Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on September 21, 2007, 05:24:45 PM
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Some of the parts in assembly:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/44297.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/44298.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/44299.jpg)
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Boy everyone has sure gone to town with the neck recipes over the past year or two. Nice!
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It's a Bird. It's a Plane.
Actually, it's my new Bird of Prey.
Got one of the last pieces of QCB for the top, too.
Is it ready yet?
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Great neck!!! Great body!!! Great top!!! BTC is the way to go!
Hey... your body... it reminds me of pumpkin pie!!!
Mmmm. Pumpkin Pie...
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Last time you'll see these innards:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/45146.jpg)
And from just entering carving:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/45147.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/45148.jpg)
Your bass is in the finish department now, but my timing's been very bad for getting photos. I'll try and get you something soon so you can see the glossy pretty wood.
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HOLY . . . . !!!!
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looks interesting my qcb brotha
cant wait to see some spray on it
love the bouts,,,,
this looks like the came near my boards
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Wow! looks like it'll have wood p'up and truss rod covers too. Amazing looking instrument.
Graeme
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Thanks, Graeme. It'll be all wood front and back. Went to school on Jeff.
Jeff, it was the next cut or the cut after that. I've been in design on this one for a while.
For anyone who thinks it works (as I do) reversing the boards on the back was Mica's idea. Would have loved QCB on the back too but even those of us who can justify insane expenditures on our equipment have limits. This was a great solution (won't even call it a compromise).
dw
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David,
WOW, what a great looking bass!
Stunning selections of woods. I look forward to seeing it with a finish (not like it needs it).
Ah, ebony neck lams... you're gonna enjoy this beauty for sure!
Best regards and play it healthy!
Art
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I really like the way the back bookmatches look like positive / negative images.
really cool.
Graeme
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i like the reg coco on the back
christ= spend that money on something no one sees?
arrgggghhhh.
i love my back woods....
twas a great piece of gods work....
may it rest in peace playing the bombs on the other one.....
lmao
im guessing 2 boards down
looks like i got the beginning of the v under the tailpiece
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Yes, I see your V. So, they're only cousins.
Didn't know I was going to get tape on the upper horn. Might have ordered something darker.
I guess if they use the same color tape on the bridge, it'll look OK.
dw
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WOW, it looks REALLY fantastic!!! It reminds me of my own very recently acquired custom 6-string... VERY similar in wood choices and features...
I can therefore personally assure you your bass is going to SMOKE sonically... the combination of Ebony, Mahogany, Maple, & Vermillion in the neck not only looks awesome... it sounds awesome! And the Coco Bolo, BTCered on both the front and rear of a Mahogany body will deliver a wonderfully rich and complex sound with LOTS of bite!!!
Wow, I'm a little jealous... Series electronics with the Bird of Prey body...
That pistol grip (and body) just rocks! Congrats, it looks absolutely AWESOME!
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Or... it your body VERMILLION? It looks kind of reddish...
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That's already stunning-I can't wait to see it with some finish.
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Thanks, Chris.
Mark, I was all over the place on woods and ended up back with Vermilion in the core (I think that's what Val had on the original BoP). Someday, we'll have to get together to compare core woods (I almost went with Mahogany).
Mica says more pictures coming soon.
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Soon it is! In carving now:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/45447.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/45448.jpg)
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Really cool pictures of the carving process. Nice deep Omega. Very nice indeed!
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Thanks, Art. I'll echo what others have said. When this gets some finish on it--yikes!
dw
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David,
I love the quilted coco bolo- but that reversed bookmatch back wood is just about the coolest thing I've ever seen. I really like the contrast and the dark areas.
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Hey, David!
This is gonna be a beauty! The Quilt is great, and the back is just as cool! Can't wait to see the progress!
Enjoy, Mike (the 'Ho)....
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dw,
What a beautiful bass!
What's the scale length and fingerboard width?
Paul
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It's a 34 scale.
I wanted the neck a little narrow. Mica may have to help here, but I think we ended up with 1.75 at the nut and a bit over 2.5 at the 24th fret (like 2 5/8), which should be narrow enough to get around the frets but give me room to get my fingers in between the strings (I play mostly finger style).
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OOH, I love it! It looks awesome! It some much reminds me of my own, with the Coco BTCered on both the front and the back, with the super cool custom neck, and also... the Maple accent laminates stopping at the neck instead of going all the way across with the BTC -the way they usually do!
