Thanks and a Question

[darkstar01]

Hey everybody.  
First off, I really want to thank Mica for honoring my bass as this month's featured custom.  I completely appreciate all the work and time it took for you to do something like that, and I can't tell you how happy I am to be in the company of such beautiful instruments...
Now for the business part!
So, G.A.S. has struck again! And this time, it's in  the form of a dire need for an upright. Specifically, a Classico. That's right, I think I'm ready to take the step toward actually owning one of these anomalies!! My question is, have there been any classico's built without a quilt maple top?? I'm absolutely DROOLING over the idea of either a Flamed Walnut top, or (even better), a Coco Bolo top.
I realize the sheer size of the instrument limits the possibilities of wood, so do you think someone could give me a list of the woods that COULD be available? Not only top-wise, but as far as the core and laminates are concerned, as well. Any pictures would be greatly appreciated!!!  
 
I really really appreciate your time and everything you guys do. I'm going crazy being away from Dark Star!!!! (five more weeks to go!!!)
 
Thank you so, so, so, so much.
 
-Austin

[Bradley Young]

To quote an old boss of mine:
 
The answer is yes, but...
 
In this case, the ellipsis can be filled by statements like:
 
You might want to clean up that old Richard Nixon mask before going in to ask the bank for the money.  And have a driver in the car idling the engine.
 
Please remember that you need to declare your proceeds from drug dealing on your IRS forms.
 
Well, joking aside, you pretty much already know that Alembic will do just about anything (the limitation here being that they won't make anything that doesn't deserve the Alembic logo-- I had to laugh when Susan told me that I couldn't have a 6-string Mark King, it had to be a balance K).  Of course, finding pieces of cocobolo large enough might be interesting.
 
One thought: Gilmer woods (my, how much time have I wasted there!) has some interesting boards available-- curly bubinga, cocobolo, amboyna burl, etc.  Be forewarned-- if you like looking at wood, this site can suck hours out of your day:
 
http://gilmerwood.com/
 
I think that a Classico would look pretty good in a darker wood.  I say go for it.
 
Brad

[foth]

Austin
 
Congratulations on your July FC!
 
I like the way the cocobolo pickup covers emulate the orange pickups of the earliest Alembics.
 
Paul, foth

[palmann]

Hi Austin,
 
I absolutely love the contrast of the coco bolo pickup covers and the macassar ebony top. I made it my desktop wallpaper, despite of the background photo. )
 
Gruesse, Pablo

[valvil]

Hello Austin,
 
as it happens Susan told me we do have one piece of coco bolo big enough for a Classico that she put away long ago, with that idea in mind.
 
Call me at Alembic when you feel ready to talk about it.
 
Valentino

[darkstar01]

Hey Val,
Thanks for checking on that. I'll definitely give you guys a call within the next couple of days. I'm in Boston right now getting registered for summer classes at Berklee, so when I'm done with all that I'll be in touch!
Thanks again,
Austin

[the_mule]

Wow, a Coco Bolo Classico? Is it too early to ask for a FTC-thread?
 
Wilfred

[811952]

The first picture should be Mica/Valentino/Susans' faces when they get the order!  That will be a lovely instrument, in a classic dark wood.  
John