Mark,
 
It is confirmed that the balance K 6-string won't fit.  The overall length of the case (50) does not leave enough padding fore and aft (Mica measured my bass at 48).  For UPS to pay a claim, they'll want 2, minimum, all the way around.
 
Bradley

Hey Mica, I know you're busy...
 
Just a reminder... when you get me the price info on the cost for the prep for Series I and on the additional cost to upgrade back up to Signature electronics with a second 3-position Q, and ONE SET of bass & treble controls (I'd like quotes for knobs & toggles -to know the difference in price) I'll get back to you right away.
 
I know you need to know whether to make the bass even thicker for the Series I prep, and can't proceed until a decision is made.
 
I'm curious whether 1 or 2 backplates is standard with the Signature electronics.  I looked at different basses in Showcase, and some Balance K Signature basses had only 1 electronics cavity, while others had 2.  I'm guessing that 2 is standard, but one can request only 1?
 
This is important because, if I were to do the prep for Series I, I'd insist on continueous wood backplates, and you'd want to include pricing for that.  If 2 backplates are standard, then I'd need to know how much extra it would be for a 3rd (continueous wood) backplate); if only 1 is standard, then I'd need to know how much extra for 1 additional, and 2 additional plates.  I'd probably prefer only the minimal 2 -even though your dad doesn't like the option- just due to cost.
 
Again, no hurry.  I may prefer (or just need) to stick with the current plan.  Or I may choose to go with the prep for Series I, the upgrade to Signature plus B&T controls, or both.  Price will determine my choice -and I'll likely be able to do it quickly and conclusively once I have the pricing info.
 
Thanks again for everything!
 
Make Mine ALEMBIC!!!

If possible, assuming there is no price difference, I would prefer pickups with ALEMBIC on them to ones without Alembic;
 
And I'd prefer ones with ALEMBIC in gold as opposed to ones without (again, assuming they're not more $).
 
And I'd also prefer tuners with the A of Alembic on the back.
 
Thanks!

Sorry, the 6-string pickups are not available with gold stamping. The name appears engraved on the 6-string pickups.  
 
We prefer the tuners with the A on the back, but as you're following Shim's thread, you can see they are not always available. Most of the time, they are.
 
(Message edited by mica on April 23, 2007)

I'm busted!!!
 
Yes, that was a Shim reference -which I tried to discreetly sneak in!
 
Yes, like Shim, I'd prefer the Alembic A on the Gotohs... but it's no biggie... I know they're the same!!!  I'd PREFER the Alembic A version -if available.  If not, I assure you you'll hear no sniveling from me on the subject.
 
As far as the pickups... well, if it's not an option... then it's not an option.
 
Thanks, Mica, you folks are the best.  I'm glad I have the benefit of the my previous experience.  I do not have even the slightest bit of doubt that my replacement 6-string will be utterly awesome, and that I'll adore it.  It's like it's already done, and in front of me right now.  It'll be done, and it'll be done when it's done, and it'll be great, and I'll love it!  And life will go on until then!
 
BUT HEY, WHY SHOULDN'T 6-STRING FOLKS HAVE THOSE WONDERFUL PICKUPS WITH ALEMBIC ON THEM???  (Just for the benefit of folks down the road!!!)
 
But seriously, it's no biggie... not even a smallie!!!
 
Thanks again for everything!  Take care, Mark.

We don't have an injection mold for the 5-6 string sized pickups yet. It's something that we plan on purchasing, but it won't be real soon (they are even more expensive than some Alembics!). Without an ABS plastic shell, I can't get the gold hot stamping done. I've seem people paint inside the engraved part, we don't offer that service.  
 
Someday, you can get a shiny new set of pickups when the gold stamped ones are available

Here's the peghead veneers:

 The note is to hold off on cutting the peghead until you can review some pricing details about possible changes you asked me about recently.   and the body core with pinstripes:

  I've got to get with mom on the pricing for some of the options, and I just couldn't do it this week (but at least I finished all the quarterly tax returns, yay!). I should be able to get you the details on Tuesday.

Maybe by the time I upgrade the electronics to Series I... assuming I can afford to do the prep for Series I!!!
 
Thanks Mica, hope you TWO (three... ya know what I mean!) have a great weekend!  

WOW, WOW, WOW!!!
 
Wow, how AWESOME!!!
 
The peghead veneer looks absolutely AWESOME!!!
 
And it looks like you guys delivered another awesome and unexpected surprise... and put the pinstrips right on the body like I wanted... so they won't go over the neck!!!  How unexpected... and how cool!!!
 
Thanks so much, that is just a really unexpected and cool feature.  I remember our conversation on the matter, and remember (for reasons I didn't frankly grasp) you regarded it as extra-challenging to do... but (obviously) you did it!!!  Yay!  I'll like the look of this even more.  I wanted it, but didn't have the $ ask/offer you more for it if it were needed, so seeing this small but meaningful feature... it just great!  Thanks so much!
 
