Mark's Custom 6-string Bass

[the_8_string_king]

Well, the countdown has begun!!!  Bass Central estimated my custom 6-string should be done by September 10th!!!  Of course, who knows, it could always take longer, but I'm figuring they got the figure from Alembic, and it should be pretty close!!!  So, that's a week away... and then probably another 2 days to ship.  Pretty freaking exciting.
 
I know it'll be awesome... it'll look great and sound great... but wow, I just can't wait to see and hear it in person, and to compare and contrast it to my awesome 8-string.
 
I've gotton pretty adept at the 8-string, and can play it as well or better than most folks play a 6-string; but still, it's big, heavy, and takes a lot of reach to get to the first fret with the extra long scale.
 
I'm working on the Prelude of J.S. Bachs' first solo cello suite (playing it an octave below written pitch) and boy, some of the repeated lower parts are a bit a a workout!  I'm figuring that it'll be much easier to play on the Balance K with the shorter scale and the smaller neck and lighter body.
 
I'm figuring it'll be like going from the bulky Enterprise D to the Enterprise E... or maybe Voyager!
 
Anyway, I'm REALLY looking forward to seeing it, playing it, and hearing just how great the legendary sound of Coco Bolo is, and experiencing the rapidly-becoming famous ergonomic comfort of the Balance K!!!
 
They're just the most fabulous looking Alembics!

[jacko]

Take some deep breaths mark. It won't be long now.
 
graeme

[the_8_string_king]

Another day closer... the excitement mounts!!!

[mele_aloha]

Hi Mark,
 
I just thought I would share some of your excitement with you in a little discussion as I am also on the verge of a little action this week myself. I don't know if you saw but my body got glued up last week so maybe by the end of this week I might see the shape of the bass take place. Of course I go by the old saying that Expectations are Premeditated Resentments so I am not expecting anything as I know the crew has their hands completely full. When they get something done on my bass I figure is when they have time to work on it. Anyway, I like their great little surprises!
 
So I just thought I would ask though you may have discussed this before I don't read all of the posts, what amps do you prefer to play you instruments thru and do you have an SF-2?
 
Also, do you use any kind of effects boxes or systems?
 
Another thing I wanted to share with you regarding my discussion with my UPS driver/friend last week is that he mentioned (which you probably know this) is to aviod ground trucking at any cost as much as possible.  
 
I don't know exactly how it works but hopefully you are closest to the major airports that they ship out of as the least amount of riding in the huge container trucks the better. He described that riding in those large trucks give them the best chance of getting buryied

[the_8_string_king]

Only got a second here, my woman is demanding my attention, but I wanted to put on record I've paid the balance of my Balance K off in full.
 
I got an email acknowledging this from Susan, so I assume everyone knows it's paid off.  Also it goes on my insurance this Friday.
 
Please call me prior to shipping.  At this point, it's 98% likely I'll have it shipped... but WHERE will depend on WHEN it's ready.  I'll probably call you from my cell during the day on one of the next 3 days to see where it's at -unless you post any info here updating me before then.
 
Paul, I'm getting the Silver logo that comes standard with the Signature basses, wherever they normally put it on the peghead according to their discretion.

[the_8_string_king]

Okay, I'm back.  To answer your other questions, Paul, I don't use any effects; all I have is an old Peavey TNT 130 amp.  Getting a better amp will be my next musical expenditure... but it'll likely be a while.  I've always elected to spend the $ on the instruments, but I am overdue to get an equally awesome amp to make the most of them.  I was looking into getting a Big Ben a while back -based on feedback from club members- but simply haven't had the money with the new house and all.
 
I would, of course, like to get a Superfilter and one of the Alembic tube preamps, at some point.  That will come after I get an upgraded amp.
 
I appreciate your thoughts about shipping, and Mica has said the same thing -that 2cnd day air is the way to go, with (statistically) the least problems, while, conversely, overnight and ground tend to have the worst amount of problems.
 
