Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on September 17, 2008, 04:43:16 PM

Title: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: mica on September 17, 2008, 04:43:16 PM: Here's the top for "Althea"
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/56305.jpg)
and the back:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/56306.jpg)
The laminates are successive slices from the same board and look super cool.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: tbrannon on September 17, 2008, 05:19:49 PM: I think Mica is going to need to find some more adjectives. Super cool is the understatement of the year.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: mica on September 17, 2008, 06:26:48 PM: And here's the embryonic neck:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/56310.jpg)
We were able to save a piece for the back veneer of the peghead, and that's super cool too.

Remember, super cool is cooler than cool
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: mica on September 17, 2008, 07:12:56 PM: This is a stack of accent laminates for the group of Tributes we are making now:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/56313.jpg)
I don't know which particular pieces will be in your guitar, but I just liked the photo. Enjoy!
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on September 22, 2008, 09:20:38 AM: What a beautiful wood selection! I love the coloring and the patterns. W0W!

Jim
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on September 22, 2008, 04:45:46 PM: Does this mean I can play like jerry once 'Althea' is complete....ha,ha....he will be jealous his Rosebud isn't the quality of the Guitars Alembic is building right now. Thank you Mica for your post. As a business owner myself I am impressed at your companies professionalism and your enthusiasm to please and understand your client. That is very rare, and This has been a pleasant experience. Tell Susan hello! If your ever come through the south call me I have 2000 acres from VA to GA. I say that not out of arrogance but in hope you can enjoy it one day

Best regards,

Jim.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: David Houck on October 03, 2008, 05:07:20 PM: Him Jim, welcome to the board and congrats on the Tribute!
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: mica on October 07, 2008, 12:11:30 PM: Carved top:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/57115.jpg)
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on October 08, 2008, 07:32:13 AM: perfect!
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: mica on October 16, 2008, 06:50:25 PM: Lucky lucky Jim! I happen on your guitar when interesting stuff is happening. Your plates' Ebony binding clamped in place:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/57392.jpg)
Surplus binding:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/57393.jpg)
Secret ingredient:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/57394.jpg)
(It usually only takes 1 can for continuous wood backplates.) Test fit:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/57395.jpg)
All plates in place:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/57396.jpg)
And just about ready for the sealer coats:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/57397.jpg)
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jacko on October 17, 2008, 04:28:13 AM: WoW!

Graeme
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: bassjigga on October 17, 2008, 08:36:36 AM: I think this is my new favorite piece of coco! I know I say that all the time...
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: altgrendel on October 17, 2008, 08:39:28 AM: I think the ebony bindings are a great idea.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: andbassforall on October 18, 2008, 04:38:32 AM: That's an awesome top.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: mica on October 24, 2008, 06:37:00 PM: Even more awesome with the sealer coat:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/57717.jpg)
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: hydrargyrum on October 25, 2008, 09:18:21 PM: This is one of the best pieces of coco bolo I have ever seen. I am sure it sounds as good as it looks.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on November 13, 2008, 12:51:50 PM: Cool any thing new
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: mica on November 19, 2008, 06:22:07 PM: Some more finish, still looks about the same, which is to say: beautiful!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/58720.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/58721.jpg)
and get a load of that neck:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/58722.jpg)
We've got to get the inlays in before much else will happen.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: David Houck on November 22, 2008, 04:32:07 PM: This is coming together very nicely; and yes, I love that neck!
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: andbassforall on November 22, 2008, 04:36:10 PM: oh man, that Shasta stuff really works on those guitars.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on March 03, 2009, 10:06:12 AM: Any updates on Althea?
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: 811952 on March 04, 2009, 06:57:39 AM: That's beautiful!
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on April 14, 2009, 11:18:59 AM: updates?
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: mica on April 16, 2009, 07:40:37 PM: You're my very next inlay drawing. Monday is dedicated to your inlays. Should have some stuff for you to review shortly after that.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: olieoliver on April 16, 2009, 07:52:58 PM: This is a NICE guitar. Love the Coco-Bolo, front and rear. AWESOME!

OO
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on May 11, 2009, 05:13:25 AM: Have you started on my inlays??
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jerryme on June 13, 2009, 10:04:21 AM: jimi- That is quite a spread of land. What do you use it for? If you ever needed some deer culled don't be afraid to ask! (though i am sure you are inundated with requests anyway.

