Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on November 09, 2006, 04:16:13 PM

Title: Michael's Custom Series II in Coco Bolo
Post by: mica on November 09, 2006, 04:16:13 PM

Chip found some straight-grained Coco Bolo which he cut and sanded. Here's the selection for the top:
 
We'll be missing the yellow hued sapwood completely.  
 
And for the back:
 
 
Since these are freshly sanded, the color is a bit brighter than it will be when finished. Even after ageing, these should still have good contrast, more so than the Signature model you already have.

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mikekyz on November 10, 2006, 05:30:13 AM

Hi Mica
 
Many thanks for setting my FtoC.  Re the woods I really like this and will probably go with you advice however do you also have any really whacky swirls or anything you think would go well for me to look at?  I would like to get to selection of woods ASAP so any alternatives would be good.
Have a good day
Mike

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mica on November 14, 2006, 01:47:23 PM

I see we've some disappearing pictures again  
 
Here's the ones from the 9th:
 
 
 
 
and here's the ones I told you about earlier today:
 
 

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mica on November 14, 2006, 01:48:45 PM

The second set is cool since you can get the top and back from the same board. Let me know which set you prefer.

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mikekyz on November 14, 2006, 02:22:18 PM

Hi Mica, WOW the set posted 14th Nov looks great. Lets go with this and can you thank Chip for finding such beautiful wood for my fretted bass.
Mike

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: the_8_string_king on November 15, 2006, 08:47:30 PM

Wow, I'm jealous!
 
Mica, please remember this as a PERFECT example of what I'd like for my BTC for my 6-string!

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: the_8_string_king on November 15, 2006, 08:51:13 PM

Uh... for clarification, I mean the November 14th straight-grained coco bolo.  And please continue to hold that bubinga for me until I get my quote and have a chance to decide!  I may actually get coco bolo on the front and bubinga on the back.
 
Yeah, if you could get me something like this for my top, there's little likelihood I'd choose anything else...

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mica on November 17, 2006, 04:10:16 PM

Hi Mike - I've got the top woods noted for you as Chip's picks, the second two shot from the 14th. Glad you like them!

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mica on December 14, 2006, 02:54:11 PM

Here's some more stuff happening in assembly.  Top, accents and core waiting for back laminate:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/34379.jpg)
  Peghead in area where we route the truss rod access (not visible in picture):
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/34380.jpg)
  Not much to see, but it's your back laminate in those clamps, with the wood getting glued in place for the plate shelf:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/34381.jpg)
  Backplates for both basses (not including the battery plate which will come from the neck):
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/34382.jpg)

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mikekyz on December 15, 2006, 12:11:31 PM

Hi Mica
Just a quick question re the battery cover.  This will be matching the back wood?  Sorry to sound confused but you say it will come from the neck.  This appplies to both my coco and walnut S2.
Many thanks
Mike

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mica on December 15, 2006, 01:33:20 PM

The battery cover is made from the neck wood, since the cavity rests on the neck. See  this example (http://www3.alembic.com/img/inst/13560_bodybackL.jpg) for reference.

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mikekyz on December 15, 2006, 02:51:38 PM

Many thanks it all makes sense re the battery cover.
M

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mikekyz on December 15, 2006, 03:49:29 PM

Just had a good look at the photos of both basses and they look great, thanks again,
M

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mica on December 20, 2006, 11:20:14 AM

Body in the clamps:
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/34537.jpg)

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mikekyz on December 20, 2006, 12:41:24 PM

This is just so good...to watch your bass being built is as we say in the NW UK....top meaning great.
Peace
M

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: george_wright on December 20, 2006, 01:56:02 PM

Body in clamps?  Hmmm....  Does that mean that, if the body has cavities, it doesn't get the vacuum clamp?

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mica on December 20, 2006, 02:29:56 PM

It's builder's choice. There's actually three different clamping styles for body glue-ups.

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: jazzyvee on December 21, 2006, 11:52:47 AM

Nice one Mikekyz I don't think I've seen a UK bound custom on here before, Wonder if it will make the Custom of the month when it's finished.
 
I wonder if there has been a UK COTM yet?
Small standard body (Clarkee ) shape too, my favourite. :-)
 
Jazzyvee

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mica on December 21, 2006, 12:04:10 PM

I know for sure that  Custom in Stages (http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_stages.html) was sent to the UK.

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: kenbass4 on December 21, 2006, 12:04:38 PM

Hey, Jazzy.
 
Dragon's Wing comes to mind. Roger TVR is based (Bassed?) in the UK.

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mikekyz on December 21, 2006, 12:40:54 PM

Hey Jazzy, nice to hear from you.  I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that my pair make custom of the month, who knows :-)
 
Mica is quite right Custom in Stages was a UK feature.  She is my first Alembic and I just fell in love with short scale, beauty and sound.  There is something very special about these basses.
 
Have a great Christmas.
 
Peace
Mike

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: nate1884 on December 22, 2006, 10:57:09 AM

WOW. These are coming to the UK! Please post when you are playing out with these works of art (if you intend to). I'd travel the length and breadth of the country to here them sing.
 
Merry Christmas, a belated happy Hanukkah, and best wishes to all.

