Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on March 01, 2007, 05:05:08 PM
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There's a mighty pretty neck here with your name on it:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/36857.jpg)
This is the part of the peghead that will be inside the veneers:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/36858.jpg)
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Woo hoo! This makes it official right? Thanks for the pictures Mica. Can't wait to see the rest come together.
Dave
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This is official. As I find things happening to your bass, I'll post the pictures on this thread.
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Woo Hoo!!! Congrats, bassjigga!!! It has begun... and it looks great!
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Congrats david. Is that vermillion or purpleheart in the neck?
Graeme
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By the way Dave, what you entered for previous band on your profile WOULD make a great band name. Vermillion and ebony is looking very sweet.
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Thanks guys. It is vermillion Graeme.
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Here's the body parts without the top, just waiting for the final word on placement:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/38148.jpg)
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Cool! Are the accents wide enough for the BTC? Or does some of the body get cut from here?
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The accents and the body are wide enough for the BTC. Everything is oversized at this point.
Peghead is veneered now:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/38622.jpg)
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Cool (Zoolander voice).
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Any progress?
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Hey bassjigga!
I'm betting you'll get a picture or two soon. I'm really looking forward to it.
The 3-pickup setup should be really cool. Are you going to get a Fatboy in the middle?
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(I know you'd asked about it... so I was curious if you were going through with it.)
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Still waiting on Mica to get back to me on the electronic options for it. She just got back so I should know more soon.
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Here's where your bass is today:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/43534.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/43535.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/43536.jpg)
It's still oversized, but it's looking like a bass now. And the larger side dots:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/43537.jpg)
There's a little dust on the ledge there, but you can see the sidelines above and below the 12th fret.
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Ooh, it's lookin' really good, bassjigga!!!
And the oversized side dots look great! I wish I would've thought of that!
You must be thrilled, it's really looking great!!!
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Wow! I'm speechless!
Mica - The sidelines look perfect. I think after all the confusion we had communicating this you guys nailed it.
8SK - yeah I wanted larger dots since this is a fretless - those are the primary visual reference.
Lookin great. Can't wait to see the colors and figure pop with the finish.
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Some more fine shaping:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/43942.jpg)
and your bass is ready to route. Now I am the hold up in production since you still need some details to decide about the electronics/pickups. By the end of this week, I'm sure I'll have everything presented in a way that makes enough sense for you to decide this bass' electronic fate.
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Oh baby this is lookin awesome!
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Wow, that's a nice top!
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WOW it looks... well, you said it... AWESOME!!!
Are you going with the 3 pickups and the 3-position pickup eliminator concept?
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Glad you like the look, Dave - it sure is sweet lookin'.
Mark, we don't know the electronics yet, but the details will be posted on the thread when they are available.
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Thanks guys. Mark - still waitin on Mica's coversations with the big kahuna about the electronics. Sounds like we should know soon.
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Routed:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/45454.jpg)
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Wow. It looks phenominal! Looks like I also got the Mark-top only over the neck-treatment to my surprise. Very cool.
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Wow, it looks great! I'm glad you also dig the accent lams going only to the neck, too! I think this is a really cool looking feature, and I personally much prefer the look of it... although beauty is, of course, in the eye of the beholder, so I can certainly see how others might prefer the traditional look (or not care one way or the other)
I't's looking REALLY great, Dave! I'm sure it'll look awesome when the finish hits!
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Yeah and hopefully it keeps more of the sound of the neck in the mix too.
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Sealer on:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/45840.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/45841.jpg)
Now for the hardware decision: Chrome? Nickel? Blackened? They'll all look good, you just need to figure out what suits your personal taste best.
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Words fail to express just how awesome that top is.
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In this (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=18283) thread Mica states that blackened brass is a black nickel oxide plating technique. Recently, the plater has added a hardened clear coating, which makes the color a deeper black. Previously, it was more of a gunmetal color.
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Cool thanks Dave!
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(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/49006.jpg)
Photos, inspection and packing to do, but all that points to shipping on Monday.
