Ke(vi)n's Custom Orion

[kmh364]

Du'oh! So much for the weight-savings of an Ash body. Between the batteries and the brass plates, I hope the thing doesn't become a tank. My aching back is concerned, LOL!

[mikedm]

the thicker purlpleheart top lam is great, nice contrast to the top quilt, superb touch. Another is the purpleheart pinstripes, she's looking stunning, Kevin.  

[kmh364]

Thanks Mike,
 
Coming from you, having seen/played the original EMW, that is a compliment. I'd like to take credit for the purpleheart lams, but Mica and Co. did the thick top lam all by themselves (just like almost twins), and bkbass (Barry) recommended the neck lams. I wasn't impresssed with the thin top stripe of purpleheart used on the orignal EMW, so I was gonna go with something else: I'm glad I stayed with the purple heart. The Walnut neck stripes on EMW (or on any other Orion I've seen to date, for that matter) didn't turn me on either: the purpleheart striping looks great. I've got another trick up my sleeve as well: Roger at THG knobs is making me tophat knobs that are an analogue of this bass's hippie sandwich with a flame ash body and a matching purpleheart lam with quilted maple cap supplied by the fine folks at Alembic. THG is gonna finish them off with a real 10K gold position marker stripe ala Alembic's std. tophats. It should look awesome!

[mikedm]

The thin (standard) body lam on my Orion looked nice at first, but as the mahogany body is starting to darken, the laminate is starting to blend in. Of course a more Jazz-like contour for the right arm would expose more of the wood...too many darn options...
 
Regarding the p-heart pinstripes. Was there any talk as to how they would influence the neck's ridgitity (can I say that?) vs the walnut, or is it more cosmetic? Regardless, I like the choice.
 
just when I get close to nailing down options, someone tries something new and interesting...you guys are killing me, but I'm better off than my wife, she gets awfully nervous when she catches me checking the FTC pages.

[kmh364]

With the light top and body, I'm probably not in any danger of losing too much contrast.  
 
From what I've read here in the reference section of this site, purpleheart (and more so ebony) increase neck rigidity, stability, and note fundamental sustain. While I'm sure there would be a difference in both neck physics and sound with thick optional lams (there's an Orion with thick neck lams ala the more expensive Alembics on the FTC thread archives), the thin stripes I got probably don't do much, but they sure look cool. I'm assuming that Alembic puts the stripes in there for a reason beyond aesthetics, and it's probably just to stabilize the neck. I'd have to defer to the experts at Alembic for the definitive take on this, though.
 
Yes, that is the danger of this site: the more you look, the more you want. I wanted the box-stock EMW, and I ended up with a spec'd-out monster. The more ideas I got from this site, the more I spent by incorporating those ideas into my own instrument. Susan had to cut me off from my options frenzy, other wise this thing would never get done, LOL!

[kmh364]

Mica,
 
If you have any more pix, especially of the headstock veneer and the body rear, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance.
 
Cheers,
 
Kevin

[bkbass]

I rang your doorbell today and no one was home.I hope I didn't catch you working but rather out to lunch.I'm thinking next week I'll be over to bldg.#80 again.What's your schedule next week?

[kmh364]

Barry,
 
By my doorbell, I'm assuming you mean the EWR Electrical Maintenance Unit door @ Bldg 80? While I've been accused many, many times of working for Tom Quinn and now Herman Ret (hell, even my mail goes there sometimes!), I'm actually over at Bldg 70 (the old Newark 2000 Bldg.) off of Rts. 1 and 9 (Just moved from Bldg. 74 a month or so ago). I'm with the PA Resident Engineer's Office (PA Eng. Dept/Construction Management Div.), you know: the place where the sh*t flows down hill to, LOL! As I'm responsible for all the Elec. construction in virtually all of the Central Terminal Area as well as most of the aproach roadways (soon a big chunk of the aeronautical areas as well), I run around quite a bit. Give me a call, and maybe we can hook up. I'm usually in by 0600hrs. so I generally eat with the working men (around 1130hrs or so). If you call me by 1100hrs, I'll rearrange my lunch accordingly. Soright?

