Author Topic: Adam's Custom Excel (Read 1073 times)

mica · « **Reply #15 on:** October 14, 2004, 06:29:45 PM »

Sure does. I'll leave instructios for Bob before I go home in case he get router happy before I arrive in the morning (he's a real early bird!).

jeff · « **Reply #16 on:** October 15, 2004, 06:26:37 AM »

Another maple-less neck, and what a beauty! I'm guessing that the mahogany portion of the neck may add a bit of a bassier tone to the instrument, and the added combination of ebony and purpleheart will add some bottom end thunder and clarity in the mid to upper registers. The bass should sound as good as it looks! Congratulations Adam.

jagerphan84 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 15, 2004, 06:53:19 AM »

I was wondering when someone would mention the lack of maple :-). My Distillate has a maple neck with purpleheart lams, and my Essence has only maple. There is a noticeable difference in both sound and feel between the two, with the purpleheart adding significantly to the low end. When I switch from the Distillate to the Essence, it's like Where's the beef?? My goal with this custom was to take that beef to a whole new level with the ebony and purpleheart, and then the vermilion acts to reinforce the warmth of the tone. My ears are waiting anxiously to hear what this bass can do.

kenbass4 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 02, 2004, 12:20:52 PM »

Hey Adam,

Looks like you and I decided to take the base bass and expand on it...by quite a bit. Although mine's a bit more traditional than yours wood-wise, I think they both prove that you can get EXACTLY what you ask for with an Alembic. Now I just have to resist the urge to ask these fine folks Are we there yet?

Ken (TEO)

jagerphan84 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 02, 2004, 02:58:40 PM »

I'm with ya, Ken! The wonderful craftsmen (and craftswomen) at Alembic are ready and willing to bring the most wild ideas to life (as long as your wallet can back up your imagination). I started off with the intention of getting the CHEAPEST possible custom, but logic kept saying for only $X more, I could have this feature, too... and by the time I knew it, practically every aspect of the bass had been customized. I'm very pleased with the progress so far, and I can only anticipate the awesomeness of the final result.

Oh, and don't go calling your bass traditional. That piece of walnut is gorgeous, not to mention the cool grain on the ash. That's a very nice combination as well.

Adam

mica · « **Reply #20 on:** November 10, 2004, 12:27:51 AM »

Tony was carving the heel area before fitting the neck to body:

Will probably have sealer coats on the body on Friday.

jagerphan84 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 10, 2004, 03:21:22 PM »

Wow, I really like the contrast between the vermilion and purpleheart in the neck. Thanks for keeping me posted!

Adam

mica · « **Reply #22 on:** November 12, 2004, 06:02:22 PM »

You've probably been wondering, "what will this look like when the finish is applied?" Well, now you don't have to wonder:

The back has this outrageous ribbon-stripe figure. And one of the back of the peghead so you can see how that's shaping up:

jagerphan84 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 12, 2004, 06:37:07 PM »

Well, it looks AMAZING.

That's absolutely gorgeous, and it's exactly what I wanted.

With one possible exception - control layout?

Here's what I sent to Susan on 8/26:

Will this still be doable, or will it be standard Europa layout plus LED toggle?

jagerphan84 · « **Reply #24 on:** November 12, 2004, 06:41:20 PM »

(edit) (Oops on my part.)

(Message edited by jagerphan84 on November 12, 2004)

mica · « **Reply #25 on:** November 15, 2004, 04:05:17 PM »

Well darn! Your bass is slated to get the top peeled off and a new one set in place. Then, we can actually route it to your specification. It's great when nothing goes wrong, but we're gonna make some mistakes.

Pics in a few days with the new top and then back to spray. Shouldn't delay the delivery too much.

jagerphan84 · « **Reply #26 on:** November 15, 2004, 04:20:02 PM »

Well, shucks! This top was really beautiful. Hope the new one is just as nice!

jagerphan84 · « **Reply #27 on:** November 20, 2004, 05:05:07 AM »

Mica,

Just a quick thought - could the LED toggle be a 3-position, with Off-Lo-Hi rather than just Off-On? Please email me if there would be a cost difference and I'll check and see if there is any green paper in my wallet. Thanks!

jagerphan84 · « **Reply #28 on:** November 25, 2004, 05:26:54 PM »

Another thought - I spec'd for vermilion pickup covers, but is it possible to add a 1/4 horizontal stripe of zebrawood across the center of the MXY, and two 1/4 stripes across the FatBoy? I can make a photoshop mock-up if my above description is not clear. It would be something along the lines of JayDee pickup covers, but I think zebrawood/vermilion covers would work well on this bass.

Adam

jagerphan84 · « **Reply #29 on:** November 25, 2004, 05:37:32 PM »

Something along these lines, but perhaps simplified somewhat to allow the grain of the woods to take the attention, rather than the elaborate stripes.

Maybe a pinstripe at the top & bottom of each pickup, one larger strip of zebrawood on the MXY and two on the FatBoy?