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I hope this becomes a custom of the month
I do too!
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Very cool bass, congrats.
Alas my desire for a fretless grows!
Olie
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That top rocks so hugely.
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Wow!
!!!
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WOW! is right! Thanks guys. Can't wait to play it. Looking forward to hearing from you Mica.
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What a great looking bass, I love it!
Enjoy it Dave!
Todd
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What type of strap holders are those?
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They look like Schaller strap locks to me.
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Definitely Schaller Security Locks (the only way to go, IMHO)
Peter
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This is so beautiful! A real stunner. I'd love a full picture ;-)
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Just wanted to let everyone know this bass made it home safe and sound wednesday evening. I only had a little time to made some minor neck adjustments and noodle around a bit, but it is absolutely stunning. Struggling to get through work so I can get home and play. I will try to post some pics this weekend.
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One of the nicest Alembics I have ever seen. A very nice design concept indeed. I really am a sucker for the neck thru with a book match to center. I think now I will have to do wth one less frappe latte mocha something, and start saving for a custom for myself. Congrats and enjoy.
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Beautiful bass, though I much prefer to see the neck lams. Colin
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What a beauty!
Love the bookmatch to center and wood truss rod cover too! If you want to see the lams Colin, look at the back - There they are!
So how's it sound Dave?
Kris
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Thanks for all the compliments guys. I will have to get some pics of the back up for Colin. ;)
It sounds phenominal. It has a throaty deep resonant voice with oodles of sustain. My only other Alembic is an Essence with the std controls so I'm still figuring out the Q switch a bit but it is pretty cool. It has a 3 position switch at 0, 3, 6. The quick tone change switches are also very cool. The bass really sounds great no matter how you EQ it. I also LOVE Alembic's pickup blend control. Panning between pickups on Alembics actually makes a huge difference in tone--much more so than other basses I've played. It has a strong low end and nice edgy highs. I'm a big fan of the hard, dense tops like ebony or coco bolo. Very cool. Plenty of mwah and I can hear some of Rami's chorus sound too.
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did I miss the classic couch photo along the way ?
Hey, Dave, what a gorgeous monster you have there, congratulations !
Christian
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No you didn't. I guess they didn't get the couch shot before it went out. I'll have to do my own couch.
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Ok so the only problem with this bass is now it has me thinking my essence could really benefit from some neck laminates. I can see why people keep ordering more customs. Maybe a custom fretted guy in the future...
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It's harder to add laminates than electronics!
You'll just have to trade up! I have a 6 string fretted Europa with the standard electronics (2 pos Q switch), and I also love them. Very versatile. The mid position of the bass and treble switches is the 0 boost or flat position. It's nice to be able to cut or boost too. I have the 3 position Q switch on my fretless Epic. I find it greatly adds many different sounds as compared to the 2 position Q switch. You have a first class bass there! Enjoy it!
Kris
Kris
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Just posted pics in the showcase. Here's one just for Colin.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/49776.jpg)
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that is a sexy lookin piece of bass
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Wow!
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Blackened. Maybe chrome.
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This looks incredible. I can't wait to hear it. I think Brad is right. Let's go with black Mica.
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That's so cool!
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David,
The blackened hardware looks really awesome, and I suspect no amount of photography skills will convey it. It will definitely look perfect on your (assumed) Macassar Ebony top (with flame! oooooh!).
Bradley
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You assume correctly. It is indeed flamed macassar ebony.
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Mica,
Since we're talking hardware... I setup my basses with super low action. In fact the bridge on my Essence is as low as it can get on the treble side. Can you please make it as low as is possible/makes sense. It's easier to raise than it is to lower if you run out of room. Thanks.
Dave
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Any news? Or maybe more importantly... any pics? :D
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Hi Dave - probably no more pics until it's finished. Once in finish, the looks it pretty much the same in snapshots. Your black hardware is off at the plater's and your bass is still getting the finish applied.
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Cool. Thanks.
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P.s When it's done I would love to have the classic Alembic couch photo.
