The quilted maple top is stunning.

Jazzy, that picture would make a great giant poster.

Yep i thought so too and waiting for the photographer to respond to my email for the full resolution picture.

That top is beautiful. I agree about the poster! so many knobs and switches to play with

I was setting up my rig for the first gig I did with my Stanley Clarke Signature Deluxe & I was noodling around adjusting my amp & I heard a voice from down the hall say "That's a great sounding Alembic you have there!" The amazing thing is that the man who said it could not even see my bass from the hallway leading to the club! He instantly recognized the sound from his love of Stanley's music! That was confirmation I had made the right choice on my bass! He was an older gentleman who played bass in his youth but had long ago given it up. I offered to let him play mine, but he respectfully declined saying he wasn't worthy to play such an instrument. I told him neither was I but I was nonetheless blessed to own it!

Very nice, Rusty, the comment and your bass! 

That's awesome! What a great comment (and story.) love it!

A couple of months ago I went to see what a couple of people were about, and I open the case up and the guy asks if that's an Alembic. So I say yes and he says, Wow I never played with anyone who had one. But he knew someone who knew someone that had one. >.> I said well now you have! lol.

Quote from: rv_bass on January 20, 2019, 01:00:11 PM
Very nice, Rusty, the comment and your bass! 

Thanks RV!

Quote from: StefanieJones on January 20, 2019, 01:16:19 PM
That's awesome! What a great comment (and story.) love it!

A couple of months ago I went to see what a couple of people were about, and I open the case up and the guy asks if that's an Alembic. So I say yes and he says, Wow I never played with anyone who had one. But he knew someone who knew someone that had one. >.> I said well now you have! lol.

Thanks Stefanie! I went to one of my dad's cousin's funeral a couple of weeks ago & met one of my cousins that I had never met before & her husband is a drummer so we instantly hit it off when he found out I played bass. He asked me what kind of bass I played & I was shocked to find out he knew who Alembic was! He had never seen one in person but was very impressed with my pictures.

It's kind of sad that we're surprised or shocked to find out people know what an Alembic is. They're wonderful instruments.  It seems most people have no idea what they are.

Quote from: StefanieJones on January 21, 2019, 08:50:38 AM
It's kind of sad that we're surprised or shocked to find out people know what an Alembic is. They're wonderful instruments.  It seems most people have no idea what they are.

I agree Stefanie. What makes it even more sad is that most people have apparently heard of "Olympic" instruments & think that is what we are saying. I always ask people who haven't heard of Alembic if they have heard of Stanley Clarke, & most have, so I tell them Alembic is what he plays. If they haven't heard of Stanley, then there is just no hope for them! 

I guess when you think about it, it's like the best fishing spots are the ones very few people know about. If a spot becomes well known it get's over fished & not as many left to catch. Alembic remains true to their impeccable quality because they DON'T produce for the masses like Fender or Gibson, forcing them to water down the quality & make cookie cutter instruments. Each one is hand crafted with the care as if it was the only instrument they were ever going to make. In todays "instant" society where we complain if we have to wait 4 minutes for our food to be served, Alembic's approach to perfection is a rare quality indeed!

Quote from: rustyg61 on January 21, 2019, 09:37:40 AM
<SNIP>
I guess when you think about it, it's like the best fishing spots are the ones very few people know about. If a spot becomes well known it get's over fished & not as many left to catch. Alembic remains true to their impeccable quality because they DON'T produce for the masses like Fender or Gibson, forcing them to water down the quality & make cookie cutter instruments. Each one is hand crafted with the care as if it was the only instrument they were ever going to make. In todays "instant" society where we complain if we have to wait 4 minutes for our food to be served, Alembic's approach to perfection is a rare quality indeed!

Very well put Rusty.  We are very fortunate (and grateful) for Alembic and their Craftsman that take pride in attention to detail.  Alembic is a rare breed of a company these days - much thanks to all.

Quote from: pauldo on January 21, 2019, 02:53:45 PM

Quote from: rustyg61 on January 21, 2019, 09:37:40 AM
<SNIP>
I guess when you think about it, it's like the best fishing spots are the ones very few people know about. If a spot becomes well known it get's over fished & not as many left to catch. Alembic remains true to their impeccable quality because they DON'T produce for the masses like Fender or Gibson, forcing them to water down the quality & make cookie cutter instruments. Each one is hand crafted with the care as if it was the only instrument they were ever going to make. In todays "instant" society where we complain if we have to wait 4 minutes for our food to be served, Alembic's approach to perfection is a rare quality indeed!

Very well put Rusty.  We are very fortunate (and grateful) for Alembic and their Craftsman that take pride in attention to detail.  Alembic is a rare breed of a company these days - much thanks to all.

Agreed. Thanks to all for making these fine instruments that we get to play!

There are still a lot of bass players who have never heard of the Alembic brand. Just this weekend I was on a film set as an extra and got talking to another guy who said he too was a bass player and he asked what bass I played and he had never heard of alembic at all. I mentioned players like Stanley, John Entwhistle, Emerson Lake & Palmer but whilst he knew them he didn't know what basses they played. In a way that was quite nice change because sometimes when I mention the name Alembic to someone and they know the brand, I do wonder if it comes across as smug! because we both know where in the pecking order people place alembic. I have often been pointed out or introduced to other musicians as the guy who only plays alembic. I hope people appreciate my playing as well as my bass. ha.

I enjoy telling folks about my Alembics and the people who build them. They do tend to generate a lot of questions from players and audiences alike. Though I have recieved compliments on occasion, I can recall only two bass players that recognized my Alembics for what they were. I don't like the word exclusive to describe them, but rather, discerning. You choose to be here because there's something here you can't find elsewhere, and there are no endorsements.

I've been getting my hair cut at this same barbershop for 35 years... my barber is just a music fan, music of the 70's - doesn't play, just listens. "Aww, shewt - I cain't play nuthin' butta' radio!" Oddly enough, he knew exactly who Alembic was and what their contributions were, when I've seldom encountered musicians who did. He was one of the first stops I made when showing around my new Custom. He's fascinated as I am, that 50 years on, there they are.