We're getting there folks!  I thought the original drafts of this instrument were stunning, but it's gone well beyond that now!
 
Firstly, I would like to thank everyone at Alembic for making this happen, and for their endless patience with my continual questions!
 
Secondly, I'd like to thank Michael for going to the time and trouble to do what he has done with the design in that picture of his!  Senior Management has just seen all of these drawings. Now her jaw is currently dragging along the floor and she's making funny coo-ing noises and yabbering on about how beautiful it is!!!!!!
 
There are two things I would like to do now please, Mica.
 
1). The part of the curve that sits under the player's right arm (that is above the bridge in Michael's drawing) - can that be shallowed out please so that it's not as tall?  It still has a slight step in it that I'd like to remove (i.e. so that that curve is similar to the picture I posted on 22 March) that I've only just noticed.
 
2). Any chance the whole instrument can be shown please (as Michael has done) in a drawing with Susan's Dragon Claw headstock (as posted on 01 May) attached to the end of the neck?  I'd like to have the opportunity to possibly review the headstock in relation to the body of the instrument please. Michael's headstock is a right vicious affair - getting some stress out there were you Michael?  ;-)
 
To answer Dave's question - I had anticipated that the straplocks would go in the end of the bump above the neck (sorry - I don't know what the proper names are for these parts of the instrument) and in the second curve from the top at the rear of the instrument, probably pointing down towards the floor somewhat.  Mica has probably got a completely different idea to this - I'm looking for a 2:30 playing position, so whatever accomodates that will be fine by me!

Here's the drawing you and my mom talked about this morning:
 

 
You can discuss any fine details tomorrow. Drop her an email with comments and a good time for her to reach you by phone to finalize the design.

The people who have seen this today have been stunned by it.  Comments like 'That is gorgeous', 'awesome', 'yes, that is very nicely balanced - no harsh parts at all', 'priceless'. Senior management thinks 'it's lovely'.
 
My own reaction to seeing this drawing?  Astonishment! Susan has modified the curve above the bridge pick-up just as I had in mind, and modified the access to the body-end of the neck so that I'll be able to reach the bottom frets more easily.
 
I don't think I've got too much more to say on the subject at the moment. I'll contact both Mica and Susan via e-mail a little later today but I think that e-mail is going to say 'Build it please'.
 
I'm grinning ear to ear!
 
Cheers,
 
Rog

We're all sharing that grin man!!! Bass history in the make!!!

Wow! thats going to be MAGNIFICENT!!!
 
Quick, to the bat-cave!  
 
(er... the wood-bank!)

Upon your approval, Mike has proceeded with the templates and fabricated this sample body.  The front of the body in this image used a 1/8" roundover along the bottom edge and a 1/4" around the rest. The bevels are shaped by hand:
[img">https://club.alembicguitars.com/Images/631/4944.jpg[/img]
  After studying the look, we decided it needed a bit more, and we proceeded to a 1/2" all around roundover:

  The backside which uses a 3/4" roundover all around for comfort.

  Detail of the lower edge:

  The sample body is fashioned from scrap woods (note the top isn't bookmatched). The Signature Deluxe model usually comes with an 1/8" accent laminate, while this sample uses 2 veneers like a Europa.   I'm not too sure what you meant by "coffee table" when referring to the recent Coco Bolo additions to the Wood bank. I thought the https://club.alembicguitars.com/Images/2344/4892.html?1054930288] unusual dark top would look really nice with this design. It has a very slight greenish hue in the darker areas.  I will be adding some more bookmatches toward the end of this week, perhaps one of them will work.

Look at those curves!! I can close my eyes and feel those under my fingers...
 
One thing I'd like to point out Mica is that my order was for a deluxe purpleheart neck. Has that been ignored for this sample body or has it been overlooked altogether? It doesn't matter for the sample obviously, however it does matter for the finished instrument!
 
I sent the URL of this thread to a few friends for them to look at and I've been mobbed with phone calls for the last half an hour. It would seem that people are now in two camps:-
1). The original bunch who thought that it was a great idea and still do,
2). The other original bunch who thought I was barking mad who now think it's a great idea!
 
