I am absolutely speechless!
Never was but now! Is this really human built?
Look at that Tailpiece... and all... enchanting.
 
How do you fixed the bridge? Where is the brassblock? Below the Coco Bolo Veneer? And what material is the nut from? And... sorry too much questions.
If I ever have the chance for a custom this would be the shape!
 
Congrats Val, you must be the lucky one.
 
Kai

God Valentino!  The concept and the in progress pictures were very impressive, but the final product beats all! That tailpiece is amazing!  
 
Congratulations. This one is definitely your best custom.  The others are very sharp, but this one is probably the nicest Alembic I've seen.  
 
Bill

WOW- thats awesome val....
love the tailpiece and the wood pickup covers....

Val ...I'm sorry but this model isn't really my cup of tea. Although ...as admiring everyone who stands out of the crowd -like all Alembic players do in terminis- it counts for me.
Nice bridge ...absolutely and really made ads being part of the unusual design.
For those who saw: Val installed a height-adjustable nut in ebony (if I'm well informed it is the second one installed after Brother Bobs most-hidden-bass). Val ...is it a Series II with no general volume or a Series II with no general volume but with volume-pan combi???
Anyway ...congrats!! Hope she gives you the sound you were after?? Did the coco-bolo laminates worked out in stead of the ebony and the purple hart??
 
Paul the bad one

That is an exquisite instrument. A true masterpiece. Congratulations Val.  
 
Tom

Are those bridge saddles ebony Val?!?  
 

Val:
 
   I bet you are VERY happy with your new bass.  Absolutely gorgeous!  I'm not usually a fan of wood PU covers, but I am blown away by yours with the continuous grain pattern through the top & PUs.  By the way, I hate to be the one to break it to you, as you may not have noticed, but someone obviously f**ked up.  THEY FORGOT TO PUT THE FRETS IN!!!!  LOL
 
Bill the GUITAR one

Holy Batman, what a tailpiece! The rest of the bass ain't so bad, neither! ;-)
 
Reid

*gasp*  
 
*jaw drop*  
 
*DROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL*  
 
Val, this thing is just amazing. Absolutely, stunningly beautiful. And that dark cocobolo... it's *the* top-wood of my dreams.
 
I think there's no need to congratulate you - you're probably so much in love with your new-born beauty you don't care much about congrats... ;-) But congratulations anyway!!!
 
Man, I'm envious...
 
(Message edited by basstard on October 30, 2004)

Thanks everybody,  
 
Mike, the saddles are indeed ebony and so is the nut.  
I actually have a second bridge and a second nut both gold plated brass.  
 
Kai, the bridge has curved rails and recessed hardware.  
The bridge block is there and, as you suspected, it is covered by a veneer of coco bolo.  
 
Paul I know this shape is not your cup of tea, but that's ok, I certainly do not expect everyone to like it. As long as I do everything else is secondary  
I ended up choosing maple/purpleheart/ebony  for the neck and I am very happy with the result; the sound is all I was hoping for and more. James did his usual outstanding job with the set-up and the logo inlay, and made the ebony saddles and the nut. This bass almost plays itself. The electronics are series II with no master volume.
 
I am really stoked about the tailpiece among other things; the bottom part is ebony, the top gold plated brass. Mike did a great job of turning my sketches into a workable tailpiece, and Susan's counsel was invaluable as always.  
Reid, the Batman idea is one that generally comes up when discussing the tailpiece; another favorite is the Klingon one.  
 
Bill, you 're right, how could they have forgotten that?  Heads will roll...  
 
 
Valentino
 
(Message edited by valvil on October 30, 2004)

Absolutely, positively, the most stunning fretless bass (sorry Rami) that I have ever seen. That tailpiece is magnificent and all that continous Coco Bolo is a wonder to behold.  
 
Another unreal creation...definetely makes my 'top 5 greatest Alembics ever' list.  
 
Congrats, Val...play in good health.
Chris

This is one of the coolest Alembics I've ever seen...guitar or bass! The ebony saddles are a great touch.
 
Sean

valentino, that is one of the most beautiful musical instruments i have ever seen.  it is truly a masterpiece
 
play it in good health

i'm trying to find words, but i'm stumped...
 
i'm gonna go with brilliant, wonderful, beautiful, and amazing... but those seem a little weak.