Yeah, it looks awesome, and I'm sure it'll even more beautiful when fully finished.  Something I'm slightly worried about is the tummy contour doesn't look as pronounced and deeply carved the way I was expecting like other Balance Ks -like Thunder and Lightning, Rio, and the Dire Wolf; but I'm guessing it's just something I can't see in the picture.  I can see that there IS a tummy curve... the picture must just not show it very well.  Yeah, I'm pretty excited, and I hope it's ready by the 10th, but if not, it's cool, 'cause it won't be much longer.  All that's really important is getting it safely here, and it'll be covered by my insurance as of this Friday.
 
And I certainly did see the latest on your bass and it looks PFA (pretty freaking awesome)!  It's going to be a VERY formidiable contender!
 
I'll look forward to your next pictures.  I'd like to see more pictures of my bass, but since it's so close, they might not bother since I'll know what it looks like soon enough!

[mele_aloha]

Hey Mark,
 
Well, Peavey's are nice amps to begin with. And you are smart as the instrument and the house are much better investments in that order of pleasure and monetary value so sounds smart to me!.
 
I see what you mean about the tummy contour. The way it's shaved or tapered they didn't go to far into the accent laminates. I don't know if that is good news or bad news. Being that it is on the back that doesn't matter to much and it is hard to tell how deep it is. It is hard to tell if there is a tummy accent from that picture. I don't know what to say unless I could see a better view which I am sure that is what you want.
 
Let us know when you find out more. It doesn't really look bad at all but that is very observant of you.
 
Take care, and thanks for the compliments. I am curious to see if any of the sapwood is going to show which will be great with me if it comes out right.
 
Paul

[jacko]

Mark.
2 things.. Firstly, your accent laminates are pretty narrow so you won't see the maple widen as much on the tummy contouring. If you compare it with mine, the contouring looks more pronounced due to the wider maple laminate. However, there looks to be more mahogany showing on yours so I don't think you've anything to worry about.(i.e. the distance from the edge of the bass to the coco bolo looks the same)

 
The second thing relates to the logo. My sig deluxe came with a bronxe logo so if you're expecting silver, you'd best confirm with Mica.
 
Graeme
 
(Message edited by jacko on September 05, 2007)

[the_8_string_king]

Hey, thanks for the feedback, Graeme.  I'm not worried about the looks -I definetly understand your point about the thinner accent lams- only that it actually has the full contour, for comfort and function.  I'm sure it's just the picture, but I'll ask 'er about it next time I talk to her.  I wouldn't ask 'em to redo it at this point, in any event.
 
Thanks for the heads up on the logo.  The quote generator spec's silver logo and script as standard on the MK deluxe, so I assumed it would be what I was getting; and it would be my preference.  But it's no biggie either way.
 
Mica, if you read this, I'd PREFER the silver logo and script, but if that's an error in the quote generator, and/or if you've already stuck a bronze one on, then don't worry about it.  I don't want Alembic to incur any unnecessary/additional costs and/or headaches with this bass.  I'll be thrilled with it regardless of the very minor detail of the specific metal of the script and logo.
 
Thanks all, nice of you keeping me company during the countdown, Graeme!
 
If all goes well, and it's actually finished by next Monday, then I should receive it a week from today or tomorrow!  And if it's not finished by then, I'm guessing it probably wouldn't be any later than a week after that!
 
Another day closer!!!

[mele_aloha]

Thanks Mark,
 
I was actually going to ask you for that info in the near future here as I saw you mention it in your thread so you beat me to it!
 
I am going to check with my business carrier and then I will call your guy and see what kind of prices and coverage I can get.
 
Very nice of you, thanks again, Paul

[the_8_string_king]

Glad to help, Paul.  I actually heard about Heritage from other club members here.  For a gruesome and heartwrenching story of something you'd never want to experience with your bass, see this thread: http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/23959.html
When club member Steve had his Series II decapitated horrifically, Heritage stepped up and got him a new one, salvaging the electronics and usable parts, and paying for the rest.  This told me exactly what kind of a company they are... the kind I want to have covering my back in the case of unexpected tradgedy.

