Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on April 20, 2006, 04:15:49 PM
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Neck looks pretty sweet:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27362.jpg)
closeup of the front veneer:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27363.jpg)
and also the back veneer:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27364.jpg)
I'll take another photo on my way out tonight, 'cause I saw the body (without the bookmatch to center back yet) in the clamps! The body Mahogany looks slightly lighter in color than the neck, but it isn't a jarring difference. It's zooming along now.
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Body in clamps:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27485.jpg)
Full front view:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27486.jpg)
Back of body:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27487.jpg)
Back laminate:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27488.jpg)
The woods look really sweet. I'm really liking the neck combination.
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Cool! What an interesting combination of front and back! Very nice bass!
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Wow!
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That figuring on the back is so cool, I hope you're going with alll wood back plates. It would be a shame to lose that figuring.
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Oh, heck yeah, Adam. Look in the discussion part for the whole piece of wood.
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Saw the backplates sitting on Chip's side table before being converted to plywood. (http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27830.jpg)
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The point is shape is carved, pending your approval or request for a smaller point.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28376.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28377.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28378.jpg)
There's still plenty of sanding and fine shaping to go, but you can tell if you want to point smaller or not.
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The point, transformed:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28445.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28446.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28447.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28448.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28449.jpg)
It's not quite as small as the side point on Valentino's bass, but we wouldn't want to go smaller yet without you seeing it here first. Also, don't mind the burn marks around the point - there isn't a sudden color shift right at the seam. Peter will be sanding all that away.
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Perfect!
Thanks, Mica, and special thanks to you, Peter for your hard work and amazing skill!
Also, Peter, if you decide to attack the elbow contour anytime soon, I'm really liking the amount of shaping there is on my 99 Rogue. It is extremely comfortable, but doesn't appear to be as extensive as the ones on some of the Balance K bodies I've seen lately.
Thanks again,
Charles
(Message edited by crgaston on May 24, 2006)
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Your bass is in the spray booth. Right now, it's ready for its next coat of finish:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28723.jpg)
I hope to catch it before Bob preps it.
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Before prepping
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/29392.jpg)
The lighting's not great at this angle. The wood is dark and low contrast, but in person you can see the grain.
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Truss rod cover in spray:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/29431.jpg)
The wood combination looks stunning, and it's certain to have a wonderful robust sound too!
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I like the the truss rod cover. Are the pickups going to match?
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Looking great, guys!
Olie, no, thet're regular.
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Cool. That's probably how I would have done it too. The top on this axe looks incredible. I's love to see a shot of the finished rear.
Very nice bass Charles.
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Frets in now:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/29873.jpg)
Getting ready to do the black hardware shortly. Will keep you posted on the inlay artwork real soon here.
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Oh, my...
This is really looking sweet, guys.
Would asking for a pic of the finished back be greedy?
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Another incredibly beautiful bass. Wow. Time to pour the drool out of my keyboard again...
john
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Back lam with finish:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/30099.jpg)
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I am speechless.
Thank you, Mica, and everyone who is building this beauty!
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This is going to be one of the most killer basses I've seen in a while. This is really knocking me out. Cheers Charles!
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mmmmm, shiny ebony. That is just exactly the right amount of bass. Nice choices!
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Wow, this going to be a spectacular instrument. Can't wait to see it finished.
edit... The pinstripe laminate under the cocobolo is stunning. Vermillion?
Graeme
(Message edited by jacko on November 09, 2006)
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Yes, Graeme, it is vermillion.
Thanks for all your compliments, everyone. We're getting closer on being able to see this completed; Mica says the inlay work should be started sometime this month!
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Wow!!! Somehow I missed this one! What a unique and orignal, awesome design! And the neck... I love it! I didn't realize other people were getting these ultra-cool multi-wood necks! It just looks incredibly awesome and unique! You must be thrilled!
