Thanks, Mica.
 
Based on your feedback, I'd like to go for the Maple & Purpleheart dual pinstripes for each side.
 
Are we getting close to putting on the body and the top & back?

If -AND ONLY IF- it DID NOT ENTAIL ANY ADDITIONAL DIFFICULTY- I'd prefer single pieces of wood for the pinstripes (as opposed to halves of wood -like the bookmatched Coco Bolo front and back).  This would also eliminate any possibility of the pinstripes not lining up in the center.
 
But, if this poses ANY difficulty at all, please consider the request withdrawn.

I'm dying to see what Bob's come up with!
 
(But, I'm sure you know that, so PLEASE, take your time, and post some pictures ONLY when your busy schedule allows!)

Sorry, we don't get veneers wide enough for that. Every BTC we've done has a center seam on the veneers.  
 
I'll mark the Maple/Purpleheart combo for a double pinstripe on the work order before I go home tonight.

Bob is gearing up for a large run of bodies. There are little stacks of wood on every available table in the shop, so in a few days, you'll hopefully see what's been cooking.

One more thing:
 
I've given this some thought, and come to the conclusion that IF the Diamond Formation control-configuration is something that Alembic can provide for me at no extra cost -and I'm only interested if (A) it DOESN'T cost extra; and (B) y'all do it PERFECTLY symmetrical- I'd prefer to flip it around, and have the 3 toggle switches be closer to the strings -instead of closer to the outer edge of the body.
 
Now, if Alembic CAN do this at no extra cost, it would be a nice bonus, and EITHER WAY would be preferred to the other options.  Maybe y'all were prepared to do it the original Diamond Formation way I requested, but it would be harder to flip it around for some reason (or maybe not).
 
Anyway, to update/clarify:
 
Here are the four options for my Europa electronics control configuration, in order of preference:
 
(1) Symmetric Diamond Formation -with the toggles closer to the strings;
 
(2) Symmetric Diamond Formation -with the toggles closer to the edge of the body;
 
(3) Essence/Europa-Style; and
 
(4) Standard Europa/Rogue Configuration
 
I prefer the side jack, but my understanding is this is extra -and I don't have the moolah to pay for it, and wouldn't ask you to lose any money giving it to me as a freebee if it does have an extra charge associated with it.
 
So if this is so, just mount it on the front at your discretion -wherever you think best.  I have full confidence in your judgement.
 
Thanks again for everything!  I can't wait to see it when it's set up... I know it'll look great with whatever configuration it ultimately has!!!

hey Graeme
I told you that you had one of the best looking basses on the planet (apart from mine that is!)
She is truly beautiful, and you should be very proud of her
 
G

At this point, we have to decide on the side jack. You've already paid for it because Europa electronics come with a side jack, so if you dn't want it, you can use the $ for the custom control layout. We can't glue up the body until the jack is decided, because the side jack takes a slightly thicker body (1.65 compared to 1.55).  
 
If we do a custom layout, you'll be approving the layout with a mock-up. You'll have to give me some direction, like a particular post number or a URL to a photo that has what you want or a piece of paper in the mail to get me started on the layout.  
 
But for now, I simply need to know: side or face mounted jack.

Ooh, that's great news... that the side jack isn't any extra $!!!
 
I prefer the side jack... and, if/since it doesn't cost extra, then it's a no-brainer!
 
I DEFINITELY WANT THE SIDE JACK!!!

We need to get some visual references for your custom control layout. Or else we can just do the standard Europa layout. Let me know what you prefer.

As far as the control layout goes, you've ALREADY DONE the mockup -in your post above, with the red Essence (post 3936).
 
This is option (2) that I described above (my post -#471).
 
The mockup you've done seems to nail it perfectly -at least as far as I can tell.  You can use it as a reference.
 
Option (1) (above, same post -#471) consists of just switching (location of) the toggles with the pan/blend control -so the toggles are closer to the strings, and the pan/blend closer to the edge of the body.
 
But again, I don't want to pay for this... I just don't have the money.  I guess I could consider it if the charge was very little... more than a little, I'll have to pass.  (In which case, my preference would be to have the controls laid out like the layout you use when using Europa electronics on an Essence bass -like the Erratic Zebrawood and Burl Amboyna Essence basses we discussed earlier.)
 
It's no big deal, regardless.  I'll be VERY HAPPY with this bass with ANY of these layouts.  I'm already pleased as punch that there's no charge for the side jack... I wasn't sure, but I sorta thought there was... and I'm glad to be wrong!
 
I got the impression from you there WASN'T any extra charge to get the Essence/Europa layout -as you already have a program for this in the CNC machine.  Please confirm.  If so, then this should be the tentative layout plan.  If not, then we'll just default to the standard Europa/Rogue layout.  No biggie either way.
 
