I said this at some other point -I think, when I submitted the order, but I wanted to include it here to make sure it doesn't get overlooked.
 
I'm leaving pinstripe choices -and headstock laminate choices- to Alembics' discretion; but please remember that I want the pinstripe(s) (I'd prefer 2 if it's a no-cost option, as I think I saw on another thread) to be AS THIN AS POSSIBLE... I DON'T WANT the usual 1/8th of an inch thick laminate... because I DON'T WANT the neck to be shaved down any more than necessary on either side...
 
So, again, please KEEP THE PINSTRIPE(s) THIN!!!
 
Thanks, gang!

Again, that pretty much says it.  I saw/heard on the Futures Channel video (as well as on this site) that Alembic offers several finish options.
 
I want to make sure I'm properly educated to make the right choice.
 
I love the finish on my Europa -which I think/assume is the high gloss finish; however, it sounds like I might like/prefer to get the satin finish on the neck...?  Is it either/or?  Can you put the satin finish OVER the glossy finish... or would it be IN PLACE of it?  And, if it's an either/or, would there be any visual/eyesore danger (pertaining to the transition from the high gloss finish of/on the body to the satin finish on the neck?
 
Is the cost the same?  Are there any potential downsides or trade-offs?
 
Yeah, when the time comes (hopefully soon), I'd appreciate your guidence/input in helping me make this decision.
 
If nothing else, I know I'd be happy with the finish my Europa has... it looks and plays awesome!  But maybe I'd be even more happy with the satin finish on the neck?  It seems to be highly regarded by some of the folks here.
 
I'm also curious about other finish options for the body -just to cover the basses- though I'm not sure if anything could top the beauty of the high gloss finish.
 
I don't think the oil finish grabs me -assuming it's what I think it is.  That's what's on Bob's Custom Rogue, right? (The one with the built-in Superfilter.)  It's a beautiful bass, but the finish wouldn't be what I'd choose.
 
So, yeah, I'd appreciate some info/help/guidence -when the time comes.
 
Thanks, Mark

I REALLY like this idea/feature, and would be interested in adding this option... depending on the cost.  I'd prefer the Bird -but would consider/be interested in a (quote for) a Bar as well... in the event it were less expensive -which seems possible, since it's a more simple shape, and possibly easier/less costly to machine.
 
If this were under $100 extra, I'd probably get it; if it were more, then I'd have to consider it, the higher the cost, the less likely it would be I'd get it.
 
If I DID get this feature, it would eliminate any concerns over the number of screws... 3 would be fine.
 
Yeah, I really like this idea... it seems like a really cool way to further boost the already impressive sustain that Alembics are known for in general, and which results from the sustain block (and the Ebony neck laminate!)!

Hey, Mark!
 
Just peeked at your question about finishes, and I'll try to give you a little heads up. I have a coupla basses with a hi-gloss polyester finish and satin  finish on the back of the necks.  
And I've got 2 more (one being my Excel) that are going to Cincinnati in a few weeks to have the necks stripped and re-finished with the Satin. This is pretty standard fare anymore. Matter-O-Fact, Mica  'splained to me that this is the standard recipe on Alembics these days. You have to specify if you WANT the hi-gloss on the neck. There is no drawback to this, that I have noticed. A kind of oil/wax is put on the neck,to protect the wood,and I , along with a lotta other playahs prefer the wood feel.
   I'm not sure exactly concerning materials, but I think the oil finish on the body is just the same as the satin finish. My 6 string Ibanez is the same all over, and it's really nice,and some say this finish allows the wood to breathe, and therefore sound better. I personnaly have not noticed this to have any affect on tone, and I believe, the Hi-Gloss is THE thing to have on an Alembic. Just turns a 10 into an 11, knowutimean??
Look at Raging Bass. You can see the satin transitioning into gloss at the headstock. As with everything else, the Mothership does a flawless job on this.
Hope my ramblings help. I'm sure Mica will give you all the specifics, answer any concerns,and help you make your final choice. Just though I'd give you a little personal experience info.
Have Fun, Mike     (the 'Ho).......

The combos you guys are coming up with are truly amazing. I would not have even considered anything other than an ebony lam or two. Isn't it also impressive that Alembic actually does these?  
Best of luck to you Ho and your fellow neck gourmets. I watch with great interest each day. Was 8 string the guy who initiated some of this back in 98-99?
 

Mark,
 
The satin finish is now standard on the neck.  Basically it is the gloss neck, sanded with 2000 grit sandpaper.  Feels really sleek.
 
I'd say go gloss with satin neck.
 
Bradley

Thanks for your input, Mike, I appreciate it!  And I'm not worried about it.  I'm certain Mica and the elves will advise me of, and produce the ideal option for me.  It sounds like the combo of high-gloss for the body and the satin finish for the neck will be ideal -barring any downside/tradeoff I'm not aware of.
 
Unless there is such a downside/tradeoff, this would probably be my preferred choice.
 
Now, the reason for this combo is that the satin finish on the neck is easier to play, right?  I HAVE had a few occaissions playing my 8-string -particularily when playing in the summer and being sweaty- that I've had to interrupt my playing and wipe off the neck because (yuck) stickieness had disrupted the smoothe flow of playing and shifting positions.  I assume this is one of the things the satin finish is intended to address/reduce?
 
The only theoretical downsides that pop into my mind (which may be nothing more than figments of my imagination, resulting from ignorance) are that the neck might not be quite as pretty without the glossy/shiney finish, and perhaps the finish doesn't protect the wood/lock in the moisture of woods in the neck -as well as the high-gloss finish?  (Probably just silly-talk.)
 
