Just waiting for the goldplated nut to return, threw on a brass one so we'd feel more "done"  

  And the logo looks just great.  

  Hopefully the knobs, the case and the replated nut will all converge within the next few days and we can officially pronounce this project completed.

Wow, what a nice looking intrument! I love quilted maple! I hope mine will turn out this beautiful. It sounds like she is almost home.
 
Rory

Mica,
 
Thank you very much! The thing looks absolutely awesome! Another Alembic masterpiece for sure. The logo looks absolutely incredible with the gold plating and shell...like the fine jewelry it is. I cannot wait to get my hands on it, LOL! I'm betting it looks even better in person and sounds/plays like a dream.
 
I'm assuming you weren't impressed with the gold plating job done on the original nut, hence the replated nut comment. That's OK by me: We both want the thing as perfect as it can be, Amen, LOL! I'm also assuming that the thing is strung with nickel roundwound 45's, which is also fine by me (I don't think I specified gauge in my original order, my bad).  
 
BTW, I picked out the final version of the knobs today...Roger used your wood(s) and they look great. He had a flame ash that was nice but the color and the grain just wasn't as good of a match, plus knobs with that wood would not have been big enough to be Alembic tophat-style like the ones on it already. Hopefully, he'll get them done ASAP so they can make it in time for delivery.

Rory,
 
Thanks for the compliments. This is a To Me From Me 40th Birthday present that I ordered back in December '03 after falling in love with two Alembic Specials of the Month. I'm a figured wood freak, especially maple. Alembic, as usual, out-did themselves!

Congatulations Dad!A fine birth for sure.See you worried for nothing!Yes it will look ten times better in person and the sound will be nothing like you've experienced before!Come by and I'll give you a free Q filter lesson.LOL I'm guessing that I'll be done sometime at the end of the month.Mine started back in Nov'03.One gets used to the wait after 5 or 6 right Rami?

I ordered my latest on 04/03 before the increase. Still knitting booties for the arrival! The waiting does not get much easier. Personally I spend lots of cash while I wait. Picked up a Ripper, a Ric 4003, Acme B4, Epi T115, Fender Esquire Celtic, Incase bag, PLX3402, Spare F1X, Korg DTR 2000, a few Levy's straps. I've waited for 6 out of 10 Alembics. But after you have it in your hands the pain goes away. It's about as close as we get to childbirth. Current gestation 14 months. Congratulations on your beautiful bass. Prepare for the onslaught of envy from Sadowsky guys!
Danno

Barry, Danno:
 
Thanks for all the fine compliments. I can't wait to get this baby home to Daddy! The good things come to those who wait cliche' is certainly apropos here. I think both of your basses are not that far off...just waiting for the Alembic Wizards's magic to be consumated.
 
Danno:
 
I certainly know what you mean...I've had to consciously curb my GAS while waiting for this thing. I looked at other new/used Alembics, Laklands, Dingwalls, Elricks, Fenders to tide me over (I've resisted so far) SF-2's and FX-1's, envelope filters, bassballs, etc. (I've resisted so far). I did buy my Eden amp stack w/custom-fit LeCover padded 1000d cordura covers and every Alembic strap in existence (and one of every Moody strap in two sizes for all my other guitars)...ck those out...Levy's are very nice, Moody's and/or Alembic/Moody's are phenomenal!

Being a single male my will power has dwindeled as my salary has increased. I suggessted a bass like yours to a guy in a wedding band I do sound for. He spent about $3800 on a Sadowsky instead. Through the board in the cans it sounds like a much cheaper bass. You have a great crafted instrument there. (Not a Mr. Potato Head put together bass.) Your will power  is to be put up as an example for the rest of us. Oh well, off to GC for PA supplies!
Danno

I'm in the same boat: I'm divorced and advanced now in my career. I was broke when I got divorced, but I'm not any longer. I have no bills to speak of, so my income is fairly disposable. Believe you me, I love to spend on toys...I just have to make sure my credit cards stay debt-free, LOL!

Hi Mica,    
   
Any news yet? I haven't heard from Roger @ THG since I finalized the details, so I don't know if he's finished with the knobs yet.  
   
BTW: the new Alembic/Moody's straps are awesome. That new Amber wide job with the purple accent will probably look great with the new bass.  
   
Regards,  
   
Kevin  
 
(Message edited by kmh364 on July 03, 2004)

Danno:  
 
That's shame about your buddy with the Sadowsky. They're nice, but are no Alembic. If he had been patient, and hooked up with an awesome dealer like Steve over @ Superbass.net who discounts heavily, he could have gotten one similar to this for around the same money (albeit with slightly less options than this has). I wanted the ultimate high-end Jazz-bass, and I think I was fairly sucessful at getting it (thanks to Alembic).  
 
(Message edited by kmh364 on July 03, 2004)

This is just a great looking bass!  I played a 4 string Orion the other day for the first time.  Very nice feel and touch.  Congratulations.
 
Bill

Thanks, Bill. Not too shabby for a copy of the East Meets West special 'o month from last August, eh? Mica has a similar one in the Alembic store that's for sale. That one was an unfortunate first try boo-boo from when they originally started fabrication on this one. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with that bass! It is typical Alembic: superb build quality, spectacular looks, etc. It's just that both the body wood and pickup (activator) types were not as per my original specification. I wanted an Ash back and J-bass pick-ups versus a Mahogany back and MXY's. The boo-boo Custom Orion is an extremely nice piece nonetheless.
 
(Message edited by kmh364 on July 03, 2004)

Bill:
 
I just realized that you're the one with the awesome cocobolo special. It was very gracious  (and modest) of you to compliment me on my (relatively) cheapo Custom when you're getting that gorgeous top-of-the-line Custom w/series electronics yourself. It looks like you'll get yours before I get mine, so congratulations to you and enjoy as well.

Mica:
 
First and foremost: Happy Fourth of July to you and all the fine folks at Alembic. I hope you're all enjoying your time off and are enjoying plenty of barbeque picnic fare...Buon Appetito!
 
I just heard from Roger @ THG. My custom knobs are done and he expects to ship them early this week. They look awesome and should embellish this bad boy even more so than you've already done. Please keep an eye out for them. If you could please install them on the bass and take some pix before you ship, it would be greatly appreciated. I'll take the old knobs as well. If you could just put them in the flight case, that'd be fine.
 
Thanks again,
 
Regards,
 
Kevin