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In setup:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/48206.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/48207.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/48208.jpg)
Looks great and I love the blackened brass hardware.
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that is slick- way slick.
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Wow it looks amazing! That black hardware was definitely the right choice. Can't wait to play it.
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I love the colors in the ebony. Mac ebony has such a grey-green tint that pops to that incredible, grey/gold with finish. The black hardware is the perfect complement to that color tone. It's a beauty. One of those basses it may be hard to stop staring at in order to play it.
Bill (the other one)
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I said it before, and I'll say it again: that is one sweet looking bass. The black hardware is just perfect.
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Thanks guys. It is definitely hard to stop staring at.
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Wow, that is just beautiful. I love the hardware with the macassar ebony.
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It's gonna be a stunning bass, and the black harware was the right choice - it'll match the clear ebony fretless fingerboard perfecty! Can't wait to see it completed, congrats Dave!
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Will the beauty never stop!!??
Every bass just seems so beautiful.
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Im starting to ponder the same thing george!
Almost too much beauty on display here, Im starting to contemplate a life of crime to actually fund one! (ahem, just joking!)
John.
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Really nice!!
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Thanks for all the comments guys. The only thing not so beautiful is the hole i just made in my pocket paying this off.
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It's only money!
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Money well spent!
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I hope this becomes a custom of the month
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Hm - as delicious as it looks, what's with the logo - not blackened?
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I don't know. My guess is because the bass was originally designated as chrome hardware, perhaps they did the silver logo before the black hardware decision was made. If I remember correctly, they install it prior to finish so it's protected under it. I think I like it. Sets the logo off from the rest.
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I love the silver logo with the black hardware. That is awesome. I need to stop looking at other factory to customer threads until after mine is done. :-) There are too many good ideas here.
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Question for Mica, or anyone else who might know. What type of plating is the black hardware finish? Chrome? Nickel? Something else? Just curious.
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Mica,
I'll probably send you a set of the strings I use. When do you need them? Also, how much variance in gauges is ok? For example, if I had you slot the E for .105, could I use .100 or .95 without problems?
Dave
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We want to set up the bass for the strings you'll most likely be using. There's a little breathing room, but the closer the better or else it won't be ideal.
We'd like the strings as soon as possible so we can see if they are a low tension string as well. Send them to my attention and do include a note so I can match them up with the right bass.
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Ok I'll get them to you asap. I usually use DR Sunbeams or nickel Lo-riders in sizes .100, .080, .060, .040, .030. Some times I use .095 & .075 for the lowest two strings.
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Mica,
I got your letter today. Thanks.
I also got the strings in and will be mailing those to you Monday.
Dave
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Mica,
Did you get my strings? You should have them by now. Just checking.
Dave
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I did get the strings, and I must have shut down my browser when in the preview of the message 'cause I thought I posted here that I got 'em.
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Mica,
I'm thinking about changing the strings I have you set this bass up with. Is there still time? I'm assuming since we're still waiting on the electronics decision and routing that the hardware hasn't been cut yet. Sorry for my indecisiveness but 9 months of playing time changes a lot. They won't be vastly different. DR Lo-Riders. I'm thinking of going to 105-85-65-45-30. So it's basically 0.005 difference. I think I'd like to keep the option of using 105 or 100, which is obviously only doable if the hardware is slotted for the larger.
Dave
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105-85-65-45-30 it's what I get on my MK5 strings ...
It's fantastic to play with high end, slap and sound really like cristal ... I try my MK5 with standard strings (130....=>045), it's not for my play ... only if you play some rock maybe ?
You can go with eyes closed !!
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Mica,
Sorry one last adjustment here. We should probably aim for 35 on the high string in order to accomodate other string brands.
So the final slotting will be 105-85-65-45-35. But go ahead and set it up with the strings I sent. Thanks.
Dave
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Mica,
I started thinking a la Trip Wamsley about the possibility of adding a Fatboy pickup in addition to the 2 MXY's (probably located in between closest to the bridge MXY). How much would this add to the cost and what are the electronics options for mixing the pickup in? (i.e. switches/blends)
It may prove too expensive, but can't hurt to ask, and I think it might add some cool sound options/flexibility.
