Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on June 19, 2002, 01:32:57 PM
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Here's the sketch and template for the custom body shape that blends the Spectrum and Tribute:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/860.jpg)
Be aware that the template always looks huge compared to the finished guitar, so I put a standard Tribute over the drawing of the new template to illustrate that your design isn't that much bigger.
The lower horn needed adjusting slightly (between the white arrows)to keep a balanced look with the new slanted bottom (between the green arrows).
From our discussion yesterday, I've asked Chip to select a few Coco Bolo tops that fit your general liking. I'll photograph these this afternoon and post them on this thread.
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Wild! Can you super impose the location of kneck and pickups? Even a just a line would be helpful. I think the lower horn needs to be a little larger and the slanted bottom maybe slightly less exaggerated. Maybe slight changes to both to balance even more. Everything else looks great! This is the locale of the kneck that I would imagine, is this correct or way off? Thanks, Brent(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/868.jpg)
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Is this more what you had in mind?
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/870.jpg)
I'm a little worried about changing the horn shape too much. With the smaller lower bout, I think the previous enlargement keeps that balanced look.
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Yes, we are definitely getting close. What if we use this kneck position but put the exaggeration back into the bottom but we move the lower edge (where the right hand green arrow is)inward a hair to make the slanted bottom sharper and less round. Does that make sense?
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Hi Mica,
See how this strikes ya.(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/875.jpg)
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Here's the bookmatches to select your top from: 624: Overall darker and less orangey:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/895.jpg)
625: Red orange with two bull's eyes:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/896.jpg)
628: Darker with neat wavy grain near bottom:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/897.jpg)
630: Nice mix of straight and swirly grain:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/898.jpg)
Please tell me your preference by the number of the bookmatch, thanks. I'll get the template modified by Kris to reflect the most recent changes (which look really nice!). I don't think he'll be able to do this until Friday or Monday.
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Definitely 624. It would be nice to have it a little lighter if possible but it is also fine as is. I assume it would come out like the example Tribute in the above picture?
Btw, scratch my last body shape. Check this one out. I like it much better. I gave it a little more on the bottom but thinned it through the middle. I'll explain why offline. Oh and if looks weird remember to turn the image clockwise 90 degrees, makes much more sense then.(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/903.jpg)
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Here's what I come up with the smooth out the curves:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/905.jpg)
By shaving the right side of the guitar like you did, the pickup selector switches will be a little closer to the strings (about 3/4). This will work fine as long as you don't think it will interfere with your playing.
If you like the form, we can make the hard template on Monday and start choppin' wood while you're on vacation.
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I added a little more thickness to the backside of the lower horn (highlighted in yellow). I think it gives a more balanced look.(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/909.jpg)
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Whew! Kris spliced on the template from earlier and applied your changes:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/915.jpg)
Here's the sketch from the original template overlaid on the latest template so you can see the changes:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/916.jpg)
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Top picture right?
Perfect... Magnificent...
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Bob's working on the program for routing your guitar, it's the next step. Here's how things look today:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/1218.jpg)
Front
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/1219.jpg)
Back
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/1220.jpg)
A view up the body to get an idea of the contours.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/1221.jpg)
Side view of Flame Maple core, not yet sanded smooth and already showing off the figure.
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Wow, my birthday was yesterday and this update is a wonderful gift! It looks beautiful and exactly what I want. I am really getting excited for this creation.
If you have the oppurtunity, it would be great to get another shot of the contours, I can't make them out very clearly, especially towards the rounded bottom of the guitar.
thanks,
Brent
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I was just playing around with the Tribute hardware ontop of my guitar, so I decided to post this.
Do I have the position and scale of the hardware anywhere close to correct?
I can't believe how breathtaking the wood on this guitar is and will be. Looking forward to your input..
thanks,
Brent(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/1271.jpg)
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Here's the template with the map:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/1342.jpg)
You can see where the pickups and bridge go from it. You can also get an idea of how big the extra electronics compartment will be.