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The dragonfly inlay is cut, and should land on the back of the peghead tomorrow:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/35657.jpg)
There's some dark glue covering some of the white mother of pearl, so don't worry, the shell layout is the same as the mock up. The forked end of the tail is getting cut tomorrow. The little container next it is holding the emerald eyes.
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Duuuuude...... Awesome stuff.
Just when you think you can't be amazed any more than you already are they go and do something like this.
Congratulations Charles.
(Message edited by tbrannon on January 26, 2007)
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SWEET!!! Thank you so much, Mica! I love the colors in the darker sections! I can't wait to see it in the wood!!!
That is just fantastic, guys... my compliments to the artists.
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Dragonfly in and under most of the finish with larger peridot eyes (those little emeralds didn't look right):
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/36257.jpg)
There's still a few more coats to go, but it's looking really good now! And the logo inlay with black pearl cloud:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/36258.jpg)
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Wu-HOW. Speachless. Beautiful bass.
Jim
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The black pearl cloud looks like it's ready for some rain. :D
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The Alembic logo is just too cool- the black pearl and the abalone chosen are just incredible.
Awesome stuff.
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can we see this baby's front?
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That is simply fantastic. The logo is almost like a stained-glass window...I cant wait to see it in person!
I agree with Jeff...
A nice front shot would be nice!
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Here's the bass today, just letting the final coat of finish cure before the rubout:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/36510.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/36511.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/36512.jpg)
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Drooool....
OK, now I'm REALLY excited!
Mica, Susan & co., have I told you lately how mich I love you guys???
Also, since it's awaiting rubout, can I correctly assume that the backplates are done? Did we go with binding on just the center or on all 3?
Thanks,
Charles
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Darn, I still gotta check on those backplates for you. We got the hardware back from the plater today, but we had to reject the tailpiece, as it was scratched:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/36878.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/36879.jpg)
The scratch appears to be only in the protective coating, so the plater thinks they can turn this around within just a few days. I don't think it will impact the delivery date since there's a short wait before the electronics calibration will be performed anyway as we were discussing yesterday.
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In the end, we opted for no binding:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/36979.jpg)
The area of concern was one of the corners on the central battery plate (lower left in this picture). Having a harsh line surrounding it, and any of the other plates would look more distracting that the small wiggle in the cut.
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that is such a pretty back.
but what is binding? a construction method for the backplate,that appears to form a line around the perimeter of the backplates (for design also)? too reinforce them?
(Message edited by jags on March 03, 2007)
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i understand how guitars,like gibsons have the body binding. its usually the white plastic around the outside of the les pauls. isnt it?
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Cool, thanks Mica. I agree, that was a good choice. Is that the rubbed out finish? It looks absolutely amazing!
Jags, check out Fitting Tribute and Autum's Delight in the custom Archive for examples of backplate binding.
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That's the rubbed out finish, Charles - like a mirror.
We use wood binding around continuous wood backplates when the fit isn't as good as we'd like or if the customer prefers the look. The first 10 or so continuous wood backplates were done with binding. Bob just kept getting better and better until it was rarely needed for a nice look.
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Great googooly goo Chuck! Can't wait to see this in person. Get Down man!!!!
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Bizarro-Dragonfly!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/37787.jpg)
Kind of looks like lightning in night clouds to me.
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It's all stuffed with the electtronics, and ready for the final calibration:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/39146.jpg)
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Too cool for words.
Hang in there Charles =)
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Incredibly awesome looking... and it has a particularily interesting look... contemporary/modern Alembic... yet the old style pickup selector placement gives it a certain Je ne c'est quois.
Really, really, cool!
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Thanks, Toby!
Mark, that's pretty astute of you to pick up on the selector switch location thing. One of the motivating themes behind this bass is contradiction, since the dragonfly itself is such a dichotomous creature. It is delicate, graceful, and beautiful, but it is the most fearsome and powerful of insect predators. Also, it is an incredibly ancient species, but only lives a few months once it starts flying. I wanted this bass to be sort of low-contrast and unassuming (well, for a Series II, anyway) from the front, but eyeball-poppin' from the back. I think the elves definitely succeded in making that happen! And as you pointed out, it's got a modern/retro thing happening, too. The selector, of course, and also the low-contrast vermillion laminate with no pinstripe, which reminds me of the older 3-layer sandwiches.
