Michael's Custom Epic

[Adriaan Simons (adriaan)]

Mica,
 
About the quarter-sawn mahogany, not sure if I'm putting this clear but here goes: if you look at the direction of the grain, does flat-sawn mean that the grain will run horizontally (along the top of the wood) while it would run vertically (across the wood) in quarter-sawn? I don't suppose the grain would be running across the strings?
 
Do you only do quarter-sawn mahogany as a special request or do you just look at each log and decide what would be the best way of cutting it?
 
Do I see ebony neck laminates on Michael's Epic? Is this the first set-neck to have them? Would love to know if they produce the BIG sound like they are supposed to on neckthroughs. And how much do they cost on a set-neck?
 
Thanks!

[mica]

Ok, Michael, how does something similar to this feel?  


 
 
Thought you'd also like to see the laminates up close:


 
 
Adiraan: When you quartersaw a log, the tree rings run approximately perpendicular to the cuts, and the face of the board will show vertical lines of the growth rings.  
 
Check out Wood Web for some good articles about sawing logs.  
 
You'd need to specify quartersawn if you want it on your own order.
 
We don't process mahogany logs - we buy them already in lumber form.  
 
Those are ebony neck laminates, a $1000 option on set neck basses. I believe this is the first set neck bass with ebony neck laminates, and I too am anxious to hear how they sound.

[Michael Ichiyama (ichinumba9)]

Looks good to me, for the electronics, and  thanks for the pic of the laminates, looks great!  It looks like there's a face showing up in the top as it gets lighter.  Kinda crazy.  Thanks again for everything.

[ichinumba9]

Hello Mica, just wondering if my bass is still on schedule for a May Birthday?  Thanks and hope you're all well.

[ichinumba9]

You must be keeping my bass as Top Secret. LOL. No, but really just trying to see if it will be ready before Memorial day weekend.  Got a little gig(Martystock III)up near Shasta on that weekend and although I love my current Epic, I was hoping to give my new baby a great first birthday at Martystock III.  Anyways, gotta go.  I'm dreamin every night of the new baby.  

[mica]

Sorry Michael, sometimes I miss a message here and there, so thanks for reminding me!
 
I saw your bass in the setup room today, fully rubbed out (not buffed of course). I'm planning on dropping it by Guitar Showcase on Wednesday or Thursday of next week (the 14th or 15th). I'll let you know when I know what day the bass will arrive.

[ichinumba9]

Thanks Mica for getting back to me.  I'm very excited to hear and see my new baby.  I was wondering if it wouldn't be to much trouble, to get a picture of it finished.  
Also, I was wondering if you supply manuals with your basses?  I have a feeling that I will have some questions on how my electronics exactly work and how to adjust them, because I am not very familiar with the filter and Q switch and how those will integrate with my regular Epic electronics.
Thanks again.

[mica]

I'll post a picture for you tomorrow when I make the rounds for the Club.  
 
The manual is pretty basic, and your custom electronics are not covered in it. But you're always welcome to call or email or come by with questions. The main thing is to just experiment and find out about the sounds the bass will make in your own hands.
 
Looks like my schedule got changed around AGAIN, and it looks like we'll be at Guitar Showcase on Sunday. I'll confirm a with another post so you'll know when it's there.

[mica]

Argh! We are CONFIRMED for San Jose on Tuesday. Who thought it would be so hard to coordinate a 2-hour road trip? Pics on Monday, I wasn't able to do the Friday rounds.

[ichinumba9]

Sounds great.  I'm getting off of work at about 1:30 to go to rehearsal so maybe I can pick it up at Guitar Showcase.  Can you let me know if it will be there by then?  Thanks, and looking forward to the newcomer.

[mica]

I don't know if I should laugh or cry... the meeting we were confirmed having on Tuesday was changed to Thursday, sigh. I don't htink your bass wants to leave the womb.

[ichinumba9]

Ok, I guess I'll wait a couple more days.  Could you let me know when it will be there on Thursday?  Oh yeah, just wondering if you got a chance to get a new picture to post?

[mica]

I took a short stop at my friend's house on the way down to San Jose and since you wanted a sneak peek pic, here it is:
 

[basstard]

Mmm... Yummy! Congratulations Michael, you've got a sweet bass. :-)

[ichinumba9]

Hello Mica, it's been a while so I thought I would check in and see how the Epic Redo is going.  Just wondering if the coco bolo is still seasoning(darkening) or if you've started making the bass.  I remember you saying you would have the guys just make the body and take some pics for me.  Anyways, hope all is good in Alembic land and hope to hear from you soon.  Thanks.