Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on June 08, 2005, 06:54:20 PM

Title: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: mica on June 08, 2005, 06:54:20 PM: Got this shot a while ago, your body woods getting to know eachother:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/19064.jpg)

Now I've got a place to put your updates, so look for more soon!
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: mica on June 16, 2005, 05:05:50 PM: Chip has located this piece of Coco Bolo for your top:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/19223.jpg)

I think it's as close as we'll be able to get to the reference picture you directed us to. Please reply and let us know if this will work for you.
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: jacko on June 17, 2005, 05:23:03 AM: That's a superb piece of wood. I love the way the figure follows the upper body. Good luck with this one.

Graeme
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: staemius on June 17, 2005, 07:39:35 AM: Great wood!
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: hardy on June 21, 2005, 05:01:09 AM: Thats works just fine on the CocoBolo. This is the top right? Will the back be from the same peice of wood?
Also I email Val yesterday about a possible upgrade to a gold under the finish logo w/ MOP and abalone. Can he let me know what the additional cost is... I keep staring at the photo I emailed him and find myself in a trance like state... I'll upload the same picture of the logo I emailed to him. Thanks Mica, Val and all at Alembic(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/19275.jpg)
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: mica on June 21, 2005, 11:31:58 PM: The picture of the wood is for the top only. It isn't long enough or thick enough for a top and back. Since you like this top (I think it's very close to the picture you sent), Chip will find a suitable mate for the back laminate.

Val is on vacation until next Monday, so if you could resend that email to my mom it would be great.
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: mica on June 27, 2005, 10:56:16 PM: 3751 from the Wood Bank (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=7902) is what Chip would like to use for the back. With your approval, he'll get the body glued up this week.
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: hardy on June 29, 2005, 04:16:51 AM: Actually could I get a look at this piece (#3751)with a chalk outline of the front? I may like this better as the front than the back...
Thanks - Hardy
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: mica on June 30, 2005, 03:16:06 PM: Here's the two pieces of wood (wow are they similar!) oriented like in the first picture of the top:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/19474.jpg)
Here's the way they look flipped like the one in the wood bank:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/19475.jpg)
So you'll have to decide what direction you like the bookmatches flopped and which one you like better for the top (or leave it up to Chip-he's really good with wood).
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: mica on June 30, 2005, 03:19:53 PM: These must have been separated at birth - I think they are successive slices.
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: hardy on July 12, 2005, 02:49:11 PM: How does the color of Coco-Bolo do with age?... Does it darken as it gets older? Will the finish add to the darkening factor combined with age?

Thanks, Hardy
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: mica on July 12, 2005, 03:49:49 PM: Most woods do darken with age, and Coco Bolo is no exception. The finish will deepen the color.

Let me know when you reach a decision on the top and back.
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: hardy on July 25, 2005, 03:53:24 AM: I think I want the lighter peice of wood (on the left) as the front and the darker one on the back. Please keep the same pattern as on the darker one. I like the way it flows...
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: mica on August 01, 2005, 02:00:49 PM: Do you mean the pattern as already traced on the dark piece (the first picture on June 30th)? Just want to be clear, since once Chip cuts it, it's there's no going back.
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: hardy on August 01, 2005, 02:17:58 PM: Yes, thats right... Make the same cut in the same place, but only on the lighter piece instead of the darker one. Thanks, Hardy
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: hardy on August 01, 2005, 02:46:09 PM: Also Mica, I just want to make sure that the inlaid logo that I added will be Gold not Silver. I saw it on the Bear bass and it looked Gold, then later saw the same bass and it turned out to be silver. Thanks - Hardy
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: mica on August 30, 2005, 04:06:44 PM: The logo will be bronze, which is sorta golden colored. We can't do plated logos inlaid, and a solid gold logo is quite expensive. This one (http://www3.alembic.com/img/13163_logoL.jpg) is bronze.

Here's some shots from the middle of carving:

(http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/20693.jpg)

(http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/20694.jpg)
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: mica on August 30, 2005, 04:08:21 PM: Oops! A couple more from carving, almost forgot:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/20698.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/20699.jpg)
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: hardy on August 31, 2005, 04:47:34 PM: Thanks Mica. You read my mind! I was going to email you to ask about any updates.
I misread the recessed logo thinking it came in both silver and gold. I want it to look very ahhh... (what's the word I'm looking for...) natural but with presence that brings attention to itself.

In your opinion, which would look better on my headstock with the Coco Bolo? Bronze didnt knock me out so to speak... not a flashy metal like silver is.

