Mark's Custom 6-string Bass

[the_8_string_king]

Thanks Mica.  I'll look forward to seeing the pricing options.
 
First of all, there simply isn't any room in my mind for doubt that, if it's an Alembic pickup, it sounds great.  So I'm sure both the AXYs and the FatBoys sound awesome.  There simply isn't any other possibility.
 
Club members clearly show enthusiasm for both; and is seems like there are strong opinions that if one doesn't go for dual FatBoys, one can get a lot out of mixing a FatBoy with an AXY, and swapping them to experiement and gain there own perspective.
 
My intuition is that I should get one for the bridge, with the wiring long enough so that I can swap the 2 pickups to experiment.
 
At this point, my plan is to ask for an AXY for the neck pickup and an Fatboy for the bridge.  This assumes equal cost of/for pickups.  If the FatBoy is more, I'll have to think about it.
 
Blah blah blah, you said you'll get Val to get me pricing info tomorrow, so I'll look at it then!

[the_8_string_king]

Again, as this bass is nearing completion, I'd like to remind you that I'd like to have the FatBoy pickup for the bridge pickup... and with wire length on BOTH pickups long enough that I can swap them to experiment -should I choose.
 
I never got pricing info on this option; I'm assuming the cost is the same or about the same... but as I don't know, this may be an incorrect assumption.  If there is little/no price difference, I'll stick with this plan... but if there is a big enough price difference, then I might have to withdraw the request.
 
I would like to pay the balance of my deposit fairly soon, and so, I'd like to have the pricing info on this so I can complete the transaction without having to call up and modify it afterwards (which would be a bigger pain for Bass Central and Alembic than for me).
 
So please, at your convenience, let me know how much extra (if any) the FatBoy pickup for the bridge costs, so I can either withdraw the request (or not) and pay the final bill in whole without later adjusting it.
 
Thanks again, Mark

[the_8_string_king]

Mica, Shim's bass has inspired me to again reconsider upgrading my electronics, which I've thought about before, but rejected due to expense.
 
I'm interested (maybe, depending on cost, and whether or not it's possible) in Shim's electronics -minus the LEDs.
 
Now it may well be the case that it's simply NOT an option at this point.  If so, that's fine with me; I was explicitly advised that changes after the finalized order are (A) subject to your discretion; and (B) sometimes just not possible.  I WILL/WOULD BE very happy with the controls I've specified... Europa electronics with the upgraded 3-position Q switch.
 
And I don't want to slow production any further.
 
So, that said... I ask you... is it an option at this point for me to get Shim's electronics?
 
If not, fine.  If so, how much, and how much of an effect/delay on production would it entail?
 
My understanding is that I'd have to pay $400 retail for the upgrade back up to Signature, $500 retail more for (one set of) bass & treble knobs, and then, $150 retail for the second Q switch to be upgraded to 3-positions... $1050 retail... is this correct?
 
Again, I'm not sure if I can even afford this.  But I've been wondering/thinking about it, and seeing the mockups for Shim's bass pushed me over the edge into actually asking.
 
Again, if it's NOT doable for whatever reason, that's FINE, as it's something I can stop thinking about; but IF it's an option, then I'm asking for a price confirmation, and an estimate of the effect it would have, if any, on production & delivery time.
 
PS, I'm prepared to call Beaver and pay for the peghead bevel & omega anytime you or he wants.  If this latest thing is something we do, I would be able to put out for that right away too.
 
I'm sure you want to protect the interests of you and your dealers, and I'm ready to pay for any&all additions beyond my deposit at any point that you or he sees fit.
 
Thanks again for everything, Mark

[5stringho]

Mark,
 
Mr. Felton gets a lot of money from us Alembic freaks, doesn't he?!
 
THe 'Ho.....

[the_8_string_king]

At this point, there is very little likelihood I'll upgrade the electronics -assuming it's an option.  I replaced my dying guitar amp, and upgraded a little -but it drained whatever fundage I would have had.
 
Oh well.  I needed the amp, and the Europa electronics are very versatile -especially with the upgraded 3-position Q switch.
 
With the Coco Bolo and the awesome neck, this bass will rock the house -even if the electronics are merely Europa electronics!

[mica]

I'm marking this as something you don't want based on your last message. Let me know if I've misunderstood.

