Todd's Custom Series II

[mica]

Hi Todd,  This is the Buckeye Burl that mom and I picked out for your bass. First, for the top:

  and then the back:

  So, at first, it might seem better to reverse which is the top and back, but since there are no knobs or electronics on the back, and you've got continuous wood backplates, I thought it might be nice to keep the more blue/cream that you requested on the front.   These are successive slices from the same slab. You can see the similarities, but also you can see how abruptly some of the figuring changes in just a small thickness.   Hope you like these!

[2400wattman]

I see a very ugly woman in there. Run away! Run away!

[tbrannon]

I see grizzly bear all the way....

[the_8_string_king]

Me too!

[2400wattman]

if your seeing the nostils of the bear in the center, that's where I see the eyes of the HIDEOUS DRUNKEN BAR WENCH!

[deburgh]

Great choices Mica. I cannot wait to see what it will look like with finish!  
 
Actually, it's a bit too nice, because now I just can't bring myself to ruin that grizzly bear on the back. If it's not too late, please change my order to BTC on the back as well. I'll post this in the changes / aditions section also.
 
Thanks again Mica, talk to you soon!
 
Todd

[mica]

We were seeing a bull dog in one of these. Never can tell! Added the BTC back on this per your request.

[mica]

Here's the embryonic neck:

  and a little closer up:

[mica]

Body construction is chuggin' right along now:  

 

 

 

  This is fresh from the clamps, and there's still plenty of shaping work to do, but your bass is looking more and more like a bass every day.

[the_8_string_king]

Wow, this looks awesome, another phenomenal Buckeye Balance K!
 
Are you getting an Omega?  And hey, what's the accent laminate between the Buckeye and the Maple veneer on the top?  Looks like it could be... Coco Bolo?
 
What a beauty!

[jacko]

looks like purpleheart to me, check the far righthand end. I think the dark patches will be excess glue.
i agree though, awesome looking bass.
 
Graeme

[deburgh]

Mica, I've got to say that I'm speechless!  Thanks very very much for the update. I've just got to say what a great feature this is, to be able to see the bass in the various stages of being built is very special indeed!
 
King, yes I'm getting the Omega. The accent laminate is Purpleheart. Hadn't thought of using cocobolo there, that sounds like it would have been really sharp though! Here's the specs:
 
Series II 5 String
32 Scale custom neck
Balance K Omega body, tummy and elbow contours
Center Ebony neck laminate
Side LED's in blue
Buckey Burl BTC top and back
Gold plated hardware
Custom tailpiece (basically a 5 string version of the bird of prey)
Continuous wood everything, including the truss rod cover
Inlaid logo with shell
Black Tahitian MOP ovals
Initials inlaid at 12th fret
Series II electronics, modified to allow for complete operation on battery power (I often use a wireless system)
 
I think that's everything. I've never owned or even played an Alembic before, and I'd really like to thank Susan for helping me through the customization process, and making it a LOT of fun.  I have a Tobias Signature 5 string (pre gibson) and a Spector USA NS5XL as my current main basses. I really like both of them, especially the Tobias as the 35 scale of the Spector is a bit long for me, but when the oppertunity came to order my dream bass I decided to go wiith Alembic,and I'm already really glad that I did. I can't wait to get my hands on it!

[mica]

Some rounding over completed today:

[flaxattack]

oh how i cant wait to see spray on this baby!!!!!!!!!!!

[deburgh]

You and me both  But as they say, half the fun is getting there!