Time certainly flies by quickly.  I have been an Alembic club member for 10 years now.  
If you read very much stuff on the internet these days you can appreciate a site where the discussions are fun and informative, the people are respectful, and where you can go without much chance that you will come away p'd off.  
To me, the Alembic club is just such a place.  So, I would like to say thank you to Alembic for hosting this forum, to the moderators for watching out for all of us, and last, but certainly not least, to the membership for being true to who we are and still keeping this place fun for all who visit, read and post!
Sincerely,
Rich

Hi Rich. I've got 12 years in now and like you I found this to be a great fun place to discuss and praise all things alembic. For me one of the things that puts this club above others is that whilst we have a healthy understandable bias towards alembic basses and guitars, we generally do not rubbish other makers instruments. The other forums that I read regularly have heated and venomous alembic and high end bass bashing threads that are tiresome. There have been a few  heated debates here over the past 12 years and I've tuned in as the administrators and others have taken steps to resume normal service. But those now are pretty rare.  
 
I really have learnt more about guitars & basses,  alembic and non-alembic, from reading here over the past 12  years than all the years up to that point.  
 
Long may it continue.

+1
 
Our little rabid cult following certainly sets the bar for appropriate forum / discussion page behavior.
 
Egos and agendas checked at the door and respectful and stimulating exchanges of information, ideas and, on occasion, amusing weirdness.
 
Plus, a heapin' helpin' of Alembic porn!
 
What's not to like?

I love that we can all put aside our spiritual & political differences here & bond over the enchanted woods that the Wizards at Alembic so skillfully turn into magical melody makers! If everyone owned an Alembic the world would be a much nicer place!

I just realized I hit 10 years this past July.  This is a great place - the first site I check each day.  Though in all these years there is still one political issue that continues to plague us - bass vs. guitar!  lol
 
Bill, tgo
 
(Message edited by Lbpesq on December 08, 2014)

Bill tgo, bands often have more than one guitarist, but only one bass player - All about the bass!  Nothing political about it, just reality.  Enjoy.

I introduced myself here on Nov 28th 2005 and Rich,you were the first to welcome me.I retreated to lurker status for a long time as times have been difficult and as a non Alembic owner I didn't feel I had anything to contribute.However,I'm delighted to say that karma has been kind to me and on Sunday I will officially be back in the fold after some 21 years.I look forward to sharing my good news (and pictures) with you.This has always been one of the most respectful and informative forums I've ever been part of,and I'm grateful for having such a resource a few clicks away.As Jazzyvee says,long may it continue.
Simon.

Bill, you skinny string guys & girls will always be OK in my book!

I only ever post on one other forum, and even there I'm very selective about what threads I participate in or read... just so totally not into the adversarial crap. Music -playing bass in particular- is my refuge. I love it here. Thanks for a nice place to read/post about something we have in common.

Bill - the solution is easy!
 
Learn to play both!
 
FWIW: picking up a bass to supplement my guitar opportunities  has been the single best thing I ever did to improve my musicianship.
 
Approaching playing bass as a bass (and not a 4 or 5-string guitar) has given me a whole new perspective on music. I actually enjoy it as much, or more, than guitar because, for some reason, I can hear the entire band better and my sense of meter and groove has improved dramatically.
 
Plus, I don't have to keep coming up with clever lead licks for 40 - 50 songs per night...

My second family here!
I love you guys and girls (Kimberly, Mica and occasionally Susan . . . not sure of any others).
 
Simon, super great news about your new baby - you know the protocol, pictures and sound clips if you can.
 
 
All about that bass, no treble!
8-D

1 year approx. Grateful for all of you in the Club and all that this forum brings. I have learned boat loads from you all including finding inspiration. Many thanks and I hope to contribute/support as well, wherever I can. Ron, Susan, Mica, and everyone at Alembic as well as Will Gunn, you are all incredible!

I love this forum. We all generally get along respectfully and put those who get outta line back in with tact and grace...part of that is age and grace(I doubt there are many pimply-faced Alembic owners out there) and we realize how lucky we are to have them; ya can't go to Long & Mcquade (Canada) or Guitar Center (US) and get one, and that's a good thing by far...regardless of ones musical knowledge or lack (hi!) we respect each other and debate rationally and with good humour...Tony...and maybe someday with your help I may one day provide positive music in the world, but I'd have to change the band name....

12 years on this forum and loving every minute. Like Jazzy, I sometimes post on a UK forum but I have to say, despite being on the wrong side of the pond I feel a greater kinship to my fellow Alembicians than I do to anyone on the other forum.  
 
Graeme

Five years here and going strong, happy and proud!!