Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on April 10, 2006, 04:15:42 PM

Title: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: mica on April 10, 2006, 04:15:42 PM: Here's the piece we selected for the core:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27127.jpg)
And a closeup of the same:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27128.jpg)
We'll be reviewing a new shipment of Maple cores by Friday. These dried billets are apparently some of the best he's prepared for us, so we're holding off the glue-up until we see what shows up.
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: esk on April 21, 2006, 08:33:32 AM: Mica,
Any update on the new shipment of maple cores and/or progress report?
Thank you,
Erik
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: mica on June 08, 2006, 05:37:31 PM: Here's a closeup of the neck pair:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28926.jpg)
And another of the neck laminates all gluey:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28927.jpg)
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: mica on June 29, 2006, 01:17:46 PM: Some more work on the neck:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/29439.jpg)
On the back with rough bandsaw cuts:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/29440.jpg)
What will be under the nut and fingerboard:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/29441.jpg)
Where the bookmatch to center is fitted:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/29442.jpg)
And the plate cutouts - truss rod cover, humcanceller cover, battery backplate, preamp backplate, harness backplate:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/29443.jpg)
Also the top bookmatch to center coming together:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/29444.jpg)
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: esk on June 29, 2006, 02:40:06 PM: looks encouraging, thank you!
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: bob on June 29, 2006, 10:25:46 PM: ... and the lollipop, would that be cherry?

We need to see more of that top, soon - looks very special.
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: David Houck on July 02, 2006, 03:35:49 PM: The plates look pretty cool too!
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: mica on July 07, 2006, 03:57:37 PM: Just entered the carving department:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/29676.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/29677.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/29678.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/29679.jpg)
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: esk on July 08, 2006, 07:59:56 PM: awesome!!!

i assume the plate cutouts picture above is a good representation for the ultimate color?
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: mica on July 27, 2006, 05:20:54 PM: Routed, carved and heading for spray:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/30235.jpg)

When I'm back from vacation the week of August 7th, I'll add some more pictures of what happened while I was gone, which will be some sealer coats of spray. There's no way all the finish will be in place before I get back. So if you feel after seeing it you want a slight tint, there will be plenty of time to add that.
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: applejuice on July 27, 2006, 09:36:47 PM: Sweet guitar!
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: mica on July 28, 2006, 12:40:40 PM: I was delighted that your guitar got the first sealer coat last night so I could show you a photo right away:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/30266.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/30267.jpg)
It's not quite as dark as the backplates with stabilizer, but it sure is darker than raw. Let Valentino know if you want to add an all-over cognac tint.
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: bassjigga on July 28, 2006, 01:53:17 PM: Man that is awesome!
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: crgaston on August 03, 2006, 09:40:54 PM: Erik,
Wow. That is just absoloutely amazing! Is that walnut in the neck?

I was admiring that back piece for a while in the wood bank, and actually called Val to see if I could have it for my top, but you had already snagged it. I'm glad to see it has found such a stunningly beautiful place to live!
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: paulman on August 04, 2006, 06:06:23 AM: That's weird. The top seems to have darkened nicely, and the back seems to have lightened nicely after first coat.

This wood is so attractive, I never thought I'd consider anything but quilted maple but this has me wondering. You lucky guy you!
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: jalevinemd on August 04, 2006, 10:59:45 AM: Love that neck! Great wood combinations.
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: lbpesq on August 04, 2006, 12:10:59 PM: This one is sweet! The way the finish makes the figuring in the wood pop out is nothing short of spectacular. And it's neat how the bookmatched back makes this neck-thru look like a set neck .. a wolf in sheep's clothing, so to speak.

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: pace on August 07, 2006, 07:18:19 PM: Is that back from the same lot as Charles Dragonfly?!?

I love it...... lots of great inspiration in the FTC threads lately.

