Mods, I wasn?t sure whether to post this as an introduction or showcase so please move it to an appropriate forum if necessary.
I tend to be verbose and digress when it comes to something as exciting and long-awaited as this. I?ll try keeping it to a simple introduction, first impressions and sincere thanks to all involved in getting this magnificent instrument into my hands. My name?s Gil Young and I just received delivery of my ?06 Dragon?s Wing from Will Gunn Guitars.
UPS delivered it to my workplace and I was fortunate enough to be in the receiving department when it came in the door. I asked the driver to allow me the courtesy of inspecting the carton before signing for it as it had an insured value of almost $10k. It arrived on a day when I was to play a large festival gig so I didn?t really didn?t have much time to inspect it at home. I did place a promised call to Will in order to put him at ease that it had arrived safe & sound.
I?ll take a moment to commend Will on his kind, considerate and knowledgeable assistance in providing me with this instrument. He has given extensively of his time and experience in my decision to purchase it from him. It was nothing short of a major leap of many types for me to acquire it. He?s a certified dealer exclusively of Alembics and has been a bassist for many, many decades, so he knows of what he speaks by first-hand experience. I highly recommend him in your search for any model Alembic; guitar or bass, new or used.
After unpacking the box and removing the HSC I held my breath and unlatched it. What appeared before me was a museum-quality piece on display. What shouldn?t go unmentioned is the beauty of this instrument. The cocobolo top & headstock, mother of pearl inlays, gold hardware and purple heart laminates keep me in awe. I took a moment to scrutinize the front before removing it from the case and hold for the first time. What struck me immediately was its? balance and unexpected light weight. After a few more minutes of checking out the rear and headstock (I already had a good deal of close up detailed photos from Will?s website) I settled it into my lap for some light fretting and plucking.
Since then, 3 nights ago, I?ve only managed to unpack it again once for an hour. (I immediately re-case and stand it upright in this 80% humidity). I've plugged it into an SWR 2x10 combo with the EQ flat out and played only a few scale runs up the neck. What struck me immediately is the super-low action ! In all my decades of playing and trying out ?boutique? basses I?ve never run across action with the strings literally ?on the other side of the fretboard?. Now I understand the ?thunderfinger? technique and will adjust my attack and fretting to compensate for the sensitivity.
This is where my first impressions must end for now. Here?s a stock photo from Will Gunn?s website which originated from the Alembic photo studio. I?ll post again with more info and pics (of me with a sh*t-eatin? grin) once I?m more familiar with the subtleties of the electronics.
(Message edited by 3rdBass on July 14, 2008)
