Thanks Hifi!  And that explains some things actually - I've been staring at it so long I've been stupified!  :-)
 
We're getting down to the end of this long wait I hope.  I know my wait hasn't been half as long as some since I don't have custom inlays, but it has been terrible, sweet torture! And since this is my first alembic I have nothing with which to assuage my hunger. Maybe Alembic should make a few basses to lend out to people while they wait?  
 
Anyway, thanks much for the warm wishes and keep well!

Yep,I agree,thats what car dealerships do,Im waiting on a custom Orion and in a similar shape as you.

First stage of rub out was completed today. There's still more sanding to do, and at least one day of rest before the buffing. I think with next week's holiday, it won't be ready until the following week, but it's getting awfully close now.

Ohboyohboyohboyohboyohboy!!!! I can sense the excitement all the way from Columbus over here in Huber Gulch!!!
 
Keep yerself contained, Jim!  
 
Mike

Ha!  Thanks Ho!  And thanks much for the update Mica. And I hope things are going well for you!
 
Susan responded to an email of mine that it would be ready to ship week of July 9.  I think that will work.  I have a show coming up at the Columbus Jazz festival the following week and was hoping to do a little marketing for ya (as if you need the business!). :-) It'll be close but in any event I can't wait to see my darling in person!
 
Although, I must say I am detecting a distinct tone of jealousy from my wife and she's becoming quite unreasonable...  Apparently she doesn't believe that a guitar hanger over the headboard of our bed with multiple dimmable tracklights focused on the enshrined location is a good idea?  Sacrilege!  Could be worse, I told her. I could just get a king size bed.  :-)
 
Regards,
Jim

Hey all!
 
I know things have gone quiet here without Mica to keep us going. Just thought I'd give an update. Looks like my bass is shipping out today and should be arriving sometime very soon.  Soooooo, when I get it I'll take some good pics & get 'em up here for you all so you can see the new monster!
 
Keep faith.
 
- Jim

Thanks for the update; and congrats!  I love this bass and I'm looking forward to pics!

Excellent!! Congrats, Jim!! I KNOW the wait is excruciating, but worth it! Lemme know when the Beast kicks yer door in!!  
 
Mike

Hey all, my bass arrived!  You'll never believe this. I had an 11:30am show at a local jazz festival and was all but certain it wouldn't make it in time.  I had the UPS code and knew that it was on the truck for delivery.  
 
So check this out. I pack up everything for the show including my fender jazz after waiting as long as possible for the delivery but no luck.  Oh well, right?  So on the way to the gig I see a UPS truck around downtown (fairly close to where I live) and stopped and asked him if he had my bass...and he did!  I showed him id and he gave me the box.  
 
Opened it, took out the bass, played it a little (after nearly falling down over how it looked - OH MY GOD) and it felt great. So, I took it on stage and plugged it in. Heard it for the first time standing on stage with it!  The show was a blast and the bass sounded great although its player did miss a few notes here and there!  :-) Anyway, got tons of people coming up asking what the hell it was.    
 
Pics will be coming later tonight - have to download the camera when I can.
 
Anyway, I love the bass. What a beautiful, beautiful work of art.  
 
Thanks!

Ok, I promise I'll get some better ones up tomorrow, but here are some pics of the new li'l beast for you to enjoy!  The max file size on here is very low so I'm linking you to my photo album on Google.  You'll want to skip down to pic #14 for the new ones.
 
http://picasaweb.google.com/jtussing/JimSCustomBass

That's flippin' beautiful, man! Great story, too!

Oh Jim,
 
Even if it's the only action for a Friday, it's so beautiful! I can feel it with ya.
 
Howz it smell? That's the first thing that is so nice too!
 
You lucky dog. Nice pictures, congradulations.
 
Keep em coming as you are all we got for today.
 
Thanks, Pablo
 
WOW! P.S. I just read the story after I sent this. I did the same thing with UPS but I went looking for him when I first ordered my Excel. I found my UPS man at the mall. He and I are good friends also through the years. But I did the same thing. Went outside the mall with him and got my bass right there so I wouldn't have to wait another I OWE TA! yuk yuk Brad where are you?
Anyway, another congrads Jim, that makes it all more the cool!
We are getting hit by this Hurricane going just south of us right now so it's exciting to say the least. Tonite is going to be filled with thunder and lightning so I'll be up and looking for more pics. I love it!
 
Aloha pal, Paul
 
(Message edited by mele_aloha on July 20, 2007)

Congrats on your stunning Balance K, Jim!  I'm happy for you, and am also living vicariously thru you for now.
 
It's quite a remarkable beauty... and the combination of Maple with the Purpleheart and Ebony neck lams... well, by now you KNOW how great it sounds!
 
I'm jealous and joan-zing!  I recall you, I, bassjigga Dave and Mike the 'Ho put in our orders about the same time... but Mike wasn't happy with his top, and I've made a couple changes... so we're still waiting!  I guess you're reward for sticking with the plan is you got your masterpiece quicker.
 
Again, congrats!  The top really looks amazing...
 
I'll look forward to seeing more pictures.  I'm curious if you went for the continuous wood backplates or not.
 
Happy trails, Mark

Just closing this out. It looks like Mica never saw this. The autographs were done as we originally discussed, beneath the finish on the back of the bass. It actually looks very unique and cool.
 
But a good lesson for everyone: Make sure to get a confirmation of anything you do here. This is a good tool for discussing things and Mica's system of checking things off really works (this one was not checked off by her and I didn't confirm the request via any other route).  
 
You can see the signature on the back of my bass here.  It's under the finish and well protected, and I really like how it turned out. Makes it very special.
 

 
Thanks!

Hey thanks guys!  I'm taking my bass out into the park in a few minutes for a photo session. More pics will be coming very soon.  In the meantime, here's one I took yesterday of the back.  King, I didn't do continuous wood anywhere on this bass. Believe it or not I really wanted the brass - gives it a nautical instrument feel to me.  Also don't put too much stock in the back of the bass for decorations.  
 
However, I did ask that Ron and Susan autograph the back of the bass under the finish. I tried to change that to the inside of the backplate but that change never made it through so it was done as originally designed. But, I love it!!!  
 
Here's a pic of the back.