Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on July 27, 2010, 07:15:45 PM

Title: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: mica on July 27, 2010, 07:15:45 PM: Nice piece of Quilted Maple:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/83401.jpg)
It's a neck!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/83402.jpg)
and a body:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/83403.jpg)
and the sandwich:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/83404.jpg)
Sorry about the funky color balance - I am not a professional photographer.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: David Houck on July 28, 2010, 03:03:28 PM: Beautiful quilt!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on July 28, 2010, 05:10:54 PM: ...and sadly not going to happen.

Miscommunication on my part. We're starting over next week. It should have been a bookmatched to center top.

Full stats will be:

Essence body
4 string
35 scale
ebony fretboard (blank)
side LEDs in blue
5A quilt maple top bookmatched to center
flame maple neck w/ walnut pinstripes
flame maple body
orion style inline peghead
continuous wood covers on everything
all chrome hardware
inlaid logo w/shell
sheer black finish
Essence electronics + master bass control

Simple and light weight. This will be my gig workhorse.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: rjmsteel on July 28, 2010, 06:36:26 PM: Brian,
That going to be awesome. I see your keeping with the LED color, (on your Rogue)... just love them blue ones too
Great choice also on the scale length too.

What do you mean by master bass control?... does this literally mean bass filter/tone, (master), control.
-Rich
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: David Houck on July 28, 2010, 07:09:50 PM: Brian; I love the stats. Quilt top and flame Maple body under the black finish will look very cool.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on July 28, 2010, 07:59:24 PM: Rich - the controls will be standard Essence (volume, pan, filter) and then a bass control knob that affects everything. So instead of a bass control for each pickup there is one bass control for the entire instrument. My Rogue has the same thing but in addition it also has a master treble control.

I thought about a Q switch and decided against it. I thought about adding a Rogue/Europa style bass boost switch as well and decided against it. I also considered going with Signature electronics and decided against it. I love the elegant simplicity of the Essence electronics. They're outstanding for playing live as they offer just enough control to get what I want out of the instrument quickly on the fly.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: artswork99 on July 28, 2010, 08:18:26 PM: Brian, Those specs sound great. Nice use of the electronics package and a beautiful quilt I'm sure it will be. I look forward to seeing it. Best, Art
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on August 05, 2010, 03:17:35 PM: Here's to hoping a nice new body is being glued up right now.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: mica on August 06, 2010, 08:35:56 PM: It's not getting glued up yet, since there's much more prep work to doing the bookmatch to center. However, here's some of the goings on:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/83930.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/83931.jpg)
Note the "BTC" marks on everything.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: sonicus on August 06, 2010, 09:13:28 PM: I agree that an Essence is a natural as a gig work horse. I love my other 2 Alembics as much but that Essence has what I can use to get through several long sets . Of course like my other Alembics it is a total joy to play giving me back as much as I am able to offer .
The 35 scale seems interesting for string tension . I like the specs.
as well. I will be watching the progress.

Sonic Regards.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on August 13, 2010, 04:57:19 PM: I realize I'm being greedy at this point but can I get a little update before I escape into the Canadian Rockies for the next two weeks?
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: mica on August 18, 2010, 05:57:50 PM: The best I had for you on Friday was this:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/84599.jpg)
In the big torsion box clamps with the BTC front. But today I ran across some more goodies:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/84600.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/84601.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/84602.jpg)
So at least these will be here when you return, and possibly some more!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: rjmsteel on August 18, 2010, 07:12:21 PM: Looking Good Brian,
The blank fretboard\s going to look great with that awesome BTC top you now have. The flame in the neck, (backside picture), ........whoa....that neck\s got flame.
-Rich
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: Bradley Young on August 21, 2010, 03:10:24 PM: Duuuude!

I thought you were a ways away from ordering this one. Very nice!

Bradley
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: tmoney61092 on August 21, 2010, 05:05:57 PM: i love the orion headstock with the essence body, this will be an awesome bass!

~Taylor
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on August 30, 2010, 11:13:22 AM: That's just the kind of update that I look forward to seeing when I get back from a vacation!