It does make me a bit curious about something, though... so I have to ask.  Obviously, the laminated body core and pinstripes are a specific thickness here already... have these already been done based on the assumption that the body will be 1.7 inches for the Series prep?  If so, that's fine, I don't really care if it's slightly wider at 1.7 instead of the already planned 1.6 for the side jack.
 
But... if it's NOT Series thickness... then what?  I assume the logical options would be either make the Coco Bolo slightly thicker (assuming that were an option) or maybe add an additional pinstripe all the way to the center on either side to add the additional thickness... or I guess the body core could be cut in half and put another lam in the middle?
 
Whatever you think is best, I'm just curious what the plan is.  Broke as I am, I'm really grateful for this unexpected nice touch, so if it needs to be a little thicker for the Series I prep, I could pay a little extra for an addition pinstripe or two if it were necessary for the extra body thickness (that is, assuming I can afford the Series prep in the first place).
 
It'll all come down to the price/cost.  Since we've put a hold on the peghead bevel and mini-omega, that gives me $550 retail to potentially redirect towards the Series I prep and/or upgrading the electronics to Signature with/without a (single) set of bass & treble toggles or knobs.
 
It would be really nice if I could do all three things: (1) upgrade to Signature & a second 3-position Q; (2) get a set of bass & treble controls; and (3) get the Prep for Series I.
 
But I could probably only afford 2 out of the 3 -if that.  I've checked the quote generator, and I know to upgrade back up to Signature is $400; and I'd have to pay for the upgrade for the second Q switch, which Beaver said is either $125/$150.  So this would be the same cost as the bevel and the mini-omega.  Then the question is, how much extra to add a set of bass & treble knobs or toggles, and how much extra for the Prep to Series -including factoring in an extra continueous back woodplate.  (Again, I'm not clear on how many backplates are standard for Signature basses... I'm not sure if what I've paid for already would normally cover one or two backplates, thus, I'm not clear on whether the additional backplates -and thus, fees- for the Series I Prep would require quotes for 2 vs 3 additional woodplates -or just 1 vs 2 additional woodplates.)
 
IF what I've paid for would NORMALLY cover two backplates, THEN I MIGHT consider respectly inquiring if it would be possible to just upgrade to Signature (with a second 3-position Q) and add a set of bass & treble controls, and just get ONE backplate and apply credit for the second plate toward the cost of the bass & treble controls.  But only if it's cool.
 
But I guess it comes down to cost again.
 
Geez, I hope I don't sound like an ingrate!  Here you folks are surprising me with this unexpected treat, and I'm responding with ANOTHER long-winded post!!!
 
I'd better go!  Thanks again so much, it looks awesome, I'm REALLY excited, and I look forward to getting the pricing info.
 
On a separate note... I'll tell you this has been an UNBELIEVABLY stressful and unpleasant day for us.  Our mortgage lender has been extremely irresponsible about his committments to us... he's failed to communicate and honor his word, and it's caused us some pretty serious problems with planning our living arrangements, closing on our house, and packing and moving etc.
 
Prior to posting this, we had a LONG and very unpleasant conference call between him and our realtor -who is REALLY COOL and on the ball, and me and my gal were total steaming.  So I went out and got us some beer, and when I saw this, it instantly became the high point of my day, week and month!  We should have signed for our house tonight -in which case THAT would have been the high point... but... that didn't happen, and seeing this was very comforting, and well-timed!!! Thanks again so much!  Gratefully yours, Mark!
 
YAY! THIS IS GOING TO LOOK [color=color=]SO[/color] COOL WITH THE BOOKMATCHED TO CENTER COCO BOLO GOING OVER THE NECK WITH THE PINSTRIPES GOING ONLY TO THE NECK!!!

Dang Mark, you're so boring. You could at least get excited about your bass.
 
The peghead is lookin nice.

Thanks, Dave!!!
 
Yeah, I'm really psyched!  As you can see, the peghead looks freaking awesome!!!
 
But they did something extra cool for me, out of the blue.  I'd asked them before about having the pinstrips go ONLY over the Mahogany body, and STOP at the neck... in other words, to have the pinstrips NOT go over the neck (the purpose being to not shave the neck down any more than necessary -except for what's necessary for the bookmatch to center).  Well, Mica indicated it was an extra hardship, so I withdrew the request.  So I was very pleasantly surprised to see this... just a really cool and unexpected surprise.  I think it'll look REALLY cool -having the pinstripes ONLY go to the neck, and have the bookmatched-to-center Coco Bolo go right over the neck!
 
I'm just totally psyched!
 
I've also asked them for quotes for the Prep for Series I and for the cost of upgrading to Signature and adding a pair of bass & treble controls... I probably couldn't afford to do all of these things, and I'd have to sacrifice my peghead omega and bevel...
 
I'll just have to see -it'll depend on the cost.
 
But it's all cool.  Even if I just stick with the original plan of Europa electronics with the 3-position Q, it'll be cool.  But it would be extra cool if I could upgrade to Signature electronics with the Series Prep and/or with a set of bass & treble controls!!!
 
And it'll be EXTRA COOL with this nice pinstripe-to-neck only feature I wanted but didn't expect!!!

