If you want the brass backplate (extra on Rogue) and MOP ovals (also extra on Rogue) and either purpleheart or ebony lams (extra on Rogue), you might do better to build off a Europa model. I believe that with Europa, you get the brass backplate, MOP ovals and purpleheart lams - and - a Rogue body for no extra charge. This brings you a couple hundred in savings over a Rogue with all those things added. Ebony lams are also $200 less when you add them to a Europa. I did a quick look and it appeared you would come out ahead with a Europa as your base model there too.
Of course monthly specials can impact your best deal at a particular time. But once you decide - check with Val or Mica. The numbers in the custom quote generator sometimes vary a little from the actual (in my case, I made out better than the software said).
Others with firsthand experience with ebony lams could tell you much more. But having owned a maple neck (w/pinstripes) and having played necks with purpleheart lams, the added density of the purpleheart is noticable in the sound and sustain.
All that said, are you talking about a 5 string (I assume so from the neck dimensions). If that's right, I'm considering a very similar bass for my next acquisition (If I ever actually do see the bass I'm waiting for!!!! Sorry...). When you're ready to finalize your neck design, Mica has a neat piece of software that will tell you string spacing based on neck widths at various fret numbers.
I love the medium scale and want my next bass (it'll be a fiver) to have ebony lams for that bowling ball-in-the-chest fundamental. What sort of top wood are you thinking of?
Do tell. I'd really like to hear another one of us think through a new bass!
Bill
