Alembic Balance K "inspired" (semi-replica) build

[Rôckhewer]

Thank you ALL very much... your kind words of praise and approval mean the world to me!!

And this...

Perfect ! I am sure the guys at Alembic could not do better than you.

That....was exactly what I was hoping to accomplish, ...a level of craftsmanship I was aspiring for, & had hoped to prove, .....to myself, and whomever else... when I started this build.
Thank you!

 

[michaelwayneharwood]

Honestly Rock...I have no words epic enough to qualify how good a job you have done. This is an amazing instrument, and I am willing to bet that there is not one person in LC that had any doubts about how killer this would turn out to be. If this turned out better than anyone thought it would be more that we have set our sights too low than anything else.

Great job man.

 

[El Spearo]

Holy mother of everything that's beautiful and shiny!!

 

[Photobassist]

Holy snikes!!!! That's amazingdrooldrooldrool

 

[BassHappy]

Really REALLY nice work!

Kudos!

 

[Hout]

Man that thing is beautiful!

 

[Marcury]

Saweet!!!

 

[Teacher]

Meh...it's okay.

 

[Teacher]

Aw, c'mon...this thing is KILLER!!!

 

[Rôckhewer]

Thanks again folks!
Your kind words of approval are most appreciated!

Since this bass was pretty much built, pre-logo
...it is being retro-fit with a truss rod cover logo badge.

Actually....I'm thinking seriously about having this be the "official" method of brand marking going forward anyway.
It's sooo much easier to inlay into ebony ......and being able to work on a separate piece of wood in general.... than doing it into the headstock itself.

So now it is complete.
I guess I am still going to have to build another Balance K "replica" ...so I can keep one. I really like the feel of this body style.

And while it is not my intention to be a builder who does a lot of copies.... If someone else would like an "Alembic style", or...let's call it a "Tribute"....
I'm pretty sure I wouldn't mind doing another one.

 

[Hopkins]

Thanks again folks!
Your kind words of approval are most appreciated!

Since this bass was pretty much built, pre-logo
...it is being retro-fit with a truss rod cover logo badge.
View attachment 878157
Actually....I'm thinking seriously about having this be the "official" method of brand marking going forward anyway.
It's sooo much easier to inlay into ebony ......and being able to work on a separate piece of wood in general.... than doing it into the headstock itself.

So now it is complete.
I guess I am still going to have to build another Balance K "replica" ...so I can keep one. I really like the feel of this body style.

And while it is not my intention to be a builder who does a lot of copies.... If someone else would like an "Alembic style", or...let's call it a "Tribute"....
I'm pretty sure I wouldn't mind doing another one.

That truss rod cover looks great, but if your brand ever gains some traction, it makes it pretty easy for someone to simply remove the truss rod cover and claim your work as their own.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Did I read that right, this is for a customer? You'd have to pry this out of my cold, dead fingers, and whack me a couple upside the head for good measure. Amazing job, love every aspect of it. Headstock logo is "Klingon-Kool", like a war hatchet, I dig it. I have this thread on permanent bookmark so I can check it out again when (If!) I ever get through a couple builds and muster the fortitude to build one of these, my favorite bass body shape of all time. Well Done, Sir Rockhewer!

 

[JackANSI]

Just a killer job on this bass. Flat out amazing.

 

[d-dave]

I am officially in love. drool

 

[PDX Rich]

Wow man. This is truly fantastic. Love the logo also! I also agree with Hopkins. Make sure to brand that badboy on a non-removable part! Keep the truss cover for sure, and perhaps add a smaller logo somewhere on the body?


Edit: I suppose inside the control cavity and under the PUPs should do the trick--especially since the finish is (so wonderfully) complete!

 

[wraub]

I agree, that definitely needs a signature, serial, date of mfg., hand written inside the cavity. (that logo looks awesome but doesn't identify the maker.)

You've each earned it, as artist and art.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

NECRO-THREAD!
I lost my bookmark on this, had to search a little. Oddly enough, I got a hit by Googling "heart omega", and the thread popped up. This probably feels like ancient history to @Rôckhewer , but I think I'd forgotten just what an incredible build this was, and now that I'm trying my hand at a similar build, it reads like a tutorial specifically written for me! To anybody who hasn't seen this, read the whole thing, it amounts to damn good course in bass building and custom metalwork in 18 pages.

 

[A9X]

I've just spent maybe 3 hours reading this, and wow, just wow.

I've owned 5 Alembics and would have been happy to had that beside any of them, though none of mine were as detailed as this, they may have been embarrassed in yours' company. Someday I'd like to do an homage to the fave one I had, but I have seriously overrated my skill set.