Looking beautiful already. I'd love to see it again soon during the shaping/building process. It's so cool to have photos of it while being worked on to compare to the finished product - which I realize is some time off still.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on September 01, 2010, 03:41:10 PM: Mica,

Is there any chance of a few more carving/routing/shenanigans photos of this beasty before it gets to ?the long wait??
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on September 10, 2010, 09:34:48 AM: I ain't too proud to beg...

PLEASE PLEASE PLEAAAAAAAAAAAASE??
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on September 17, 2010, 03:21:29 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/86359.jpg)
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: mica on September 20, 2010, 05:27:27 PM: Ha! Just for you and Oolong, the back pics:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/86516.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/86517.jpg)
It's even cuter than a bunny with a roll on his head.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: tbrannon on September 20, 2010, 06:35:09 PM: Flamealicous!!

All maple? That sucker is gonna have some snap!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on September 20, 2010, 06:55:15 PM: That makes me exceedingly happy to see.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: rjmsteel on September 20, 2010, 08:05:39 PM: Brian,
That neck is just beautiful!
Are you having the satin finish treatment on the neck done?
-Rich
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: jazzyvee on September 21, 2010, 01:41:51 AM: All maple is gonna sound deadly and crisp.
You know, I still think that body shape would be excellent for a guitar.
Jazzyvee
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: sonicus on September 21, 2010, 01:54:19 AM: My 91 Essence is all Maple . Every one who I have played with loves it. I love it too !
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on September 21, 2010, 10:53:43 AM: I too have an all maple Essence (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8861). It was the inspiration for this one. The tone kills. It's light weight and minimal controls (but not limiting) make it ideal for live situations.

After playing my existing one almost exclusively for a year (at gigs anyway) I started to really miss a few things. The master bass control and 35 scale being the big ones. It would have been easy to add a master bass control to the existing one - would have been much harder to make the scale longer. So the idea for this bad boy was born. After thinking about it for a good month+ while running I finalized the options and called The Mothership.

I'm not 100% sure what I'm going to do with my existing Essence when this little monkey is complete. Might use it as a backup - might sell it.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on October 05, 2010, 07:55:11 PM: Is The Blackness happening yet?

Inquiring fruitbats want to know.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on October 13, 2010, 02:45:55 PM: Blackness?

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/87530.jpg)
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on November 05, 2010, 12:51:05 PM: Could we get a few update pictures? Assuming of course that round 2 of The Blackness was/is successful.

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/88935.jpg)
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: mica on November 05, 2010, 07:12:57 PM: I saw the new black today - but when I returned with my camera to the shop, it was already sanded and prepped for the next coat of spray. I may be coming in on Sunday, in which case I will get to sneak a picture for you. Otherwise, I'll leave a note so that I can actually catch it before prepping!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on November 06, 2010, 12:38:28 AM: Thank you, Mica!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: mica on November 09, 2010, 06:28:18 PM: Sorry this picture is so junky - just a snapshot, and there's not much light on the face:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/89119.jpg)

But, it is black
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on November 09, 2010, 11:40:05 PM: This kid is really happy.