Colin
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: mica on July 14, 2009, 07:28:34 PM: Been working on the fine line artwork to prepare for the inlay. Here's a little peek at it:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/67419.jpg)
There's more to do - plus I want to reduce the size of the inlay at the third fret so it doesn't collide with the stem of the rose.

I'm so happy with how this is turning out.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: David Houck on July 15, 2009, 06:39:49 PM: That's a very cool idea for an inlay!
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: adriaan on July 16, 2009, 01:13:59 AM: I'd love to see what Dave is looking at, but the picture is not showing up in my browser (IE 8) ...
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on March 31, 2010, 01:23:52 PM: Mica, hows Althea coming along?
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on April 05, 2010, 01:15:53 PM: Mica, do you have pics of Althea completed?
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: afrobeat_fool on April 05, 2010, 02:13:18 PM: Jimi, I saw Althea in the rub out room last week. Looks beautiful! the inlay work is Super Bad! Hope you get it soon.

Nick
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: mica on April 05, 2010, 02:22:03 PM: Today she was completed, and Mary's got her in the final inspection. I'll take pics and get them posted either later today or tomorrow at the latest.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on April 06, 2010, 10:12:34 AM: Great! Can't Wait
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on April 06, 2010, 11:49:07 AM: Will She Ship today?
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: mica on April 06, 2010, 04:53:19 PM: Done:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/78486.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/78487.jpg)
And gone... but she left with gold knobs.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: David Houck on April 06, 2010, 04:56:06 PM: Beautiful inlays!!!

Great guitar!!!
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: sonicus on April 06, 2010, 05:06:03 PM: Awesome
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: tom_z on April 06, 2010, 06:15:42 PM: Oh wow!! What a gem! Congrats Jim.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: artswork99 on April 06, 2010, 07:19:03 PM: Love it! Congratulations Jim. Play it Healthy!
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: cozmik_cowboy on April 06, 2010, 07:19:34 PM: My heart is filled with lust and envy!

Peter
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: ajdover on April 06, 2010, 07:20:48 PM: Congrats Jim! Makes my Series II Entwistle Replica look plain! Enjoy her in the best of health!

Alan
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: gregduboc on April 06, 2010, 08:21:19 PM: WWWWOOOOOWWWWWWWW!!!!!!
Please post 2000 pictures when possible, from every angle.
Just so beautiful...

Greg
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: afrobeat_fool on April 06, 2010, 09:25:13 PM: In person it is stunning. The pic's just don't capture the depth of this fabulous piece of art. Enjoy everyday you have and hold her. And let us hear her if possible. What? No picture of the back? LOL!

Nick
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jacko on April 07, 2010, 12:57:50 AM: Wow! That really is a work of art. Enjoy her in good health Jim.

Graeme.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: grateful on April 07, 2010, 01:50:04 AM: Utterly spectacular; enjoy!

Mark
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: keith_h on April 07, 2010, 04:34:58 AM: That looks great. I would really like to see a close up of the large rose at the first fret.

Keith
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: 12stringwilson on April 07, 2010, 05:54:31 AM: Jim - She is stunning! Play her in happiness!
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on April 07, 2010, 07:11:53 AM: It's truly is a work of art.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: tmimichael on April 07, 2010, 07:59:33 AM: Oh, WOW! Jimi, that is unbelievably beautiful inlay work! Such a gorgeous instrument...congrats!!
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: Bradley Young on July 16, 2009, 09:34:18 PM: Works in firefox, but not IE8.

If I had to guess, the image isn't really a jpeg underneath, and IE8 is refusing to render it because of that.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on July 17, 2009, 09:09:35 AM: can you post the picture in the body of the email? the link isnt working
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: lbpesq on July 17, 2009, 10:11:16 AM: I can' see it either, and I'm using Firefox. I just see the words inlay design

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: FC Bass on July 17, 2009, 10:22:37 AM: You can open the picture in a picture editing program (Paint, Photoshop)
Won't show in IE here either...

This is what the picture looks like in paint:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/67509.jpg)
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: mica on July 17, 2009, 11:25:54 AM: Ooops! It must be in CMYK mode rather than RGB. This isn't the first time I've done this. Thanks for the help, Flip!
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: FC Bass on July 17, 2009, 11:35:36 AM: CMYK indeed! (I'll figure out what it means later...) :-)

Your welcome ;-)

Extremely nice guitar, Flame Maple is so (http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/67512.gif)
Looks awesome, congrats!
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: Bradley Young on July 17, 2009, 11:45:33 AM: Cyan Magenta Yellow and blacK (CMYK). Graphic artists tend to use images defined in these colors rather than Red Green Blue (RGB).

