Mark's Custom 6-string Bass

[flaxattack]

gee i am famous?
or is that infamous.....lol
bal k's just hang on your neck and tell you how special it is..i love my wolf and despite whatever it weighs it doesnt feel like a ton./..
 if i wasnt expanding the alembic line(lol) with my tribute bass i could easily have gotten another
you;ll be very pleased
 
(Message edited by flaxattack on August 22, 2007)

[mica]

Here's some shiny spray pics:

 

 

[tbrannon]

Wow.

[bassjigga]

Yours is lookin great too 8SK!

[the_8_string_king]

WOW, thanks a lot for these latest photos, what a treat!!!
 
I've been dying to see the back and the neck, but not wanting to ask -with all the things you have to do, and all the other folks here... so I didn't expect these; what a wonderful treat!  And finding out that it's in the drill stage... it's just overwhelming!
 
It looks absolutely stunning!!! The disguised BTC looks great on the back as well, and I love the look of the tummy contour and the pinstripes stopping at the neck -which also looks awesome!!!
 
Every aspect of it looks awesome, as good as I could've hoped for!  I can't wait to see it with the continueous wood backplate on!!! I know it won't be much longer now.  Thanks again to everyone at Alembic for all the love and care you've put into my replacement bass Elana!

[flaxattack]

lovely shade of red mark
great layouts by bob again...
love the squigglies by the bridge pu and the taper running up the spine on the back

[jacko]

looking really sweet Mark. love the neck laminates.
 
graeme

[jtussing]

Beautiful bass, Mark!  Love the swirly coco!
 
- Jim

[crgaston]

Great neck!  It really darkened up nicely.  This thing is going to sound like a freight train!

[the_8_string_king]

Thanks for the nice comments, everyone!
 
Yep, it's shaping up to be a unique and exceptional beauty... just like I want!
 
I'm looking forward to joining the Omega Club, Coco Bolo Club, and Balance K Clum -all in one fell swoop!
 
Thanks again, all.  Mark!

[the_8_string_king]

WOO HOO!!!  I just got the word today!!!  When I got home, there was a message on my machine from Bass Central, a courtesy call advising me that my bass should be finished and ready to ship around the 10th!!!
 
I can only assume Alembic contacted them with this info, and expects to have it completed by or around that time!!!
 
Obviously, this is extremely exciting, and I'm extremely psyched at the thought that this stunning beauty should be in my hands in only/just about two (more) weeks!!!
 
I want to thank all the club members here who shared their thoughts and opinions with me -especially in the very beginning stages of the project, when I was seeking advice about exactly what to get.  I'm very pleased I decided to get Coco Bolo on both the front and back, and to have it bookmatched to center on each; and I appreciated the input on that, and on all the other aspects of the instrument -especially (also) getting the Balance K body with the Omega.
 
Just another two weeks or so... that's not much longer to wait!!!
 
Boy, it sure looks like it's going to be an absolute knockout!!!  And the pictures never do 'em justice... I can't wait to hear how it sounds... I know it'll sound as great (or ever better -to the extent that's possible) as it looks... but still, I can't wait to hear the famous Coco Bolo sound -which I should get to the max, since I've got it BTCered on both the front and the back.
 
Thanks again, all, for your interest, support, and feedback... and thanks again to the wonderful staff at Alembic for making these wonderful instruments possible... for transforming our ideas into reality, and doing it so perfectly and lovingly!!!
 
It's been an absolute pleasure, and I apologize for any time(s) when I've been a pain in the butt!  I tried real hard to behave myself this time, and be nothing but patient and supportive.  I thank you for bearing with me through the occaissional changes/additions.
 
You folks are the best, thanks again!

[mele_aloha]

Hey Mark,
 
Congradulations on your beautiful instrument and the proposed arrival. I can imagine how stoked you are. Isn't all of this a magical process? In fact I am starting to think I may have a little PTSD when mine finally arrives as lately I have been running on adrenaline from this website, mostly  from anticipation.
 
And if there is anything I would like to apologize to you to for sometimes being controversial-probably just out of insecurity at times but most of all I'd like to apologize to all for is my spelling. The way I look at spelling in an arena like this though is that as long as it works phonically then you all probably get the point! haha!!!!
 