Oh, P.S. congrats on taking care of the tax stuff, Mica!  I'm sure it's nice to have that headache over with!!!

I just wanted to say thanks again for putting these pictures up for me to enjoy over the weekend, and thanks again for having the elves put the pinstrips on the body halves!
 
Being familiar with the Alembic building process, I was expecting to see the Mahogany body halves glued on next, before seeing the pinstripes and bookmatched-to-center Coco Bolo finally added to the front and back.
 
When I saw the body halves NOT glued on... but with the pinstripes already on... WOW, what a cool surprise!  And they're SO thin... just like what I wanted!  They'll be GREAT as contrasting laminates -separating the darker Coco Bolo from the lighter Mahogany -and I know they'll look awesome with the tummy contour and elbow contour!
 
The peghead front veneer looks awesome!  I love the asymmetrical look -with the one half being liney and the other half being wildly figured.  And it looks very well matched to the color and figuring of the board you chose for my top.
 
And that board looks awesome, again!  Whether we go with what you've suggested initially, or what I think I might prefer -flipping it, as long as the pinched part of the figuring would be cut out anyway for the neck pickup or trussrod plate- it looks to be awesome either way.
 
I know y'all will probably get that board cut soon, and then we'll be able to figure the best section to use for the BTC.  Hopefully the board will be thick enought to use for both sides -but if not, I'm not worried... I know you'll just find another awesome board for the other side.
 
I look forward to getting the pricing info for the Series I Prep and/or upgrading to Signature with an added set of bass & treble controls.  I might not be able to afford ANY of these upgrades... but it's all good.  Even if I just stick with the Europa setup & 3-position Q, this bass will rock.  If I am able to afford the electronics upgrade, I most likely would do one or the other -that is, upgrade to Signature and and a set of bass & treble controls OR upgrade to Signature and do the Series I prep.  I'd hate to give up the bass & treble controls... but if I had Signature electronics with 3-position Qs, and was set up to upgrade to Series down the road... that would be very good.  I'm sold that Series basses are the ultimate -even though they don't have conventional bass and treble controls.  And I could probably still add a pair of bass & treble controls if/when I upgraded, right?
 
Thanks again, I really look forward to seeing the body halves glued on soon, and on seeing the Coco Bolo when it's cut up!  And again, I'm crossing my fingers and toes it'll be wide enough to yield quarter inch boards for both the front and back, but (again) I'm not worried 'cause I know you'll just get another awesome board if it's not thick enough!
 
Thanks again, Mark!

Well, I'm one happy camper!!! ):
 
Me n my gal bought our first house today... which is obviously a BIG moment, and quite cool.
 
Another cool thing is that I found $400 dollars while I was packing things up!!!  And it IS going towards my Custom-in-progress!!!
 
Yeah, this is a really good thing, 'cause it makes it MUCH more likely I'll be able to do at least 2 out of the three options I'd asked you about.  I know I can upgrade to the Signature electronics and get the second Q switch upgraded to a 3-position switch for the same cost that the peghead Omega and bevel would set me back.  And I'm hoping that $400 would cover or almost cover the cost of the Series I prep OR the cost of a set of bass & treble controls.  Depending on the costs, I might actually be able to get all 3 of these options!!!  I'll have to wait and see, but I can't wait to get the price quote for these options at this point!
 
It would be SO COOL if I could get Shim-style or Toby-style electronics -Signature PLUS a set of bass & treble controls (with 3-position Qs)- that was prepped for Series upgrade down the road!  That would be incredibly awesome!!!
 
So I'm crossing my fingers and toes, and patiently and hopefully waiting!
 
It's all good!  Whatever I get will be awesome.  The Europa electronics with a 3-position Q are awesome... but having individual filters & Qs for each pickup really actualizes the full potential of a 2-pickup instrument -and being able to convert to Series at some point when I have more money would be incredibly awesome.
 
Yeah, when I ordered this, I strongly considered getting a Series I... it actually would have been $100 LESS... but that would have had NO OPTIONS... no Coco Bolo, no BTC(s), no Ebony or Mahogany neck laminates, no continueous wood backplates, no contours... and I really wanted to have these things.  Having Coco Bolo, and at least 1 Ebony neck laminate were essential things I wanted.
 
I'm really excited, at this point, 'cause based on what you thought the cost was for the Series I prep, I'm pretty optimistic I can probably pull this off by diverting the cost of the peghead Omega and bevel to a Signature upgrade, and kicking in the cash I found to pay for the Series Prep... then it's just an issue of the cost of a set of bass & treble knobs or toggles, and whether I could get all 3 options -or just 2 out of 3!
 
I'm SO EXCITED!!!  (And I just can't hide it!)  I'm excited about the house, and about this bass... and the fact that I can actually GET it now... since I was told not to spend any big money until we have the keys!!!

You'll receive an email later today with the electronics pricing options that are available to you. Since your order was not for Series I/II thickness, it's not an available option at this point to prep for future Series I/II electronics - the nack was made for the required thickness long ago.   Here's the laminates in the first stage of BTC: