Kevin,
I put in my order about a month ago, and yes, I am still having trouble settling on options. I've changed the order twice: Once radically - 5 string w/o LEDs to 4 string with green LEDs. And once to change the omega to heart omega. I'm struggling with whether to move from MOP to abalone ovals at the moment, though Hollis' comment certainly has me leaning toward abalone.
Susan and Val picked out the wood for me and I love it. They managed to find everything I was looking for. It's posted under Bill's Coco bolo Custom in FTC. I also posted the (current) specs I ordered in that thread.
One thing I really got in ordering is that it is going to be a great bass and...may not be the last one I build (though it's going to be a while before the next comes around. My wife is definitely not ready for that idea.)
I like the options you chose and particularly the body style, which I also ordered (Based on comments by others, not the last of Kevin's 3/4 balance we'll see.). Given that I am likely to go with abalone, it's hard for me to get a clear line of sight to what you would like best. I had MOP on my Spoiler and didn't think it would do enough to complement the exotic swirls and color, green LEDs on my custom. It looked great on the even tone of the bubinga Spoiler. As for spacing, my fingers are SHORT. I like a narrow fingerboard and chose not to go with 5 strings on this bass because I realized I wanted it to be really effortless to play. Mica and I concocted fingerboard measurements starting at 1.5 at the 1st fret down to 2.17 at the 24th. That was intended to get the same spacing as the Spoiler near the bridge.
Come to think of it, you've made all these design choices twice in a year to build not one, but two cool basses. That's got to be some kind of record. No wonder you're having a few doubts (A lot of us would melt down completely under the strain you've endured and we salute you!!!).
When is your bass due to be done? Are you still turning in your first bass? If so, someone should really take Alembic up on what could be a fair deal on a very nice looking (barely) second hand instrument.
I'm sure you are going to love your bass with the options and design you chose. Are there any more recent pictures available? I'd like to see what your bass looks like put together.
Congratulations on your bass - you're going to enjoy it!
Bill
