Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on February 24, 2005, 06:13:29 PM
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Here's a nice Bird's-eye Maple Further guitar, almost ready for the custom inlays:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/16729.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/16730.jpg)
Sorry for the minor scare a moment ago - I deleted the thread with the other pictures.
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Is the main neck wood flame maple?.. I just love the look of it
Dave
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I love the contrast between the neck and the body: really tasty. Whose is this? At first I thought it might be mine, but it seems to have an extra switch and a cavity in the top half of the guitar.
Grateful (Mark), ago
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That compartment in the upper body is for four 9 volt bateries, so I'd guess the switch was on/off for LEDs on the side of the neck.
Mike
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This is your guitar, Mark and Mike's right - the compartment and switch are for the LEDs, the special when you ordered your guitar.
It does look wonderful with the contrast between the maples.
Mom's been working on inlay drawings, so next week I'll have some mock ups for you to review and then Jon will start the inlays.
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Nice Looking Guitar Mark. I'll have to pop down for a jam when it's finished ;-)
graeme
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Mark,
Yes it has LED's and that wasn't on your order and I know you don't want them. Chip had so many Tribute and Further guitar fingerboards he made the week your guitar was assembled I think he was on auto pilot as your guitar was the only one specified not to have them.
Not to worry though, I have another guitar started without them for you and I won't have any trouble placing this one with a nice family I'm sure. I'm glad we caught it before the custom inlays went in.
-susan
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can i adopt it?
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I realise now I'm an utter weirdo for not liking LEDs, but what can you do. No worries Chip, I could easily have done the same. I guess I wasn't meant to have this one.
Graeme: you can pop down and join me in some anonymous busking this summer!
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I'm taking the kids down to Blyth to see their grandparents at easter. Not quite Robin Hood's but if I turn the amp up you should hear me ;-)
graeme
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Some embryonic body shots:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/18793.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/18794.jpg)
Look, Ma - no LEDs
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Hello Mark ,
I think these last pics are your guitar now ! It looks really nice ! You do have great taste and this bird's eye maple is simply amazing ! Congratulations !
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Thanks for those Mica: it's nice to see something at last. And hey; I never cared for Led Zeppelin so it's no surprise I'm not a Led Head.
Hi Alain,
I haven't chosen the individual pieces of wood: I left that to the elves (I knew I can trust them to select a nice piece of wood). It was this one (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=7059) which showed me how wonderful Further's look in Birdseye, so thanks Charles!
Mark, a drooling one!
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Hi Mark.
Love the Laminates. Is that a purpleheart core?
graeme
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Hi Graeme,
Yes it's a purpleheart core: I've stuck with the standard Further wood recipe 'cept for the Birdseye top and back, which shouldn't affect its tonal qualities. The sound Jerry obtained from the original Further/Wolf was vastly superior to that with his Strat IMHO.
And yeah, those laminates are gorgeous!
Mark
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Hi Mark ,
I'm sure you're are going to watch these pics a lot of times...whatever we can say , it's really great to be able to see the work in progress at so great distance...we all know these are our instruments and are already happy ...what's will it be for a happiness when we'll receive it ...
ALAIN
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Hi Alain,
Yeah I have to admit I've visited this thread a few times today. It's wonderful to see one's guitar/bass taking shape when you're over 5000miles/8000km away! I'm surprised how shaped the body is at this stage.
And I promise I'll let you know next time I'm visiting Belgium. Last time was for a batik conference/exhibition. My partner's a great batik artist: go here (http://uk.geocities.com/gattbatik/ target=_blank) to see some of her stuff.
Mark, still drooling.
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There's no easy way to say this, but we have to replace the neck on your guitar:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/18814.jpg)
When Tony carved your guitar today, this unwelcomed guest showed up. It's not a blemish, it's a hole. Chip is going to start a new neck for you tomorrow, and I'll post again after the surgery. Until then, here's how nice it was turning out:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/18815.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/18816.jpg)
You can see how huge it is. Wood likes to remind us from time to time that it's a natural and unpredicatable material.
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boy talk about getting bit by the snake.....
total bummer.......
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Hang in there, Mark.
Mine was also a do over because of a flaw in the neck wood (never saw a picture, probably just as well). In my case, it was before the body was attached, but still set us back a bit.
On the plus side, they went out of their way to pick some really nice, well-aged wood for the second try. My bet is it will turn out even better, so try to look forward, not back.
-Bob
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Wow, that is just awful! When this one is done, though, it will be so perfect you'll be torn between hanging it on a wall and playing it.
Hang in there, Mark!
-Bob
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Hi Mark ,
...well , all i can say is : don't loose your legendary patience , and i'm sure you won't . While some could try to sell it to you like this after a quick repair, Alembic won't , it's just the perfection or nothing ! Alembic is really a company you can trust ... that's great !
ALAIN
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Jeez Mark, that's a shame It was looking pretty good too. Look on the bright side though, you can be sure the Elves will go out of their way to make the next neck perfect. What was the neck BTW? Flame maple?
graeme
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DOH!