Dave
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Well, there's lots of ways to get a third pickup in your sound. If you're sticking with Europa electronics with 3-postion Q switch, the easiest way to get access to a third pickup and keep the price down is add an assigner switch for the pan/blend operation.
With the assigner, you select 2 of the pickups at a time:
neck and middle
neck and bridge
middle and bridge
The Europa electronics would work just normally after the pickup assignment. Whichever position you are in is what the pan/blend operates.
If this sounds interesting, let me know, and I'll work up a price for you.
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WHOA, that sounds COOL!!!
I had an idea like this years ago... a pickup eliminator switch -which would eliminate one of 3 pickups and have the Balance/Pan/Blend control mix the sound of the remaining two!
Sounds like a good idea... my plate's already full -but I hope you get it... it would likely add a broad range of tones!!!
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Mica,
That makes sense. Let's work up a quote based on that.
Dave
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Mica,
Any more word on our electronics options per email discussion? I haven't heard back for a while. Just checkin in.
Dave
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Let's email/talk again early next week about the electronics. This won't interfere with production at all.
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Mica,
I emailed you again about this but just in case you check this more I'm posting here too.
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Any word?
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Decision was for the standard pickups and electronics.
(Message edited by mica on October 31, 2007)
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Well standard except for the 3 position Q. :D
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Indeed
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Mica,
I had talked with Susan about using larger (than the 1/16) side dots. I don't know if there's a different standard for fretless or not. She mentioned sending some pictures of them. What size diameters are available?
Dave
(Message edited by bassjigga on March 22, 2007)
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There isn't a different standard for fretless, we use the same size aluminum dots for everything.
Pictures of dots? I guess I could, but they would look like, well, dots. How big do you want them? Any materials preferences?
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Aluminum is fine. Can we make them 3/32? I'm thinking 1/8 might look too big, but the standard ones seem small without frets.
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Mica,
Any thoughts here?
Dave
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As for the side dots, the work order was initially marked for larger dots. I've refined it to include 3/32 as a target diameter, but I need a little more detail about the alternating positioning for the dot/sideline arrangement.
From what I understand, you want the dots to appear on the side, on the invisible fretline where the 10 normal positions are.
Then, we'll be putting visible sidelines on the remaining positions. So it's to appear something like:
(NUT)||.|.|.|.||.
But, do you want two dots at the 12th and 24th fret dots positions to straddle either side of the invisible line? Or do you want three dots at the 12th fret, the middle one centered at the 12th fret, and maybe just one at the 24th since it's the last position? Or did you have something else in mind entirely?
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Correct. Dots on the invisible line in the traditional positions (*1*, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, etc) with the sidelines in the non-dot positions (ie. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11 etc). *I would also like to add a dot at the 1st fret in place of the sideline.
Regarding the 12th and 24th positions, let's do the 3 dots with the center dot being centered on the invisible line. If three will not fit on the 24th then we can default to one dot.
Hope this clarifies it. I know this custom setup is confusing on paper but I think it makes sense from a playing perspective.
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It's not that it's confusing, but there's always the challenge of documenting requests precisely
So now we're at:
(NUT) .|.|.|.|.||...||.|.|.|.||. (unless 3 fit nicely @24th)
We can handle it, and since it will help you navigate the bass better, it's all worth it.
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Looks good. Thanks Mica. There is a logic to it. In my mind, any marking on a fretless is on the position. So if I did a regular sidelines the dots, being off-position, would confuse. But having them is helpful for knowing where I'm at. Hence, the solution of having them and centering them on the invisible line.
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Hi Dave, Here's your top wood, with the templates positioned for the BTC. You'll have to let me know if you prefer choice #1:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/37824.jpg)
or choice #2:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/37825.jpg)
There's also another slice than can be used for the peghead veneers. Do you want us to use it there?
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Wow, Dave, you weren't kidding when you said you had some nice ebony!