[the_8_string_king]

Yes, ma'am, I'll have to be content with the Europa electronics with the 3-position Q (0/6/9).
 
My mate and I put in a bid for our first house today... if it becomes a deal, I won't have ANY additional money for ANYTHING for... probably quite a while.
 
I'd love fancier electronics... but I know from experience the Europa setup is VERY versatile -and this is, after all, a replacement for my old Elan-Plus.
 
The main theme of this bass will be the great sound & appearance of Coco Bolo... and with the other features & upgrades from my Elan, I'm certain I won't be disappointed with it... I won't be disappointed with the Europa electronics package -especially with the more versatile 3-position Q.

[the_8_string_king]

Hi Mica!
 
Regarding our recent discussion several minutes ago on Friday the 13th, I'm writing this post to remind you that I'm sorta flaking/waffling/flip-flopping on the electronics thing.
 
I would like quotes on several different things, at your convenience.
 
(A) How much would it be to upgrade to Shim's electronics... (Signature electronics with 3-position Qs for each pickup and a MASTER(single) pair of bass and treble KNOBS?
 
(B) How much would it be to upgrade to what I just described with a (single) pair of bass & treble TOGGLES instead.  (Like Toby's custom Rogue, but with 3-position Qs.)
 
(C) How much would it be to do the Series (I) prep -with the standard arrangement required (extra -relative to what I've already ordered) continuous wood backplates?
 
(D) How much would it be to do the Series (I) prep -with the minimum necessary continueous wood backplates (2 instead of 3, but/and having the battery -which I'd want- under the... sound card or circuit card, or whatever you called it, that your Dad isn't fond of?)
 
The ONLY way I could (gasp) afford (by which I mean, go further in debt on the credit card) any of these options would be to sacrifice the Omega cutout and dual bevel currently specified in my work order... now, for all I know, this may have already been done... if so, it's all cool, and there's no point answering these question, as there is no possibility I could consider these options on top of the Mini-Omega and bevel.
 
But -as much as it would kill me to add more to the price tag- if the Mini-Omega and bevel HAVEN'T been committed to yet, I'd like to get this info -because, if it's only a couple hundred extra dollars, it would be worth it to consider these (basically two) options.
 
I'd LOVE to have Shim or Toby style electronics... Signature electronics, with (only) a single set of bass & treble controls (knobs or toggles) would be awesome.  If it only cost a couple/several hundred extra, it would be something I could/should consider.
 
Similarily, if the cost to prep my most awesome second custom for Series I electronics only cost a couple/several hundred extra -so that I could someday, when I have more money, get it retrofitted for Series I electronics- it would (also) be something I could/should consider.
 
I think you thought the Series I prep was $550 more minus $200 for the hollowness I already have plus $X for 1 or 2 extra continueous woodplates?
 
I think Shim's electronics would be an extra $1050 retail ($400 retail to upgrade back to Signature from Europa, $150 extra to upgrade back the second Q switch to 3 positions, and $500 extra for a single pair of bass & treble knobs -and $400 extra for a pair of bass & treble toggles instead of the knobs).
 
Please confirm/correct/enlighten me at your convenience.  I'll be able to give a a decision right away when I see the figures.  It's in the ballpark of 50/50 whether I stick with the current plan -or implement one or both upgrades.  Price/cost IS the biggest determiner.
 
Thanks again Mica, congratulations again, and have a great weekend!
 
PS, if it happened to be the case that the body was glued on already, I/we could (maybe) consider adding additional pinstripes to make the body extra thick for the Series prep -if needed.  And again, if it happens to be the case that it's too late, that's fine, it'll be awesome regardless.  Thanks again!!!

[the_8_string_king]

Hey Mica, please do me a favor and give me a heads up here if/when you email me the pricing on the options above (assuming you send it to me by email -as opposed to just posting it here- which I think is what you said you're going to do).
 
That way I'll know if it doesn't go thru for some reason, so I can get back to you.  (I checked before writing this, of course, and it wasn't there at that point.)
 
I know that the Serie I prep option would require a slightly thicker body -which is a change you'd need to know about and which will delay construction until you know (unless, of course, it's too late already, and the body has already been glued up).
 
I should give you a definite answer on which if any of those options I want to go with within 24 hours of getting the pricing options.
 
Thanks Mica!  And again, the Coco looks great!!!