Wikipedia knows way more than me:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CMYK_color_model (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CMYK_color_model)

Bradley
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: sonicus on July 17, 2009, 12:20:07 PM: Truly magnificent on every aspect.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: cozmik_cowboy on July 17, 2009, 02:56:08 PM: Oh, that is just so dern cool........

Peter
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on September 14, 2009, 10:38:25 AM: update on Althea?
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: mica on November 06, 2009, 06:08:54 PM: James has the scroll inlays in the fingerboard and also the nameplate. Here's the plate on its own:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/72394.jpg)
And inlaid in the fingerboard:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/72395.jpg)
I saw that the thorns for the rose and much of the stem was already cut out. There will likely be more inlay updates very soon. It's looking great.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on December 14, 2009, 09:42:49 AM: new updates?
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: gregduboc on December 14, 2009, 05:30:52 PM: Jim, could you tell me what the neck woods are?
They look amazing, and so does the cocobolo.
I really want to see this one!

Greg
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: mica on December 14, 2009, 06:31:51 PM: Some nice things to look at:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/74025.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/74026.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/74027.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/74028.jpg)
It's a really lovely design and it's translated to the inlay oh so nice. Just ready for the flowers and the falling petals now. The neck is the standard Tribute recipe of Western Flame Maple, Purpleheart and Cherry.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: sonicus on December 14, 2009, 07:34:12 PM: That inlay work is 'EXEMPLARY ! WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: gregduboc on December 15, 2009, 06:46:16 PM: So beautiful...

Greg
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: andbassforall on December 15, 2009, 08:04:05 PM: A work of art.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: gregduboc on December 15, 2009, 08:08:33 PM: Thanks for the answer Mica!

Greg
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: lembic76450 on December 16, 2009, 07:50:08 AM: My, my, I am a little late to the show here,
the back of that neck is beautiful, as is the whole guitar, a beauty.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on December 28, 2009, 06:35:05 AM: looks beautiful any updates photos? cant wait
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: mica on December 29, 2009, 12:28:43 PM: No pics, but the material for the rose came in and James has been cutting the petals. They look great. I will post images for you as soon as the parts are globbed up with glues!
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: mica on December 29, 2009, 10:15:55 PM: Bag o' petals:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/74803.jpg)
and placing the rose:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/74804.jpg)
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: sonicus on December 30, 2009, 01:07:34 AM: This inlay process is fascinating to me . That I am being allowed to be a witness to such artistic genius is priceless to me .

Thank you so very much ______.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on December 30, 2009, 05:01:00 AM: WOW!
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: hydrargyrum on December 30, 2009, 06:41:41 AM: I'm curious what the petals are made of. This will be really cool to see when it is strung.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: David Houck on January 02, 2010, 07:55:41 PM: Like Wolf said; fascinating!
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: mica on January 04, 2010, 08:26:59 PM: The red is a custom-cast acrylic that includes ground up mother of pearl in the mix. The pink is a reconstituted stone, but I'm sorry I don't recall which. Here's a couple of shots with the fingerboard inlay completed:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/75046.jpg)
I love the falling petals.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/75047.jpg)
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: elwoodblue on January 04, 2010, 08:40:47 PM: Outstanding!
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: sonicus on January 04, 2010, 09:46:40 PM: Gott im Himmel ! ( Good Heavens !)
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: keith_h on January 05, 2010, 05:03:48 AM: WOW!
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on January 05, 2010, 06:43:33 AM: Speechless
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: cozmik_cowboy on January 05, 2010, 07:08:21 AM: Jumpin' jehosaphat! I thought it looked cool in the drawing, but...but...but..................

Peter
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jacko on January 05, 2010, 08:07:38 AM: Wow! The Alembic elves have surpassed themselves this time.