[the_8_string_king]

Woo Hoo!  The countdown continues!!!  If all goes well, I'll be playing this awesome bass a week from right now!!!
 
Mica, Mary probably told you I called yesterday, but apparently y'all were getting slammed, so I'll try back today or tommorow to see if where we're at, and to get your estimate of the finish time.
 
Depending on when it's done, and other variables, I may either have it shipped to my work, my home, or my good friends comic shop -he's as trustworthy as they come, and he's always there during delivery time.
 
Woo hoo, thanks again for everything, it looks awesome, and I'm REALLY psyched!!!

[mica]

We're still thinking the ship date will be the week of September 10th. If you want the wooden shipping crate, it might take a week longer since I don't stock these as they take up a good deal of room.  
 
Until the day the bass is packed and ready for the carrier, there's no point in deciding where you want it to arrive since you're working with so many variables. Probably the best thing is for you to decide if you want the wooden shipping crate, and then we'll call you when it's all packed up and you can then tell us where it should arrive. Sound like a good plan?

[jtussing]

MUST SEE THE BASS!   MUST SEE THE BASS! ! !

[the_8_string_king]

Hi Mica, nice to hear from you!  (As you probably know) I tried to get a hold of you a couple times again today, but you were occupied with other calls again, and I wasn't available for you to return the call at work (Mary offered)!
 
Mary DID tell me my bass is in setup, and I'm thrilled no end!!!  And it's great hearing you think it'll probably ship next week!  Bassed on past conversations -PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG- I'm assuming the shipping I paid Beaver for is the 2cnd day delivery you generally recommend.  And I seem to recall you prefer to ship on Monday or Tuesday -Wednesday at the latest- to avoid staying in the warehouse over the weekend.
 
So hopefully it'll ship out on either Monday or Tuesday, and I'll get it two days later.  At this point, it's most likely I'll either take the day off and get it at home, or have you ship it to my extremely reliable and trustworthy friend Jim at his store -he's always there during normal UPS delivery times, and he's already aware of the situation and happy to sign for it and keep it in a secure place til I pick it up (which would be as soon as I get the call).  There are complications getting it shipped to work... drama and silliness.  I can do it if necessary, but would probably prefer to avoid it (I'll spare you the reasons).
 
I'M PRETTY SURE I WON'T GET THE CRATE.  I'll probably either get the standard case, or the most basic road/flight/travel case.  HOW MUCH MORE DOES IT WEIGH, AND HOW MUCH BIGGER IS IT?  The reason I ask is because I keep my instruments -in their cases- in a safe, and I'm wondering if the road case would fit.  I wouldn't want to have to take the bass out of the road case and put it in the safe without a case.  My 8-string has no problem fitting (in the case).
 
Since you posted info on the bass, I may or may not call you tomorrow.  If possible, PLEASE UPDATE ME on the status of the bass tommorow or over the weekend... how likely is it to be ready to ship on either Monday or Tuesday?  I'll call you up first thing on the day it's ready to ship, and give you a decision on what to do.
 
Thanks again for all your help, patience and support, you folks have been wonderful!  I appreciate all your efforts, and I'm grateful for this opportunity to get another wonderful Alembic, and to have it be pleasant for all concerned.  Special thanks again for the wood selections... the Coco Bolo looks stunning, mesmerizing... I'll always appreciate it and be grateful to Alembic... to you and Bob... for getting me a board that's as close to perfect -for my specific idosyncratic preferences- as I could've rationally hoped for!!!
 
Jim, thanks for you're enthusiasm and support!  I really think you've scored one of the most awesome looking Quilted Maple Alembics ever... and I think I've similarily scored one of the most awesome looking Coco Bolo Alembics ever!!!