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Great, thanks! Looks like I was pretty close.
A couple quick questions for you though:
What is the outlined area that I have a pointer on?
Also, the oval looks a little large. I would hate to cover up so much of that beautiful wood. Maybe something a little less dominant would be better. What do you think? It does look very balanced though.(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/1354.jpg)
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Here's the guitar, just waiting for the inlays:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/2327.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/2328.jpg)
James will be ready to do your inlays perhaps as early as November 25th.
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Hello all,
How are the inlays looking on my guitar? Just chompin' at the bit .
thanks,
Brent
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Jon is just about finished with them. I just went out and encouraged him to get them completed, since your guitar is so close to being done. The red/blue pearloid turned out just great, I'm sure it's exactly the look your after.
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Brent,
Great looking guitar. Love the curves. I have no idea why, but that guitar makes me think of one of those cartoon cars that rears back and then takes off. I love it. You will too I'm sure.
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Yes,
this design gives the Tribute model some speed!
Very nicely styled!!
Paul the bad one
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Yes, adding speed to the Tribute is a good way to put it. I thought about the design quite a bit but I knew it was up to Alembic to make it work. I think it came out better than my mind could possibly of procured. Wait until you see the whole body shape (it has a Spectrum head).
Brent
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(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/7117.jpg)
Hi all,
What is the consensus? Is this as exciting a concept as I hope? Or am I just biased? I feel like I am swimming up stream on this one. Love to hear from you.
Thanks,
Brent
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Brent ...as I said before ...it definitely is.
It has some speed ...great.
There is 1 thing although that I see now I would change: the lower horn is a tiny bit to large. In a way I would like it ... I dunno ...smaller/shorter/..... ...keeping the same shape of course.
Why I make this remark now?
Because of the shape of the Spectrum head I think. It has a downpointing effect that make me think of a smaller lower horn on the body. Of course I am biased by the Strat-design.
Brent ...I hope you don't take this as an offence or a dislike of the concept. It's a detail une tache de beaut?.
Paul the bad one
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I like it a lot myself. Id say that I think you improved upon the Tribute and its easily one of my all time favorite guitar shapes. The idea of blending the Tribute and the Spectrum was a great one. As far as them making it better than you thought they would have, that seems to be the case everytime with Alembic. They seem to be uncanny in their ability to take peoples ideas and take their own and mesh them together to create something that improves upon the original idea. Very cool, especially when you keep in mind that most places cant or wont even give you what you want. These guys give you what you want and then some.
I like the inlay in this guy as well.
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I really like the variation on the Tribute shape. It just looks a little sharper and more stylish. I kind of like the size and posture of the horns together. The horns form a sort of agressive gesture of their own - apart from the lines of the rest of the body.
I'd really like to see a detail shot of the inlay - looks very interesting. Good colors too.
Looking forward to seeing your guitar through its completion. I bet you can't wait to play it.
Bill
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Thanks for the feedback everyone.
Yea, I can't wait to play it. However, one thing at a time... I am looking forward to seeing a mockup of the inlay as well. There is already an incredible piece of art on the 12th fret under the tape. Maybe with enough popular demand, Mica Will pull the tape off and show us all of the completed inlays on the neck .
Brent
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Brent, Here's the mockup with proposed materials:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/7162.jpg)
The red is a pearloid material that matches the red in the 12th fret inlay. For the globe, I tried several combinations, and found the paua shell sea and mop continents to give enough contrast to be useful. We could go all pearloid if you want to keep the blue/green style. Bob says I can't pull the tape off yet, but here's the mock up of the 12th fret inlay:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/7163.jpg)
The actual inlay wound up having slightly less detail, after all, it is pretty small! Let me know what you think about the oval inlay and we'll get crackin' on it.
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Oh hey! I found this pic I emailed you before the board was all taped up:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/7165.jpg)
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Nice ... it has an Indian/military feel over it. Must be the lightning/wings combination.
I bet this guitar will lift up your playing!!!