[the_8_string_king]

Oh yeah, it's conceivable that I might combine some of those options above (although more likely I'd do either/or -due to expense).
 
I'd love to get Signature Electronics with a master set of bass & trebles knobs or toggles (and 3 position Qs) prepped for Series I electronics.  In the unlikely event I were to do this (due to expense) I'd almost certainly go for the toggles over the knobs -both to keep it cheaper, and to require less space.

[the_8_string_king]

Hey Mica, I know you're busy...
 
Just a reminder... when you get me the price info on the cost for the prep for Series I and on the additional cost to upgrade back up to Signature electronics with a second 3-position Q, and ONE SET of bass & treble controls (I'd like quotes for knobs & toggles -to know the difference in price) I'll get back to you right away.
 
I know you need to know whether to make the bass even thicker for the Series I prep, and can't proceed until a decision is made.
 
I'm curious whether 1 or 2 backplates is standard with the Signature electronics.  I looked at different basses in Showcase, and some Balance K Signature basses had only 1 electronics cavity, while others had 2.  I'm guessing that 2 is standard, but one can request only 1?
 
This is important because, if I were to do the prep for Series I, I'd insist on continueous wood backplates, and you'd want to include pricing for that.  If 2 backplates are standard, then I'd need to know how much extra it would be for a 3rd (continueous wood) backplate); if only 1 is standard, then I'd need to know how much extra for 1 additional, and 2 additional plates.  I'd probably prefer only the minimal 2 -even though your dad doesn't like the option- just due to cost.
 
Again, no hurry.  I may prefer (or just need) to stick with the current plan.  Or I may choose to go with the prep for Series I, the upgrade to Signature plus B&T controls, or both.  Price will determine my choice -and I'll likely be able to do it quickly and conclusively once I have the pricing info.
 
Thanks again for everything!
 
Make Mine ALEMBIC!!!

[the_8_string_king]

Well, I'm one happy camper!!! ):
 
Me n my gal bought our first house today... which is obviously a BIG moment, and quite cool.
 
Another cool thing is that I found $400 dollars while I was packing things up!!!  And it IS going towards my Custom-in-progress!!!
 
Yeah, this is a really good thing, 'cause it makes it MUCH more likely I'll be able to do at least 2 out of the three options I'd asked you about.  I know I can upgrade to the Signature electronics and get the second Q switch upgraded to a 3-position switch for the same cost that the peghead Omega and bevel would set me back.  And I'm hoping that $400 would cover or almost cover the cost of the Series I prep OR the cost of a set of bass & treble controls.  Depending on the costs, I might actually be able to get all 3 of these options!!!  I'll have to wait and see, but I can't wait to get the price quote for these options at this point!
 
It would be SO COOL if I could get Shim-style or Toby-style electronics -Signature PLUS a set of bass & treble controls (with 3-position Qs)- that was prepped for Series upgrade down the road!  That would be incredibly awesome!!!
 
So I'm crossing my fingers and toes, and patiently and hopefully waiting!
 
It's all good!  Whatever I get will be awesome.  The Europa electronics with a 3-position Q are awesome... but having individual filters & Qs for each pickup really actualizes the full potential of a 2-pickup instrument -and being able to convert to Series at some point when I have more money would be incredibly awesome.
 
Yeah, when I ordered this, I strongly considered getting a Series I... it actually would have been $100 LESS... but that would have had NO OPTIONS... no Coco Bolo, no BTC(s), no Ebony or Mahogany neck laminates, no continueous wood backplates, no contours... and I really wanted to have these things.  Having Coco Bolo, and at least 1 Ebony neck laminate were essential things I wanted.
 
I'm really excited, at this point, 'cause based on what you thought the cost was for the Series I prep, I'm pretty optimistic I can probably pull this off by diverting the cost of the peghead Omega and bevel to a Signature upgrade, and kicking in the cash I found to pay for the Series Prep... then it's just an issue of the cost of a set of bass & treble knobs or toggles, and whether I could get all 3 options -or just 2 out of 3!
 
I'm SO EXCITED!!!  (And I just can't hide it!)  I'm excited about the house, and about this bass... and the fact that I can actually GET it now... since I was told not to spend any big money until we have the keys!!!

[the_8_string_king]

Hi Mica!
 