It would have to be mine. The neck is flame maple as per standard spec: shame this turned out to be Swiss Cheese Maple! And as you say Mica, Nature sometimes likes to show us who's really in charge: LOL.
Mark
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Thanks for the kind words guys: it helps. Also seeing how your Rogue turned out after a similar problem is cheering: beautiful bass Bob! It must have been damage to the bark of the tree as it was growing.
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I've also realised this is as big a bummer for you guys as it is for me. You have my sympathy Tony, it must be really upsetting to put so much time and effort into something and have it turn out like this, through no fault of your own.LOL.
Mark
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Tough luck, Mark. Sorry to see/hear about the setback. As a consolation, I'm sure Mica and Co. will do whatever's necessary to make the thing right. All is certainly not lost. My Alembic was mistakenly initially constructed with the wrong woods and activators, but Alembic made it right and it turned-out spectacular!
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Thanks Kevin.
I must admit I was initially concerned at the thought of such surgery (almost to the point of demanding a new body!) but then realised the neck can be destroyed in the process as it's useless, so there's every chance it can be done successfully.
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Don't mention it. Alembic does primo work...I doubt that you will be disappointed with their craftsmanship.
As a Dead Head my entire adult life, I'm always anxious to see a new incarnation or modern interpretation of one of Jerry's cherished axes, especially if they are Alembic in origin. Yours should be yet another masterpiece in that vein.
BTW, ck out Alembician Mike Bisch's (of The Who Show fame) Spyder IV bass repair. The Daltrey of the moment (LOL!) from his band whacked the Vee peghead clean off the thing with his microphone flailing during an excited performance, and the wizards at Alembic replaced it with a cone peghead with a super-clean scarf joint that looks like it should be there.
http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/12625.html (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=7312)
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Hi Mica,
Any word on the surgery?
Mark
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Sitting here in limbo, like a bird without a song...
Any news Mica?
Mark
(Message edited by grateful on June 25, 2005)
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News? Why yes!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/19437.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/19438.jpg)
Routed, precarved (needs some final neck shaping) and ready to get the sealer coats. Then we'll have to do some corresponding abot the custom inlay. After the neck thing, we were really discouraged. We decided to set the whole guitar aside a start fresh. The one with the hole is destined to be my dad's testbench guitar. So it will live on!
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Thanks for that Mica, I was starting to feel a mite discouraged. Thanks for selecting another wonderful piece of Birds-eye for it too, I really appreciate it.
And to have a guitar originally built for me ending up with your Dad must be some claim to fame! For a deadhead, that's one cool connection! I'm also really glad that all the work that went into it hasn't been wasted.
Mark
(Message edited by grateful on June 30, 2005)
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My goodness...
I'm not a huge fan of Maple, but that is the coolest Birdseye top I have ever laid eyes on. Can't wait to see it with a few coats of gloss on top!
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Hi Tobin.
I'm glad you like it: I sure do. I've certainly found this sort of thing the most fascinating attraction of this site: how things that are not to your own taste can still really grab your eye! These (Alembic) people are truly Alchemists.
Mark
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Mark,
You hit the nail on the head...Each and every instrument produced seems to have something special about it.
I've been lurking for the better part of a year, drooling over all the customs and the showcase section. Hopefully someday soon I'll have the funds to get one of my own!
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I couldn't wiggle around to the front of this guitar in the drying room, but I'm 99-44/100% that this is the back of your guitar, Mark:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/19487.jpg)
Even with the flat, bright lights in the drying room, you can see there's more than bird's-eyes on this wood - some long wavy curls look very pretty!
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Hi Mark ,
You guitar looks more than great ! Fantastic is the right word !!!
ALAIN
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Thanks Mica, that's a tasty photo. The contrast between the flame maple neck and birdseye body is lovely, not to mention the purpleheart. I'm away for a week, so will be incommunicado after this until July 8th.
Hi Alain,
Thanks, I am tremendously excited (as I'm sure you are: you'll have your bass soon I believe!). The artistry and craftsmanship of Alembic is incredible! What a sandwich!
Mark
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I really like the back!!
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Any more pictures yet Mica? BTW, I've decided on a name: it has to be Patience.
Hi Dave,
Glad you like it. It's a lovely piece of maple and the CWBs look better than I imagined.
Mark
(Message edited by grateful on July 09, 2005)
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Ready for preset - that's when the frets go in, any inlays that are under the finish or hardware for plating gets prepared:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/19849.jpg)
Also saw the plates getting more of their finish:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/19850.jpg)
Just talked to mom, and she says that there will be some artworkk for you to view by Wednesday, so stay tuned!
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Thanks for finding two such different pieces of beautiful birds-eye: the back reminds me of marble, the front is pure chaos. Perfect!
Mark
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Mark,
What a beauty!