Graeme
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: dadabass2001 on January 05, 2010, 08:27:06 AM: What a beautiful construction! This is one for the ages...
Mike
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: tom_z on January 05, 2010, 09:22:19 AM: Wow! Amazing!
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: cje on January 05, 2010, 09:24:31 AM: That's incredibly beautiful. All I can do is stare.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: artswork99 on January 05, 2010, 09:32:19 AM: Beautiful!
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: the_jester on January 05, 2010, 11:00:58 AM: Simply Reigns over of all Tributes.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: rjmsteel on January 05, 2010, 11:40:35 AM: Wow, oh my... incredible inlay work!
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: crobbins on January 05, 2010, 05:53:03 PM: Very cool!
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: paulman on January 06, 2010, 11:55:30 AM: Wait, you have what looks to be the Garcia inlays with the addition of the Rose through the middle...that looks totally amazing and awesome!!!

Great work and just wow! (http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/75149.gif)
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on January 14, 2010, 12:50:33 PM: any updates, cant wait to see more pictures
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on January 22, 2010, 07:37:22 AM: How's Althea coming along. Have you begun on the Medallion?

Jim
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: the_jester on February 01, 2010, 09:39:37 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/76021.gif)
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on February 08, 2010, 08:11:10 AM: any pics
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on February 10, 2010, 07:43:46 AM: any recent pics of the medallion?
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: mica on February 17, 2010, 06:43:29 PM: Here's some in-process shots of the inlay:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/76598.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/76599.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/76600.jpg)
And the finished medallion:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/76601.jpg)
The medallion is inlaid in the guitar now and it's all back in finish.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: ajdover on February 17, 2010, 09:35:54 PM: Well, there goes my chance at a Custom of the Month!

Beautiful.

Alan
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on February 18, 2010, 04:41:35 AM: So so cool
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jazzyvee on February 18, 2010, 06:30:15 AM: Forgive my ignorance on Dead matters but what is the significance of the skeleton?

Jazzyvee
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on February 18, 2010, 07:28:53 AM: This skeleton design is inspired by Jerry Garcia's medallion on his guitar Rosebud.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: adriaan on February 18, 2010, 08:14:46 AM: Jazzy - dead, skeleton - seems obvious.

From Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grateful_dead target=_blank), quote:The name Grateful Dead was chosen from a dictionary. According to Phil Lesh, in his biography (pp. 62), ...Jer[ry Garcia] picked up an old Britannica World Language Dictionary...[and]...In that silvery elf-voice he said to me, 'Hey, man, how about the Grateful Dead?' The definition there was the soul of a dead person, or his angel, showing gratitude to someone who, as an act of charity, arranged their burial. According to Alan Trist, director of the Grateful Dead's music publisher company Ice Nine, Garcia found the name in the Funk & Wagnalls Folklore Dictionary, when his finger landed on that phrase while playing a game of dictionary.[25] In the Garcia biography, Captain Trips, author Sandy Troy states that the band was smoking the psychedelic DMT at the time. The term Grateful Dead appears in folktales of a variety of cultures.

In the summer of '69, Phil Lesh told another version of the story to Carol Maw, a young Texan visiting with the band in Marin County who also ended up going on the road with them to the Fillmore East and Woodstock. In this version, Phil said, Jerry found the name spontaneously when he picked up a dictionary and the pages fell open. The words 'grateful' and 'dead' appeared straight opposite each other across the crack between the pages in unrelated text.
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: the_jester on February 18, 2010, 08:28:35 AM: Jerry is like A George Clinton to me.

The Fabulous Fury Psychedelic Brothers LOL!!!

Hal-

(Message edited by the_jester on February 18, 2010)
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: crobbins on February 25, 2010, 08:17:48 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/76989.jpg)
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: the_jester on February 25, 2010, 10:50:56 PM: That's what I am talking about Old Rip Off Press comix. I loved my youth so much. Fat Freddy's Cat and the whole 9...

Peace and Love,

Hal-
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on March 09, 2010, 01:17:02 PM: What is a 'rub out' a term luthiers use at the end of a guitar's construction. just curious. thx
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: keith_h on March 09, 2010, 01:23:58 PM: A rub out is when the finish is sanded and buffed to make it smooth for either the next coat of finish or the final high gloss finish. A fuller use of the term would be rubbing out the finish imperfections. It is a term used by most anybody that does wood working or finishing.

Keith
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on March 10, 2010, 06:02:06 AM: thanks!
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on March 24, 2010, 06:38:39 AM: new pictures?!
Title: Re: Jim's Custom Tribute
Post by: jimi on March 29, 2010, 11:36:12 AM: i'm drooling.