I came up with another idea.  Swap the positions of the stereo/mono switch and the LED switch (option 1) and then move BOTH switches due west (toward the bottom of the bass when held upright) so that the stereo/mono switch is in line with the output jack.  Will that work?

OK, there's lots to share!  Top lam getting ready to glue for the bookmatch to center:

  and getting that center seam glued:

  Getting the top ready to glue to the body and neck:

  In the "big press" waiting for the glue to dry:

  Out and ready to cut that shamrock:

And now the "cutting of the clover"  First, trace the template:

  A little nip here:

  Starting to cut with a sharp new tool:

  A little deeper now:

  And complete:

  This angle really exaggerates the roundness factor. I'll gather another more straight-on shot for you soon. EVERYBODY that visits here flips out over your bass.

Beauty!!!! Cant wait to see it all completed!!!

Wow.  That sweet Birdseye is gonna pop like crazy when it's done.  I'm on the edge of my seat and can't wait to see what comes next!

Beautiful cutting of the clover!

The picture of the shamrock halfway through carving is amazing.  It looks like an organic version of something M.C. Escher would have produced on a good day.
 
(Message edited by tbrannon on May 30, 2012)

Beautiful!

Wow, what an amazing build!

Brace yourself...                

 Are you still breathing?   Up close:

  and the back view that you haven't yet seen:

  I'm working out the control pattern we discussed earlier, so ignore the Sharpie pen marks on the front.

Wonderful!

I'm pretty sure I just had an eye orgasm.  My bottom jaw is around here somewhere...

Burl/Birdseye front, quilted back and some amazing flame in the neck.  
 
Maple trifecta achieved!!!!

Love your bass, especially the neck recipe and how all those wonderful woods can be viewed in the shamrock.

Brian - I'm certainly happy with it.  Most of how it has turned out was expected, and a few really nice surprises have showed up too.  It's really cool to work with a place like Alembic, because the people there are true craftsmen and artists.  I just showed up with a vision and they are making it happen.  My respect for their professionalism and courtesy is really high.  I was expecting the clover cutout to look really cool, but I agree that when all the neck woods show through, it TRANSCENDS cool.  I am on the edge of my seat waiting for more things to come as the build progresses.  Thanks for the compliments!