That's exactly the darkness I was hoping for - it will stay about like that through finish then, yes?
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: alembixxx on November 10, 2010, 04:56:55 AM: Wow!
Another black quilted maple! Sooooooo cool!
Congrats, very nice bass!!!
Cheers!
DDA
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on November 13, 2010, 04:13:40 PM: Any chance you can show me a picture of the logo (whenever it gets done)? This homesick boy needs something to cheer him up. Traveling for work sucks.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: mica on November 23, 2010, 06:12:33 PM: Sorry you can't see it yet, but this is your logo today - it's gotta dry overnight.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/90169.jpg)
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on November 25, 2010, 10:57:17 AM: Happy Thanksgiving, Alembic family!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on November 30, 2010, 08:11:14 PM: I take it the magic elves have not caught this in a picture worthy state since this was taken?
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on December 07, 2010, 01:01:28 PM: Please pictures please? It would make us exceptionally happy. Like a christmas wish come true!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on December 14, 2010, 04:15:51 PM: Maybe just a nice word or two? How is the finish process coming along? Guessing that since the logo has been inlaid that the color is done? Meaning back to clear coats and then the curing process?
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: mica on December 15, 2010, 10:10:17 AM: Your bass is in the final cure stage, just waiting in line for the rubout. I will try to get a shot of it for you before Friday.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: mica on December 15, 2010, 07:28:26 PM: It's before Friday!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/91757.jpg)
Sorry about the lighting - it really isn't that dark. Here's a little photo editing to help:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/91758.jpg)
But it's not that light either. Oh well, it looks really awesome in person.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/91759.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/91760.jpg)
Pretty pretty!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: David Houck on December 15, 2010, 07:35:07 PM: The shell and logo are exceptional!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: sonicus on December 15, 2010, 08:19:46 PM: I love that headstock shape on an Essence and the Alembic Logo is Beautiful and stunning .
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: rjmsteel on December 16, 2010, 05:09:52 AM: Brian:
Great shots of your Alembic Logo. the hues in the cloud, (a little silver, salmon? and darker pearl), look outstanding!
And I love the colors of the Abalone, (like we discussed before?) against the black headstock!
So cool!!!

-Rich
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on December 16, 2010, 08:58:01 AM: I can't even find the words yet. Thanks for the update, Mica!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on December 29, 2010, 11:43:33 AM: Should I be stalking the UPS man? A little birdie told me this might be heading north this week.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on December 29, 2010, 11:50:03 AM: Should I be stalking the UPS man? A little birdie told me this might be heading north this week.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on January 20, 2011, 04:31:01 PM: At the risk of being a pain in the ass: any estimate on when this might get some attention in Ye Olde Setupe?
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: mica on January 21, 2011, 06:36:11 PM: You are not a pain in the slightest, Brian. Ye Olde Setupe is getting a crack at your bass on Tuesday. I will call you before we ship to coordinate the arrival date.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on January 22, 2011, 01:50:59 PM: Suite. It'll hopefully make its stage debut two weeks from tonight!

Thanks! Looking forward to your call, Mica!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: mica on January 26, 2011, 03:09:04 PM: Heard this bass from my office while James was playing your bass a few minutes ago. I had to go and see what the thunder was all about. Imagine my surprise when it was your petite bass!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on January 26, 2011, 05:31:49 PM: I am full of giddy delight. Like full of it. Overflowing with giddy delight even.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: mica on January 26, 2011, 06:26:11 PM: I hope you can handle this!

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/95210.jpg)

Was just passing by, so the angle's not good, but you can see it's got all it's goodies in place. It's not as dark as it seems in the pic, color is the same as when you visited. It's just a snapshot.

I dare not touch it until Mary give me the go ahead after her inspection tomorrow. I think that means gearing up for shipping out Monday or Tuesday should everything go well.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: David Houck on January 26, 2011, 06:51:15 PM: Beautiful!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: sonicus on January 26, 2011, 10:04:01 PM: Baby Rumble might be going home ! Congratulations !
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: FC Bass on January 27, 2011, 07:53:51 AM: Congrats, looks great! And a (http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/95253.gif) for the bird tailpiece, way to go!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on January 27, 2011, 11:16:04 AM: It looks like death. I can see my reflection in it.

I eagerly await the UPS truck... and our Great Dane barking his fool head off at it.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: amelnick on January 27, 2011, 02:28:51 PM: I think I can see your grin in the reflection!!!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: dannobasso on January 27, 2011, 04:23:46 PM: Congrats sir. It goes without saying I'm a real fan of the finish/ Play it in great health and inspiration.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: rjmsteel on January 27, 2011, 06:15:52 PM: Congrats Brian.t!!!!! On some new Low End Thunder!!!!
Chrome plating looks awesome man.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: edwin on January 27, 2011, 10:37:04 PM: None more black!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on February 04, 2011, 02:28:05 PM: I got a visit from the UPS man a bit ago.