P.S.
The bridge sure looks bizarre all un-intonated like that...took me a minute to figure out what was wrong with it...
P.P.S.
Mica, is that a stereo/mono switch below the 1/4 jack?
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I love the black hardware. Obviously and inspired creation!
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Hi Charles, Here's the mock-up I sent by email earlier today:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/32681.jpg)
And here's the revised line art:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/32682.jpg)
Let me know if I've emphasized that "omega" area enough for you. And finally, here's the back of your peghead with the mockup scaled to show placement:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/32683.jpg)
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Okay, so I think I understand about the omeega shape you were going for:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/32962.jpg)
Let me know if this is more what you had in mind.
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Perfect!
Thanks, Mica.
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Charles-
It's looking beautiful. The back of that neck is LUSH!
The darkstars arrived yet?
Toby
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Thanks, Toby!
Yes, they're here and installed...the SF is at the shop having the bridge and tailpiece installed right now. Hopefully I'll have pics this week!
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Good stuff- I'll look forward to those pictures.
I like the omega on the dragonfly- it took me a while to notice the difference in the two drawings. I spent a few moments scrolling up and down and finally dumped them onto my desktop and overlayed them. Very subtle change, but a very cool one.
I thought you were an omega guy- how come you're going w/ the point on this bass?
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If I had an omega on this bass, I'd probably break it!
Seriously, given the specs of this one, an omega wasn't possible. On the next one, it certainly will be!
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I have sent a set of DR Sunbeams, 45-130, to you c/o Valentino.
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Hi Mica,
We're headed to Maine Wednesday the 7th, and should be back the last week in July. I will try to check in from time to time, by computer if possible and by phone if not. Thanks for the latest update, by the way. If I don't speak to you before the bass gets to setup, please cut it for a .085 A string, as DR's seem to be my favorites right now. I figure it will be better to have it cut for a .085 and switch to a .080 than the other way around. Also, I plan to have the selector switch pointer facing down, so if it could be wired so that pointing towards the bridge selects the bridge PU in that orientation would be great. Also, having it be only a 3-way switch would be great. I'm liable to accidentally mute myself otherwise.
Hope your trip went well. Did you get to use the extra ticket?
Take care,
Charles
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We're going to have to add some binding on at least your battery plate (the middle one). The Spalted Maple is so fragile, a little speck of it flew away when the plates were made:
We always try for no binding, but it's up to the wood. When binding is called for, we would use the it around all three plates, but since so far the others have survived well, thought you should have the option. I would suggest Ebony, but you may have a different idea.
Rare Gem (http://www.alembic.com/info/FC_qcb.html), Autumn Delight, and Fitting Tribute (http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_fittingtribute.html) had binding on the backplates so you can see what I'm talking about.
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Ebony is good on the center. If one of the others goes, then do all 3, but I think it won't look out-of-place with it just in the middle.
If, however, you think it's best to go ahead and do all 3, then I'll trust your judgement.
Thanks,
Charles
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So Chip sketched in a "little point" on the back laminate. Here's what he came up with:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27823.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27824.jpg)
The inside line is about where the roundover will start. The outside line is the cut line. To keep that whole area that looks like a point in the grain, the point will have to get a little longer than the suggested "Valentino point" you were basing the idea on.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27825.jpg)
Let me know if you want to: 1. have a longer point and capture that whole shape 2. use the smaller point shown here 3. make it yet smaller
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Mica,
I'm a little confused because I'm seeing 2 sets of lines, both white and grey.
If we start from the top, there is
white
grey
white
grey
I assume you mean thet the white lines go together as roundover and cut lines, and that the grey ones do, too.
