Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on May 18, 2006, 12:07:37 PM

Title: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: mica on May 18, 2006, 12:07:37 PM: The gorgeous top laminate:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28251.jpg)
Rough shape cut with the bandsaw:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28252.jpg)
Chip checking before the bookmatch to center pocket is cut:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28253.jpg)
Ready for that top, sir:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28254.jpg)
Detail before the top bookmatch is in place:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28255.jpg)
And finally, the back:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28256.jpg)
Now, I normally don't get to catch every one of these steps, but I was in the shop all day on Tuesday. By then end of the day, Chip had your guitar in the press getting the top laminate glued.
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: jalevinemd on May 18, 2006, 04:47:56 PM: Mica,

Thanks so much for the extensive pictorial. I gotta tell you, I love my Little Bear, but this new body style is the best!

Val,

You picked out another winning top, my friend!

Regards,

Jonathan

(Message edited by jalevinemd on May 18, 2006)
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: tom_z on May 18, 2006, 05:22:11 PM: Jonathan - I can't wait to see what develops here. Is it my imagination or is the body going to end up a bit larger than a standard Darling model? I'll follow this thread with interest. BTW - great looking top!

Peace
Tom
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: jalevinemd on May 18, 2006, 05:54:54 PM: Tom,

Your eyes don't deceive you, this is a larger version of the Little Darling.

When my Little Bear arrived, I was quite surprised at how petite it was...not disappointed, just surprised. The FTC thread during its construction had no reference to help me gauge the size. It wound up as a fitting tribute to my daughter who is quite petite. This guitar is for my son who, obviously, is much more stocky. I wanted this body style to reflect his physical characteristics as well. In addition, he is blonde with gray/green eyes...hence the choice of woods. My daughter is more olive toned with brown hair and brown eyes, thus the rich coco bolo. Plus I always considered the omega cut to be much more feminine that the standard point, which this guitar will have.

Long story short, this current body style is actually closer size-wise to what I had in mind when Alembic came up with the original Little Darling. To give you an idea, I'm fairly certain that's my guitar behind Casey's Lefty Little Darling in the rack.

Regards,

Jonathan

(Message edited by jalevinemd on May 18, 2006)

(Message edited by jalevinemd on May 19, 2006)
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: mica on May 19, 2006, 05:08:17 PM: Out of the press, and roughlly shaped:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28340.jpg)
Just the body:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28341.jpg)
It's ready for carving next week. And you should really see this wood up close:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28342.jpg)
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: jalevinemd on May 19, 2006, 06:59:19 PM: Wow...I'm speechless.
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: jerico on May 19, 2006, 08:20:09 PM: That's an awesome top! I really like these guitars.
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: David Houck on May 20, 2006, 05:54:23 PM: Cool!!
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: jacko on May 22, 2006, 02:59:43 AM: Incredible!

Graeme
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: mica on May 22, 2006, 03:21:24 PM: Point carved:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28399.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28400.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28401.jpg)
Peter's working on the rest of the carving, but thought you'ld like to see how the "vision" materialized.
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: jaysimon on May 22, 2006, 05:14:06 PM: Wow.
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: jalevinemd on May 22, 2006, 08:00:57 PM: Mica,

For starters, thanks for all the photo updates these past few days. It's a real treat to log on and see so many new pictures. Secondly, in my heavily biased opinion, I think this is the most beautiful Alembic guitar body style you guys have created.

Warmest regards,

Jonathan
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: David Houck on May 22, 2006, 08:25:30 PM: It is indeed a very nice body shape! I really like the top May 22 pic; and the second pic looks great, especially when you pick up your monitor and rotate it left 90 degrees!
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: jalevinemd on May 22, 2006, 08:34:26 PM: Dave,

I've been rotating my computer every which way 'til Sunday!
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: kmh364 on May 30, 2006, 05:01:16 AM: Looking good, Jon. Very nice indeed!

Cheers,

Kevin
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: mica on June 02, 2006, 03:15:42 PM: with the front routing completed, it's starting to look more and more like a guitar:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28717.jpg)

The guitar is under some bright work lighting, which washed out some of the contrast in the lighter areas. I always say this, but it looks much better in person.
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: mica on June 29, 2006, 01:33:41 PM: In spray now:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/29450.jpg)

I got in the booth after the run, so I couldn't maneuver to the front, but I'll catch it soon for you.
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: lidon2001 on June 29, 2006, 01:56:20 PM: Looking great Jonathan!

Mica, do you think Series electronics could fit in this body?

