Ben, I enjoyed watching this video as you adapted to your physical limitations while recreating masterful replacement inlays for this unique guitar. You've faced some significant personal challenges but you've come out the other side stronger, more thoughtful, and willing to recognize when you needed help to get through the dark. I'm glad to see you back and being more creative than ever. I look forward to your next great project and want you to know that while I'm just one of many fans you've shown me, there is no shame in seeking help when you're struggling. Thank you so much for that... 🤗
37 years of heavy industry my hands are absolutely cabbaged so I feel your pain! 5 surgeries on my hands and now I only have 30% use now! Winter is always the worst time for me so this year it's like I've not been pain fee!
Really good to hear the dulcet tones, see the twinkling eyes from your ‘captain’s parlour’! Don’t think it would be my choice for a bass, but hey, each to his own!! Some great tips along the way! Cheers Ben! 🥰🥰🎸🎸☕️☕️
Fantastic stuff. I was fascinated to see how the process evolved and the results are definitely worth the time and effort. It's good to see you doing what you do so well.
Hi Ben. Last video I saw you were sadly shutting up shop. I must have missed a couple, but great to see you back on. I hope you are well (apart from the carpal tunnel issues) All the best.
I've had various problems with joints, ligaments and tendons over time. Something i firmly recommend is a number of sessions in a good spa. Don't think we have any in the UK, so I'd suggest the mineral spas around Zakopane, near Krakow. Like sitting in a Lazarus Pit.
Having been to the workshop in Santa Rosa I personally think it is worth it. Everything on a Alembic is custom. Pickups Alembic, bridge tailpiece and tuners Alembic. Their designs are original and their own. They pay a living wage to every single worker and follow all wood or material regulations to the letter. They have a large building full of woods they have had since the 70's that are just impossible to find now days in the quality they have. So yeah fucking expensive instruments. The price reflects everything but mostly it reflects the labor. Too often I think we devalue the labor of others.
They make metal clays that you can shape like puddy and then heat to burn away the binder, leaving solid metal behind. I've never tried them but i could see it being useful for something like this. They make them in silver, gold, copper - maybe others?
While the putty was certainly worth trying - I am wondering if there could have been any way to use a CNC to carve out some generic, slightly oversize claws. While you still need to shape them them to perfectly fit the cavities, it would possibly have saved a lot of time/ your hands in the sawing.
Ben, what is the clip on microphone you are using in this video? I've seen many people on RU-vid using these and I need one in my life. Regards, Paul, Budding amateur luthier, RoJoBe Music.
You are doing some fine and detailed work there, no doubt, but I have to say it. This project is stupid! All of that for a tiny amount of RECLAIMED ivory? Why? Just say it's bone! Make a new spec sheet if you have to. Taking that risk, with someone else's master art work, just to please some overly sensitive social justice warrior. It's infuriating! They act like you hunted down an elephant just for your dragon claws. The piano keys were probably reclaimed meterial as well. Elephants do die on their own too you know! Tusks can be found on the ground too, they're not ONLY taken from hunted animals.
Ben's doing this because a customer asked him to, and is willing to pay for it. The reason behind it is not for us to know. Maybe the customer wants the ability to export it without lying, with no doubt horrible consequences if he gets caught. Maybe he's getting old and is thinking of his legacy?
you did a great job as usual but that inlay is ugly as sin the dragon looks like a muppet and the detail is horrible it looks like a 50 quid neck from wish
My personal way to make that kind of fine inlays is more simple and straightforward : I will give up and let my depression raising by watching on youtube a master luthiers doing things like that, with hands problems x) (hopefully, I did not try insane inlays for now, so I'm OK ! :p ) More seriously, the result is stunning Ben, glad you share that with us !
Ben, if the carpal tunnel symptoms persist, consider carpal tunnel release surgery. I had both carpal and cubital tunnel release surgery on my right arm back in 2017, and have been symptom free ever since. The recovery time is very short, too. After about two weeks, I was able to do literally anything I wanted to again, and after about one month, my hand was almost back to full strength. Just make sure to find a good surgeon. I lucked out and had one of the best in my state right in my area.
I wear gloves almost everytime im handling chemicals now. Keeping my liver and kidneys happier has reduced joint pain immensely. Hand therapist/physio also a great investment. And ofcourse for us ADHD folk drinking enough water 😂. Fewer videos is fine with me knowing that you are looking after yourself better is reminding all of us viewers to do the same ❤
Editor: small tip. The sawing at around 8:50 was ear piercingly loud. On a phone speaker where I have to crank the volume to hear Ben, it was actually painful.
Isn’t it a 6 string? I played an Alembic Omega bass once - and loved it. If I hadn’t already ordered a custom bass I’d have bought it - the prices were similar back around 1983. I’d still love an Alembic Spider like Entwistle’s, even just as a wall hanger to gaze at…
The instrument was built decades ago and piano keys were used to make the inlays. Many things made in the 19th and 20th century have ivory in them and that's just the way it was. Getting rid of the ivory in them just because it is ivory seems beyond stupid. Acknowledge the material, point out where it is, bring awareness to it, leave it alone. Not that difficult.
The customer isn't always right, but the customer is always the customer. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks - the customer wanted it removed for their own reasons.