I'm more function-oriented than I am appearance-oriented... although I want this bass to be as pretty as possible.  I'm sure the high-gloss finish over front & back BTCer'ed Coco Bolo should have quite a show-stopping appearance!  I'm not overly-concerned about the neck not looking as good as it otherwise wood with the glossy finish instead of the satin finish; I can't imagine Alembic would choose to use this combo as their current standard recipe if the appearance wasn't up to snuff.
 
One thing I'm pretty curious about... does the satin finish also cover the BACK of the peghead... or does it just go up to where the veneers begin?
 
It seems like it would look better and make more sense to have the entire headstock/peghead be high-gloss, and have ONLY the back of the actually neck (the part my palm/hand/thumb contacts) to be satin finish.
 
Does anyone know the answer to this?
 
Thanks again for your feedback, Mike, gang.
 
Danno, to my knowledge, I was the first person to have an Alembic commissioned with a combination of Ebony, Maple, and Purpleheart... but I've wondered about this too, and would be interested in confirming whether or not it's so.
 
The neck on my 8-String is an exceptionally awesome blend of form & function; it's absolutely stunning appearance-wise... and the sound is phenomenal -the best I've ever heard, period.  It's actually made up of 4 different woods, as the inner Maple lams are Rock Maple, and the outer laminates are Flame Maple (and also continueous pieces of wood which flow all the way up into the headstock from the body).  To my knowledge, this is a feature which is unique to my bass.  And the 3 sections of Purpleheart sandwiched within Ebony give the instrument unbelievable sustain and bone-crunching bottom... Ramis' all-Purpleheart/Ebony-necked basses are the only Alembics I've seen that might be able to top mine in sustain.
 
Yeah, we're living in the age of cool necks... Alembics have been the most awesome sounding, playing, and looking basses since the beginning... we all know this.
 
That said, I don't think they've EVER looked better than what they've been kicking out the past couple years.  The elves are really outdoing themselves!!!  I've got a feeling that when my Balance K gets its top & back, it's going to be a pretty formidable contender in the looks department!  Hopefully, we'll know soon!
 
This is a GREAT time to get an Alembic!
 
Long live the empire!!!
 
(Message edited by the 8 string king on March 11, 2007)

Thanks for the word, Bradley!  It sounds like this is probably what I'll want to go for.
 
At this point, the only thing left'll be to confirm it with Mica.

Mark,  
 
Pull up the Raging Bass on COTM. That shows an excellent example of the satin/gloss junction @ the peghead and body. From what I can see, the actual maple of the neck, including the sides that roll up the peghead are satin, w/ the veneers hi-gloss, so the entire FEEL part of the neck is satin.
  My experience is that there is no concern with the Satin, the oil/wax finish that is applied gives excellent protection against moisture and stuff. It may require a litte wax added from time to time, if you may reside in an extremely moist climate, but I don't think YOU would have that problem in Lost Wages, Nevada! I just keep mine wiped off after each use, in the cases when not used, and have had no problems. Mica could clarify that mo bettah than me, with the Alembics.   Concerning looks, your beast would look good with ANY finish!! What an AWESOME neck! But, you can rest assured it will be GOOOOORGEUOS with the satin finish (again, check the Rager out)And I'm sure the mothership would be HAPPY to make it any finish,to any degree, that you desire. All you have to do is let them know in time  
Looking forward to seeing the progress!
 
Mike       (the'Ho)........

Mark,
 
I have an answer, but rather than using my 1000 word allotment, I brought pictures:  
 
https://club.alembicguitars.com/info/fc_sixsen.html
https://club.alembicguitars.com/info/fc_nsb.html
https://club.alembicguitars.com/info/fc_yahya.html
 
You can see that the satin neck is expertly delineated where the headstock laminates start.  it is tres cool looking.
 
Specifically, just the neck is satin, everything else is gloss.
 
Bradley

Hey, thanks again, guys.
 
I appreciate the links, Bradley.  I checked 'em out -and Ragining Bass, too.

Mark,
 
You're welcome.
 
I'm going to have the Calming Bass.  Like Bob Ross painting.  Let's paint a happy little bass... a nice bass.
 
Bob Ross would have had a satin neck, definitely.
 
 
 
Bradley

Satin neck is no additional charge. It is exactly the same paint, only the rubout is different. When it's rubbed out, the back of the neck is sanded with progressively finer and finer abrasives up to 3000 grit (it hardly even feels abrasive!).  
 
The person doing the rubout will determine the decorative aspects. Usually, the peghead is left glossy on both the front and the back. The edge or the fingerboard may be sanded satin, or it may feather into a glossy allover peghead. We've never bothered to have a standard on this, just evaluating each instrument as it's finished to decide what will look best on it.  
 
You are not allowed to have an oil finished Coco Bolo bass where you live anyway. The environment is not appropriate.  
 
Other finish choices have to do with tints and colors, also which aren't really good for your bass.  
 
So let me know if you want the work order changed to gloss finish with satin neck and I'll go and make the change.

Well, it's a lot more expensive thatn $100, and I don't think it's a good choice for your other concerns about tailpiece placement. The recessed routing cannot be shifted later like the tailpiece position mounted with the usual wood screws.  
 
On Marc's tailpiece, there are 2 layers of brass soldered together, but the whole thing is still anchored with wood screws.  
 
I'm not sure that the sustain will be noticeably improved, especially since if we set up the bass properly, the string shouldn't vibrate above the nut or below the bridge saddle.  
 
I would advise against this feature for your bass.

I've made sure the body accents are still marked as pinstripes.