RRaymond,
 
The big Kahuna was attractive in its original form. After the inlays and pickups, the big kahuna is absolutely beautiful. Congrats!  
 
I have a balance point bass that weighs just over 14 lbs. I know how you feel!
 
Bryant

hi reid
 
the big kahuna is really beautiful!  the btc figured bubinga is striking, the logo by the tailpiece is very cool, and your choice of mods is right after my own heart:  my almost-completed bass started out as an essence, customized with fatboys, three-position q switches, and a bridge block.  i probably should've stopped right there, but one thing led to another . . .
 
i haven't seen many bubinga-topped alembics, and i don't know anything  about it as a tone wood.  does it have a characteristic effect on the sound of the instrument, as maple or cocobolo or vermilion would?
 
 
regards
 
 
marc
 
(Message edited by marcm on January 18, 2005)

Hi Marc:
 
The Big Kahuna does have a unique tone. I used to have a Bocate topped 5 string Orion and a Bird's Eye Maple topped 5 string Epic, all with the same Essence tone controls. Basically, all three basses were the same, except for their body size differences and their tone woods. As big as the Big K is, you wouldn't believe how trebly it is! It is very brilliant, has super clarity, but is mid-rangy to trebly overall. I can compensate via controls on my amp to get more bass, so I'm basically very happy with the results. Even playing it unplugged, it is super bright sounding - very Stanley-ish. Thanks for the compliments, BTW!
 
Reid

Hi Reid,
 
Nice upgrades, Congratulations!  The ovals came out great.
 
Peace,
Darrell

hi reid
 
thanks for the insight!  after i posted my message to you, i asked a friend, an experienced woodworker and cabinetmaker, what he knew about bubinga.  the first thing he told me was that it's pronounced boo BING ah, not byu BING ah; his subsequent comments suggested that it might be a bright, trebly tone wood, but his experience doesn't extend to musical instruments
 
as a first-time alembic owner (i've only played one just once, 23 years ago), i have a lot to learn from experienced owners and from playing my own alembic when it is completed
 
i wish you all the best with the big k.  it's a beautiful bass
 
 
marc

My Mesa/boogie Mark III and the matching Thiele cabinet are bubinga.  Beautiful wood.  I've had the amp almost 20 years, it still looks great.  As far as a tone wood, I can honestly say that I love the boogie's tone, though I don't know if the wood really has much to do with it. LOL
 
Bill, tgo

hi bill
 
this is off-topic for reid's 'big kahuna' thread, so please excuse, but was your theile cab made by the company of the same name (without the final 'e', i thought) who make excellent home-audio loudspeakers?
 
thanks
 
marc

Marc:
 
No, not the same as the speaker company.  It is a closed back single 12 with a port - designed by a guy named Thiele, I believe, - made by Mesa.  Great low end and directional projection.
 
Bill, tgo

Well, this beautiful bass has a new home now.  Mine!  It is my first Alembic and my first 5 string, so I am pretty excited.  I thought I would mark the occasion by posting a new pic of the Big Kahuna in her new home.
 

I just bought this bass. 6/11/10. LOVE IT! I'm upgrading the neck w/ some LEDs. Alembic = happy.

Cool!  Welcome Rich enjoy that Alembic.  Play it Healthy! Art