Sorry the lighting wasn't very good, but you can see your bass in the finish department, with one coat of sealer, sanded and ready for the next coat:

That is going to be an awesome bass when it's done-I love how the grain of the cocobolo follows the curves of the body.
 
Can't wait to see it with more finish!

Thanks Bizzymom!
 
It looks extremely awesome!
 
I'm very sick and feel absolutely horrible today.
 
This is a big moral boost, seeing it at this point.

P.S. Thanks for your positive comments as well, Chris!

Lookin good Mark. Get well soon.

Thanks, Dave.

Mark,
 
I guess they pretty much nailed the disguised BTC didn't they?  Looks KILLER!!!
 
Hope you're feeling better and that the homeowner experience is treating you well.

Wow.  Love the grain and the omega!  Great looking bass Mark!

Thanks, guys!
 
Yeah, its looking pretty awesome, and I'm feeling a lot better today... still a little down, but much better than yesterday.  I should be able to go in to work today.  Yesterday I couldn't walk for more than a few minutes at a time... felt like everything was spinning.
 
It looks like I won't have too much longer to wait, and I'm REALLY looking forward to getting this (of course)!
 
I never played a Balance K, nor a Coco Bolo bass (other than an unplugged one for a few seconds); I've got high hopes/expectations for both.
 
This bass, Elana is a replacement for my stolen Elan; it was designed to (A) replace that bass; (B) blow away that bass -in sound and versatility; and, (C) have a distinctly different sound than my exceedingly awesome 8-String Europa.
 
I'm totally sold on the looks of the Balance K, and I've read enough raving testimonials here to be convinced that it may well be the most comfortable and ergonomic Alembic; and a lighter bass is also an attractive concept -my Europa sure ISN'T light!
 
I'm dying to hear what it sounds like!  I know there are a lot of people who are gung-ho on Coco Bolo for having a great sound, and it's definitely one of my very favorite woods for looks.  And the fact that Alembic holds the Coco Bolo/Mahogany sandwich is such regard that they call it their house recipe is meaningful.
 
So I spec'ed this with Coco Bolo on both the front and back, and spec'ed it BTC on both -to maximize the Coco Bolo sound.
 
And then I tweaked the neck, upgrading one of the Purpleheart lams to Ebony, and swapping two of the Maple lams for Vermillion, and two others for Mahogany.  Mica and Valentino both agreed that this would produce a great sounding bass with a very noticably different sound from my Europa.
 
My Europas' sound is dominated by the 6 Ebony laminates in the neck -and then by the Maple lams and Maple body... an Ebony/Maple sound.  The Ebony is so dominant it subsumes the Purpleheart sound; I can't hear the Purpleheart.
 
I'm told this bass should have a richer and more complex sound, though not a boomy and thundrous as my Europa.  I'm sure looking forward to finding out.
 
Shouldn't be long, now!  I hope I enjoy the sound of Coco Bolo as much as everyone else does.  One thing's already clear... this bass is a formidable contender in the looks department!
 
Take care, gang!
 
P.S. Jim, again, I LOVE your Anniversery Electronics enhanced Balance K, it looks incredibly awesome!

What an amazing process to watch.  Best of luck with the bass Mark!  It is beautiful!
 
Glad you're feeling better!

Hi Mark,
 
Glad you are feeling better. Whatcha got, a flu bug?
 
I have got to tell you from the heart, that is the best piece of Coco Bolo I have seen yet! I didn't think from looking at the pictures above that it was going to come out looking like that but man, all of the curves and knots are the in right places. These guys are amazing when you just let go and put the trust in them. Which by the way, I need to be doing alot more of.
 
I'm not much for suggesting remedies but one thing that does make me feel better is just boiling some good ole fresh ginger and drinking it with a little honey and lemon. That's probably the only two cents I have and not even worth much.
 
Anyway, good luck cuz, God Speed!
 
Paul

It looks great Mark!
 
Glad you're feeling better!

Hey thanks guys, I appreciate it!
 
I'm feeling crappy still... and I've been going back and forth all day... but overall it's WAY better than yesterday -when I couldn't stand up for more than a few minutes at a time.
 
Hey Paul, thanks for the advice!  I actually happen to be fortunate enough to know (thanks to of my other half) about the wonders of ginger, honey and lemon.  But it's great advice -which I also would share with others when the occaision arises.
 
I dunno what it is... seems like either food poisoning or summer flu -which is kind of comical to try to conceptualize, considering where I live, and the temperatures here right now.
 
Yeah, I'm extremely pleased with the Coco Bolo they selected for me.  I'd have to say it's perfect -for what I wanted- or so close there's no point being dissatisfied and asking for something better.
 
They nailed it with their first attempt... and what a great piece.  I was resolved not to be too picky... as long as it was adequate for my needs, I wasn't going to ask for another selection; so I would've accepted something less awesome.
 
But that certainly wasn't an issue!  This board rocks.  I love the figuring on both sides!  The front looks awesome, with the lineyness in the center, and the figuring going out to match the curves of the body...!  Exceptionally cool, as awesome looking as any Coco Bolo I've ever seen.  The figuring on the back is different, Yin to the Yang of the front, with more swirls in the middle of the body.  Interestingly, the front and back come from the same board, but (for those who may not have caught this on early posts on the subject) they are from the same board... but have the opposite (relative to each other) ends glued together for the BTC.
 
This is pretty cool.  It pleases me that the front and back are from the same board; and it provides both contrast and (yet) unity.
 
Blah, Blah, Blah... yeah, I'm psyched!
 
Thanks again for the support and positive thoughts, guys!

Incredible grain patterns Mark. You're a lucky guy. Glad you're feeling better too.
 
graeme

Thanks, Graeme!  I agree, pretty incredible grain!