Back to making thunder happen. Pictures and stuff will happen later.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: artswork99 on February 04, 2011, 02:39:10 PM: Oh cool, glad to hear it made it home safely. Enjoy and Play it Healthy!
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: dannyj on February 05, 2011, 08:42:22 AM: Very cool Essence. Enjoy !
I haven't put mine down since I picked it up.
Title: Re: Brian's Custom Quilted Maple Essence
Post by: briant on February 06, 2011, 03:58:09 PM: Pictures of its first gig are now over here (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8852).

I'll add some photos of the bass when I can get some that do it justice. It's proving insanely difficult to get the lighting right so it looks like it actually does in person.
Title: Control Layout
Post by: mica on September 10, 2010, 04:40:44 PM: It's about time to drill some holes in this bass. Here's plan A:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/85933.jpg)
arranged like this perhaps:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/85934.jpg)
Whaddaya think?
Title: Control Layout
Post by: briant on September 10, 2010, 05:23:55 PM: I believe that looks oustanding. Where would you stick the LED switch? Slightly below and between the bass and filter knobs seems like the logical location?

That top is looking outstanding!
Title: Control Layout
Post by: tbrannon on September 10, 2010, 06:26:05 PM: I want to know what the knob at the 24th fret does ;)
Title: Control Layout
Post by: briant on September 11, 2010, 05:45:18 PM: That's the talent knob. It goes to 11.
Title: Control Layout
Post by: sonicus on September 11, 2010, 06:16:25 PM: The interface for the talent knob will make use of bio-metric neural transducers with infinite bandwidth DSP processors that can be controlled via the talent interface pre-set parameter logarithmic buffer control console .

All very easily adjustable with the neural command head band control unit remote. A new Alembic Accessory available some day .
Just dreaming _________new stuff ________!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Control Layout
Post by: rjmsteel on September 11, 2010, 07:00:57 PM: Brian,
That top surely is looking outstanding!!!
-Rich
Title: Control Layout
Post by: sonicus on September 11, 2010, 07:16:45 PM: I agree ____The top wood is is definitely exemplary !
Title: Control Layout
Post by: briant on September 11, 2010, 07:29:48 PM: Thanks, gentlemen.

To be perfectly honest I've spent at least an hour today staring at it. I am absolutely dying to see the back of the body and neck.
Title: Control Layout
Post by: mario_farufyno on September 11, 2010, 07:59:46 PM: I'd like to know for what does that Knob over the Neck works for... Trussrod Knob, perhaps?

*sorry, couldn't help...
Title: Control Layout
Post by: briant on September 13, 2010, 11:21:12 AM: Mario, please see my post 447 above for your answer.
Title: Control Layout
Post by: mario_farufyno on September 13, 2010, 01:12:36 PM: Oh, I could use one of those!
Title: Control Layout
Post by: briant on September 14, 2010, 08:51:59 AM: This is what I was thinking, Mica. I left a VM yesterday, looking forward to hearing from you!

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/86150.jpg)
Title: Control Layout
Post by: mica on September 14, 2010, 01:37:46 PM: Scunched around just a little bit:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/86174.jpg)
Those lines are just drawn in freehand - in the real deal the holes will all be centered along parallel lines. Looks nice and tidy that way.

Hitting the drill on this today.

The stuff on the fingerboard is what I cut and paste in Photoshop so it's at least a very similar scale.
Title: Control Layout
Post by: briant on September 14, 2010, 01:45:15 PM: Suite.

Any chance you could score a nice sexy photo of the back of the body/neck?
Title: Control Layout
Post by: mica on September 20, 2010, 05:22:27 PM: Well, no drill - apparently I didn't have the best view of the cavity, so Bob drew it on the front for me!

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/86512.jpg)

Had to tuck them in a little closer to not hit the cavity, especially on the LED switch. You think I'd have figured these things out by now!

Waiting to drill until we confirm with you.
Title: Control Layout
Post by: briant on September 20, 2010, 06:47:38 PM: Mica,

Sorry I missed your call today! We were walking the dogs at the park. Gotta enjoy those last few days of no rain in Seattle before the 6 months of no sun starts.

That new layout looks great. Totally works for me. Drill away!

I'll call you tomorrow just to further confirm that I've seen this and everything is cool.

Thanks for everything!