Paul's Custom Series II Mele Aloha

[mele_aloha]

Wait, Wait, Wait,
 
Before we go any further, may I just have a body identical to Michael's Coco Bolo Lefty Custom?
 
That is the bass that inspired me the most to begin with!
 
Now I finally understand that his is the balance point which is the biggest one. If you already have a standard point with a pistol grip template I would like that body if it's a little lighter than the balance point. But if you haven't designed the standard yet with the pistol grip in left handed then I would be happy with the balance point since you have already made one for Michael.
 
I just have decided against the balance K because I like the larger looking bodies better with the pistol grip. As you look back at my last posts that has what I have been concerned about the most. It's not because of the time factor that Susan is designing it. The balance K has just looked a little to skinny for me since I have changed to that and I am glad that we can change now as I just like a little more meat on the body.
 
So this is my final decision. I would like which ever you have a template already made for. Either the standard point, left handed with pistol grip or the balance point, left handed with pistol grip like Michael's.
 
Of course, if you have already started my bass then this conversion will be dropped.
 
I don't care what the weight is, I just love the shape of that bass.
 
So yes Mica, Tuesday would be fine. You name the time and I will call in if you like or you can call me. I will give you the correct cell number to get in touch with me on your private e-mail.
 
Our time difference here is now 3 hours earlier than you.  
 
Thank you, Paul
 
(Message edited by mele_aloha on May 13, 2007)
 
(Message edited by mele_aloha on May 13, 2007)

[mica]

Left handed templates are just flipped over - there's no redesign for the mirror image.  
 
Michael's lefty is exactly a Balance Point with a Pistol Grip. We've got that template and if you like what you see, we'll be happy to use it on your bass. The Balance K with Pistol Grip will be added to the arsenal shortly, we've been working on it in conjunction with another customer's custom design, and it's coming along nicely.  
 
The best time to reach Susan is 12:00-2:00 pacific time. If you email her, she can call you, or you can just discuss it over email, since the change has been simplified.

[mele_aloha]

One last question then Mica,
 
Is there a standard point that is in between balance and balance K? In other words, are the sizes, Balance (largest), Standard (medium), Balance K (smallest) in this body style?
 
Thanks, Paul

[mica]

You've got the size progression correct!

[mele_aloha]

Hi Mica,
 
Is it to late to ask for amber led's on the 5th and 12th side lights?
 
If not could you please add those and bill me accordingly.
 
Thank you, Paul

[mica]

The blue LEDs have a different voltage requirement from the other colors. While we can easily mix the red, green, and amber colors, the blues can't be.

[mele_aloha]

Hi Mica,
 
Have you gotten a price estimate back from the Jeweler yet on a Gold logo? Only checking so that if it's in the ballpark we can get on it now so it doesn't hold up the bass any more later.
 
Thanks, Paul

[mica]

Here's a quick mock up for the 12th fret inlay:

I like how the M sort of mirrors the palm tree trunks. Let me know if you like this or had something else in mind.

[mica]

Well how's that for auto pilot? Here's one in abalone to match the rest of the ovals, plus some sort of blue LED reference:

[mele_aloha]

This 2nd one is very nice Mica, thanks, go for it!!!
 
Aloha, Paully

[mica]

Great, I'll get the word to Bob so he can finish up the fingerboard plumbing (that's the wiring for all the LEDs).  
 
You should see some sketches soon for the BalK pistol version.

[mica]

Hi Paul,
 
Here's my quick mock up for the 5th fret inlay:

The fronds are in abalone and the trunks in bronze mother of pearl. That's a blue LED at the center.  
 
I'll be working on the 12th fret initials tomorrow or Wednesday. We can't proceed with getting the fingerboard on the bass until the inlays are decided, since there are front Laser LEDs to place. I'm trying to work the designs around the normal positions (centered both ways) so that the spacing will look even from the audience.

[mele_aloha]

Mica,
 
This is very nice! I like the colors. And the bronze and the grain is chilling!!
This is going to be an awesome effect as the moon rising between the trees. I am sure you may have thought of this but, is this blue dot what the actual led surfaces like or can it be inset and covered with a larger diameter thin layer of pearl to mimic a moon effect somehow? And if so could the pearl be cut to be nestled in the tree as the moon rising in there. Please say yes!-, although I did discuss this with Val at an earlier time if we could do this behind the logo in the headstock. But the only reason for not doing that effect there was that we would be weakening the neck at a crucial point in order to hone out the wood for the wire.
 
I could understand though not knowing how the led is inlaid here so don't worry about me.  
 
I know there would be an extra charge and a delay but it would be well worth it to me to accomplish this if possible.
 
Credit Card standing by!!!!hahaha
 
Excellent job Mica, really.
 
Thank you, Paul

[mele_aloha]

Hey Mica,
 
Just so I can see for myself, where are the front led's on, say Raging Bass, Thunder and Lightning. Are they behind the inlays cuz I can't see them in the actual pictures.
 
Thanks Mica, Paul

[mica]

On Raging Bass the LEDs are through the shell, you can see the elements. On Thunder and Lightning, the LEDs are also through the shell, and you can see the 24th fret ones flank the inlay.  
 
At high brightness, mother of pearl shell makes a poor diffuser. You will still see a bright point. On something like Cheshire, there's a bank of LEDs running at low brightness to make an even illumination.  
 
Since the oval inlays are abalone, making a mother of pearl diffuser for only one LED would look odd when illuminated.  
 
Having the 5th fret and the 24th fret LEDs embedded in the Ebony directly, they will look discrete. In the center of the remaining abalone ovals, they are not obvious with all the figure in the shell.