If we start the roundover at the first white line, will the grain still retain the point shape in the roundover, or will it separate? Or is that a mystery until it's done???
Is the grey line the standard point shape, or is it still reduced somewhat?
I think I would like it as small as possible while retaining the natural point in the grain.
However, I really like the lines of the Valentino point.
I am thinking we go for the white, and if the grain separates visually in the roundover, we can make it smaller.
Any input from anyone is welcome.
Call me or email if you need to...
Thanks,
Charles
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Right now, Peter is working on the carving for your bass. Here's a detailed sketch he's prepared to show what we have, and what we can do:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/28328.jpg)
The red arrow indicates a critical point where the neck meets the body, the point carving must pass throungh this point or to the outside of it.
The blue arrows indicate a path that keeps the point rather small and doesn't interfere with the critical neck to body joint. Of course, you can see the 3/4 roundover will take the edge off the figure point.
The green arrows reference the edge path and 3/4 roundover needed to preserve the figure point, and cannot be done. Peter has drawn these in for your reference only. Even if there was enough wood to do the green path, the point would be considerably larger than your original request.
One idea is to hand contour the roundover on the back near the point and then blend it back into the 3/4 roundover, much like we did on , but his has a 1/2 roundover on the heart, then a 3/4 on the edge. The front of the bass would have the standard 3/4 roundover.
So, the choices are:
1. use the blue path and 3/4 roundover as in the sketch.
2. hand contour the roundover on the back only near the point
3. abandon figure point preservation and return to the small point regardless of where the figuring winds up.
Let me know what you want to do. Carving the point on your bass will wait until we hear back from you, though the rest of the carving will proceed.
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Thanks, Mica and Peter.
Let's try the blue line, reserving the option to go smaller after seeing it.
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Check the new photos, let me know about the pointiness preference.
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Good morning, Mica.
Lets go smaller.
What's there is cool, and Peter did a great job capturing that v-shape, (plus it'd be handy in a bar fight), but I think it will be great with the little vestigial point.
Oh, and did I mention that the rest of the woodwork IS SO AMAZING THAT I ALMOST CAN'T STAND IT!!!!!!
Wow. On that point close-up, the center laminates in the neck just seem to Exist in the middle of the body, like there's no separation between the neck and body; and the ebony accent lam is like a vein or reservoir of darkness flowing from the neck and percolating up through the maple as the spalting, permeating or infesting it with it's energy.
Y'all got skills.
I'll call you when I get home from work.
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Thankyouthankyouthankyou!!!
This is wonderful! Even cooler than I had imagined!
But there isn't supposed to be a BTC back. Pleeeease make sure that's on the W.O. before it's too late!
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Forgive me Charles, but I just have to ask. If we have to wait, I certainly understand. What is this Dragonfly Mica speaks of?
Thanks! May it be all you want it to be.
Tom
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Oh, no problem at all. Susan has designed a gorgeous dragonfly inlay that's going on the back of the headstock, which is the reason it's spalted maple, so as to provide more contrast.
Throughout the design process all our emails have had Dragonfly as the subject line, so I guess it's kind of become the name for the bass.
The bass itself is a 5 string Balance K with SII electronics.
(Message edited by crgaston on April 20, 2006)
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Although it's not really evident with the (continuous wood) backplates removed (see build record thread), there is also a freaky insectoid face in the back wood.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/27493.jpg)
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mmmm...Waspinator likes...Waspinator forever!
(sorry folks -- been watching Transformers: Beast Wars with my kid lately....)
--T
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That neck is amazing. I can't wait to see it finished.
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Mica, Susan, and Val, thanks for all you work in making sure this is going to be the best bass it can be. Although it's been said soooo many times before, Alembic really are the Queens and Kings of customer satisfaction.
Thanks again,
Charles
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I've got your work order noted with the change to move the pickup selector to the lower horn on the standard round brass plate. The plate will also have the blackened finish to match the rest of the hardware.