A few years ago we had a coffee table at home and one of those samples of coco bolo (not the unusual dark top) reminded me of that coffee table (which I hated with a passion). Mica - could I please trouble you to overlay the outline of this Dragon's Wing over the unusual dark top (I was thinking digitally rather than for real) so that I can have a look at it?  I think I can see where you're coming from with that piece of wood, so I'd like the opportunity to consider it. Did you have front or back in mind when you said that piece of wood would look really nice with this design?
 
I think the 1/8 standard Signature accent laminate will work extremely well with this shape! I like the bevels and the curves as shown on this sample. I think you were right about the sample first time - it needed more but the second one, to my mind, is very right.
 
I'm also trying to imagine the Chinese Dragon inlaid down the fretboard.  Even seeing this sample, I can't imagine how incredible the beauty of this instrument is going to be when it's complete.
 
I'm stunned (in the best possible way of course)!
 
Cheers,
 
Rog

I've just read another thread about Roger and the THG custom knobs.  Mica - I might consider a set of these for the Dragon's Wing.  I assume we can discuss this a little further down the line? Or do I need to progress it now?
 
Thanks,
 
Rog

Okay, so where does the bidding start for the scrap wood sample prototype???
 
Rog, this bass is going to be absolutely amazing.  It's a wonderful thing that Mica has this club up so that we can all share in this creative process.  Thanks!!!
 
C-Ya...........wayne

The sample was fashioned from scrap woods, it's not meant to be a preview of anything other than the overall shape in 3D. I checked your order sheet, and it includes a 7-piece Deluxe Purpleheart and Maple neck, and that will of course be used on your actual bass.  
 
3120 isn't long enough to yield a top and back for your design (it is rather large compared to some other shapes we make. We'll have some more bookmatches up later in the week, and perhaps we'll find a good mate for 3120 or something else that will be appropriate. As for a digital overlay, that's actually not a small amount of work to make it anything close to accurate. Let's find a good canidate for the top and back before we think about doing something like that.  
 
I think that if we decide by the time the bass enters spray that we won't be waiting for the knobs at the end. It's a good idea for you to look at Roger's website and get an idea for shapes and designs. Do you want the knobs to stand out or be more subtle?
 
Wayne, it might make a nice clock or something, I'm afraid the neck ends about 3 inches past the top edge of the picture, so it sure won't sound very good.

That's just sad.....it never even had a chance at life....  :-(

LOL @ Wayne!!  Don't be sad Wayne - get Mica to make a clock out of it for you!!
 
I understand about the digital overlay Mica.  I'm more than happy to wait until some more bookmatches are available for perusal before putting you to the trouble of a digital overlay.  I thought it might be five minutes work for you, but it's not by the sounds of it!!
 
Knobs - I had a quick look at Roger's website earlier today.  I can't decide whether I want them to stand out or be more subdued.  How long before it enters spray Mica?  I think I would like to choose the wood before deciding on the knobs.  Also, I'd like the answer to the question I posed ages ago about knob position if possible, now that the body shape is finalised.  That question is - do the knobs have to form a square or can they follow the bottom line of the body up in a curvey line of four, with the two Q switches above the knobs?.  The answer to this question and the pros and cons of either knob arrangement will help me decide what I want to do regarding knob shape/colour etc.
 
Cheers,
 
Rog

...
 
Paul the bad-and-now-speechless-one

Peghead samples:  

  Brace yourself Wayne, this too was salvaged from the scrap pile.    Here's the whole shebang:  

    Enjoy!  (Message edited by mica on June 11, 2003)

Poor Wayne...that's going to make some clock Wayne!!!!!!
 
Mica, a question for you please...are the two bottom curves on the peghead bevelled off, and if so, by how much?  It's a little difficult to see in the picture.
 
Also Mica, I've contacted Roger about some knobs, just to run some ideas past him really more than anything else.  I'll let everyone know what is said when he replies to me.
 
Thanks,
 
Roger