The Symmetrical Diamond formation/layout would just be a little bonus.  But it sounds like it's probably extra, so I'll probably write it off.
 
But I guess I'd be interested in a quote for it, just to cover the basses.  For clarification, I'm just asking for a quote on the PATTERN, NOT the LOCATION of individual controls.  You already made it clear there would be a minimum bench charge, for example, to put the Q switch BETWEEN the bass & treble toggles.  My primary interest in the Symmetrical Diamond formation is that the symmetry of the pattern is pleasing to my eye; customized/specific control locations WITHIN THAT PATTERN is a secondary interest.

So the plan, in short, is to have a side jack, with the control layout that is standard when Europa controls are installed in/on an Essense body.  For visual reference, you can refer to the Erratic Zebrawood Essense you linked about (or the Amboyna Essense -but that has an extra toggle).
 
This is based on the understanding that there is NO EXTRA CHARGE to have this layout.
 
I'm 100% CERTAIN I want the side jack, and 98% certain I want the Essense/Europa setup.
 
The 2% difference is due to the fact that I'd prefer the Diamond setup... but I'm probably not able/willing to pay the cost.
 
Please (A) confirm that the Essense/Europa layout isn't extra; and (B) give me a quote for the cost of the Diamond setup -at which point I can be 100% sure... and then there won't be ANY other issues at my end other than the minor issue of 3 vs 5 screws on the tailpiece.
 
Thanks, Mica!

While browsing thru the thread for the awesome March Custom of the Month, I discovered the link to A Fitting Tribute...  
 
The BACK is a PERFECT example of what I DON'T WANT/LIKE... specifically how there is an obvious line in the middle, and how the figuring (really the coloring of the figuring) obviously and abruptly is different (changes -from light to dark) as it crosses the center line.
 
Disclaimers: I'm sure y'all already get this -but when I came across this perfect example of what I DON'T LIKE, paranoid rascal that I am, I felt obliged to share it as a reference; that said, it's a gorgeous instrument... it just goes against my personal aesthetic preferences!

Hey Mica, Jason tells me I've got a really awesome top!
 
Please post pictures of the BTC halves of the top together at your earliest convenience -preferably with an outline of the body, so I know exactly what it'll look like.  I'm dying of curiosity, and would love to see the top -and the back, too for that matter!
 
Thanks Mica!

Oh, Mrs. Thomas... just one more thing... (as Lt. Colombo would say).
 
There was one more small issue that popped up that I forgot to ask you about during our brief conversation today (Friday 4/6/7).
 
I recently read a thread somewhere here (but I can't recall where) that expressed concern about... something to the effect of/that (at some point) too many (body) laminates -and the additional glue- adversely affecting the sound.
 
I've read so many threads I can't recall which one it was... but I do recall it specifically pertained to an instrument (probably a bass) with Coco Bolo.  A club member was advising another against putting additional laminates between the Coco Bolo and the Mahagony body, opining that it would/could take away from the Coco Bolo sound.
 
So I'd like to know your thoughts on this.
 
Specifically, I'd like your thoughts as they relate to 3 alternatives:
 
(1) NO pinstripe laminates;
(2) ONE pinstripe laminate (Maple)
(3) TWO pinstripe laminates (Maple & Purpleheart)
 
As far as APPEARENCE goes, I prefer (3), then (2), then (1) -in that order.  This is why I settled on & asked for the Maple/Purpleheart combo -as you noted in your post above.
 
But this was bassed on the assumption that there would be no sonic downside/tradeoff for any of these 3 options.  I'm MUCH more concerned with getting the best sound then I am with the additional spiffyness of pinstripes (assuming there's a tradeoff).  I've paid a lot extra to get Coco Bolo on the front & back, 'cause I want the legendary sound of Alembics house recipe.  I don't want to compromise any of that sound.
 
Now I see people get Coco Bolo instruments all the time with double and even triple pinstripes; hopefully, this just isn't really a concern.  Hopefully, the truth/your experience/opinion is that there would either be no difference, or that the difference would be too insignificant to merit concern.
 
But you've seen a LOT of basses... so I'm sure you've have meaningful perspective on this.
 
I'd like to stick with what I've specified above... but if the double pinstripes and the additional glue required may disrupt the sonic harmony of the Coco Bolo/Mahagony recipe, then I may re-think this.
 
So whadaya think?  What's the scoop? Significant issue, minor issue, or no issue?  If the additional pinstripe & glue may compromise the Coco Bolo/Mahagony sound that I'm paying dearly for, I may want to withdraw my request for the second pinstripe... or even do away with both pinstripes.  I'd hate to do this, 'cause I like the look... but IF there's in fact a tradeoff between looks VS. sound, I'll go for sound over looks.
 
Whatcha think?