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mikekyz on December 22, 2006, 11:57:32 PM

Hi Nate
Thanks for the note.  Im not touring these days but will be in the studio in the 2007 working with others.  I will post some sound later in the year.
Happy Christmas to you and the Alembic Family worldwide.
Peace
Mike

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: jazzyvee on December 23, 2006, 08:30:47 AM

ok I've stopped drooling over your custom in stages. That dark Coco bolo is very dramatic and with the chrome it looks deadly.
 
All the best with your new bass and you to have a great Christmas.
 
Jazzyvee

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mica on December 26, 2006, 04:55:28 PM

Got the fingerboard glued in place last week:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/34654.jpg)
  And today it's getting carved:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/34655.jpg)

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mikekyz on December 27, 2006, 01:06:41 AM

Hi Mica, again such a beautiful instrument.  My only slight concern is that I cant see the purple heart to match with my Walnut SCSII?  Or am I missing something?
Peace Mike

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: bassjigga on December 28, 2006, 06:23:16 PM

Hmm don't want to alarm you mike but it looks like it's a maple accent with a purpleheart and maple pinstripes. Great lookin bass though.

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mikekyz on December 29, 2006, 01:57:54 AM

Hi Bassjgga, yes you are right.  I did not define in the specification so my problem however I am sure the bass will look beautiful and sound amazing.  I think also the maple will help with the highs for when I give her a good slap, so maybe alls well that ends well :-) Have a great New Year to you and all the Alembic family.
Peace
Mike

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: bigbadbill on January 01, 2007, 06:37:36 AM

My Triple O had a factory to customer thread and is in the UK (as am I). Never made COTM though....
 
Nice bass Mikeyz. You're in the NW? So am I, near sunny old Blackpool....

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mikekyz on January 01, 2007, 09:50:12 AM

Hi Bill
All the best for 2007, thanks for your kind words.  I am short scale convert and as a result selling all my other basses to fund these two projects.  Yes the final chapter in finding a bass that really fits in all departments.
So it looks like we have a NW Alembic chapter.  I live on the Wirral.
Peace
Mike

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mica on January 24, 2007, 11:40:55 AM

Spotted in the setup room:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/35604.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/35605.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/35606.jpg)

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mikekyz on January 24, 2007, 12:04:50 PM

Hi Mica, as my son would say OMG.  However I would say Oh My Guitar :-)  You guys just keep turing the excitment volume up a notch with each day.  This bass is just beautiful, I consider myself as a very fortunate musician to own such craftsmanship.
Peace
Mike

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mica on February 20, 2007, 04:32:58 PM

Also awaiting the calibration, both should be finished at the same time:
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/36530.jpg)

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: Bradley Young on February 21, 2007, 04:41:31 PM

Hey,
 
That might be mine to the left!  If so, good sign. Did she make it out of the hall, Mica?
 
And: killer bass! Love the Series II Small Standards.
 
Bradley

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mica on February 21, 2007, 07:18:58 PM

Sorry Bradley, to the left is Michael's other bass with a Walnut top and back. Yours will be getting out of the hall right after Bill's does, that's the current lineup.

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: bigbadbill on February 22, 2007, 04:38:58 AM

I so wish that my neck could cope with the balance issues of the small standard body. I love the way they look. Beautiful bass!!!
 
I must say actually that my old SC was the best playing bass I've ever owned, and had fantastic depth of tone too (which sets me wondering, has anyone ever ordered a short scale Triple O)?
 
Best of luck with your projects Mike!

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: george_wright on February 22, 2007, 05:01:52 PM

Hey, as long as we're playing is that mine,  is that mine to the right?  I'm looking at closeu[p of the front (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=7713).

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mica on February 23, 2007, 12:57:55 PM

You are correct, George. Bob is getting 3 sets of custom bridges and tailpieces ready, including yours.

Title: Build Record / Discussion
Post by: mikekyz on February 26, 2007, 11:48:18 AM

Guys, thanks for the kind words.  Yes the SC is a top bass and I am really looking forward to getting my Coco and Walnut.
Peace
Mike

Title: Neck Dimensions
Post by: mikekyz on November 14, 2006, 02:44:28 PM

Hi Mica  
Lets go with
nut: 1.5  (38.1mm)
24th fret: 2.26 (57.4mm)
string spacing at bridge: .65 (16.5mm)

Title: Strings
Post by: mikekyz on November 10, 2006, 05:56:23 AM

The plan is to use the same strings as I use on me SC SII Fretless in Walnutl.  I will let you know how I get on with the Fenders.  All being well then the nut, saddle and bridge can be cut to suit these lighter strings for my old hands :-)

Title: Strings
Post by: mikekyz on November 13, 2006, 08:40:56 AM

Hi, my local guitar tech has put a set of Fenders on my SC Custom in Stages and they play really well.  Just one thing to watch for is the string lenght requires some of the cotton wrap to be removed before fitting at the nut.  Maybe worth testing a set but from my end I think they will do the job.  Let me know what you think?

Title: Rays Logo Bronze
Post by: mikekyz on November 10, 2006, 05:34:22 AM

Hi All
 
I would like also to have my Alembic Logo as Bronze Rays with abalone.  I will call up and pay later today.
 
Peace
Mike

Title: Rays Logo Bronze
Post by: mikekyz on November 10, 2006, 03:44:53 PM

Job done, nice to talk to you Valentino.
M