Hi Michael,  Here's Chip's suggestions for getting the top, back and peghead out of that one big piece of wood.  For the top:  

  You should be able to see the sapwood will be avoided. I like the set of "eyes" and the pinching of the grain near the pickups and bridge.    for the back:  

  It's got those nice "pinches" again.     And for the peghead:  

  It's got all the neat characteristics of this wood crammed into one area. We'll cut both the front and back veneers from the same part.    Let me know if these placements look good to you, or if you've got some other ideas.

Hello there, Michael!  Here's the remarked pieces:   Top:

     Back:

    Only way to get the peghead out of the same board with this placement is by bookmatching the front:

 Which would actually look a little cooler since the center will get sanded away, bringing the pinches in closer.     If you want to get a non-bookmatched peghead with simlar placement, this is about the only other choice:

 Note, this is a really quick Photoshop bit. The perspectives don't exactly match, but it should give you a rough idea. If you prefer to view it in your mind's eye, here's the two files:  

 

  We are probably on the phone discussing this by now.

Awesome - I so wanted a bookmatched peghead.  Go for it!

After some Quickie Photoshop work:  Top:

 This is just flipping the image - it will look slightly different when we do it for real. This is just to see if you like the general idea.     Back:

 This will help you make your decision about the back laminate - if we're going to use this layout or the straight grain at the center. This one is also a a mirror image.

Mica, thanks for all of your help. I'm looking forward to seeing the layout after our discussions.

bsee, didn't go for the bookmatch. Or, at least not yet! I've been concentrating on the Zebras.

Hey, you got some really interesting wood there.  I don't think you can make a wrong decision about layout.  Go with your gut and be guided by the experts.

Thanks bsee

From our conversation earlier this week, I think this will be the final layouts.   For the top:

     For the back:

    For the peghead:

  Let me know if all looks good from where you sit.

Here's a closeup of the regular Further accent laminates:
 

On yours, the side view will stack up like this:
 
Coco Bolo top
Maple veneer
Purpleheart veneer
Maple veneer
Purpleheart veneer
Flame Maple core
Purpleheart veneer
Maple veneer
Purpleheart veneer
Maple veneer
Coco Bolo back

For Reference:

Hi Michael,
 
Here's that diversion you were asking about:
 

 
Even though it's pretty rough, you can probably tell the color is rather dark and the quilted figure is pretty deep.  
 
We will be slicing the last stick of this wood open shortly for another project, so I can show you more when the pieces that that bass are selected.

Susan, Mica, Valentino, Chip and everyone else at Alembic,
 
Thank you so much for all of your hard work so far. I'm so excited. I have no doubt that this instument will take my playing Further.
 
Guitarbeau

The neck, in the presses:
 

 
Flame Maple, Vermilion, Cherry, Vermilion, Flame Maple. This is the scrap end of the neck, and the colors will liven up once we start sanding and scraping.  
 
Should have the pics of the template on the top and back lams by tomorrow.