Paul the bad one
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Actually, It's a Grateful Dead feel a la Steal Your Face with a little East Indian mysticism thrown in. With that giant inlay with the eyeball of abalone that looks like the Earth, I'd suggest(sic) Eyes of the World as a good name for this beauty. Jerry lives on!
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Mmmmm ...I think it becomes time I listen to a Greateful Dead CD. I never heard them playing ...really ...yes-yes ..I KNOW ...shame on me. But hey ...maybe I start to grow up ....huh ...I'll get out of puberty before I'm 56 ...promise!
Paul the bad one
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Paul - listen to the last Fillmore East show, it's my absolute favorite (thanks to Don)!
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Let's see... The wood's fantastic, the shape is exciting, the inlays look incredible (each in its own manner)... I'm almost afraid to see the whole picture put together - because it's gonna look soooo good - then I'm gonna be so jealous!
This will be some kind of great looking instrument. Congratulations in advance, Brent. You have a lot to look forward to.
Bill
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Materials look great! The earth especially is amazing if a level of detail can be maintained.
However, for the overall design I would like to be a little more precise in the shape itself -to mimic a little more heiroglyphic in nature. Below is my mockup (forgive my weak graphic editing skills again). I wish I had sent a more detailed pic of the original idea. Now I can't find one.... Something similar to the below would be what I am looking for.
Mica,
Let me know what you think.
Thanks for everyone's great input on the design and overall piece of work that Alembic is conjuring up for me!
Happy Holidays to all!
Brent
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/7247.jpg)
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Hi Mica,
How does this look with your artisans? I don't want this to be the final so I would like your input before we start. I would like the pearloid to have curvature around the eye which my mock up does not show very well. If you are ok with it then I would like to coordinate on a final mockup.
thanks,
Brent
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(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/7891.jpg)
Hi Mica,
I think I have improved my previous design slightly. Note the curvature around the eye and some of the 'limbs' have been slightly shortened. I actually think all of the sharp angles should be smoothed slightly.
I am anxious to hear`see what you think.
thanks,
Brent
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Smoothing the edges would make the design a bit less computery feeling. I notice the line under the globe is finer than the one above, do you want to keep that in the final design? Except for the decending parts under the eye, I feel the overall weight of the lines is too light compared to the intricate globe. If it was just an abalone or mother of pearl ball, I wouldn't have a problem with the lighter wight lines.
The mockup from December would be smoothed in the inlay (without the jagged edges). But I'm getting the feeling you prefer something that is more angular from these recent posts. I'll get another version prepared and hope we'll be able to get the same pictures in eachother's heads so the inlay can proceed.
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All good points. Your probably right, a little too thin and computery.
But yes, I would like to keep the line under the eye thinner.
Looking forward to your next mockup.
thanks as always,
Brent
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Since my mom has been sick and has a bit of catch up work to do, we enlisted Mike to redraw the shape influenced by your drawings.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/8282.jpg)
I went ahead and gave it a quick color mock up:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/8283.jpg)
Of course the inlay will be a clean cut, the jpg compression doesn't hold a fine line, but I think you can imagine what it will look like based on these concept sketches. Let me know what you think.
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Perfect! I Love it!
The final decision has been made! Woohoo!
Thanks for bearing with me.
Brent
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Hi Mica,
Any luck on getting material for this?
thanks much,
Brent
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Yes! The material arrived and Mike is in process on your inlay. I will get you some progress shots shortly. The acrylic material is awesome - they cast the sheets by hand and so the marble-like swirls all by hand too. It's really neat material.
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Great! I can't wait to see it!
Thanks Mica.
Brent
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The world is in a ziplock bag on the corkboard:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/10547.jpg)
Mike did a great job on the inlay (shame about my autofocus). Very tight joints between the two materials. I hope you don't mind that he made an artistic decision to replace the bright white mother of pearl with golden mother of pearl. It's not as shocking against the abalone.