Anyway the main point to write you is because you just brought something to my attention that I had missed. Regarding your BTC's it just dawned on me that by BTC'ing you are actually overlapping the body woods with the neck and therefore making more contact between these woods, locking the body tighter into the neck, thus picking up alot more vibration or frequency's. This to me is a huge plus in the utilization of all potentialities. I can just now imagine how much more this adds to the overall tone possibilities of your bass.
 
I have been torn during this whole construction phase about going BTC or Top to Center wood. Originally I had drawn in my blueprint of my neck which I sent to Alembic to bring my top wood to center from the bottom of the bridge pick-up down to my heart omega thus covering my neck wood and from the top of that pick-up to the neck have the neck woods showing between the pick-ups and around the nut . This proposal was denied me by Valentino I believe saying that it couldn't be done. I know in my own heart that it could be done and in fact I think the Alembic artist's probably weren't asked if they could do it. I was really just trying to bring another little design feature to the front look of the instruments and also having some effect on the sound. I think it would look really sharp as well.
 
Anyway, congradulations on your design. Your baby is coming out stunning. Keep up the good work and enjoy the ride. You deserve it!
 
Also thanks for the nice words on my post. Keep an eye out on my bass and lets see if I'm going to get any of that sapwood showing for a little highlight.
 
Take care Mark,    Paul

[the_8_string_king]

Hey, thanks again for your additional thoughts, Paul, and I respect what you said about the insecurity thing and all.  It takes a big man to say it.  But it makes you a better man.  Who among us hasn't been moved to do/say/respond to something out of fear or insecurity in a way he/she would've preferred not to?  Few if any.
 
I tend to think we almost certainly all have; and the only issue is whether we acknowledge it.  If and when we do, then we can put it behind us, and we're better for it.
 
I feel for you that you didn't get that unique design feature you wanted.  But your bass will look and sound absolutely awesome.  And that feature probably would've cost a lot extra.
 
Yeah, I kicked out the extra bucks for the BTC on both the front and rear 'cause I really wanted to make sure I got the absolute maximum Coco Bolo sound... and having it completely surround the neck... having the wood join together across the top and back... should definitely achieve that objective.  Plus... I just love the way it looks!!!
 
Hey, don't worry about spelling... it's the least of our worries!!!
 
I'll be keeping my eye out on your FTC thread, awaiting the next developments!!!
 
Mark

[mele_aloha]

Thanks again Mark. Everything you just said is all good. I admire your intellectual approach to your ordering. You have taught me alot during this ordering process as you are well thought out in your decisions. Taking a firm stance once you have made up your mind.
 
Most of all you are covering all the bases from design to delivery. Because of one of your threads I had a lengthy conversation with my friend Tim and my UPS delivery person. You have brought up many topics for me to consider in my order that I otherwise would have definately overlooked. Believe me- I am not in the least bit over exagerating this to come across mushy. You have opened up many avenues for me to consider in my design which has contributed greatly to the outcome of this beaut. And I would have to say that if my Bass made it as a  featured custom I wouldn't hesitate to give credit where credit was due.
 
My next focus will be on shipping so let us know how your experience takes place and good luck!
I'm going with the new double layer packaging    that Alembic says they offer so that is the next topic for my additions thread.
 
Must go to sleep now, something is wrong with the way my keyboard is working.    
 
Aloha for now, goodnight. Paul

[the_8_string_king]

Hey, thanks Paul, that's nice of you to say.  I'm glad my thoughts have been helpful to you.  That is certainly my only objective in saying them.  You, of course, will ultimately be the one with your custom dream bass, and I'd like you to be as happy with it as you can be... same for everyone else, and same for me.
 
This site has been a wealth of information for me.  I've learned a LOT of stuff from the many people here, and this site is just a fabulous resource.  Sometimes other people ask questions or have issues for which I think I do or may have valuable thoughts to contribute.  Oftentimes people ask questions for which I have no answers and have nothing to contribute, and I sit back while others endeavor to assist.
 
I'm grateful for the knowledge, experience, and feedback of the many club members here; they have been very helpful and instrumental (double entendre) in helping me design my new custom bass.  It pleases me to be able to help others, as others have helped me.
 
Sleep well, and I hope the issue with the keyboard is minor (and diminished!).