Thanks,

Tom
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: valvil on June 29, 2006, 03:35:18 PM: Hi Tom,

yes, we could put series electronics in this body; it would have to be a little thicker that's all, but same shape.

Valentino
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: pace on June 29, 2006, 04:47:14 PM: So no Series upgrade for Jon.... But, could you eventually upgrade to Anniversary guts?!?!??

I cant wait to see the buckeye!!!!!

congrats, Jon!!!!!!

-Mike
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: lbpesq on June 29, 2006, 05:33:54 PM: Jonathan:

Tres cool! You're going to have to get together with Flax ... this guitar and his in progress Tribute bass could be a matched set! I'll keep an eye out for Little Bear's little brother the next ime I'm in Santa Rosa.

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: jalevinemd on June 29, 2006, 07:36:22 PM: Thanks guys. Just seeing the back of this thing has me craving a full frontal!

Bill, you're SO lucky to live just a hop, skip and jump away from the mothership. A quick pop-in is just what the doctor ordered.

Jonathan
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: tom_z on June 29, 2006, 09:29:42 PM: Jonathan - the back is really gorgeous. Good call on the continuous wood back plates - it would be a shame to interrupt those maple waves. Won't be long now. =)

Peace
Tom
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: jalevinemd on June 30, 2006, 11:21:06 AM: Tom - it's all live and learn. I'm doing a bunch of things on this guitar that I wish I'd done on the Little Bear. But, at least this way, they'll be unique in their own rights.
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: lbpesq on July 01, 2006, 09:08:23 AM: Jonathan:

You're right, I am lucky ... and I know it.
Of course it it wasn't for a bunch of guys named Jerry, Bobby, Phil, Billy, Ron, Mickey, T.C, Keith, and associates, there's a good chance neither Alembic nor I would be around here.

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: David Houck on July 02, 2006, 03:41:05 PM: Wow!!!
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: jacko on July 03, 2006, 12:59:25 AM: Wow indeed! The back looks just as nice as the top. I wouldn't know which way round to hold it;-)

Graeme
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: guitarbeau on July 03, 2006, 06:20:25 AM: Amazing looking back. I want to see the front!!
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: olieoliver on July 03, 2006, 07:32:51 AM: Does anyone else see the wolf in this photo? My wife tells me I'm crazy and seeing things. This is a REAL nice instrument.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/29555.jpg)
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: applejuice on July 03, 2006, 08:15:14 AM: I never noticed that before, too cool!
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: olieoliver on July 03, 2006, 08:37:15 AM: Then it's not just me having a 60's flashback!LOL
I bet it'll really stand out finished.
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: foth on July 05, 2006, 12:35:46 PM: I saw the wolf too, but it seems to have disappeared with the pickup cuts. Thanks for turning the picture Olie, it's easier on the neck now! I guess this is another of the animalembics.

I'm looking forward to seeing a picture of the male / female guitars hanging side by side. It would be great to feature the two as a pair in a COTM.
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: mica on July 12, 2006, 02:11:02 PM: Your guitar is in preset, so the frets will be going in soon. It also means I don't have to try and beat Bob to prepping the finish for the next coat so you can see how the front looks:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/29803.jpg)
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: mikedm on July 12, 2006, 02:31:20 PM: Olie's post 397: I bet it'll really stand out finished. a bass playing prophet in our midst
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: olieoliver on July 12, 2006, 02:47:18 PM: This is the best top I've seen thus far. I am envious.
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: jalevinemd on July 12, 2006, 03:52:26 PM: Today I had a root canal. So this picture was just what I needed after an otherwise lousy day. Thanks!
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: georgie_boy on July 13, 2006, 06:45:27 AM: Wow!
That top is incredible.
I just didn't realise the difference in finishes from the raw wood to the finished product.
I'm absolutely stunned by that top!!!!!!
Anybody tell me about the sonic differences between that and say maple and coco bolo????

G
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: lbpesq on July 13, 2006, 07:08:05 AM: Jonathan:

Lookin' good! I don't know if it's the picture, my monitor, or the real thing, but I'm seeing greens and purples in there! I love it! I'll definitely be on the lookout for this one when next I'm at the mothership (which will have to wait a couple of weeks as I'm heading east today). If I were you, I'd be sitting in front of the computer, playing Little Bear and drooling on the keyboard. Can life get better than that?

Bill, tgo

(Message edited by lbpesq on July 13, 2006)
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: jalevinemd on July 13, 2006, 07:24:54 AM: Bill,

I see 'em too. And I'm hoping they're real as the top will go great with the abalone fret markers. Can't wait! By the way, I'm doing a set of knobs with Roger.