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hi mark
that is a gorgeous guitar! the contrasting, but equally beautiful birds-eye figures of the top and back are the nicest i've ever seen. the body-accent pinstriping is dramatic and understated at the same time
an amazing axe!
marc
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Thanks Hollis, I certainly think so.
Shouldn't be too long now and I'll finally be an Alembic owner.
Mark
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And what an Alembic to own!
Mark, you are a very lucky fellow. I gotta go play for a while to keep my envy in check!
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The concept of the phases of the moon:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/21809.jpg)
Here's a shot of James cutting out the phases of the moon inlays:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/21810.jpg)
Some blanks before cutting:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/21811.jpg)
and some roughs freshly cut in a bag:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/21812.jpg)
There's glops of glue, and some still needed shaping, but you can see the concept turning into reality.
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Thanks for those Mica, it's nice to see it happening from over 5000 miles away. Those moons look just how I imagined them. I'm really starting to drool!
Mark
(Message edited by grateful on October 28, 2005)
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Now that the phases are in, we need to iron out the last details on the other two inlays.
For the medallion, I'm not sure if you had a specific size in mind, but James and I were thinking just shy of 2 inch diameter, with the stem pointing toward the straplock like this:
(http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/22026.jpg)
Or if you prefer an audience perspective rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise:
(http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/22027.jpg)
I scaled down the mockup I sent you by email, so the stem's a little lost in the reduction, but hopefully it's something you can make your decision by. We didn't want to make it as large as the inlay on this one (http://www3.alembic.com/img/inst/13387_upviewL.jpg), because the fingerboard inlays are less elaborate.
On to the bolt. After consulting with James, he liked the idea of the bolt being near to the size of the logo. Plus, then he can cut it from one piece of shell. If we make it larger, we'll have to get creative on splices. Here's a quickie mockup to see if you like the direction:
(http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/22028.jpg)
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Hi Mica, You are the experts so I'll certainly take your advice regarding size. I'd like the leaf in the "audience perspective" orientaion please and the bolt a little straighter like this
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/22047.jpg)
. Mark
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/22046.jpg)
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Hey Mark...don't mean to intrude on your forum...but I was thinking and thought that I'd chime in and say...wouldn't it be cool if you had a leaf made out of lightning bolts?
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/22059.jpg)
(Message edited by jahnahisti on November 03, 2005)
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Hi Brian,
As I've been waiting near 11 months for this guitar, I'm not changing the inlays now. Anyhow, I wished to honour the planet's most valuable renewable resource, not to mention the planet's safest drug.
Mark
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Right on!
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I call it musical viagra...the musimian's choice, lol!
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mmmmmmmmm weed
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More happenings...
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/22381.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/22382.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/22383.jpg)
These aren't mock ups, it's the real thing. Your lovely is back in spray, getting the last coats. Patience is really progessing now!
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Wow!
looking great
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Mark:
Way cool! I love the bird's eye ... my '83 Electrum has a bird's eye top. It looks like you're in the home stretch now. What a long strange trip it's been! Not original, but in this case VERY appropriate. We've been watching your trials and tribulations for quite a while now. It's great to see this gorgeous guitar near completion. I love the bolt on the headstock. As for the other inlay, as a former High Times Freedom Fighter of the Month, all I can say is Ja approve!!!! Keep an eye out for the inlay on the back of my peghead. I think you'll like it.
Bill, tgo
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Oh wow!
Thanks for the great job on the inlays, James: they're even better than I imagined.
Glad you approve Bill. It's been a long wait but well worth it!
Mark (http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/22442.gif)
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Sweeeeeeeeet!
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It's looking really nice Mark. I'll be truckin' on down to see it in the flesh someday.
BTW are you heading across to manchester for Sundays BassDay?
Graeme
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Patience... What a great name. What a spectacular instrument.
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I'm not gong to BassDay: at this point, the only Alembic I wish to see up close is in the pictures above.
Mark
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More pix, more pix, more pix! LOL!
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Having spoken to Graham (UK Alembic dealer) yesterday, I'll finally become an Alembic owner on December 17th. I'm afraid you're all gonna have to wait until then for more pix: I promise I'll post some pronto when I have her.
The Long, Strange Trip is nearly over!
Mark, ago
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Looks like Christmas will be a good one for you then Mark.Bet you can't wait.
Graeme
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Absolutely Graeme,
I can't imagine a better present.
Mark
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Beautiful guitar, Mark. All these pretty furthers almost make me wish i played guitar ;] i love the leaf!!
Austin
(Message edited by darkstar01 on November 23, 2005)
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I see a lot of holes... what electronics are you getting?
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Looks like it's drilled for Further electronics.
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Quite right Dave, standard Further electronics, including the effects loop.
Mark
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She arrived at 09:55 GMT on Saturday. I'm happy to be able to quote Bob Weir: Just Exactly Perfect. I've put a couple of pix in the showcase: http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/23449.html?1134986389 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=9224)
Seriously Grateful!