jazzyvee

i just got to his web site and will call him today thanks.

I see your point, though i did not buy it from alembic, it was from the original owner via a commission sale. But in any case alembic export under license from the US Fish and Wildlife department so would have to declare any ivory or risk prosecution if they were going to export out of the USA. However since they didn't export it, i don't think they have any responsibility to do that for me. Also my understanding of the HMRC information that it was only when the law changed in the UK recently that it became illegal for it to be sold or or shipped out of the country, unless i can prove the ivory does not come from an elephant. Previous to that i would have needed to get a permit. I doubt that alembic would be able to tell me what ivory it is since it was reclaimed from a vintage piano. The reality is, if i can't get it replaced, it just stays with me and maybe i can pass it on to a conservatoire in a will or have it buried or cremated with me. 🙂.

Yes, I have brought the issue up on their web site. Also a few years back when I was planning to go to an alembic meet and Mica advised me to check the CITES if I was planning to travel out of the UK with it since the ivory may be an issue. There is no doubt it is ivory as it states it on the web page link I posted earlier. So it's just a matter of finding a way to remove it without damaging the neck of the guitar.

The guy I took it too confirmed that since it can't be proven that the ivory has not come from an elephant it would be a restricted item. The details on the guitar is that the ivory was reclaimed from antique piano ivory so there is little way of me knowing 100% whether it is or not elephant ivory especially as the onus would be on me to prove it before I get handed a life changing fine if i was selling it. So whether it is or not I want to get it taken out to remove any doubt. And when Alembic did this for another customer they photographed the process of removal and gave the customer a sample of the material used in case of any issues further down the line. The inlay guy said one of the main difficulties is that the ivory is really close to the edge of the fretboard and also goes under the head of the frets, both of which would be difficult to remove without affecting the fretboard edges and the other inlays which lie along the fretboard. Not an easy or cheap job i'm sure. @2Pods I will see if I can find a decent full picture of it . Found the web page where it is show and you can see how close the claws are to the edge of the fingerboard, which happens to be ebony but I have no idea whether this makes the job easier or harder. http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_dragonmagic.html

Thanks for pointing that out i wasn't aware of that one.

I hope you don't mind me putting this here as it is relavant to any instrument with an inlay, and has the same issue as me. I have a guitar with an elaborate dragon inlay on the fretboard. Unfortunately it contains a small amount of ivory in the dragon's teeth and claws. So based on the current UK regulations i'm not allowed to sell it or take it out of the country without receiving a heavy fine. Whilst i have no desire to sell in the near future that may change. So i'm looking for an inlay specialist who could remove the ivory and replace it with something that cannot be mistaken for ivory. My first thoughts was Jaydee, and i called but they are busy with their own instruments and not taking on any extra work. They recommended a violin maker, but again he is busy. So just putting the feelers out in case you know anyone i could contact. I would prefer someone in or near to Birmingham if possible as i won't want to send the guitar by post/courier. Any recommendations, greately received.

If you are in the MU it might be worth checking with them to see if their insurance covers more than Public Liability or if it can be included as an add on. Anyway this is what i found with a quick search on-line. What Is Indemnity Insurance? The term indemnity insurance refers to an insurance policy that compensates an insured party for certain unexpected damages or losses up to a certain limit—usually the amount of the loss itself. Insurance companies provide coverage in exchange for premiums paid by the insured parties. These policies are commonly designed to protect professionals and business owners when they are found to be at fault for a specific event such as misjudgment or malpractice. They generally take the form of a letter of indemnity. What is public liability insurance? Public liability insurance will help protect your business if a claim is made against you, e.g. if something happens at work that results in injury to a customer, a member of the public or damage to someone’s property It’ll protect your business against damage and the cost of legal claims people make against you, if you’ve done something that’s resulted in injury to a member of the public or damage to their property. Product liability insurance offers protection if a product that you manufacture, sell, install, repair or alter causes injury or illness to a customer, or damages their property. For example, if you sell electrical goods that have caused injuries to a customer and you’re found to be at fault, then public liability cover will help go towards the cost of compensation and legal fees.

We have recently started using an IEM setup and so far it's not been without issues. i may try that suggestion next gig. just need a cable converter to get the monitor feed as a mini jack cable.

