Pierre-Yves, to answer your question, I think the wait time is probably mostly due to me. (Short answer to your question.)
After I placed the order, I had some questions regarding the body shape; since I wasn't sure what I wanted, that resulted in a delay, and other orders placed the same time got worked on while mine waited for the next round.
And also, there was at least a little delay while I made measurements on my other bass and communicated with Mica at her insistence -to make certain the measurements would be perfect.
Then, I had a specific request regarding the type of figuring I wanted on the Coco Bolo. While Alembic is known for generally being very accomodating with it's customers regarding figuring -an extra service they don't charge for- it likely added at least some time while they searched for what I wanted; I can't fault them for it, it's part of the price I paid for asking for something specific.
I also changed a request I'd made for a beveled peghead with a mini-omega (like yours), and changed the electronics I'd specified. Both of these change requests -which they were gracious about- added additional wait time. There's a picture in the archives with a note on my neck saying to hold off until I decide what I want.
And finally, I told them all along to take their time with this bass. There had been some tension and difficulties on my prior custom regarding the build time. Due in part to mutual communication issues, and certainly due in part to my being unfamiliar with the build process, I got very frustrated with them. Some of this could have been allievated by them giving me more of a sense of what to expect as a first time custom customer... but I'm certain I could've been more patient as well.
Ultimately, the custom 8-string they made me was incredibly awesome, and equalled or surpassed all my expectations, and looking back, I wish I'd been more patient and supportive more than I wish they'd done whatever things on their end differently. And it ultimately came to my attention that they actually lost a lot of money making my bass... some of the unique features ended up being a lot harder and more costly for them to do then they'd anticipated; in spite of this, they honored their price, and even threw in a couple of really nice extra things just to placate me... Susan even offered to give me a superfilter. I declined, and I'm sure glad I did, 'cause I'd feel like a real heel if I'd taken her up on it, and then found out that they lost money on it.
Mica told me not to worry about it, and that occaissionally it happens. But I learned from the experience, and when I ordered this custom, it was very important to me that they make some money on this order, and that making this bass for me be a relaxed and stress-free experience.
So I told 'em to take their time, and not once did I rush them. They may have taken me at my word.
So, in summary, there were a number of delays that were partially and/or mainly due to me; and I asked them to take their time and to not stress over it. There was enough stress over the last one. (Long answer to your question.)