[bkbass]

Yeah I'm thinking maybe Wednesday @ #80 @ 11:30.Call me in the AM on the 12th and we'll confirm.I know Mr.Ret,say hello for me.Dude,it can't be long now I'm feeling two more weeks maybe three at the most?

[mica]

Why does your peghead refuse to be photographed in focus?

  Had to sneak up on the back:

 The serial number was already stamped on the back.   Back of the body:

  Got your email and will review all the final specs on Monday with mom. She's feeling much better today, but of course we have to convince her she still needs some rest!

[kmh364]

Thanks Mica,  
 
You're a real trooper! You must never sleep. Thanx for the pix. The poly finish really brought out the grain in the Ash body, especially where it was carved for the tummy cut. Was the peghead veneer from the same wood as the top or was it from another source (i.e., outsourced commercial veneer)? While the pic is a little fuzzy, it appears that your artisans did find a good match..it does resemble the top quite nicely.  
 
No biggie RE: the stamped serial number versus engraving of the truss rod plate. It's my own fault for not specifying this to begin with. I had assumed that with the brass plates instead of the plastic jobs, it would have the S/N on the cover like it's more expensive brethren. You know what happens when you assume said Felix Unger, LOL!
 
Considering how busy you both are, I really appreciate the time you and your Mom are devoting to this project. If you'd like, I can have Superbass Steve call you guys to firm up the details and/or clarify any of the changes I made previously. Please tell your Mom to relax and get well...after all it is Mother's Day...everyone else is supposed to do for her, not the other way around, LOL! Happy Mom's Day, Susan!  
 
Regards,  
 
Kevin  
 
P.S., Is that a custom Telecaster-style guitar I see in hiding amongst all the Custom basses in the backround? I'm dying for a Custom high-end Tele and/or Strat-style guitar. Can you give any details, or is it top-secret? LOL! Inquiring minds wanna know!
 
(Message edited by kmh364 on May 08, 2004)

[kmh364]

Barry,
 
I'll give you a shout on Monday. Are you sure you wanna eat at Pugliese's Cafeteria in Bldg. 80? I usually avoid that place for lunch as I eat breakfast there daily and I am usually acosted by various PA facility and Contractor types that like to interrupt my all important cup o' Joe and bowl of shredded wheat with trivial work issues, LOL! There's certainly better food than that in Elizabeth or Ironbound. Your choice, however.
 
I guessed about one to two months until completion of my baby. Mica agreed that I was in the ball park. The finish has to be completed and cured, the electronics and hardware need installation and set-up, then they have to take it all apart to do the gold plating at the jeweller's, then reassenbly and final set-up is performed. They also have to order my road case.  No wine before it's time, you know.
 
Kudos for the sage advise about the purpleheart stripes and road case substitution. It'll be a monster, but it should fit in my new '04.5 Dodge Ram Cummins HD 4X4 long-bed crew-cab that I just picked-up today. It fits my two Eden 210XST cabs and WT-550 Traveller in the back seat area perfectly.

[kmh364]

Hi Mica,
 
I asked Superbass Steve to give you guys a call..or you can call him. I just wanted to make sure we're all on the same page as to the final specification of EMWII (EMW Jr., Daughter/Son of EMW, Almost EMW, insert name here, LOL!).
 
I hope Mom (and all) had a nice Mom's Day.  
 
Cheers,
 
Kevin

[David Houck]

Kevin; please forgive the following, I just awoke and I am still working on my first cup of coffee.
 
North Meets South
Left Meets Right
Up Meets Down
Atlantic Meets Pacific
Occident Meets Orient
Europe Meets Asia
Overthataway Meets Overthisaway
Thishere'n Meets Thatthere'n
Eastsoutheast Meets Westnorthwest
East Nears West
East Gets Acquainted With West
West Meets East
East Meets West At Different Coordinates
Sunrise Meets Sunset
Bass Meets Treb ...
 
Where's that second cup of coffee??

[keavin]

man that's gonna be one hot puppy when it's finished!,i also like the electronics package your puttin in it!