Chicago area Alembic Gathering.

[811952]

preview:  

 

[jalevinemd]

It was an amazing experience...one that I'll cherish forever. Meeting the people with whom I've had on-line correspondences for the past 6 years was quite a trip. And for me, it was the first time in my life I got to jam with so many people. Was a bit overwhelming at first, but I had Bill and Roger holding down the six string duties with me. Although Bill had to keep calling out the chord changes to Eyes of the World for me and I still kept getting it wrong!

[lbpesq]

Don't let him fool you, Jonathan really heated up those six skinny strings!  And at times I found myself just comping and watching 3 different bassists take turns on lead.  What's everyone doing next weekend?  hehehehe
 
Bill, tgo

[dadabass2001]

Recording blues tracks in Aurora, but if I wasn't ...
 
 
Mike

[charles_holmes]

Looks Like everyone had a great time! I really regret that I couldn't make it, but I had a gig with my band Bop Top and since it's my creation I had to be there. So, how did you guys like Bag End? I wanted to try the 4X10 cabinet.Oh Well guess I'll dream about it! The photos are great!!!
Dave, I hope you are feeling better. I have been sick 12 days (and I sing in my band too) today is the 1st that I have felt ok. I have been taking Musinex diligently because I had a terrible cough and it worked very well. Peace! And I want to read more stuff/feedback!!!!!!!
Chalie

[john_judge]

Hey everyone, Just got home from the recording studio and I must say I am beat!..tired and ready for bed, 6 hours sleep in three days just doesn't cut it for me..but I do it all again just to meet you guys and hear all those Alembics...it was well worth the loss of sleep.  Special thanks to Alembic, Bag End and Mica for making this possible and everyone for bringing some fabulous Alembics.
 
Bill thanks for the Joke it was a good one,  Mike great stories ! maybe we should write together sometime! Olie it was nice meeting the Texas connection and Christian what a humble and wonderful person you are, Keavin,You Da Man! and to the rest of you it was a pure pleasure and treat to meet all of you.
 
Bag End Guy's I knew we Have thunder but I didn't know MT. ST. HELENS was located in Barrington, IL
for those of you that missed it 4 X 21 Sub Cab power by 2 Crown 1200 watt amps, when the crossover kicked in I felt the hair on my arms braid with Gare's Hair on his arms..It was Rub a dub Dub 1 Big Ass Sub.
 
The gathering by the way at Durty Neillies  was really nice and thanks to everyone on this post I felt very comfortable making a toast to brother Paul,  through all the Post I felt like I knew him fairly well and yet never laid eyes on him...Such is the sign of a true Elite group of Alembic club members Playing in Harmony and I firmly believe that Paul heard all of us playing that day. We all managed to do that including myself, as tired as I was at the end I couldn't resist the thin neck action on the Buckeye burl and popped around the corner to plug in and have my way with it. All I could say was Nice very, very Nice as I felt my fingers fly across the neck.
 
But by far my pick for best finish goes to the quilted Cocobolo on the Bird of Prey, like Mica has stated any pictures you seen of this Bass don't do it justice, you have got to see it in person.  
 
Well tomorrow I am taking the day off to recover but as promise to the members who missed this great event, I will post the art drawing for my new design Bass called the Raven Resonator.  
Thanks again and look forward to meeting you all again and Christian have a safe flight home. Peace John Judge

[john_judge]

 here they are folks 2 of my favorites not to mention all the rest of them!..so many Alembics, So little time!  (Message edited by john judge on May 31, 2009)

[Enzo]

Well it's hard to find the right words to describe what a memorable day this gathering has been. Having desired always an Alembic and finally acquired 2 in a month (life is strange), the 2nd one the day before this get together, my head was spinning all day.  
It's been a great pleasure to meet everybody, from Mica (tough day with a million informations/explanations/suggestions given), her family and each one of the presents which I'd like to thank for the umbelievable spirit and availability. It was amazing to see the joy in every face, a show on its own !

[Enzo]

 
 
(Message edited by enzo on June 01, 2009)

[pauldo]

. . . for those of you that missed it 4 X 21 Sub Cab power by 2 Crown 1200 watt amps . . .
 
uh yeah - I should apologize for that, I got carried away with that jam in D, I tuned the E down to D and found if I 'punched' the upper horn on my fretless that the note blossomed so quickly and cleanly that it felt like an audio chiroprator was re-aligning my spine... I couldn't stop. From my toes to my nose it shook everything. Heather busted me aftwards - saying that I had a goofy grin on my face.  
I felt like Perkunos, Haokah, Thor (stick in Thunder Diety of your choice) - I had POWER! Unfortunatly I abused it. :-/  
 
Bill I can make time this coming weekend ;-)
 
The event truely was fantastic and I am still riding the high from it - the people, the instruments, the jamming - it could go on forever and I wouldn't have gotten enough of it.

[dwmark]

Just getting back to the computer--my delay doesn't indicate any lack of enthusiasm for the event.  It was what you'd expect from a bunch of great people getting together because of a shared passion, and with the source of our common bond (the Santa Rosa folks--who also share the passion) organizing and participating.
 
Was happy to share a part of the collection (glad you liked the Old Bird, John) and to be able to try out others' instruments, too (Keavin set the pass-around tone when he walked in, took out number 12 and handed it to the closest member, so that everyone could have it in their hands).
 
Sorry I missed dinner, but did have a chance to click bottles with Keavin over a toast to Brother Paul, at the gathering.  I think we all felt his presence and will continue to.
 
After this one, I'd travel all over the country to get to gatherings, money permitting.
 
dw

[keavin]

So far to date this was the biggest collection of alembics ever assembled!...........i bet ron (wickersham)is one proud Pappa!  as well as all the Employees at alembic were glad to see the fruits of their Hard work.

[811952]

Keavin, thanks for letting us all have a swat at #12.  That was spectacular.  You really can play that thing too!  Tracy and I both love your no-holds-barred, with an emphasis on pure fun approach to bass.  You really know your way around a bass guitar (and drum set - who knew?!).  Awesome.
 
John

[paulman]

I can't say anything that hadn't been said here already.  But I'm going to try.  What a truly amazing time for me.  To meet SO many great people, not to mention musicians, in one place was awesome.  
 
Pauldo, the D jam was super melty!!  I never did the Bill and Ted be excellent to each other windmill before, it just seemed so appropriate.  
 
Hats off to the music...I came to play with other Alembics, and got more than I wanted.  
 
Three Alembic Basses, Three Alembic Guitars, one set of drums, all at the same time.  I have NEVER seen that before.  
 
Jonathan I hope everything turned out alight.  
 
To everyone else, especially Jim at Bag End for hosting and supplying equipment, and Mica for organizing and sweet little swag items I say a hearty and loud THANK YOU!!!  
 
I want more, more, MORE!!!  Need to hear the jams Mike, take your time and thanks for archiving again.  I lost track of everyone that I played with, thanks a million times to you too!  Freakin' AWESOME!
 
It was great to hang with Bill, Christian, and the other guy  (there are two pics of him sitting and holding basses in this thread) I didn't catch his name, after the after.  Stacks of beer were great!  Bill glad you made it back, Christian have fun at Bag End today!
 
(Message edited by paulman on June 01, 2009)

[LMiwa]

Here's a small version of my group photo. The larger version is my new desktop!
 
This and others are now available in the gallery link a few posts down.
 

 
(Message edited by lmiwa on June 01, 2009)