Well how's that for auto pilot? Here's one in abalone to match the rest of the ovals, plus some sort of blue LED reference:

This 2nd one is very nice Mica, thanks, go for it!!!
 
Aloha, Paully

Great, I'll get the word to Bob so he can finish up the fingerboard plumbing (that's the wiring for all the LEDs).  
 
You should see some sketches soon for the BalK pistol version.

Dear Susan and Mica,
 
The anticipation is killing me of course but that is not the reason that I am calling.
 
Susan, how are you? How is the Pistol Grip design coming? I mean this in true regard to how the outcome is, in your opinion.
 
Based on the fact that the Balance K is a smaller body, how in your opinion is the Pistol Grip sizing up so-to-speak? In other words, in your humble opinion is there not enough wood up on that horn to have a decent looking Pistol Grip without it just looking to chinsey? I would much rather have a flowing look to the horn than have it look out of balance because there isn't enough meat up there to come up with a smooth Pistol Grip effect.
 
So I just propose to you after you seeing the progress that if the Grip actually takes to much wood out of the area to have a flowing blending in with the instrument then please alert me so that I may pay you for your time and we just revert back to the original horn and move forward.  
 
I am not at all at a loss if I helped the process of finding out the the Balance K is in keeping with it's original design to reduce weight not abliging to the Pistol Grip design.
 
I would be happy to have been a part of the experimentation process and would be glad to have contributed monetarily to this process.
 
So after the usual Monday Morning smoke clears and all gets back on track for the week would you please call me to discuss the matter and see if we just need to scrap the Pistol Project?
 
Many Mahalo's, Paul da Plumma

Hi Mica,
 
Have you gotten a price estimate back from the Jeweler yet on a Gold logo? Only checking so that if it's in the ballpark we can get on it now so it doesn't hold up the bass any more later.
 
Thanks, Paul

Hey Susan,
 
I would like to talk to you this week if possible about my pistol grip. I have come up with a design that I would like to show you.
 
I had the discription written down here but I deleted it and will explain this week.
 
Thanks, Paul
 
(Message edited by mele_aloha on May 11, 2007)

Hi Paul,
 
You can email the idea to us or fax it to us so we'll all have the same picture in front of us when we speak.  
 
Since we recently finished the inlay design work, the neck can get some more progress with the front LED positions established. So far, the body shape has not interfered with the production of your bass.  
 
Tuesday is the best time to talk. What's a good time for you?

 
 
(Message edited by mele_aloha on May 12, 2007)

Wait, Wait, Wait,
 
Before we go any further, may I just have a body identical to Michael's Coco Bolo Lefty Custom?
 
That is the bass that inspired me the most to begin with!
 
Now I finally understand that his is the balance point which is the biggest one. If you already have a standard point with a pistol grip template I would like that body if it's a little lighter than the balance point. But if you haven't designed the standard yet with the pistol grip in left handed then I would be happy with the balance point since you have already made one for Michael.
 
I just have decided against the balance K because I like the larger looking bodies better with the pistol grip. As you look back at my last posts that has what I have been concerned about the most. It's not because of the time factor that Susan is designing it. The balance K has just looked a little to skinny for me since I have changed to that and I am glad that we can change now as I just like a little more meat on the body.
 
So this is my final decision. I would like which ever you have a template already made for. Either the standard point, left handed with pistol grip or the balance point, left handed with pistol grip like Michael's.
 
Of course, if you have already started my bass then this conversion will be dropped.
 
I don't care what the weight is, I just love the shape of that bass.
 
So yes Mica, Tuesday would be fine. You name the time and I will call in if you like or you can call me. I will give you the correct cell number to get in touch with me on your private e-mail.
 
Our time difference here is now 3 hours earlier than you.  
 
Thank you, Paul
 
(Message edited by mele_aloha on May 13, 2007)
 
(Message edited by mele_aloha on May 13, 2007)

Paul, please look under the listing for my bass. I have entered my response there. Email me for my  phone number.I'd be happy to talk with you.  
Mike

Paul,
 
This is in response to your earlier post on Michael's FTC thread:
 
Body shapes can be found here.
 
Alas, it is missing several shapes-- Balance, Balance K, Scorpion, Pursuader, and the lovely Dragon Wing.  The page was initially created in 1999, and updated last year to correct some table formatting issues.
 
There is some background on the evolution of the body shapes here.
 
Bradley

Thank you very much Bradley for giving me this info. I have now made up my mind and changed my order based on this info as I have written in my change record.
 
I just really like the larger body style and was a little shakey about the smallness of the balance K.  
 
As Michael said, I like to look at that Coco Bolo so much that I want as much as I can get of it! So I am going for the standard or balance depending what they already have a template of for leftys.
 
Thanks again, Paul

Hi Mica,
 
Is it to late to ask for amber led's on the 5th and 12th side lights?
 
If not could you please add those and bill me accordingly.
 
Thank you, Paul

I never thought that the Balance K looked right for a 4 string, but it's clear that I must be in the minority.
 
I'd get the balance, personally, to prevent neck dive, and you already know exactly what it looks like (since you've seen Michael's).
 
Bradley

Left handed templates are just flipped over - there's no redesign for the mirror image.  
 
Michael's lefty is exactly a Balance Point with a Pistol Grip. We've got that template and if you like what you see, we'll be happy to use it on your bass. The Balance K with Pistol Grip will be added to the arsenal shortly, we've been working on it in conjunction with another customer's custom design, and it's coming along nicely.  
 
The best time to reach Susan is 12:00-2:00 pacific time. If you email her, she can call you, or you can just discuss it over email, since the change has been simplified.