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Choice #2 has some flame figure at the center - can you see it?
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Told ya Mark! Just wait til the finish hits it!
I definitely want to keep most of that awesome flame in the bass, so provisionally I say #2. If it's not too much trouble, could you do a pic with #2 rotated 180 degrees; so that the little lable is in the lower left corner so I can compare that as well? I'm thinking it might be cool to capture some of that squiggly striping in the top of #2.
Oh and yes to the peghead question. That's why I sent those smaller slices. One thing I forgot to mention to Susan; if there is any material left from those peghead pieces that would be suitable for more pegheads I would like to save it. The reason being I have a couple more of these boards and it would be cool to have some peghead material to go with those. If there isn't enough left over to bother, or if the positioning doesn't allow for it (this bass is top priority) then don't worry about it.
Thanks Mica.
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There should be some wood left over for your other pegheads. I'll ask Bob to reserve it and when we're done, and I'll send you back the parts we don't wind up using. We'll try to conserve as much as possible.
Here's the wood from that last photo rotaed 180:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/38145.jpg)
Let me know if any of these arrangements work out for you.
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Mica,
Thanks for the pic. This last one looks good (post 4373). Let's go with that.
Hmm... this photo has me thinking about black hardware. What do you think?
Dave
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Ok Dave, we'll use the most recent placement for the top laminate.
Black hardware would look nice and understated. Here's a on a Rogue we recently completed for our showroom.
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Hey, who's the fat kid playing that thing?
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Ummm... that black looks nice indeed. Don't know about the fat kid though ;). Did you buy that Rogue? Very nice piece.
Anyway, back to my hardware... how long do I have to change my mind to black if I so desire? Can I wait til the bass has finish on it so I can see how the top looks? I'm ignorant about how far into the process the hardware gets machined.
Dave
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Dave,
Since I actually saw and played that bass (no purchase, in the interest of marital harmony ), I can wholeheartedly say that black hardware looks lovely, and it would go well with your ebony.
Bradley
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When the bass gets the sealer coats is the perfect time to decide if you want the hardware plated or not. We generally will do a preset about half way through the finishing process. This consists of levelling and fretting the fingerboard if there's no plated hardware.
If there's hardware to be plated, the setup is completed, with the bridge and nut slotted. Inlaid logo would go in at this time too. Once the bass is back in spray for the rest of the finish, the hardware is prepped and buffed for plating. We send the hardware to one of the platers and it will usually show up before the bass is rubbed out so it doesn't cause a delay in delivery.
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Well it is designated for chrome plating, so the process wouldn't change much I suppose, just color plating.
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I've got the hardware finish noted as TBA after customer sees bass with sealer so we won't send it to the chrome plater.
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Perfect.
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Mica,
I posted a question about this on Jeff's custom but I figured I should put it in my own thread!
http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/34389.html?1174063553 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=7478)
Not a change really... I have my bass spec'd for a vermillion accent laminate framed in maple veneers. I still want that (to coordinate with my neck). From what I understand, with age the vermillion will turn more brown and look similar to the mahogany. Is it possible (assuming production hasn't passed this point) to select the body and accent woods for maximum contrast so to speak, so that as the woods age and the contrast becomes less pronounced, one can still see a difference between the mahogany and vermillion? I hope my question makes sense.
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If the sandwich is:
Mac Eb top
Maple veneer
Vermilion accent
Maple veneer
Mahogany body
Then there will be a very distinctive line between the Vermilion and the Mahogany like on the Raging Bass (http://www3.alembic.com/img/inst/13560_sandwichL.jpg) (different woods, but similar concept).
So initially, I don't see a problem with contrast as the bass ages, unless I've misunderstood your concern. Let me know.
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Yes that is the sandwich & concept. Cool. I just wanted to be sure that the accent wouldn't end up looking the same as the mahogany body with age. Thanks for the response.
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The Vermilion will wind up looking a bit darker than the Mahogany, even years down the road. The piece we've got for the body is not super dark to begin with. I'll be adding a photo to the build record shortly.