Wow.

Yours is lookin great too 8SK!

WOW, thanks a lot for these latest photos, what a treat!!!
 
I've been dying to see the back and the neck, but not wanting to ask -with all the things you have to do, and all the other folks here... so I didn't expect these; what a wonderful treat!  And finding out that it's in the drill stage... it's just overwhelming!
 
It looks absolutely stunning!!! The disguised BTC looks great on the back as well, and I love the look of the tummy contour and the pinstripes stopping at the neck -which also looks awesome!!!
 
Every aspect of it looks awesome, as good as I could've hoped for!  I can't wait to see it with the continueous wood backplate on!!! I know it won't be much longer now.  Thanks again to everyone at Alembic for all the love and care you've put into my replacement bass Elana!

lovely shade of red mark
great layouts by bob again...
love the squigglies by the bridge pu and the taper running up the spine on the back

looking really sweet Mark. love the neck laminates.
 
graeme

Beautiful bass, Mark!  Love the swirly coco!
 
- Jim

Great neck!  It really darkened up nicely.  This thing is going to sound like a freight train!

Thanks for the nice comments, everyone!
 
Yep, it's shaping up to be a unique and exceptional beauty... just like I want!
 
I'm looking forward to joining the Omega Club, Coco Bolo Club, and Balance K Clum -all in one fell swoop!
 
Thanks again, all.  Mark!

WOO HOO!!!  I just got the word today!!!  When I got home, there was a message on my machine from Bass Central, a courtesy call advising me that my bass should be finished and ready to ship around the 10th!!!
 
I can only assume Alembic contacted them with this info, and expects to have it completed by or around that time!!!
 
Obviously, this is extremely exciting, and I'm extremely psyched at the thought that this stunning beauty should be in my hands in only/just about two (more) weeks!!!
 
I want to thank all the club members here who shared their thoughts and opinions with me -especially in the very beginning stages of the project, when I was seeking advice about exactly what to get.  I'm very pleased I decided to get Coco Bolo on both the front and back, and to have it bookmatched to center on each; and I appreciated the input on that, and on all the other aspects of the instrument -especially (also) getting the Balance K body with the Omega.
 
Just another two weeks or so... that's not much longer to wait!!!
 
Boy, it sure looks like it's going to be an absolute knockout!!!  And the pictures never do 'em justice... I can't wait to hear how it sounds... I know it'll sound as great (or ever better -to the extent that's possible) as it looks... but still, I can't wait to hear the famous Coco Bolo sound -which I should get to the max, since I've got it BTCered on both the front and the back.
 
Thanks again, all, for your interest, support, and feedback... and thanks again to the wonderful staff at Alembic for making these wonderful instruments possible... for transforming our ideas into reality, and doing it so perfectly and lovingly!!!
 
It's been an absolute pleasure, and I apologize for any time(s) when I've been a pain in the butt!  I tried real hard to behave myself this time, and be nothing but patient and supportive.  I thank you for bearing with me through the occaissional changes/additions.
 
You folks are the best, thanks again!

Since Bass Central sez the bass is almost ready, and I'll be paying the balance soon, and you're probably building a case soon, I'd like to again request a price quote for the price difference between the standard case, and the road case.
 
I'd like to know approximately how much more it would cost -and weigh- vs. the standard case.
 
Thanks, Mark

Another thing as well: unfortunately, it's looking more likely like I won't be able to come up to pick it up -and to have the electronics fixed on my 8-String.  Maybe I will, but it's looking less likely at the moment, for various reasons pertaining to time, money, and schedule.
 
So there is a better than 50/50 chance I'll end up having you ship it to me.  (This was included in Beavers price quote already.)
 
This prompts me to ask a couple of VERY IMPORTANT questions I want to be ABSOLUTELY CLEAR on.  What kind of coverage does Alembic have on the shipping?  Specifically, if (imaginary beings forbid) a worse case scenario happened, and it was destroyed or damaged during shipping, would it be covered by Alembic/Alembics' insurance?  I want to cover my butt and be prepared for this contingency.  I DO NOT have the money to get a replacement (for this bass, which IS a replacement).  At this point, it is not yet covered (I don't think) by my Heritage policy.  At least, it's not officially on the policy.  They have some kind of coverage for, I think, 30 days... giving me time to put a new instrument on the policy... but I'm not clear on whether it would be covered if damaged or destroyed or lost in shipping.  Now I'm gonna ask them... but I want to be ABSOLUTELY CLEAR on Alembics policy.  My hope is that it would be covered -in such an event- by YOUR insurance (in which case I'd get a replacement WITHOUT Alembic being screwed.  But it's certainly best not to assume... in general, and especially in a case like this.
 
