Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on May 12, 2011, 06:10:34 PM

Title: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: mica on May 12, 2011, 06:10:34 PM: I'm sorry I couldn't get you some earlier images of your bass. When I'm sick, work still moves on!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/104307.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/104308.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/104309.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/104310.jpg)
The next time you see it, it should look much different with the changes you ordered: AXY pickups and a black finish like Brian got on his Essence.
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: cousinvinnie on May 12, 2011, 07:25:32 PM: Thanks again Mica ! This looks too cool already. BrianT, I hope it was cool to grab your trans black idea. Looked amazing on your essence !!

Mica feel better soon...
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: briant on May 13, 2011, 08:38:30 AM: Nice.

I stole the trans black idea from the Stormy (http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_stormy.html) COTM. Obviously went with paint instead of dye but that's where I got the idea. I believe you will be very pleased with the finished product.
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: cousinvinnie on May 13, 2011, 09:03:18 AM: Thanks very much Brian ! Your Essence looks amazing. One of the coolest Alembics I have ever seen. Hope it is serving you well.
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: David Houck on May 18, 2011, 05:58:49 PM: This looks very cool! What is the scale length?
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: cousinvinnie on May 19, 2011, 06:46:30 AM: Thanks ! 32 medium.
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: cousinvinnie on May 20, 2011, 07:36:03 AM: Mica, just to let you know gold hardware has been changed to chrome. It will work so much better with the tran black I think. Hope everyone is feeling better !
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: tbrannon on May 20, 2011, 08:54:36 AM: Vinnie,

Great looking bass!! Can't wait to see it when the color hits.

In terms of the hardware change- make sure you drop a phone call into the fine folks at the factory (or have the dealer you placed your order with do so). Mica is a busy lady and it's better to be safe than sorry with changes to the order- especially when the bass is already in process.
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: cousinvinnie on May 20, 2011, 08:11:15 PM: Thanks T. It had been ordered with Susan and my dealer both.
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: doug_k on June 02, 2011, 11:55:34 AM: Can't wait to see the trans black on this...
some nice flame on there...
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: mica on June 03, 2011, 05:56:25 PM: It's going to get the blackening soon. First we had to enlarge the pickup routs:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/106134.jpg)
With the sealer coats, that flame figure really perks up! We're also going to drill the controls next week, and we came up with this a couple of weeks ago:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/106135.jpg)
(obviously before the pickups were enlarged!)
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: doug_k on June 03, 2011, 10:06:08 PM: Holy moly!
I bet Vin might be having second thoughts on the trans black after seeing these pics,
sick flame on this one, gorgeous!!
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: cousinvinnie on June 04, 2011, 07:51:25 AM: Nice ! Thanks for the amazing pics Mica !

As for second thoughts on the black, we'll just have to discuss another one in clear gloss in the future, right Mica ?? :-)

I can only imagine the trans black over this will still show this outragious flame.
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: tbrannon on June 04, 2011, 08:24:04 AM: It's gonna look killer when the black hits it. What kind of hardware are you putting on it? Blackened chrome would be nice.
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: cousinvinnie on June 05, 2011, 05:50:04 PM: Went with chrome on this one T.
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: mica on June 21, 2011, 06:40:44 PM: The black tinted paint is starting...

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/107627.jpg)

The lighting isn't great, but don't worry, you can still see that strong flame figure through the tint.
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: doug_k on June 21, 2011, 06:58:12 PM: All hail the dark lord!
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: cousinvinnie on June 21, 2011, 07:04:05 PM: Right on Doug ! That is just pure deliciousness. Thank you thank you Mica for posting !! So appreciate the pics and statuses.
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: cousinvinnie on June 22, 2011, 08:28:27 AM: Mica, do you know what the general ETA is on an instrument that has moved onto the paint department ? Just curious. Thanks again !!
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: mica on June 22, 2011, 09:29:41 AM: It's too early in finish to tell - the black finish is really unpredictable. If things go well, it could be 6-8 weeks. If the finish doesn't cooperate, it could be another 12-16 weeks. Actually, it could be even longer, but I don't want to think about that at this point.
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: cousinvinnie on June 22, 2011, 09:44:06 AM: LOL Mica !!!! cooperate ya g'dang paint !!

Whatever it takes, no worries, no rush. Thanks again to all of yas !!!!
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: briant on June 22, 2011, 11:04:35 AM: Black is one of the hardest colors/colours to get right.

That's already looking hot sexy sexy.
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: cousinvinnie on July 21, 2011, 06:33:35 AM: Hi Mica, gawd I can't believe I'm getting antsy and being a pest. I'm so sorry. I gotta admit, I'm *very* excited about this one.

Any thoughts from the paint shop about how this one is taking the trans black ?

Also they are doing the headstock as well I hope, correct ?

Thanks again for everything you all are doing !!
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: cousinvinnie on August 29, 2011, 09:16:31 PM: Mica, any recent action shots of this guy ? I hope it is taking the trans black well. Thanks Mica !!
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: mica on August 30, 2011, 01:04:39 PM: Yes - the peghead and the neck as well as the front and back of the body are all transblack. Everything that isn't the fingerboard is the transblack.

