Ken's Custom Rogue

[mica]

I know you're anxious to see some progress on your bass, so I figure we better start at the start:
 

 
Since it's the end of the day and everyone else is gone, I can't tell which of the necks in the press is yours, but I know one of them is. I'll add some more pics this weekend after my regular Friday rounds.

[kenbass4]

Thanks, Mica!!
 
Yeah, I was almost forgetting what that piece looked like. I'll try to stop pestering about progress...I wouldn't want to take you away from getting it done. :-)

[palembic]

Oh-o ...here I ago again.
Am I the only one who sees the head of an eagle front view in that wood?
Mmmm the Eagle ...good name for a Rogue with this wood.
Gongrats & patience brother.
 
Paul

[senmen]

Paul,
yes it is clearly viewable!
The eagle has landed! Great piece of wood!
 
Oliver

[kenbass4]

Well, I DO need to start thinking of a name for the new baby... What the club doesn't know yet (changes to secretive, whispererd tone) is that I have opted for my initials  on the 12th fret. But the initials aren't standard English letters...they're Elven Tengwar Runes. I've been a Tolkein fan LONG before it was cool to be one. So I figure a proper Elvish name: Buckeye Burl looks almost stone-like, so I thought Gonderin, or Stone-wood. However, now with your suggestions, maybe Thorondol, or Eagle Head
 
Decisions, decisions...

[zappahead]

Maybe you should name it after those eagles (if there is a proper name in the books, I cannot remember for the life of me) that appear in Return of the King? I dont have the book in front me since Im at work, but that might be a cool name. BTW, I like the idea to use the runes for your initials, nice conversation starter (as if you will need a conversation starter other than pulling this bass out of its case).

[kenbass4]

Actually, that would be Gwaihir, the same eagle that rescued Gandalf from Orthanc, and Bilbo and the dwarves in the Hobbit. Gwaihir means Wind Lord, btw...
 
Yeah, the runes look really cool. When I was up at Alembic, I brought my Languages of Middle-Earth book with me. Susan grabbed some copies of the runes, so I guess we'll see how she makes them look...although how could they be anything but perfect anyway, right?

[mikedm]

Runes...too cool, Tolkien was a particular bugger. Keeping with the Middle-earth theme, how about Orome - Lord of the Forest, a High Valar.
 
BTW Thorondol would be apropos.

[bigbadbill]

Oh joy!!! Alembics AND Tolkien!! I always thought they went together so well!! Beat you to the elvish runes though. Sorry! I'm afraid I'm a massive Tolkien fan too, for 30 years now! My Sei bass has an elvish S rune (and a mirrored S rune facing it)at the 12th fret; interestingly its also got a buckeye burl top and looks very elvish!If I ever get the camera up and running I'll post a picture, together with my Alembic. Actually by then there'll hopefully be my ordered Triple Omega custom to put on as well....namewise how about Thorondor the greatest of the Eagles of Manwe? All I can say is you've got great taste in both basses AND books! BTW, my surname actually means elf ruler, no really!!!
 
All the best  
Shaun
 
I recently showed a picture of a Triple Omega to a friend to show him what I was getting; he said it looks like an axe. Given the above thread, maybe he was onto something....
 

[kenbass4]

I see there are a few versed in the ways of Arda here...
 
Well, I think it would be in bad taste to name the bass after one of the Valar (or one of the Valar's eagles) so I'll sit on the name for awhile until we approach the birth date. Where else can one satisfy multiple obsessions besides the Alembic Club?
 
(BTW, are your runes Feanorian or Sindarin?)

[mikedm]

Wouldn't dare to besmirch the Valar, maybe there is a form of Orome that means diminutive or child of...? My thought was that it's such a magnificent piece of wood that 'lord of the forest' didn't seem too out of place. can't wait to see this one take flight.
 
Mike

[palembic]

Thoronder ...
great name!
Has something of thunder!?!?!
Still it makes ssense with the eagle vision if you know the story. That's th efunny part: there will always be a story to tell.
Now ...If you know that Tolkien started the whole thing ...by inventing stories to his children.
Believ me ...there will always be a story to tell, every man, every player, every bass, ...
 
Paul the bad one

[kenbass4]

Actually, the languages started first, then he woked them INTO the stories for his kids...
 
Yes, there is ALWAYS a story to tell...some of them are even true...
 
:-)

[kenbass4]

Hey Mica!!
 
Since we're already discussing names for my baby, what stage of development is it at?

[bigbadbill]

kenbass...
 
Feanorian; silme(Tengwa 29). Luckily no one has yet said hey, that bass clef's upside down!Sorry I'm a bit late answering but was mixing all last night; plus we're a bit out of sync timewise in the UK! I think you're probably right about the name being in bad taste actually...besides, wouldn't want to get struck by lightning or anything (you never know!). Beautiful wood! Would've liked the buckeye for my Triple O, but unfortunately something had to give budget-wise... best of luck with the project, its sounding really cool. I'll be watching with great interest.BTW, I'm sure the inlays will be fantastic; nobody does 'em quite like Alembic!
 
All the best
 
Shaun