Mike's Custom Signature 5-string

[kilowatt]

Mike,
I just love the way your bass is turning out. The top looks to be from the same slab as Thunder & Lightning (COTM Mar. 06). If it is, just wait till you see it in person! Be patient, the wait is almost over.
 
Regards,
Pete

[5stringho]

Thanxxx, Todd! I appreciate the compliments and encouragement. Hope you are enjoying YOUR new Beauty!
Pete- I think you are absolutely correct. I can't believe I never made the connection, since I looked at your amazing T&L a hundred times for inspiration and ideas! I imagine she WILL look even better, as most say the pics here do not do justice to the actual finished product when you see it in person. I'm humbled by the thought that my little animal has such an illustrious pedigree! Does that make us in-laws, or cousins by Bass =)?
Thanxxx for pointing the similarities out. It made my day! If mine looks anything like T&L when she's done, it's, like, WOW!!
Thanxx again, stay tuned, Mike, tho =]

[georgie_boy]

Simply gorgeous.
Enjoy!!
But why not Series electronics?
 
G

[5stringho]

Hey, George!
Thanks for the compliment on the soon-to-be new arrival! Why not Series Electronics? Couple of reasons. First and foremost, it's quite simply the Money issue. As we are all aware of, Alembics are the most wonderful instruments made, but that also comes at a price. They aren't cheap. I'm just a regular schlep that works too much already, and I've had an extremely difficult time trying to justify to myself spending the kind of money this beautiful baby costs and not have wheels or a title! She's probably more Bass than I deserve, and she'll be a LOT better at what she does than the one playing her! I ordered her to beat the Jan. 07 price increase, and considering all the stuff that's gone on in our life since, it made me question my decision even more. Fortunately, it looks like everything is going to work out here in the end. As much as I would have LOVED SII, the Xtra $ for Series was not in the realm of reality at this time. Also, I was not sure if I wanted to be married to the Power source and 5 pin cable. I've since discovered that is not really an issue, but too late now!
                                                   On the very positive side, The Custom Electronics package we've come up with should be EXTREMELY versatile and sonically exrtaordinary. I call it Ghetto Series;)  It's about as close to Series as possible without the Single Coil pickups and power source. I doubt if MY ears will be able to differentiate. I think the Signature-type electronics package will be wonderful, and if mine sounds anything like Jim Tussings new Quilted Beast, it will be even more than I hoped for! I guess we'll find out soon enough! Besides, only 3 years till the old 50th Birthday, and I already have the Harley's, so I kinda know what I have in mind for my mid-life crisis, and have time to talk her into it =)!!!
Stay tuned, thanks for checkin' in on her.
Have Fun, Mike, tho

[georgie_boy]

Hey Mike!
Yes you're right, most people don't opt for the Series electronics because of the price.
I'm not saying that they are any better than others (I heard Jacko's Epic, and it was amazing)
Check my post in Showcase re George waller's Series 1.
If you like single coils then the Series is GREAT; if not, then most other Alembics are just as good.
It's all a matter of taste!
As I've learned from this forum,-never put yourself down and think that you deserve less than the best!!!!
I think my favorite Alembic is the EXCEL with the Fatboy and the FXY.
I bought my Series when I was 47, so there's plenty of time if that is what you really want.
You will be so knocked-out with your bass that you will love her instantly!!
I was unemployed when I got my Series--------I still am!! even with 3 University degrees
As they say-Life's a bitch, then you die!!
Enjoy your bass my friend!!!  It will deliver EVERYTHING you want from her-Series electronics or not.
 
G

[danny_bryant]

Mike, I met you a while back at Absolute Music and I bought that Orion up there. Rusty told me you were selling your Excel but now I know why. This is gonna be killer. We will have to get together when my custom Orion is done. Check it out under Dannys Custom Orion in the Factory to Customer section. Good luck with the new bass.

[David Houck]

Mike, I wanted to keep your Changes/Additions section clean, so I'm posting a response here.  If your Excel is clipping your Eden when the bass and treble controls are turned up, you might try opening the control cavity and backing off on the trim pot a little.

[5stringho]

Thanks, Dave! I'll try that. I've noticed the Eden is MUCH more sensitive than my former Italian amp, which shall forever remain nameless. I havn't had the Eden long, so I need to play with it more and, unfortunately, IT had to go back to the manufacturer, but they are making much more of an attempt to rectify the difficulties than the last one. But that is the subject for another thread! I'll try the trim pot's, though. Thanxxxx again, Mike, tho =]

[bracheen]

Mike if the cold in Ohio is a problem I'd be glad to hold on to that beauty til summer. That's what friends are for right?
 
Sam

[5stringho]

Hey, Sam, you're right. It is still a little cold here. Lemme think about it, Hmmm, NO  
Thanks for the offer though!
 
Have fun in warm, sunny, Florida.
            Mike, tho.....

[5stringho]

Hmmmmmmm. UPS Tracking sez as of 5:11 EST, a 36.5Lb. Package for me from Santa Rosa, California is Out for Delivery from the Sharonville, Ohio facility. Has the big day finally arrived  ?

[dannobasso]

Deep cleansing breath, deep cleansing breath, was that a truck?!!! Just the milkman. Was that a truck?................
 
Congrats and may you forever be inspired.

[5stringho]

Thank you, Danno. Sage advise from a man of vast experience with these matters! Well, it's 1050, and I hafta leave for work @ 11:30. Tried, to no avail, to get the day off. Holiday weekend, wasn't happening. So, I may have to go before it gets here. I'm truly bummed. My son is here to sign for it if it comes before my Sweetie gets home from work. Guess I've waited this long, another 12 hours won't kill me! I want my wonderful Wife and Son to be here when I unbox it anyway. They're as excited as I am, and, maybe I'm a little whack, but I consider this to be one of the most memorable days of my Musical Career, if not my life. Maybe it's not up there with my Wedding or the birth of my Son, but I'd give it at least a top 10. Here we go again, is that a truck I hear in the distance??
I'm positive I'll be inspired, I just hope I'm worthy........

[danny_bryant]

Hold on Mike its almost here!!

[briant]

I am currently green with envy.
 
Play it.  Love it.  Post sound clips as soon as possible. :-)