Yours is the only other Alembic besides mine I've ever seen like this! Was it a coincidence, or did you see and like mine? Or, did they do it for some reason!
In any case, it looks awesome!
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Mark
Yours is a tremendous bass and I watched it closely. Picked up some stuff from it for sure. Also think you and I may be fans of the same sound. My main bass has ebony lams and a maple neck and, while it's a tremendous sound, I always wanted to warm it up a bit.
But I can take no credit for the accent laminates stopping at the neck. Like many things on this bass, I have either taken Mica's or Susan's direction or left it up to the folks who build these. I have seen too many examples of members relying on Alembic and being wildly pleased with the results to have done it any other way.
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Thanks for the answer, David, and sorry for the double typos on the previous post.
I had to ask, 'cause it's a (as far as I know) unique feature... and it looks pretty freaking cool -even more so on yours because of the thicker Maple accent laminate.
It really looks ESPECIALLY cool on your bass at the omega... how the accent lams stop when they run into the neck lams... just really, really cool.
When they did it for me, it came as a total surprise; I'd asked Mica about it... but she said something to the effect of while they COULD do it, there was some challenge involved (that I frankly didn't get). It seemed like it shouldn't be any harder... but what do I know? I don't build 'em. So I withdrew the request, not wanting them to do extra work, and not having money to offer them for it.
So it was an unexpected and pleasant surprise when my custom came with this unexpected and unique little custom feature.
At any rate, YOUR bass looks awesome, and I really look forward to seeing it in all it's completed glory. And I'm glad you enjoyed my bass!
Happy trails, Mark
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Mark,
I'm guessing that since you wanted it, they did a bunch the same way at the same time cause they did it to mine too. Check out the new pic. Makes sense for efficiency I guess.
Dave
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Lexi is just fitting the plates here:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/45608.jpg)
Isn't it crazy how yellow the Coco Bolo looks when freshly sanded? That will darken up a bit, don't fret.
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Last look before the sealer coats go on:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/45659.jpg)
The figuring always quiets down a bit with the fine sanding, but this will POP when the finish hits it.
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Pickup lollipops:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/47533.jpg)
Yummy!
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the front may be catching up with the back.
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Hey! Your bass made it to the setup room today:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/48219.jpg)
I emailed a larger version of this over the Roger on your behalf. The wood is unreal:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/48220.jpg)
There's still plenty of work to do, but it's getting close to leaving the nest.
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Amazing!
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WOW!
Tales of Topographic Tone Wood, to slaughter a Yes title.
I feel like I'm looking down on blood red mountains as they come down to canyons at the lower right.
Again, just wow!
Mike
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Thanks, guys. And, I remember the constant theme on this site that the pictures don't do it justice. Still, trying to temper the expectation on when it will be done, as the master artisans need time to finish their work. Patience. Patience.
dw
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Yow! The close up of the body just kills!
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Custom of the Year candidate
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Behind the scenes progress. Just exchanged emails with Roger. QCB knobs are being constructed.
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took my advice huh?
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yes, again. thanks.
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Here's your bass just before my dad swiped it for the final calibration:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/48615.jpg)
I've run out of superlatives to describe this bass.
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I like it!
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I just had to fetch a paper towel to clean the drool off my keyboard.
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Phenominal! How bout that one Mica? I also spy my bass hangin out behind you...
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Glad I logged in tonight. One of my colleagues is actually in SF tonight. Wish it were I.
Must stay calm. Must check weather to make sure shipping an option. Must check insurance. Must schedule rehearsal for day it arrives.
Hey MICA!!! How is it playing?
Holy cripes. Need advice from brothers and sisters on the site. What do I do now?
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Hey, David! Definately front-runner for Custom of the Year!
No superlatives I can add. What an Awesome speciman! That QCB is special. You, Flax and Paul all have Top-10 of all time Customs. Mebbe top 5! You really gonna play this out live ?
Try a brown paper bag for hyper-ventilation episodes. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. That's it! Keep it in your pocket. I'll be needing one myself here in a week or 2.
Our Scottish friends would probably recommend a pint of Ale ;D Weather looks pretty good for your area for the next week. No major problems.
We expect pics and soundbytes!
Enjoy, ya got somthing special!!
