Thanks, guys, and Mark - I'm excited. This bass is something I've always wanted. When I ordered my cocobolo Balance K, I had to choose against quite a few design options I really liked. This bass contains so many of those things that it's really just as much the bass I wanted as the first one. Unlike the Bal K, which was fashion-model beautiful, the Brown Bass will be comfier (short scale and oil finish) and a bit warmer (mahogany, myrtle, etc). The Brown Bass is really best suited to the styles and music I've been playing lately.
As to the unpleasantness, my heart still goes out to anyone who loses a bass. I hope the resolution of things goes well. Actually, I couldn't be more surprised to find myself awaiting delivery of a new Alembic at this time. I had always planned to get another Alembic at some point, but things only got hot and heavy when I picked up a very used Spoiler at NJ Guitars in late August. From there, I found what looked like a nice deal on a used Brown Bass (too good, it turned out). Then, when that situation blew up, I was blessed to have a wife who said, You never should have let go of the first custom Alembic. Don't let this one get away. Order it now. I am very, very lucky.
So, here I am. Somewhere down along the road on the proverbial long, strange trip.
Bill