You might want to take a break (like overnight) and then pick the Spoiler back up and play for a few hours.  Then go back to the new bass.  Make sure there aren't things you like to do on the Spoiler that you can't do as well on the new bass.  When I first got my Spoiler, I was impressed with how the Classic taper felt compared to the Comfort taper of my Essence; but after a while I realized that there were things I could do on my Essence that were not as comfortable on the Spoiler (certain slap techniques for example).  However, I've been without my Essence for a while, and my technique has evolved over time, and I've grown very comfortable with the Classic taper on my S1.  All of this is to say that, for me, I was so initially impressed with the advantages of the narrower taper that it took me a while to recognize what I was giving up.

Agreed there, Dave.  Note that this bass doesn't have the Comfort taper.  It's more like a narrower version of the Classic taper in that it doesn't get wide at the bridge.  I definitely like the relatively straight string paths of the Classic taper.  One thing I can do on this bass more easily is to play an octave pair and add a 5th above.
 
The fact is, there are a whole lot of possible neck dimensions that would be great.  The stock settings are a bit too wide for me, but I once played a medium scale Distillate that was just 1/8 narrower at nut and bridge.  That felt great, too.  I don't think I'd notice the difference between 1.5 and 1.6 at the nut, but I definitely can feel 1.75 as too wide.  I certainly expect that I would notice the difference between 15.5mm and 17mm at the bridge, but I could adapt to it and either would work.  There just comes a time when you have to pick a number and go with it, or you'll be going back and forth for a year.  Maybe there is one perfect set of dimensions out there, but until they have a machine like the optometrist uses, it won't be found.  Or maybe it will, I just won't be able to prove it.
 
On closer inspection, the nut on this bass is more like 1.53 than 1.5, for what that's worth.

Well, Dave, you're pretty smart there.  The strings are seeming awfully close together the more I play this guy.  I think it may be just a little too extreme for me.  The tones, though, are to die for.  What a monster!!!
 
I am not sure if anyone has been paying attention here the past few days to take action.  If not, then maybe we should chat a bit more before the cutting starts.  
 
How about 1.6 x 1.95 ctr-to-ctr?
 
-Bob

Here's some action from the assembly table:  

 Ready for veneers on the peghead.  

 Accent laminates are glued to the back laminate. Your body core is at teh tippy-top of the picture, with the front accent laminates in place.

gorgeous woods Bob. I bet you're glad you took your time speccing this baby.
 
graeme

Well, it's been almost two months since an update here, though there was some email traffic between Mica and me.  There was a recent spurt of FTC activity and I feel left out, so I thought I would post.  
 
Last status was that I was waiting for:
 
1. Confirmation of neck dimensions.  It appeared that the neck was at least rough cut before this discussion, so there was some room for variation.  My position was that if the nut were already cut for 1.5, that it would be fine, but that I would like the bridge narrowed either way.
2. Are slightly lighter strings available in this scale?  If 40-60-80-100 is available for short scale, I would perfer that.
3. Has any examination of the photos I sent in for a possible custom inlay ocurred?  If so, are there any ideas for materials, best location or cost?
 
-Bob
 
(Message edited by bsee on July 11, 2005)

Apparently, this project has been stalled a few months based on lost communications.  I just heard that Alembic is waiting for the final neck specs that I emailed to them at the end of May.  I guess there's still no substitute for picking up a telephone from time to time, but I didn't want to be more of a pest than I had to.  On the plus side, my woods have had a little more time to season and settle in....
 
Rather than trying email again, I am posting the specs here where I know they won't get lost.  Here's a copy of those neck specs in what I believe to be Mica's preferred format:
 
id =
scale length = 30.75
string dia. 1=.040 2=.060 3=.080 4=.100
 
at nut end:
fingerboard width = 1.6
treble edge allowance = 0.15
bass edge allowance = 0.15
string center 1 to 2 = 0.410
string center 2 to 3 = 0.410
string center 3 to 4 = 0.410
spacing between 1 and 2 = 0.360
spacing between 2 and 3 = 0.340
spacing between 3 and 4 = 0.320
 
at bridge end:
treble edge allowance = 0.15
bass edge allowance = 0.15
string center 1 to 2 = 0.650
string center 2 to 3 = 0.650
string center 3 to 4 = 0.650
spacing between 1 and 2 = 0.600
spacing between 2 and 3 = 0.580
spacing between 3 and 4 = 0.560
string edge to edge = 2.020
(projected) fingerboard width at bridge = 2.320
 
fingerboard width at nut = 1.6
fingerboard width at 24th fret = ??
fingerboard width at 25th fret = ??
fingerboard length = 23.4939662212595
 
 
Note two things:
 
1. The original nut spec was 1.5.  If the neck that was started has already been trimmed narrower than 1.6 at the nut, I will gladly accept the narrower spacing at that end.  I don't want anything to be wasted or need rebuilding because of this spec.  
 
2. The spacing assumes the narrower 40-60-80-100 strings are available for this scale.  
 
Mica/Valentino, you have my cell phone number if we need to talk about any of this.  
 
Thanks!
-Bob

Hello Bob,
 
that's great, we can get going again now.  
 
Valentino

From the side:
 

 
This is only one side of course, and it's only partially shaped, ready for the roundover. But at least you can see we got all the body laminates in place. The Purpleheart framed in Maple is especially sharp looking.

Thanks for the pic - it's very sharp!  The colors and little bits of grain look great already.  
 
I'm so happy to see things moving along again!
 
-Bob

Just a note to capture the results of a phone conversation that Mica and I had yesterday:
 
1. The pickup positioning and truss rod cover will be as per Stanley's 30th anniversary bass.  This corresponds to the positioning of older Series instruments, not the current standards.
 
2. We will go with the .040-.060-.080-.100 long scale string set.
 
3. There will be a stop order to discuss the custom inlay at the appropriate time if we haven't nailed it sooner.
 
-Bob

isnt this the same bob who said there were no changes after he placed the order>?

Preset time, frets getting installed:  

  Even here, the body laminates are stunning. Up close, the tiny sort-of-flame figure is evident:  

  Peghead, with the bevel cut:  

  And a closeup detail, showing that Chip was able to use Purpleheart interior veneers and boy do they look crisp:  

Beautiful top!!

Mica, thanks for the pics!  You sure got back to this a lot more quickly than I would have expected.
 
Total agreement, Dave, the top is all I could have hoped for if not more.  From the pics, I do wish the peghead veneer were much darker to achieve my original vision.  Maybe it's just a lighting/flash effect, but my vision was a logo that would leap out at you from a dark and solid base.  I am sure it will look great in person, though.  The bevel and PH laminates look fabulous with the PH-surrounded-by-maple theme working throughout the instrument.
 
It looks so close to done, but I know there's so much left to do.  I can't wait for the next update, this progress is getting me stoked!
 
-Bob