Pardon the howdy, I'll try to keep the local-speak in check - I'm not originally from
Texas, but I've been told it's the law (most likely something in the water): eventually
you want a gun rack, boots and a bad accent - some horrible, common sense-draining, osmosis thing. I've been playing for a number of years, only a few of them seriously. Most recently as
bassist, soundman, nose-wipper, motivator and mom, et al for a bunch of weekend warriors
in the north dallas area. After our second child arrived (not the band's, my wife and
me) I figured if I was gonna work that hard and get crapped on I'd spend my weekends at
home with the baby. Still miss playing - it's been almost three years now - but it's
given me some valuable time. Funny how that doesn't stop you from drooling over gear?
For the past two years I had been making my wife nervous with frequent visits to
Alembic's on-line custom shop. Then the 'occasional' trip to the local dealers to 'just see what's out there'. Being the compastionate husband I am, the only way to end her suffering was to purchase one. Logical thing to do, right? Okay, I admit I was feeling
it pretty bad, too. I succumbed last summer and so the deal is that I don't get anything
for Christmas, birthdays or anniversaries for the next decade or so. I can live with
that. Actually, my wife is very supportive, she didn't want me to quite the band, and couldn't deny it was a deal too good to let go.
My first Alembic is an Orion 5, Europa electronics, side LEDs, crown peghead, bird's eye
maple top. The crown peg head was an unusual choice, it was a dealer custom they'd had for a while (Larry Morgan Music, Garland, TX), and not one I'd select, but it plays like a dream and the sound is inspiring. The dealer had several higer-end Alembics on hand (MK/SCs), but they weigh a ton and honestly that much bass scares the crap outta me. The dealer price made the LEDs and electronic upgrades virtualy free. Anyway, from what I'd seen and played, any Alembic is far and above the rest of the custom world. I certainly feel like I'm on top of the world when playing. Sometimes I pick it up just to look at it. It's
hard to believe people spend that much for something to sit on when you can have something to make music with instead! Can't figure some folks out.I said first Alembic becasue it appears from what I've read, you can't own just one Alembic and if you do it's only the next step to another. Is there a twelve-step program I can take before it's too late? Or is it already too late? Maybe when I feel that I deserve such a work of craftmanship I'll upgrade - or better yet just get a second one! I've been following some interesting threads and wanted to say hi before I popped up on any of them.
adios,
Mike
