Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on September 09, 2011, 06:44:30 PM

Title: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: mica on September 09, 2011, 06:44:30 PM
Some parts coming together...   For the top:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/112805.jpg)
  For the back:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/112806.jpg)
  What's going on from the side:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/112807.jpg)
  Fingerboard inlay:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/112808.jpg)
  Neckville:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/112809.jpg)
  Slightly out of focus peghead-to-be:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/112810.jpg)
  Same from the back, but in focus:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/112811.jpg)
  Actually, LOTS of parts coming together! There's a good chance the whole show will be a single piece in a week or so.   More pics as interesting things happen.
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: willie on September 13, 2011, 10:23:29 AM
Thanks for the pictures Mica.
It's great to see it starting to get built.
Can't wait to see it put together.
I thought it was actually a Custom King Deluxe with Europa body and peghead. Whatever it's called it looks great so far
Thanks
Will
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: willie on October 13, 2011, 06:07:39 AM
Hi Mica
Just wondering if there were any new pics or updates on it's progress and if it is a single piece yet.
Sorry, just can't wait to see it.
Will
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: jazzyvee on October 13, 2011, 09:16:34 AM
Thats a seriously beautiful piece of Coco Bola you have on that bass. If the headstock is the standard Europa or Elan style then that grain pattern will match it gracefully.  
 
I can't wait to see that bass finished.  
Your description of the bass and mica's is an interesting one as there is always a bit of confusion about what determines what model the bass is. I have one with an identity crisis. It has an Europa body shape, all maple body like the Elan with Elan headstock and signature electronics. That was described as Europa/Elan with sig electronics.  So in my case, the body rules.  
 
 
Jazzyvee
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: willie on October 13, 2011, 01:15:14 PM
Thanks Jazzyvee
It will have a inline 4 + 1 Europa peg head. And I like the coco bolo too. The quote did start out saying King Deluxe but if it's called a Europa because of the body and peg head shape thats ok with me. My 4 string Europa is the best bass I ever had. Thats why this 5 string has that body in the first place. Can't wait to hear a 5 string 35 scale with the ebony neck lam and signature electronics with the added bass and treble cut and boost switches I added because I like them so much on my Europa. Should shake the ground and still be crystal clear.
Will
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: tbrannon on October 13, 2011, 02:09:12 PM
Willie-  
 
You're going to love the Signature + bass/treble circuit.  I was one of a few owners of a Rogue that was later equipped with the signature electronics.  It is a seriously powerful set of tone shaping tools.  That Rogue spawned several customs- I bought it from Charles when he had his custom built- I sold it to Loch when I had my Elan built and then Loch sold it when he bought a Series bass.  
 
Here is a link to the Rogue in question.  
http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/25827.html?1267058148 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8562)
 
Beautiful top wood you've got there- it's gonna be a stunner when the finish hits.
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: LMiwa on October 17, 2011, 02:01:43 PM
I totally agree with Toby. With that wood recipe and those electronics, you will have some killer sounds!
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: mica on November 16, 2011, 03:20:55 PM
All together now!  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/116717.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/116718.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/116719.jpg)
  Looks amazingly beautiful!
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: sonicus on November 16, 2011, 04:52:05 PM
Yes !
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: dlbydgtl on November 16, 2011, 04:58:36 PM
Simply Amazing!
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: willie on November 17, 2011, 02:16:21 PM
WOW What can I say. That is so COOL. Nice to see all those pieces of wood come together and take on the shape of a bass guitar. That is some amazing craftsmanship. Now I really can't wait to see it in person and to play it.  
Thank you so much for the pictures Mica. And tell everyone who has worked on it I said thank you to them to for doing such an amazing job.
Will
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: David Houck on November 21, 2011, 04:43:28 PM
Wow; that's gorgeous!
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: willie on November 28, 2011, 12:25:46 PM
Mica
Does this bass have double truss rods or a single dual action one? It looks like under the masking there is only one. Anymore pictures?
How is it progressing? Can't wait to play it. Would be a nice Christmas present or a week later is my 50th Birthday. It would be nice for that too. Of course it would be nice for my bands gig on 12/17 but I know that's not likely.  
And thanks Dave. It is gorgeous. I can't wait to see it in person and can't stop looking at the pictures.
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: mica on November 28, 2011, 04:09:49 PM
The usual double truss rods are on your bass. It's marching through spray now, we'll see when it wants to be born, since it's always up to the bass. Fingers crossed for one of your special dates.
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: willie on November 29, 2011, 08:48:03 AM
OK, thanks Mica. Hopefully the march goes well.
It would be weird if it had the same birthday as me, 1/4. But I hope it's done before that.
But we'll let the bass decide when its ready.
Some things can't be rushed even though the waiting is tough. But I know it will be worth the wait. Can't wait to find out anything about the 4 string King Deluxe too. That is going to be my main bass for playing live. So even after the 5 string is done I still have waiting to do. But waiting for an Alembic bass to be built is a good thing. Anticipation. Thanks and keep me updated on any developements.
Will
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: mica on November 29, 2011, 07:06:59 PM
Halfsies through finish, frets installed and getting ready for the custom control layout drilling:
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/117505.jpg)
 
