Hey thanks, Paul, that's nice of you to say.  Others here have been very generous with their knowledge, and in the spirit of reciprocity and karma, I try to share what I have to offer with others who are deserving and appreciative -as others have done with me.
 
My reasons... well, this would be an example of what I've just said.  I'd never heard a Fatboy... but I'd seen them referred to on other threads, and became curious.  I asked the club members about it, and for advice on using them.  I got several opinions; it seems like a lot of people like 'em; some people like 'em on both pickups; other people like them on the bridge pickup, but think they're too much for the neck pickup.
 
Anyway, one piece of advice I got -which seemed to make a lot of sense- was to order my bass with a Fatboy for the bridge pickup, and the standard pickup for the neck... and to specify wiring length for each pickup, so that I could experiment and switch them... to form my own conclusion.
 
So that's exactly what I did!  This just made perfect sense.  So that's why I ordered a (just one) Fatboy for the bridge pickup.  With one of each, I'll be in a perfect position to swap them and see exactly what the difference is in sound.  Then, should I desire, I can buy an additional pickup of either kind should I desire... and sell or trade the pickup I don't want to another club member.
 
(Thanks again for the advice guys!  I'm sorry, I don't remember everyone who answered my request for info at this point... I know Joey did, and I think Tom and a couple other people did too... but it's been a while.)
 
Anyway, that's it, Paul.  Thanks again for your nice comments... and thanks again everyone else for helping to teach and educate me about these things.  Like Paul, I'm grateful for the input of the other club members here, and for their invaluable opinions and experience, which have helped shape my new custom.
 
Paul, your bass looks incredibly fabulous... it doesn't look like you'll have to wait TOO much longer!!!
 
(Message edited by the 8 string king on September 18, 2007)

Hey, Paul, in case you're curious, I went digging and found the thread I was referring to (about the Fatboys): https://club.alembicguitars.com/Images/393/34805.html?1167957354
 
Okay, I'm going, don't want to hijack your FTC thread TOO much!!! LOL

Hey Marky,
 
I just wrote you on your post but great! I remember you asking Mica to make the wires longer and that is perfect so you can reverse it and try out the fatboy in either position if you want But no matter what, I think you are going to be happier with that fatboy in one of the positions cuz it is amazing what it sounds like on my Excel. And now that I read that post that jacko put up for us it makes sense. And bottom line is if you didn't you could always buy an AXY and replace it.
 
And I didn't tell you guys but about a month ago I bought a Epic on ebay and I honestly can't say if it's the wood or the neck or the neck wood or what but my Excel actually has very clearer highs and lows with one pick up than the Epic. But like I say, I don't know for sure but my suspicions tell me that the fatboy is the main difference and I am almost 99% sure of that.  
 
So I know you are going to be very happy

Hey Raging Michael Bass,
 
If you are out there, I am so glad that you posted that picture of your bass in my thread here so we could look at it. Could you post a couple more of your favorites like the ones that you took when it came home?  
 
It livens up the thread a little (gives me my fix) while I am scrolling through my thread.  
 
Hope you are there and thanks for the lastpost. I had written you a huge reply to the last post you sent me with the picture but my computer flaked and I lost it and the magic just wasn't there on the second reply. You know what I mean? Just awesome being a member of the family whether nephew, son, baby, the point is, I couldn't resist the body style. In fact, I meant to ask you how is the neck dive? Is it really missing the balance design? Do you struggle with the bass being unbalanced is what I'm asking?
 
Le me kno-you da man
 
Thanks so much, Paulo

We didn't get the side jack request in time - Bob had already routed it per the original order. Everything else made it though.

Lexi was fitting the backplates here:

  and now your bass is officially in spray:

  Even with just one coat of sealer, the Quilted Coco Bolo POPS!

  "Looking good" just seems like an understatement.

Looking good!!!

That's going to be incredible when it's finished.
 
Congratulations, Paul!

Thank you, WWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOoooooWWWWWWWW!  
 
These guys are good! Or baaaadddd!
 
Thank you Mica and friends/family!
 
Aloha, Paul

Are you joking! I am so happy!!!
After I made that change, I regreted it and didn't want to increase my ass size to you by changing my mind again.
 
I am so glad the side jacks didn't go through!!!
 
Thanks Mica, Paully

.Some-buddies gedding clo-oss,some-buddies gedding clo-oss,some-buddies gedding clo-oss,some-buddies gedding clo-oss,some-buddies gedding clo-oss,some-buddies gedding clo-oss,some-buddies gedding clo-oss,some-buddies gedding clo-oss.....

There you are!!!!

Looks fantastic paul! The neck laminates really work well with the QCB and I love the top horn.
 
graeme

Absolutely gorgeous Paul!  That QCB is stunning to say the least. Looks like our customs are at about the same stage of construction, it's amazing to see what a difference that first spray of sealer makes. What fun this is to watch these works of art getting closer and closer to being done  
 
Take care,
Todd

Oh Boy,
As I sit here at 2 a.m. Sunday morning with my kitten on my lap, on the Big Island of Hawaii, I listen to one of the most inspirational and intelligent persons I know besides Wayne Dyer and Depak Chopra, the greatest talk show host himself Mr. John Rothman on KGO. How much better could it get for me that is knowing that I will have my new baby in my hands within the next two weeks or so.
 
I just want to take a moment to tell all of you my newest friends and support how much I appreciate all of your support through all of this decision making and ordering of the biggest dream of my life. Without all of you, and I truly mean all of you I would have never been able to do this. I am totally out of my mind right now from lack of sleep but pleasantly so at that. So please excuse my whatever.
 
I kinda feel sorry for you Mark even though you now have your bass you no longer have that rush of anticipation and control in the back of your mind knowing that you could actually make a last minute change if you really wanted! The nice thing is that I have ordered (due to the help of all of you) the best combination of choices that I could possibly get on the nicest bass that I could ever dream of having at my fingertips! And I thank All Mighty God and my Father Michael Francis Mikul for the opportunity to make this dream come true! I just wish that my father could have had the opportunity to see this bass physically in my hands. But I know that he is looking down on me very proud to know that I will be passing on my experience and knowledge to my son Michael Angelo Mikul!!!!!!!!
 
Man, just the sight of that first layer of finish is so beautiful!!!  
 
Thank you so much Alembic and all of my Alembic friends!!!
 
I also haven't had much time to come in here and pay my respects to all of your beautiful instruments that you have being built. They are all gorgeous and I really admire all of them!
 
This is such a wonderful world all of it's own being a member of this beautiful family. I am so honored to say the least and I mean it from the bottom of my heart!!!
 
I Love all of you from my heart and must go to bed now. In fact I just blacked out and don't remember typing that last line now.
 
Goodnight friends, Paul da Plummber