I should actually be at home, but I stopped in for a short time to get some pics taken so I don't hold up shipments and a small parcel together for Pierre-Yves, so I didn't have time to take pictures for you.

BUT, I did see your bass, and it's looking great, but the color is just between navy blue and black, so it needs more time in finish to tweak the color.

Then we will just cross fingers that it's a happy little bass and just scoots along to setup.

(Message edited by mica on August 30, 2011)
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: cousinvinnie on August 30, 2011, 01:16:51 PM: Very good Mica. Thanks for the update !!
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: mica on August 30, 2011, 02:56:51 PM: Of course, if it gets much darker (and blacker) it will really obscure the wood. It's always a trixy balance - sheer enough to show the grain or black enough to be black. If you had to pick a slightly bluish black with string grain showing or a more black-black that was less transparent, which would you choose?
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: cousinvinnie on August 30, 2011, 03:12:43 PM: Bluish is great. Something a little different. I just like the dark over maple. Bluish, purplish, blackish. All works for me.

I say let 'er outta the stable if she passes staff requirements.

Thanks again Mica !!
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: cousinvinnie on September 09, 2011, 09:40:51 AM: Hi Mica, any more thoughts on the color ? I'm fine with the in-between to be honest. I'll bet it looks awesome as is. Thanks again !!!!
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: mica on September 09, 2011, 09:51:36 AM: Yeah, no prob. Last week I told Bob to continue with the clear top coats, but I guess I forget to tell you I got the message.

It really does look awesome!
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: cousinvinnie on September 09, 2011, 10:50:31 AM: Wow. Too cool. Hey thanks Mica !! Do you have a general ETA at this point ? Just curious. Thanks again !!
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: mica on September 09, 2011, 11:20:09 AM: With the black painted instruments, it's really variable and I can't really make even an educated guess yet. Let's see when it gets out into setup, then we can take a guess at it.
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: cousinvinnie on September 22, 2011, 05:49:40 PM: Hi Mica, any photos prior to or during setup ? I'd love to see how it is coming along. Thanks so much !!!!!
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: mica on September 22, 2011, 06:32:06 PM: I will have some photos before it's completely completed, and there may be something to see in the next week or so.
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: cousinvinnie on October 07, 2011, 08:14:45 AM: Hi Mica, any updates to share ? Thanks a ton !
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: redcloud on October 07, 2011, 09:01:04 AM: The inlays really are amazing, but that finish is killer!
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: cousinvinnie on October 07, 2011, 10:59:29 AM: And that would be Eric's Essence. Amazing planet inlays !!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: mica on October 07, 2011, 11:41:58 AM: I saw your bass getting some setup love today. It's not done just yet, but it is getting very very close.
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: mica on October 07, 2011, 05:34:22 PM: And...

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/114424.jpg)

Just one little thin left to finish up, please check the changes/additions section for some last minute change I am suggesting.

Of course Mary hasn't yet inspected, I haven't played it (lefty? well I'll try!), but it's darn near done.
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: doug_k on October 09, 2011, 12:24:25 PM: Wow, amazing!
I thought the hardware was going to be chrome?
A real beauty regardless!
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: mica on November 04, 2011, 05:25:52 PM: Wow is right, Doug - you were also right about the chrome. I got a little ahead of myself there. Anyway, I can now officially proclaim it DONE:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/115951.jpg)

Since there wasn't hardly any light where the bass was hanging, I lightened it up in Photoshop so you could see the flame figure is really there. Don't mind all the weird reflections, it's just a snapshot.

Looks sweet!
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: sonicus on November 04, 2011, 05:40:52 PM: NICE ! Congratulations ________
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: cousinvinnie on November 04, 2011, 06:17:26 PM: Money. Just Money !! Thanks Mica !!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: David Houck on November 04, 2011, 07:00:04 PM: Very nice! Those electronics with that body is a great combination; and the black looks great!
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: little_erich on November 07, 2011, 02:09:14 PM: That is F#$%ing Gorgeous! Wow man, we gots to track with that sucker soon Vin!!!
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: cousinvinnie on November 21, 2011, 08:21:20 PM: Got it in today. It's a huge adjustment but what a fantastic build. Thanks to you all again. It seemed to have taken my usual DR Sunbeams much better than I had anticipated. Now to get a hair of relief in to get the open buzzing down.

Lots to learn but enjoying it very much. Much appreciated !!
Title: Re: Vinnie's now-black Essence
Post by: artswork99 on November 22, 2011, 12:38:03 PM: Congratulations Vinnie! Play it Healthy! Art
Title: No script with logo
Post by: mica on October 07, 2011, 05:36:15 PM: So you asked for the Alembic script to go with the logo, and while it will technically fit, it looks really sorta cramped.

Will you be heartbroken if the bass gets just the logo and no script?
Title: Black finish
Post by: mica on May 12, 2011, 06:20:11 PM: I updated the work order to change the finish to almost black as you requested.
Title: AXY pickups
Post by: mica on May 12, 2011, 06:17:25 PM: I updated the work order to change to the wider AXY pickups. The MXY are already routed, but since the AXYs are bigger, it's not a problem.