Alembic #001 Rick Turner rennovation

[two fingers]

That’s not a particularly great analogy, in this case. Ron and Rick were very much equal parts of what that bass originally was.

Putting the East preamp in it is petty, and a substantial downgrade. In fact, if Ron had never been involved and Alembic had East preamps in them from the get go, they would have quickly become just another fancy piece of furniture. As things stand, the Series electronics package remains the sine qua non of bass preamps.

That’s not just my opinion. I’ve recently had fairly extensive discussions with Mike Tobias, for example, about bass preamps; and he would pretty much concur. FWIW.

It would be another matter if the Wickersham preamp no longer existed. Regarding your analogy, the Shelby Mustang #1 just recently resurfaced in a Texas back forty, sans engine; among other things. I’m pretty sure that the restoration will give full measure to at least one of the early engines that was used in it. That might be a better way to think about it.

The text said that he was "working with" East. How do you know they aren't designing a one-off period-correct preamp? You are assuming they are going to grab an off-the-shelf East preamp from a warehouse somewhere.

Also, it is OWNED by someone. And that owner can spec whatever he likes. If he wants it painted hot pink, it will get painted. If Rick homeswlf is doing the work, he is likely getting paid handsomely.

So, I suppose a more accurate snalogy would be Shelby working with Chip Foose to make a modern/classic hotrod out of the first Shelby Mustang. Still a cool car, no? Still a lot of street cred due to two of the most influencial car guys in history coming together on one car, right?

Same here.

Basses and cars are not holy relics. They are objects.

 

[bucephylus]

The text said that he was "working with" East. How do you know they aren't designing a one-off period-correct preamp? You are assuming they are going to grab an off-the-shelf East preamp from a warehouse somewhere.

Also, it is OWNED by someone. And that owner can spec whatever he likes. If he wants it painted hot pink, it will get painted. If Rick homeswlf is doing the work, he is likely getting paid handsomely.

So, I suppose a more accurate snalogy would be Shelby working with Chip Foose to make a modern/classic hotrod out of the first Shelby Mustang. Still a cool car, no? Still a lot of street cred due to two of the most influencial car guys in history coming together on one car, right?

Same here.

Basses and cars are not holy relics. They are objects.

Agreed. I may be arguing a perspective; but, actually I’m not vested in the thing.

Mainly I find the rift between the two to be particularly unfortunate. Together, they were much more than the sum of their parts.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

@two fingers makes a good point. I happen to know the current owner is anonymous, and wishes to remain so. (stated emphatically on other forum I watch, comments deleted, etc...)

Yeah, absolutely. They are obviously paying Rick to work on it for what ever it needs. For all we know, they could just have easily taken it across the Bay to his former shop.

Quoting myself from earlier... I just think it's a dad-gum shame they couldn't work together on this one. Things are what they are though.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

#72-001 in action, back in the day.



It would have been fairly new at the time this footage was shot, and like most of Alembic's early work, a test-bed for experimentation. Clearly different electronics configuring than what's in it now, which makes sense... as what became Series I electronics were in developmental stages largely because of this bass!