Jan's 1995 Series II Six String Bass serial 959536USA

[Jan R]

The most incredible bass I ever saw, enjoyed, played and bought: Series II, 6 string, 5A quilted maple front and back, long scale 34", comfort fingerboard taper, serial 959536USA.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  (Message edited by janriviere on November 16, 2003)

[palembic]

Lang zallem leeve, lang zallem leeve, lang zallem leeve in de glo-ri-a, in de gloooooooooo-riiiiiiiiiiiiii-aaaaaaaaaaaa in de gloooooooooooo-riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii-aaaaaaaaaaaaa.  
 
Hippippip HOERAAAAAAAAAA!  
 
Jan this is Soooooooooo cool.  
Is it the London Beast you referred to before??  
It is a Full Series II I guess seen the woodparts in the body (as you know Bonnie is Series I with Series II electronics).  
Now we are about colleagues!!!!  
I know you found Bonnie hard to play seen the extensive reach you need. What are you going to do with THIS monster, start practicing young man, or you keep chasing that low C around the entire room!!!  Look for a chiropracter-friend who can help you with finger, hand and back problems (joking).  
I really hope to have the occasion to play her once! Her?her?her? Did she got a name already? I would call her Marilyn: she's the most Marilyn Monroe styled bass I have ever seen! MM was a too girl -she got too much of everyting- well ...this is a too bass: too nice, too blonde, too beautiful, too broad, too long, too nice sounding, too many strings, too beautiful wood, too expensive, too .... whatever!!!
 
Man-man I'm if possible even more excited as you.  
 
 
Paul the bad one  
 
 
PS: please give me a hint. Where was the bank you robbed? Near Mechelen ? Ok I'll try near Hasselt.  
 
PS: I can't believe my eyes ... I'm dreaming of a six string ...well I'm also dreaming of a trip to Alembic country. And I'm dreaming of peace on earth ....and no more hunger ...and marying Selma Hayek ... and ....l
 
(Message edited by palembic on November 16, 2003)

[Jan R]

Thanks Paul, I don't think you can be more excited about this bass than I already am. This is really an amazing instrument. It is indeed the bass I discussed in the London Calling thread.  After months of thinking and doubting, last weekend I finally went up to the Bass Gallery in London, and got a very good deal with Alex.
 
It is a full Series II: if you check the Alembic body lamination patterns table table, you clearly recognize the quilted maple, walnut accent laminate, mahogany, and then the fine maple centre veneer. That is one of the differences with your series I (with series II electronics).
 
It is a big difference with my medium scale (standard spacing) signature basses. If I put this one next to those two, the signatures look like basses for children ;-) So, if we must baptise it, I suggest we call her the Godmother ;-)
 
After a week, I already feel comfortable with the new dimensions. I guess it is a matter of changing a lot between 4, 5 and 6 strings. I did this for years between 4 and 5, and it turned out to be very efficient.
 
You are of course welcome to visit her. I already invited Steven De Prins who also couldn't wait to see her. He is probably coming on Wednesday evening this week, but he has still to confirm. If Wednesday is the day to meet, why don?t you come over, bring Bonny with you, and I?ll have a fine bottle of wine ready to have a nice chat.
 
What else is there to tell about her, this is really the ultimate instrument I knew I was going to have one day. The funniest thing is that it happened a little bit earlier than I always thought :-)
 
I?ll keep you informed about this week.
Off we go, we have some serious playing to do!
 
Cheers
Jan

[palembic]

Wednesday-wednesday???
YES! But after rehearsal! So after 22hrs. I reheras in Herent. I'll have Bonnie AND Tweak Peaks with me than!
 

[palembic]

BTW
I still prefer Marylin.

[bishopqdog]

Hey I'm here in total agreement, that bass is awesome!!!  Great pictures also.

[bracheen]

Magnificent bass, Jan!  It looks brand spankin' new
 
Paul, I know who Bonnie is but who's Tweak Peaks?
 
Sam

[palembic]

Aaaah-lala!
Once it was that a young and fierce bassplayer took out to eveil roads on a quest for the ultimate sound machine. That young guy called Paul the bad one was in companianship of his faithfull low thundering aide-de-camp Bonnie.
So on this quest about 5 years ago ...
 
help.....
 
...cut the crap Paul ....
 
 
Sam look at  
http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/6134.html?1067089353
and everything will be christal clear!!!
 
Paul the bad one

[captain_jan]

Hello Jan,
 
Really a beautiful 6-string! Congratulations you've made your dream bass come true! Even if I have only managed to play with 4-strings your bass makes me want to consider a 6-string also one day!...as well as marrying Salma Hayek....!!
 
By the way, she must be quite heavy to play when you're standing, or?  
 
Anyway you may add my name on the list of persons who like to try her out!
 
All the bass
Jan

[Jan R]

Thanks for all the comments. She is indeed heavier than my other basses. Yesterday it took the test: 5.9 kilograms. That's 1.3 kilograms more than the weight of my signature basses.
 
She is in good condition, just a few minor scratches, but what do you expect form a bass that was born 8 years ago ?
 
Since she arrived in Belgium last week, I didn't take her up already on stage. This might be a little bit dangerous to do if I still have to get used to another extra string and certainly to the wider dimensions. Tonight she makes her first appearance in the rehearsal room. I am curious how that is going to turn out. The first gig still has to come for her, maybe next week in Leuven or the week after. We?ll see. So I don't know yet what my back will tell me the next morning.
 
Anyway Jan, your name was added to invited people of the Belgian Alembic reunion with Paul TBO and Steven on Tuesday evening the 2nd of December! I live close to Brussels Airport, so this shouldn't be a problem I guess :-)
 
Take Care
Jan

[palembic]

Jan ...that gig in Leuven?? Private?? Public?? Let me know please or is it on the Mellow-Yellow site??? In that case I'll find it!
Yeah great... the reunion of the ABC (Alembic Belgium Chapter): the full 3 (three) of them!!!! HA!!!
But it will be exponential fun!!!!
Maybe we can ask Mica for a prize as with the Australian Launch. Alembic acivators ....mmmmm..not a chance .... but maybe an Alembic pen ....or an Alembic safety pin ...or an Alembic pick ...huh???
Maybe Spyder-Ollie  can hop over from Aachen???
 
Paul the bad one

[Jan R]

Paul, the gig in Leuven on 25/11 is a public one : Time Tunnel Party from the Economic-students. Place to be is De Waaiberg Tervuursevest 60. Doors open at 21h, but I think we'll play from 22h until 23h30. So, be there ;-)
 
Cheers  
Jan
 

[palembic]

YO!  
Even more funny: it's a party of my former student club! HA!!!  
Didn't I tell you? I studied economics and communication.  
My REAL profession is musician of course (I would say bass-player but I'm too shy).  
 
Paul the bad one  
 
PS: it's one of the MAIN INCONVENIENCES of playing a Series II and definitely Marylin: masses of people drooling in front of the stage saying ooooh's and aaaaaah's what a bass she is so beautiful and bla and bla. Completely forgetting YOU PLAYING the thing!!!
PS2: oh yeah  ...and I forget the shrink-type bassplayers coming to you and asking in low voice if you are compensating for a modest shaped manhood ***sigh***
 
(Message edited by palembic on November 18, 2003)

[Jan R]

So I could ask a student-roadie to replace me with Marylin, without someone noticing. Why not ? lol :-)

[captain_jan]

Hi Jan,
 
on the 2nd December I'm in Penang so very unfortunately can't join this time. So next year, then. But an Alembic bassist meeting sounds great so I'll come for sure!
 
all the bass
Jan