Paul's Custom Series II Mele Aloha

[mele_aloha]

Hey Jacko,
 
I'm honored that you even wrote to me. I just went to your bands website and you guys are really cool. I was very impressed.
 
My old friend and neighbor use to be in the original Jefferson Airplane way back before they made it all the way. Then later on he was friends and sat in with a band called Hot Tuna which were a mixture of some of the old personel.
 
Anyway, Wow, thanks! Your daughter is lucky to have a father leading her into Music, the most awesome God given gift on earth.
 
Now I know what she is going through as I started out even playing upside down right-handed basses without switching the strings so she's one step ahead of the game.
 
I have a left-handed Orion 5 string which is in pretty darn good shape which I picked up about 6 months ago or so. Since she is the daughter of a talented musician I might be willing to make you a deal somewhere in the near future. I'm talking good price and maybe financed if need by.
 
Let's stay halfway in touch if interested and we'll talk story. If not don't worry. But we have choices to help others in life and this is the area that I so choose. I have a 4 year old son and I have all the instruments around here I can afford. Which ever one he chooses or not it is here for him to discover on his own. If not I will pass them on to other possible needy children. And by the way, I got the trumpet, flute, and one other thing, I can't remember right now all on ebay. It's amazing the prices you can get for these things if you just pay attention alittle.
 
So, thanks again for the compliments which I freely share with the patience of Mica and Susan as once I had time to really delve into this website I started really enjoying all of the items that are offered or possible to build my bass and began making changes left and right. They were very patient with me in making these changes as their main thing is making sure that the customer is happy with the instrument. So I have never been so accomodated.

[mele_aloha]

 
 
(Message edited by mele_aloha on December 20, 2007)

[the_8_string_king]

WOW Paul, it looks fantastic... really beyond fanatastic and other such superlatives.
 
In addition to looking 'fantastic' -with the stunningly and uniquely gorgeous QCB & the Flame Maple body, it ALSO looks VERY distinct & unique...
 
Your neck recipe produces a very distinct and unique visual appearance, and seems to have a regal quality, what with the Vermillions' redness.
 
And the Koa accent lam seems pretty unique as well.
 
So these details add up to make an obviously already unique and stunningly beautiful instrument EVEN MORE unique and beatiful!!!
 
(HOW'D THEY DO THAT!!!)
 
And on top of being a FREAKIN' SERIES II with the awesome body shape and pistol grip...
 
Soon, you'll know from your own experience just how freaking awesome it is... and that IT'LL HAVE BEEN WORTH THE WAIT... OH, YES!!!
 
Treasure it, Paul... savor the short remaining moments.  Use the time wisely, and appreciate your life now to it's fullest.  If there's any work you need to take care of, DO IT.
 
Soon, your life will be VERY DIFFERENT... you'll have great difficultly putting the instrument down, and finding time for anything other than playing (and, when not playing) & staring at it.
 
Treasure it, Paul... and get it insured!!!
 
Best wishes, Mark
 
PS I'll tell you one other thing... I know from experience that YOUR BASS is going to sound GREAT!!!  Your 3 Ebony neck lams will be the biggest component of your sound, adding low end response and sustain that'll blow your mind; then the Maple neck lams'll add brightness to the notes, while the Vermillion lams'll round out the sound a little, bringing a little warm/mellow component to the sound -which'll be especially helpful since you've got a relatively bright sounding Flame Maple body.  Finally the Coco Bolo will top it off, adding a rich and complex sonic package of very clear/crisp/crystaline highs with rich, dark, full lows.  And of course, your electronics package is THE standard of flexibility and ease.
 
It's REALLY going to sound great... even better than whatever you may be hoping for!

[deburgh]

Congratulations Paul!
 
You have got to be thrilled that in the next few days, this chapter in the story of Mele Aloha will come to an end, and you can start on the next chapter holding it in your hands.  It truly is a spectacular instrument, and I'm sure the sound and feel will inspire you for years to come. Enjoy!
 
We're planning on taking the family to Hawaii sometime next fall to visit my wife's brother.  Who knows, if we get time to visit the big island, which we are very much hoping to do, maybe we could get together. I'd love to hear how Mele will sound compared to mine.
 
Best wishes to you and yours. Hope I get this right... Mele Kalikimaka!!
 
Todd

[mica]

I'm very happy to that your bass is complete, Paul:

This is Rami's favorite shot, reclining on the couch.  
 
You should get an email from UPS tonight with all the tracking information. If for some reason you don't, let me know and I'll get the details to you.

[mele_aloha]

You see Doc, it's like this-
 
My husband, he's been slapping and poping me to the point where I turn blue all over. Then he locks me up in the closet. And now I'm all strung out. I'm out of tune with society.

[flaxattack]

paul
i spoke to mica earlier
your baby is on the way!!!
congrates
i may launch tmrw or wed latest

[David Houck]

I love that top!!  Congrats!

[bassman10096]

Just...wow!
 
Congrats.  Let us know all about it when it gets there.
Bill

[mele_aloha]

Thank you Jeff, thanks for letting me know.
 
Good luck on your baby which is just another one of my favorites. Im sure it won't be long.
 
Aloha, Paul

[mele_aloha]

Hi Mica,
I just wanted to post these changes as per our conversation so that you would have something to go back and refer to.
 
First of all thanks for omiting the sapwood. You made the right decision. Also thanks for the decision to go one piece on the peghead laminate, that will really look nice!
 
Today I requested that you install both the 1/4 and 5 pin outlets on the side with the 1/4 being chrome and the 5 pin gold plated. Great!
 
Next we discussed for DAD (hee hee) to have both side and front Led's to be on one dimmer switch with a shut off switch past that dimmer to control the front Led's only. That way we can always dim both sets or turn off the front set only and just dim the sides! Another Awesome feature!
 
Lastly, you are going to send some of my Quilted Coco Bolo cut-offs to Roger to make my custom knobs. I spoke with him about this and he will cordinate with you for timing and installation.  
 
Thank you very much, Paul

[mica]

We didn't get the side jack request in time - Bob had already routed it per the original order. Everything else made it though.

[mele_aloha]

Are you joking! I am so happy!!!
After I made that change, I regreted it and didn't want to increase my ass size to you by changing my mind again.
 
I am so glad the side jacks didn't go through!!!
 
Thanks Mica, Paully

[mele_aloha]

Thanks Mica for the recent pictures, they are beautiful.  
 
I would just like to put my request in right now for the best shipping packaging technique that you have available. Please let me know the options ahead of time so that I may pick them and pay you in advance so as to eliminate any delays when shipping time comes.
 
I appreciate your frankness up front with Mark so that I may understand my options and make additional arrangements with my own homeowners insurance provider above and beyond all available carrier options. And I do want to pay whatever additional coverage you can get tacked on through UPS which is my first request if possible.
 
Thank you, Paul

[mele_aloha]

Hi Mica, and welcome back when you do get back.
 
I just wanted to get this in as we get further along on my bass so that I don't forget. I would like to put in my request for a low action setting as I don't think I have mentioned this previously. And of course with my favorite strings, Alembic CX-3's.
 
Thank you, Paul