Regards,

Jonathan
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: lbpesq on July 13, 2006, 07:34:55 AM: Jonathan:

You'll love Roger's knobs (gee, that almost sounds dirty!). He did cocobolo/gold MOP for my Further and rosewood/green abalone for my Alemfer.

I'd love to see this one side-by-side with Flax's Tribute bass.

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: mica on May 04, 2007, 12:50:59 PM: Inlay stuff! For the 24th fret:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/39348.jpg)
For the first fret:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/39349.jpg)
For the rest of the frets.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/39350.jpg)
These are still rough, the next time you see them, they'll all be in the fingerboard and full of wow! Update for readers: In mid-March when I was getting the artwork together, Jonathan and I agreed that the mother of pearl ovals would look better than abalone with the decorations at the first and 24th fret (which wouldn't look good in abalone).
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: jalevinemd on May 04, 2007, 01:53:24 PM: Mica,

Absolutely perfect! What more can I say?
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: the_8_string_king on May 04, 2007, 10:14:14 PM: Extremely awesome! Buckeye just can't be topped for visual beauty! I love it!
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: mica on May 09, 2007, 06:39:22 PM: Here's a full view shot, inlays in place and everything:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/39581.jpg)
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: jalevinemd on May 09, 2007, 07:23:40 PM: WOW!!! I can't wait to see this close up. Very special...thanks.
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: mica on June 22, 2007, 12:41:10 PM: It's hanging in the lobby right now, a little shiny glare, but done and ready to ship to you next week:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/41372.jpg)

Is there any day that's better for you to receieve?
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: Bradley Young on June 22, 2007, 02:10:51 PM: So, Is that Son of Doubleneck in the background in post #3414?

Bradley
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: mica on June 22, 2007, 02:40:45 PM: No, that's his fretless twin.
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: jalevinemd on June 22, 2007, 05:29:11 PM: Mica,

I'm off work next week, so any day is great. Sooner the better!
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: mica on June 22, 2007, 06:53:54 PM: I'll call you with the tracking details on Monday. Until then, here's the back view too - don't mind the reflections from the windows:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/41411.jpg)
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: tom_z on June 22, 2007, 09:28:11 PM: Yyeeooowww!!!! What a beautiful guitar!! Spectacular wood recipe. It's back is as beautiful as it's front.

Beer bottles at the ready.

Congrats Jonathan. Let us know it plays.

Cheers
Tom
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: jtussing on June 23, 2007, 05:28:55 AM: WOW indeed! Is there no end to stunning and beautiful combinations?

- Jim
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: jerico on June 23, 2007, 08:17:42 AM: This is a gorgeous, beautful thing! That top is perfect. I like the horns too, very unique!
Justin
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: David Houck on June 23, 2007, 06:16:54 PM: Absolutely beautiful!
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: jalevinemd on June 26, 2007, 08:10:09 PM: Big Stubby arrived safely this morning. It is, hands down, the most exquisite instrument I've ever laid my eyes on. As I understand it, there will be more pictures coming from Santa Rosa down the line, so for now I just wanted to show a couple of pictures side by side with the Little Bear.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/41552.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/41553.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/41554.jpg)
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: mele_aloha on June 26, 2007, 08:44:43 PM: OH MAN!!!!
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: mele_aloha on June 26, 2007, 08:47:25 PM: Sorry I had to catch my breath-

Exquite,really,, breathtaking.

Congradulations Jav, With Aloha, Paul
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: foth on June 27, 2007, 01:17:03 AM: Cool side by side pictures, Jonathan. They sure are different!
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: lbpesq on June 27, 2007, 06:29:18 AM: Congrats, Jonathan! Feels great, doesn't it? If you're anything like me, the soles of your shoes won't come in contact with the ground for at least a week. Alembic's given birth to some very special instruments lately, and yours certainly continues the streak. May you play Stubby in the best of health for many years to come.

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: jtussing on June 27, 2007, 08:22:58 AM: WOW indeed! Cool to have a guitar that can double as a weapon! Enjoy that beautiful instrument!

- Jim
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: hifiguy on June 28, 2007, 07:03:26 PM: Holy rockets, Jonathan, those are two of the most beautiful instruments I've ever had the pleasure to see. Gorgeous, just gorgeous.
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: guitarbeau on June 29, 2007, 04:29:59 PM: Congrats Jonathan. Play Big Stubby well.
Title: Re: Jonathan's Custom Darling Guitar
Post by: jalevinemd on June 29, 2007, 04:47:24 PM: Thanks to all for the wonderful comments. It's been a great few days with Big Stubby...more to come.