounds, which I think we'd all agree is a bit hefty for a smaller bodied bass - not out of the ballpark, but when choosing your woods, it's wise to consider the density, particularly of the core.  I recall my first discussion with Mica about my new future Alembic, where she accurately characterized the weight (and tonality and appearance) of several of the woods I was considering.  Sound and looks are certainly important, but remember, you'll be wearing this around your neck!  If I had it to do over, I'd do it exactly the same way!  Great playing to all, Randy

randy

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Re: Randy's Custom Clarke Deluxe
« Reply #54 on: March 20, 2004, 08:14:44 PM »
To all:
I've just received the custom knobs from Roger at THG Knobs, and they are spectacular, making a significant difference in the appearance of this already great instrument.  I really underestimated the difference these four small pieces could make.  Roger operates his company and makes his knobs like Alembic:  Craftsmanship, quality, innovation, performance, and customer service.  
 
I'll be posting photos shortly to show my SC Deluxe instrument with these new knobs.  You be the judge for yourself, but I think you'll agree that these THG knobs are a nice enhancement to an awesome instrument.  Be on the lookout!
 
You can contact Roger at roger@thgknobs.com.
 
Great playing,
Randy

randy

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Re: Randy's Custom Clarke Deluxe
« Reply #55 on: March 22, 2004, 08:21:29 PM »
OK, here goes, let's see if I can get at least one photo showing Roger's great THG Knobs on this great SC Custom Deluxe.  Let me know what you think.
Great playing,
Randy

randy

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Re: Randy's Custom Clarke Deluxe
« Reply #56 on: March 22, 2004, 08:26:50 PM »
And maybe two more views!  

 


hollis

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Re: Randy's Custom Clarke Deluxe
« Reply #57 on: March 25, 2004, 04:26:57 PM »
Them thar's some fancy lookin' knobs you got there!
 
They blend perfectly with your amazing bass.
 
Beautiful!

bassman10096

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Re: Randy's Custom Clarke Deluxe
« Reply #58 on: March 25, 2004, 07:01:52 PM »
I was just thinking today about getting some just right THG knobs made for my new bass.  Yours look great.  They add a very nice touch.  Hmm.........

randy

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Re: Randy's Custom Clarke Deluxe
« Reply #59 on: March 25, 2004, 07:02:51 PM »
Thank you for your kind comments.  For reference on the knobs, the top cap is Cocobolo, the body is Maple, and the vertical stripe on the body is Purpleheart.  The dot on the top cap is 14K Gold (even though the photo doesn't show it very well.)  Roger finished the knobs in a high gloss lacquer to emulate the finish on the instrument itself.  By the way, I really like to be able to quickly see the position of each knob, thus the rather dominant vertical stripe - it makes it easy to see with just a quick glance.  Roger can make about any design of knob, so just like Alembic, let him know what you want, and he can do it!  Thanks again, Randy