Other members please weigh in here as well with your opinions...
Please share your thoughts and expertise with me on this...
The bass looks awesome... Any idea about final delivery date (give me worst case here... I'd rather have that than expect in sooner and get it later)

Thanks a 1,000,000
Hardy
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: David Houck on September 01, 2005, 07:09:18 AM: I love this bass!! But then I'm kinda partial to this body style. As far as the logo, I don't think you can go wrong with either the inlay or the silver. Of course, the final look will be dependent on what the rest of the hardware looks like. Are the bridge, tail, and truss rod cover to be plated? I think the inlay in the picture in your June 21 post is really nice.
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: bassjigga on September 03, 2005, 08:56:00 PM: I hate you! I want it! Just kiddin... nice bass.
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: hardy on September 14, 2005, 04:17:15 AM: Yea bassjigga, it is a nice bass isn't it? I have searched high and low on the Alembic site as well as other sites on the net and have yet to an Essence model that will be more customized than this one... But come on now... you know you want it! Just like most of us here (myself included) we look at MANY of the basses at Alembic and as our mouth starts to water we silently think to ourselves MAN... I'll bet THAT thing would feel good in my hands...

When people ask me about Who is Alembic? my replay is quite simple... Alembic is to basses what Rolls Royce is to automobiles...
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: mica on October 04, 2005, 04:54:41 PM: Hanging out in spray:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/21304.jpg)
and that logo, it sure is shining:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/21305.jpg)
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: hardy on October 05, 2005, 04:54:16 AM: Thanks Mica. LOVE the logo!
2 questions for you:

- Would it be possible to get a picture of the side? I can kinda see the laminations but would like a better view (looks awesome from what I can see)!
- Does this bass have 2 truss rods? I thought the neck being custom (1.45 at the nut) would be too thin for a dual rod system
Thanks - Hardy
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: mica on October 05, 2005, 02:52:53 PM: I'll try to get a shot of the side next time I'm making the rounds.

There are 2 truss rods in there. We haven't made a neck too narrow for dual rods yet.
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: mica on October 17, 2005, 07:31:27 PM: Did someone ask for a sideview?

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/21629.jpg)

It's mostly a sideview. You can see all the layers, especially in the tummy cut.
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: hardy on October 30, 2005, 08:40:11 PM: Thanks Mica. Looks great! I cant wait to see it with the continuous back plates on it... That wood is way to pretty for anything else! I'm also glad to see a tummy cut in this bass. I wanted one but didnt ask for it because it was an after thought and it was rather late in the build to request that. THanks - Hardy
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: hardy on November 07, 2005, 05:30:59 PM: I heard a rumor today that the bass is finished and is getting photographed... Could you post the photos please, I'm DYING to see it! You know... I'm not gonna sleep a wink until its in my hands... Thanks - H$
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: valvil on November 08, 2005, 02:21:53 PM: Mica's not here today, Hardy, sorry. Hopefully she'll be able to post later this week,

Valentino
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: mica on November 16, 2005, 12:27:33 AM: Here's that back view picture you asked my mom for:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/22409.jpg)
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: David Houck on November 16, 2005, 07:59:38 AM: Nice!!
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: hardy on December 13, 2005, 03:36:55 PM: Mica/Susan/Val,

Last time we spoke there was a major problem with my bass which required the neck to be completely ripped out and replaced... Any news as to where we are on this? Any photos on the progress? Will it be ready by Christmas? Please let me know... I'm dying to get it in my hands!

Hardy
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: flaxattack on December 17, 2005, 07:58:42 AM: oh man hardy..... this is sad news if true.....
but......
they ownt ship anything substandard... and they will do an excellent job of redoing it,....
heres a big hug...((( )))))
we hangin in there with you.....
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: hardy on December 20, 2005, 03:51:02 PM: Yes Jeff, It's true... Susan called me herself to give me the bad news... Seems the neck twisted at the last minute and Susan even said she had only seen this a few times since they started the company. After I got off the phone I wondered did someone build a reg 34 (instead of a 32) scale bass and they didnt catch it until final inspection? Doesnt matter I guess as long as they live up to their reputation. And so far they are doing just that (which will keep me coming back) They are ripping out the neck and replacing it. The new one will have ebony laminates in the neck so this wont happen again. I was Sooooooooo looking forward to getting it in my hands... Guess I'll be waiting a little while longer. Thanks for the hug, but It's me/us that should be giving you one... Really sorry to hear about your cat... I know you miss him.
- Hardy
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: rklisme on December 20, 2005, 08:29:08 PM: Hardy

Got a chance to see your bass when I was at Alembic a week or so back and it looks sweet. Val did point out the neck issue though and informed me that it would have to be re-done. You will be happy when it finally shows up at your doorstep.

Rory
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: bob on December 20, 2005, 10:31:16 PM: Hardy,

Susan Don't Lie (could be a song title, eh?).

Sure, they make a mistake every once in a while, but many of us have seen them admit those publicly, right here in this forum. As you note, they will make it right, whether an unfortunate accident, misunderstanding, or simply a bad piece of wood.