I'd also like to know about alternative shipping options and pricing -especially the recent awesome Dragonfly bass Charles had shipped in the hard core shipping crate.  How much extra does that cost?  And what should I do when I get it... insist they stick around and wait for me to open it to make sure it's okay?  If I open it after they're gone and it's damaged/destroyed/missing, then what... am I screwed?
 
Please forgive my paranoia, but my lifes experience has taught me that it serves me to ask/anticipate and be prepared for such things.
 
(Message edited by the 8 string king on August 29, 2007)

Again, as this bass is nearing completion, I'd like to remind you that I'd like to have the FatBoy pickup for the bridge pickup... and with wire length on BOTH pickups long enough that I can swap them to experiment -should I choose.
 
I never got pricing info on this option; I'm assuming the cost is the same or about the same... but as I don't know, this may be an incorrect assumption.  If there is little/no price difference, I'll stick with this plan... but if there is a big enough price difference, then I might have to withdraw the request.
 
I would like to pay the balance of my deposit fairly soon, and so, I'd like to have the pricing info on this so I can complete the transaction without having to call up and modify it afterwards (which would be a bigger pain for Bass Central and Alembic than for me).
 
So please, at your convenience, let me know how much extra (if any) the FatBoy pickup for the bridge costs, so I can either withdraw the request (or not) and pay the final bill in whole without later adjusting it.
 
Thanks again, Mark

Hey Mark, you never go to work ?? You have internet at your job ??
;o)
Bass Central send instrument really safely. The only thing you would have to paranoiate (?), is an airplane crash.
Don't worry.... and be HAPPY!

The price for a road case depends on the features ordered. Our normal set is with a locking hasp, wheels and an extra handle. These ATA approved cases start at about $350 extra, and aren't discounted through dealers (else they'd be even more!) I don't know the weight, since there are many options. For shipping purposes, it will likely be dimensional weight.  
 
The shipping crate is $185 (the discussion about it is over here). Unless the packaging is damaged, either a carton or a crate, the carrier will not pay a claim. Shipping in a crate will have additional shipping, not covered in Beaver's original quote.  
 
Our insurance does not cover shipping to you. The insurance is through the carrier, or through your own policy. You should contact Heritage and price a policy.

Thanks for the prompt response Mica.
 
I called Matt Hershman at Heritage today, and arranged (and received confirmation via email) to have Elana added to my policy as of 9/7/7 -a few days before Bass Central estimated you'd have it done.  The policy will completely cover any issues up to (gasp) complete loss/destruction.
 
I still want to think about it, and I'll probably call to discuss it with you.  At this point, it's simply not clear whether we'll come up to pick it up, or have it shipped.  My guess at this point is that there's currently a 75% likelyhood I'll have it shipped, and deal with the Europas electronics another time.
 
But I'll have to consult with my significant other when she gets back from Burning Man in a few days.
 
Question... do you have road cases -for the Balance K- ready to go... or would requesting one entail an addition delay/wait/build time for the case?
 
IF I were to get one, I would want the cheapest/most basic road case.
 
I have another question.  I don't know if it's something you can answer... but here goes.  If you can, please tell me, based on your experience, how much would you say the standard case protects an instrument on a 1-10 scale?  And how much does the road case protect an instrument on a 1-10 scale.  I simply don't have ANY idea; it would help my decision making process if I had some sense of the relative degree of protection afforded by each option.  And of course, the weight difference, as well.
 
Thanks again, Mica.  My plan is to make a final decision in a few days; Erica will be home in a few days, and my credit card will go into the next month, so I can put the balance on next months bill -which will be helpful- if I wait a few days.  I intend to contact Bass Central tomorrow.