Have fun, Mike, tho =]
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Doesn't really look different after the calibration, but here is your bass today:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/49142.jpg)
Getting everything prepped for a Monday ship date.
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David,
Your bass is absolutely beautiful. Congratulations!
Play it Healthy!
Art
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This is one of the most beautiful objects ever created by humans, ever.
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Beaver called a couple of days ago for final payment. I feel like I'm buying a new house (not because of the price, although I'm pretty sure the first place my folks bought was only a little more expensive than this, but because of the excitement of finally getting a chance to live with something that's only been pictures and concepts). Thanks to all for your support and kind words. I know that no one in this club needs to know that it sounds good; looks better than pictures; etc. (because all Alembics sound great and look like art), but I'll report in after it arrives and I get a chance to work with her a bit.
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Worth every penny!!!
Wonderful bass
Enjoy her forever
George
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Bird is in the air. Or, at least, on the truck. Lands Friday.
Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.
dw
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Not so fast, or you'll start hyperventilating.
Looks like you're enjoying the wait ...
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I know from experience, those last 2 days seem to take an eternity. But as they say, all good things to those who wait!
Enjoy it David, you've got something really special there!
Todd
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Interesting development. UPS counts up to three (as in 3-day service) as follows: 1, 3.
It's waiting for me at the UPS Center.
D
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Well, don't just sit there at the computer, go get it!!!
Todd
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Sounds like a need to leave work early day to me.
Olie
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Heck, with that beauty I would have taken all three (or two) days off just in case it needed something from me in transit
What a spectacular instrument! Play it in good health!
John
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At a meeting last night until 1130, but I DID leave work early so I could get to UPS. Have been working for a while this a.m., but OF COURSE she is open.
Too early to plug in but it's better than expected. I went with more of a classic taper (neck dimensions were custom, based on some basses I've played that I really liked) and am able to get around on the neck and make reaches in ways that I couldn't before. Am completely blown away by how small the Bird of Prey configuration makes the whole layout (feels like I'm holding a guitar and, yes, I've had the tape measure out--was absolutely sure that I was playing a medium scale and needed to make sure it was 34).
More later, when I have time. Think there will be a lot of playing going on this weekend (and can't wait for rehearsal, Sunday).
dw
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Congratulations, David! So good to see you finally got her. I'm glad that your little monster exceeded even your highest expectations. I'm sure she sounds as great as she plays!
Enjoy, have a wonderful weekend with your Stunning new Bass!
Mike, tho =]
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Loving it but.
Mica warned me the bass was not going to like the trip. Great low set up when I got it but can't get the B to stop buzzing. Having trouble getting the tuner to recognize the string (think it's making contact at the first fret).
Mica said the truss rods should be the first line of attack. I've loosened them nearly a half turn (in two steps) and it seems a bit better but not cured.
Next steps seem to be (1) wait a bit, and (2) if not fixed by waiting, go to Joey's post on set ups. The Joey route seems excessive, as it was just set up at the factory, but I've got to get it working before rehearsal tomorrow. Any other thoughts?
dw
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well dave
was it like i told ya?
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Dave,
If it's any solace, I've experienced buzzing troubles with my Dragon's Wing (DW). Most of it was due to the fact that I like light gauge strings (.40-.100). This being said, it's the only bass I had to send back to the Mothership for a heat bend. If you're using standard gauge strings, truss rod adjustments should take care of the problem.
BTW, after the elves did the heat bend, my DW plays like buttah. None of my other Alembics have given me the least bit of trouble, and when necessary, I make adjustments which work out just fine.
Bottom line: make some adjustments, give it a couple of days, and hopefully that will fix it. It has for the most part in my experience.
Good Luck!
Alan
P.S. That is a beautiful bass.
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Jeff
The bass is unreal. If you told me about a buzzing B, I forgot that.
It'll be my first set up, but it'll be a good chance for us to get acquainted.
dw
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Alan
Crossed with your post. Thanks for the encouragement. Will try to keep her here.
Buttah? That sounds really nice.
dw
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RU gettin' excited yet? Betcha are!! Looks great!
Mike (the 'Ho)....
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Great looking bass
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Thanks. Very exciting seeing it hanging, but I'm trying to pace myself. Think that's going to get really hard really soon.