My custom was set back a few months by a bad neck, though at least it was discovered before the body was assembled. So I feel your pain, but look on the bright side: as a result of the delay, now you're getting ebony lams. The extra time allowed me to change some things for the better as well.

So try your best to be patient. Maybe it's karma.
-Bob

(Love the grain placement in the body and peghead.)
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: flaxattack on December 21, 2005, 04:46:36 AM: yes and they fessed up to making the wrong neck for my tribute....
better it to happen in their hands and not when it got in yours....
and if i know susan... they are probably doing something nice for you too
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: flaxattack on December 21, 2005, 04:47:55 AM: i bet the ebony was on them.......with no upcharge
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: smokin_dave on December 27, 2005, 03:15:37 PM: Sorry about reading the problems with your new baby but the good people at Alembic will make it right and probably better than originaly planned.I had a problem with one of my Alembics and I was very satisfied with the repair and service.Alembic does stand behind all of they're products and Alembic service is second to none.
LONG LIVE ALEMBIC.
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: mica on January 04, 2006, 05:15:03 PM: Take II. Mentally prepare yourself... deep breaths....

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/23868.jpg)

Finish is scraped off and the new neck with Ebony laminates in place. Ready to route and should be back in spray in week or so.
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: Bradley Young on January 04, 2006, 05:54:07 PM: Can you enter the custom fingerprints on the quote generator?

Brad
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: mica on January 12, 2006, 10:47:20 AM: Now in spray!

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/24039.jpg)
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: flaxattack on January 12, 2006, 02:36:41 PM: all right mica!~!!!!
way to go
looks poifect to me....
can we get 1
WE TOLD YA SO HARDY!
.......
lol
excellent
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: David Houck on January 12, 2006, 05:14:23 PM: Very nice!!!
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: jacko on January 13, 2006, 12:35:08 AM: Looking good Hardy. it won't be long now. Alembic have done a superb job replacing that neck.

Graeme
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: bassfingers on January 13, 2006, 05:42:07 AM: Hi Hardy,
Great to see this one draw nearer to completion,especially after the neck incident.
Simon.
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: rklisme on January 13, 2006, 06:40:10 AM: Hardy

Wow, this is turning out to be one great bass. I know you will be very excited to see it show up at your door step.

Rory
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: hardy on January 17, 2006, 09:46:23 AM: Thanks for all the support from everyone in the group... There was never a thought that anyone misled me as I stated I wondered about them doing it wrong... Too used to dealing with second rate bass companies I guess... But they have come thru as I know they would. Susan has taken very good care of me. Their reputation is everything. And that have kept that reputation alive and well. This is gonna be a AWESOME bass! I cant wait to play it! Thanks for all the support once again... It shows me just how great a company this is!

Hardy
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: mica on January 24, 2006, 02:35:26 PM: It's getting closer...

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/24410.jpg)

Hanging out for its new peghead inlay and fretting. Then back to spray for the last few coats.
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: mica on February 21, 2006, 11:42:59 AM: Rubbed out on Monday:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/25410.jpg)

Should be buffed and setup by the end of the week.
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: mica on March 10, 2006, 10:37:22 AM: It's been a few days since I was supposed to post this for you, Hardy:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/26043.jpg)

It turned out great - the wood is absolutely electric.
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: jacko on March 11, 2006, 12:03:05 AM: WoW!! That's looking really nice. Congratulations Hardy. Gotta love that coco bolo.

Graeme

(Message edited by jacko on March 11, 2006)
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: David Houck on March 11, 2006, 08:18:59 AM: Wow!! What a wonderful bass!!
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: bigredbass on March 12, 2006, 12:41:43 AM: I 've never liked the cone pegheads and always tried to imagine an Essence with the Crown peghead . . boy I had it right! Too cool for school. If I ever have one built, I SURE HOPE my first neck goes south and wind up with ebony neck laminates.

If you think these pictures are making you nuts, ya better have smelling salts handy when it gets there and you open the case, because THIS one is very special, I can just sense it.

Congratulations!

J o e y
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: olieoliver on March 12, 2006, 04:48:15 AM: I like it better with the Crown too.
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: palembic on March 12, 2006, 09:36:59 AM: mmmmm i have colleagues ovehee!!!

PTBO
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: hardy on October 31, 2006, 05:40:21 PM: I also hope my new bass at least looks as good as this (second attempt) bass. I hope that after the 3rd try the other bass (#3) this one is one I will keep... I'm getting tired of waiting. - H$
Title: Re: Hardy's Medium Scale Bass
Post by: mica on October 31, 2006, 07:10:54 PM: We cut the neck off this bass when it had a catastrophic failure days before shipping (hey, it happens). We replaced the neck, and when it was delivered, Hardy discovered that the 24th fret dimension was incorrectly applied. We can't take a neck off a second time, so the bass in these build records is actually hanging in our showroom right now.

Hardy's second bass has it's own build record on a separate FTC (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=7611) thread.