Congrats Erik, there's lots of good vibes in this one for sure!
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: guitarbeau on August 08, 2006, 06:37:54 AM: Very tasteful use of Flame Maple. Bravo! Congrats.
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: esk on August 08, 2006, 06:56:02 AM: thanks for all of the kind words...very excited to play the work of art
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: mica on August 16, 2006, 05:34:11 PM: Partially fretted, black Tahitian MOP ovals in place:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/30659.jpg)
Bill took this shot after speaking with you today. What do you think about the color? Is it looking dark enough?
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: mica on October 04, 2006, 10:51:55 PM: The side jacks getting fitted to the edge contour:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/32104.jpg)
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: mica on October 24, 2006, 04:58:46 PM: James is presetting for the plated hardware. Here's the tailpiece, ready to get buffed out:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/32694.jpg)
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: esk on October 25, 2006, 08:40:59 PM: mica, my tribute plate is flush, is that ebony underneath the plate - i like it!
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: speicky on March 16, 2007, 01:59:24 AM: nominated March COTM... congratulations ! A stunning piece of art you have there.

Christian
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: mondo on January 09, 2011, 09:19:53 PM: Are there pictures of this guitar completed? This is amazing!!!
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: tmoney61092 on January 09, 2011, 10:16:30 PM: here's the custom of the month description and pictures

http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_spaltedbliss.html (http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_spaltedbliss.html)

~Taylor
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: jazzyvee on January 09, 2011, 11:08:59 PM: This is one of my favourite alembic guitars. It looks great I bet it sounds amazing.

Jazzyvee
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: mica on September 07, 2006, 12:44:47 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/31152.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/31153.jpg)
As I said on the phone, I think the natural color would be my personal preference. Dark amber or cognac tint will reduce some of the contrast. But that's just an opinion, you'll have to decide what will suit your tastes best.
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: esk on September 08, 2006, 06:34:11 AM: it's looks great as is, thanks
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: Bradley Young on September 08, 2006, 07:27:35 AM: That is one amazing looking guitar.

Bradley
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: mica on April 10, 2006, 04:23:48 PM: Fir this projeect, we needed a visual example of how the different thicknesses of accent laminates would look, so Chip made these two glueups to help Erik decide:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27134.jpg)
standard size 1/8" accent laminate in Ebony
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27135.jpg)
Two smaller accent laminates in Ebony and Walnut with a Maple veneer. When compared side by side:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27136.jpg)
Erik picked the thinner laminates - it was the favorite here, too.
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: David Houck on April 14, 2006, 07:00:14 PM: I think the second looks nice too! But the first one is sonically tempting !
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: the_8_string_king on April 14, 2006, 07:41:04 PM: I also think the second one looks better; however, I think an even better option (assuming triple accent laminates) would be to either (A) put purpleheart where the walnut is, and walnut where the (middle) maple is; OR (B) have the outer (of the 3 accents) BOTH be ebony OR purpleheart -with the walnut in the middle.

Having vermillion BETWEEN two ebony accent lams would probably look pretty bitchin', too... but perhaps that would be TOO colorful for what you have in mind.
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: bigideas on April 14, 2006, 09:07:23 PM: why not just two ebony lam's with a little maple pinstripe in there? best of both worlds, no?
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: olieoliver on April 14, 2006, 09:28:32 PM: I like the second one too. The wood colors look GREAT together.
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: prodigalson on April 14, 2006, 09:50:01 PM: Yeah, the second one looks better.But i think if both were completed, the first one would look just as good in it's own right.
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: jorge_s on April 15, 2006, 03:30:44 PM: Does having an ebony accent laminate in the body affect the tone as much as having ebony in the neck? Just curious.
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: David Houck on April 15, 2006, 06:09:36 PM: Jorge; I would think if this is a neck through guitar, then no, a body laminate would probably not affect tone as much as a neck laminate.
Title: Re: Erik's Custom Series II Guitar
Post by: mica on April 10, 2006, 04:10:31 PM: Hi Erik,

This is the place where we'll be updating you on your guitar's progress. If you've got any questions or comments about anything you see here, please post a reply or give us a call.