Maybe it was just part of a general clear out of basses. Stanley does seem to check out other basses but always comes back to his alembics.

I spotted this on the alembic web site earlier. One of their dealers in Germany has been hit it seems. Eleven Alembics stolen but who knows what else got taken as well. https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=27500.0

Excellent. I like the stereo option. I have that via a mono/stereo switch on my basses, nice to have though i don't use it often on gigs. I can imagine using it more if i start using effects or two cabs.

I popped over to Bass Direct earlier today to try out the Eich Bassboard. I was left less than enthused and more confused. I guess it does what it's supposed to do which is give you the feel of bass through your feet. I stepped on and off the board whilst playng and to be honest there was no WOW factor so for that reason i decided to leave it alone. Also it's not silent and i understand why it is not. The board is about as heavy as a barefaced Big Baby II and since i'd need to carry an amp for both, it may be just as effective to carry that cab and elevate it so that is about chest height and stand close to it. I will have a think about it and maybe think again after my next gig with the IEM system.

Here is my main gigging rig. Alembic preamps, Synq power amp and barefaced cabs of which I have a choice of three. BTII, BBII and DubsterII but the BTII is the main one.

It would mine if it was brought to me as a gift. Not the sort of bass i would drop my hard earned cash on though. I wonder why Stanley sold it.

I took the safe route when i changed my old schallers for new ones which were larger, and got Jaydee to do the job.

Earlier this year i got Jaydee to strip this bass and refinish it to show the natural wood. I didn't dislike the original colour it but preferred the natural quilt maple finish. I left the back of the headstock in the original colour.

Aston Familyman Barrett first then later Stanley Clarke.

We are indeed which is why we are now spoilt for choice when it comes to buying basses, with makers offering virtually any finish we want. I definitely prefer darker woods.

Yes, you are both right it is an Alembic. When originally made it was based on their Europa model with the following custom options. Elan style headstock and narrow neck, signature electronics (vol, blend, 2 filters and 2 position q-switches), side neck LEDs. I recently had an upgrade from Alembic to their anniversary electronics, (vol,vol, 2x 3 position q-switches, mono/stereo switch and pickup switch selector with mute which I haven't yet drilled a hole for). I too prefer wood finishes on any bass or guitar for that matter and this is the only solid coloured bass I own. A few years ago I did plan to have it refinished to remove the black and reveal the flame maple woods. However, based on the previous interest i'd had from rock band bass players especially ones covering Metallica tracks,. I decided it may be better to leave it as is.

Just got home from my Musical Youth gig at Hootnanny in Brixton and winding down with a cuppa. It went really well the sound quality especially the bass i thought was exceptional, and when I got off stage I had a number of conversations with punters including some who told me they were bass players raving about the gig, complimentary of my playing and the sound of my bass. Always good to hear, and honestly that bass is such an incredible sounding instrument and played through Alembic F-1X/SF-2, power amp and Barefaced cabs is just something else. I think giving the FOH my sound from the post pre-amp signal via the DI worked really well tonight. It is something i have been doing for reggae gigs as my norm unless the sound guys explicitly request otherwise. The team at the venue really took their time to give us a great sound. That is my reggae setup (Picture is from another gig).

I'm gigging on Thursday 27th October at Hootananny in Brixton with Musical Youth. https://hootanannybrixton.co.uk/musical-youth-40th-anniversary/

I played in a band for a couple of years who had a weekly residency in a pub a few miles from where I live. It was a complete variety of music covering mainly 50's, 60's and 70's mainly due to the age of the punters. Occasionally there were a few people turning up who sang more up to date songs. Pros: I was still pretty new to being a regular band bass player so every week I was out of my comfort zone which helped develop my ears and read chord charts quickly, follow singers covering songs i'd never heard before. It exposed me to music I had never heard before. I found it quite a fun gig with less pressure to be on point with the recorded bass lines of any track. I just captured the vibe of it which in most cases was fine. Cons: Sometimes it was quite a chore. It meant going to a pub every week which are places that I generally avoid., I don't like being around drunk people. Enduring occasional inappropriate ignorant racial comments from some parts of the audience. Too much rock n roll and not enough soulful music. Having to refuse to play reggae because I knew the band would not sound authentic.

This is mine.