Please email me privately the address you can receive an overnight delivery on Tuesday. I need to send you a sample piece of the acrylic. It's mostly red, but still sort of pinkish/magenta-y. You can let me know if the color is acceptable once you see it in person. It's not a decision I want to leave to monitor calibration.
In the meantime, we are seeking an alternative in case you don't like the color.
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The world is in a ziplock bag on the corkboard!
Bumper stickers should be issued.
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Very Cool!
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I know I took some pics of the other inlay parts, I hope I find them before the end of the weekend. In the meantime, here's the box getting cut:
I had this cool idea - we're planning on using rare earth magnets to hold the lid in place so there won't be any screws. It will look so much cooler. I was inspired by by glasses - they have magnetic clip-on sunglasses. I ordered the magenets yesterday, I should have them on Monday or Tuesday to test the theory and work out the mounting details. Mike and my dad are getting that all together.
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I know I took some pics of the other inlay parts, I hope I find them before the end of the weekend. In the meantime, here's the box getting cut:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/10759.jpg)
I had this cool idea - we're planning on using rare earth magnets to hold the lid in place so there won't be any screws. It will look so much cooler. I was inspired by by glasses - they have magnetic clip-on sunglasses. I ordered the magenets yesterday, I should have them on Monday or Tuesday to test the theory and work out the mounting details. Mike and my dad are getting that all together.
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dingwall basses uses rare earth magnets to hold their battery covers on. no screws, quick change and yet quite secure.
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Wow!
Two questions: Could the magnets interfere with the electronics at all?
Also, these aren't so strong that I will need lead shorts will I ;). I do expect to practice and play on this instrument a huge portion of my life .
thanks,
Brent
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No - the magnets are very tiny:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/10897.jpg)
they are positioned very far from the vibrating strings, so there's no chance for them to influence the strings and the electronics won't be harmed by their proximity.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/10898.jpg)
You can see why we didn't want to add screw holes to anchor this plate - it's so beautiful!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/10899.jpg)
Mike decided to line the box with Coco Bolo so it will be just a beautiful when opened. If we ever add more electtronics, it can easily be shielded at that time.
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Oh My Lord, Mica! It is really coming together. I just saw these.
...Now Mike IS the Master.
Just Spectacular! I love the inlay, a powerful symbol of red magnetic earth.
I am feeling the home stretch is at hand ;>).
A big thanks to your Dad and Mike.
Brent
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Hi all,
Back from a small sojourn abroad so I thought I would inquire on the home stretch?
thanks,
Brent
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Yeah, guitar is in rubout as we speak, err... type. The light at the end of the tunnel is blinding.
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And it shines!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/13356.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/13357.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/13358.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/13359.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/13360.jpg)
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Gulp!
and also...... WOW!
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What a beautiful guitar!!! Awesome inlay work. The global eye is amazing. Congratulations Brent!
Tom
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Brent:
I just got back from Alembic where I stopped off to pick up my box after I had some business in the area. While I was there I got to check out your guitar. Wow! I mean WOW! Also WOW!!!! I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that you are going to be VERY HAPPY! In fact, with your permission, I think I'd like to copy your idea of the world inlay for one of the fret markers on the custom Further I'm commissioning. By the way, if I didn't mention it already WOW!!!! You have one helluva beautiful axe.
Bill, the guitar one
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Ohmawgo-od!!!
Stunning!
Friends ...this guitar is absolutely styled with great taste and feeling for proportions. As a headstock freak I must say: this combination really rocks. As I said before: there is speed added to this guitar.
I will never be a big fan of those plates with inlays but ...it's a minor inconvenience here. I can live with it (HA)
Paul the bad one
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Perhaps I missed it in all the Tribute discussions, but what's the purpose of the removable cover - is that for someplace where Jerry...uh....hid...a certain something?
EffClef
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Stash box! I would think in a forum of this nature, it's not 'taboo' to discuss it. I thought I had read that either Phil Lesh or Jack Casady had something along those lines as well, but I could be wrong about that. Definitely a cool feature, if it exists.