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Prepare for extreme beauty:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/45858.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/45859.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/45860.jpg)
I know it looks almost done, but there's lots more time in finish in store for this puppy. It won't look much different until the final rubout. The hardest part of the wait is finish since it's so unpredictable.
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wuh-hu-HO!!!!!
Lovely machine.
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Absolutely stunning!!! This is as good as it gets! And the sound... it'll be warm, and full of bite and character! I'll look forward to hearing your comments when you get it!
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Absolutely speechless. Making noises. But no words.
wow.
dw
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Woooowwww David,
What a beautiful beautiful chunk of Quilted Coco Bolo you've got. Your baby is developing Awesome!!!
Congradulations, Paul
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Whoa!
That's astounding.
I can't wait to see this finished. You are a lucky man, David.
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That's one dadgum beautiful piece of plywood, my friend! Absolutely gorgeous. I love the neck woods. I love the body woods. I love the Valentino-Gothic body style. The instruments coming out of Santa Rosa just keep getting more and more amazing all the time. Wow. Play it in good health!
John
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Thanks. Still trying to figure out whether to go with an upgrade on the logo. Thoughts hereby solicited.
A voice in my head keeps reminding me that the pictures don't do it justice (as we've heard so many times before). May be the case here too--Mica shot me an email when she posted; she seemed pretty excited about the way it looked when it came out of spray.
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Wow!
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David, upgrade the logo if you want to. You've got one of a handful of instruments made by Alembic with a QCB top. It's the first official instrument of it's configuration.
Don't be afraid to go all-out.
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dave
i dont know which logo you have
if its a std bronze-def upgrade imho
if you are thinkin bout the big bucks inlaid logo
here is my take- if you are thinking bout it
DO IT
cause once you get it- you got it
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Go all out, bro.
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Damn. That thing is gorgeous.
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thanks. as you can all imagine, this has become a bit more expensive than when i started (i'll share sometimes what i FIRST called beaver about when i was looking for a new bass). but the inlaid logo is an easy step.
still pacing myself.
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when you are knee deep in the water another step or 2 aint gonna kill ya,,,,
i like the inlaid logo but as much as i like the rays- i didnt feel the add on was worth it
i did redirect those funds to the gold plated hdwre
which i think was better spent that way.,
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David,
My bass has been nicknamed the IT project:
Customer kept changing his mind
We're way into cost overruns (2.25x original estimates, see above)
It is rapidly approaching a three hour tour in terms of duration
For those who haven't figured out my sense of humor yet, I find the above humorous (i.e. I'm not griping), especially since I work at a software company.
I say, if the rays are one of those little things that would push the instrument over the top for you, I say go for it.
Bradley
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Bradley
But your bass is looking really nice, so the IT stuff is working out. The only difference between you and me is that I spent a year talking about different things (this started as an Exploiter) with Val, then Susan, then Mica. We didn't start a FTC thread until I had most everything figured out.
David
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Hi David,
The inlays went in your fingerboard today, looking awesome. The rays will not fit with the omega peghead shape, so you can only do the regular inlaid logo with the matching gold mother of pearl we discussed on the 2nd.
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Hey Mica
Please do the inlaid logo we discussed. Thanks for all your help on this.
Have a great holiday with the newly expanded family.
dw
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Holy freaking cow, the hits just keep on coming. Monty, 8SK's 6-string, Mele Aloha and now this. There really aren't words for the beauty and craftsmanship in these instruments.
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This is a picture I don't usually get to take:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/46311.jpg)
timing is everything! I'll get you an after picture sometime next week.
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i think this is the first time i have seen this part of the process in a photo
mica
how bout lining up all the instruments from the last slab with some finish on em before they start shipping out
from slab to omg! that would be cool
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I may need to get one of these blown up for my music room. Little ones for the wallet too.
Mica
I'll second the request for the slab shot, if you still have all the basses (and I think there was a guitar in the mix) in house.
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So, I'm sharp but not too sharp. One of the QCBs is a guitar. If I had been looking around, though, I would have seen that it's the COTM. Nice wood, front and back.
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i dont think the qcb came from the same slab as ours if i remember correctly
ours was supposedly the worst looking of the 3 they had gotten and only did they realize that it turned out to be the best when they opened it up
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I love this one. The back is just as beautiful as the front.
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You know this has to be gorgeous to look this good through the sanded surface:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/46455.jpg)