Rick's Dragon Wing

[mica]

Here's your bass just after routing  

   I especially like the way this turned out  

   Mahogany back before the back routing  

   In the rack, next to Oliver's DW, you can see the slight difference in the lower horn shape  

[senmen]

sorry, double post.
plse see below
 
Oliver
 
(Message edited by senmen on January 08, 2006)

[senmen]

Mica,
many thanks for this pic upgrading my DW in this thread. It looks really gorgeous.
Rick,
you will get a sweet DW there. This looks really stunning.
 
Oliver (Spyderman)

[rickkessler]

Mica,
 
Many, many thanks for the beautiful work on the bass and the pictures.  
 
I was wondering: were you able to accomplish the specifics on the neck I'd discussed with Valentino regarding the shallow depth and flat profile on the back or the rounded off fretboard edges (ala Reverend)?  I didn't know if any of this was possible given the progession on the bass to date or the relatively thin width.  
 
Also, I don't know where the strap button normally goes on a dragonwing, but if it makes more sense from a balance/playability perspective to put it on the back near the neck heel, that's fine -- basically I'll do whatever you counsel.
 
Thanks again to you, Valentino and everyone at alembic as well as Beaver and the guys at Bass Central.

[speicky]

WOW !
 
TWO DW's next to each other... I'm speechless... (that's why I'm writing this down) :-)
 
I just HAVE TO HAVE a DW myself someday (2018, maybe), they are soooo cute ! Outstanding project, Rick, I love to see the progress on this.
 
Christian (the faker)

[rickkessler]

I'd have to agree that it's an outstanding project, Speicky.  But the credit goes completely to Mica and the folks at Alembic.
 
And of course, ultimate credit goes to my wonderful wife Cindy for giving me this as my 40th birthday present!
 
(Message edited by Rickkessler on January 11, 2006)

[valvil]

Hello Rick,
 
shallow depth and low profile are no problem, since that's we normally do unless asked otherwise. The rounded edge on the fretboard is not feasible at this point, because the fretboard is already on, and to do the rounded edge we would have had to use a wider one.
 
Valentino

[rickkessler]

Ok, thanks Valentino.  
 
Maybe I stated it wrong anyway: I was just looking for a rounding off of the edge of the fretboard where the top of the board meets the sides, so that the edge is pre-worn (which it gets to be naturally after a few years of playing. Nothing fancier than that.  It's not really feasible once the frets are in their slots, but I didn't think it would require a larger fretboard.  Then again, Mica's the luthier and he would know better than I.

[rickkessler]

Mica, Valentino:
 
I was just checking in to see if there was any new news or pictures regarding my dragonwing.  
 
Hope all is well with you.
 
--Rick

[mica]

I think you will find the standard neck carving pretty cool. If you look at the neck from the back, you can see some of the fingerboard, it's actually carved the join the contour of the neck seamlessly so it isn't an unrelated chunk sitting on the top. I'll ask James to lightly sand the edge down as you requested.  
 
Your bass has a little finish on it, and is prepped for the next coat:
 

 
Sorry for the weird angle, I had to squeeze up to the wall to get this one.  
 
It would be a stretch to call me a luthier I just make drawings. The luthiers are out in the shop, actually making the instruments. I have learned how to do some operations, but I couldn't make a whole guitar right now.

[rickkessler]

Mica,
 
Thanks for the response and the picture.  I appreciate you talking to James about the fretboard edges.
 
The bass is looking great and I'm really happy with the progress. Thanks again for the response
 
--Rick
 
PS - I will make sure I no longer refer to you as luthier, merely expert or guru.  Best Wishes -RK

[rickkessler]

Mica/Valentino:
 
Just checking in to see if there is any new news or photos.  
 
Thanks,
 
Rick

[bassjigga]

Hmm... I spy what looks like a burl Europa on the end of that rack... any pictures of that anywhere?

[rickkessler]

Mica,
 
Just checking in again to see if there are any new photos or an updated status on my Dragonwing?  
 
Thanks.
 
--Rick

[valvil]

Hello Rick,
 
not sure if Mica has any pictures, but your bass is currently in set-up. It should be completed soon.
 
Valentino