There's some white wax marks on the front you might be able to barely see as we start mapping the placement before we drill away.
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: sonicus on November 29, 2011, 07:15:05 PM
Nice !
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: afrobeat_fool on November 29, 2011, 09:49:33 PM
Hey, Willie! We have the same birthday!  
 
Nick
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: willie on November 30, 2011, 06:07:39 AM
Thanks for the picture Mica. That looks great
You can see the color and grain of the wood  better in this picture. I LIKE IT!
Scary to think of taking a drill to that but it has to be done. Can't wait to see it with all the knobs and switches in place.  
Nick. What year? I'll have to rememeber to say happy bithday to you on our birthday.
Will
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: willie on January 16, 2012, 01:14:27 PM
Nick
Happy belated birthday. Forgot to tell you.
Too busy looking forward to this bass.
Will
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: afrobeat_fool on January 16, 2012, 03:47:32 PM
Hi Will! I was born in 1969. I got a good look at your bass over the holiday. Beautiful! It is hard to remember all the instruments I saw while there. Plus, there is a lot of incredable Cocobolo in the shop. Yours stood out due to the Ebony Lam in the neck and the wide maple accent. You are going to be stoaked. Mica pulled a little of the tape off the neck so I could see the inlay on the fingerboard. Don't see too many of those! Happy Birthday to you!
 
Nick
 
(Message edited by afrobeat_fool on January 16, 2012)
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: willie on January 17, 2012, 05:50:04 AM
Nick
1969. That was a good year. Same year my Mach 1 Mustang was born. Been garage kept for 28 of the 30 years I had it.  
I can't believe you got to see my bass.
I'm guessing you must have made a visit to the Mothership. What exactly are you referring to about the inlays? The Abalone with Laser LED's or the initials. I wish I could see them.
I have a first live show with the new band Saturday night. Would have been nice to debut that bass there. Any idea how far along it is?
Thanks for the added anticipation, as if I needed it. Can't wait to see it.
Thanks
Will
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: afrobeat_fool on January 17, 2012, 12:02:24 PM
Hi Will. Yes, I made it down there. Both to see family and to purchase that green skylark guitar in the showroom. I wanted to see the LED's and Mica thought yours had a maple fingerboard, but it was the one next to yours. You got to get down there sometime. There are sooo many instruments it will blow your mind. All I can say is try to be patient. It's hard. I've been waiting almost two years and they haven't even started on mine. I just try to forget about it and wait. They told me summer, but who knows. I don't mind as I have a few Alembic's and that keeps me pretty happy. I used to have a 69 charger RT. It was in my youth and didn't last too long, but it got me thru college and was very cool in the 80's. Old car's, bar's, and guitars!
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: willie on January 17, 2012, 01:25:07 PM
Nick
Back when I got my car the choice was between a 69 Mach 1 and a 69 Charger RT with a 440 or 426.
I wanted a 428 Cobra Jet in the Mustang and had found one but when I got back from the bank someone else had showed up with cash and bought it. The one I have has a 351 which is OK because the car is very balanced for handling with the smaller block. It's hard to wait for this bass. I sold my 35 scale Roscoe in July as one of the basses to pay for this one. So I have been without a 5 string for quite sometime. And there are some special things about this bass.
I try not to think about it but it only works for a little while. At least I do have a couple of Alembic's to play as well and that helps.
I used to drive tractor trailers from PA to CA once a week but never had time to stop by there. Too tight of a schedule. Maybe someday soon.
Thanks
Will
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: stout71 on June 05, 2012, 10:52:41 AM
Bump!  How's this one coming along?  Can't wait to see more!
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: wishbass on June 06, 2012, 09:22:26 PM
What a beauty! Love that top!
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: willie on June 07, 2012, 01:20:42 PM
I was kind of wondering how this one was coming along too.
Will
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: willie on August 28, 2012, 10:09:51 AM
Bump
Title: Re: Will's Custom 5-string Europa
Post by: jazzyvee on September 19, 2012, 11:03:01 AM
Bumpity bump