Moments ago, I posted confirmation on the main build tread that -bassed on the electronics upgrade quote you emailed me- I WANT TO UPGRADE MY EUROPA ELECTRONICS TO SIGNATURE ELECTRONICS WITH 3-POSITION Q SWITCHES AND A (single) PAIR OF BASS & TREBLE KNOBS!
 
Thus my electronics will have 6 knobs (Volume, Balance, Neck Filter, Bridge Filter, Bass, and Treble) and 2 toggles (the 2 3-position Q switches).
 
Here are my preferences -in order of preference.  I will refer to the mock-ups you did for Shim... but my body is a Balance K... and his is a little wider... so I don't know how applicable his options/mockups will be on the Balance K body.
 
First of all, I'm flexible here, and just want it to be mellow for Alembic.  I'll tell you what I want, but will respect whatever constraints you lay down.  Let me just communicate my preferences, and we'll see what works.
 
My FIRST preference would be what I described in Control Layout in Shim's FTC thread -in my post 366.  The layout would be just like that -minus the LEDs, which my bass won't have.  This setup consists of 2 parallel rows of 3 knobs -with (the row of) (N) filter, volume, & (B) filter closer to the C string, and the other row -bass, balance, & treble- closer to the edge of the body.  The 2 Q switches would be in-between the 2 middle (volume & balance) knobs and the knobs to either side.  This seems pretty clear in the picture/graphic representation.
 
You'll note that, in this picture, I have the two middle knobs in each row (the volume & balance) slightly farther away from each other than the other knobs are... but they could all be parallel.  Either way would be cool.  The biggest thing is that I'd prefer it be perfectly symetrical -if possible.
 
If not, my second favorite layout would be your mockup for Shim in your post 4038 (again in the same thread).  This is virtually the same thing -only the 2 rows of 3 knobs aren't perfectly parallel.
 
Ideally, in any even, the top row would be symetrical, with the (master) volume in the middle and the 2 filters to either side; then, the bottom row would have the 3 knobs with center detents (bass, balance, treble).
 
But if, for any reason, there are constraints about which knobs can be where, just tell me what they are, and I'll communicate my preferences within the bounds of those constraints.
 
My third preference would be your post 4044 -basically the same setup with just slightly different angles for the lines of the rows.
 
My fourth preference would be your first post for Shim -your post 4032- with the knobs in that pattern, but the two toggles within the 6 knobs... basically the same pattern I've already described -but just rotated at an angle.
 
At your convenience, let me know if these are doable.  Ideally, my first preference is no problem.  If so, it's a done deal.  I really like the first preference, as it's the most intuitive setup; it would be completely symetrical in appearance, and almost completely symetrical in function -the exceptions being the bass & treble controls.
 
Thanks again for everything, Mica!  I really appreciate your patience, support, and world-class service!!!
 
Mark
 
P.S. I'm going to attempt to copy the graphic illustration of my ideal control configuration from Shim's thread... here's the attempt:
 
..........NECK...............BASS  
..........FILT................CONT  
..........KNOB...............KNOB  
.................................  
.......................N..........  
.......................Q..........  
.................................  
......MAST.......................BLEN  
......VOLU.........LED.........CONT  
......KNOB.......................KNOB  
.................................  
.......................B..........  
.......................Q..........  
.................................  
..........BRID...............TREB  
..........FILT................CONT  
..........KNOB..............KNOB  
 
Looks like it worked!  So this is my ideal/preferred setup -for reference!

[the_8_string_king]

Now I noted that -in your post 4041- you responded that my post didn't take the jack into account... but your mockup in the prior post (post 4038) really didn't make it look like it would be an issue... if you just move the row of 3 knobs closest to the strings towards the tailpiece a little, then it becomes just like what I posted above... and it doesn't look to me like there would be any issue with the jack... but you're the expert -so tell me what you think.
 
Again, the setup above is my preferred ideal... but if there is any practical issue actualizing it, I'd ask you what modification you'd suggest... to get closest to it while addressing the issues (assuming there are any).
 
Thanks again, Mark
 
(Message edited by the 8 string king on May 07, 2007)

[the_8_string_king]

As you know, I've already spec'd a comprehensive list of details regarding my 6-String custom -in the E-mail confirming my purchase on 12/12/06.
 
That list covers virtually everything.  There are just a couple little things that've popped up.  Very short list.
 
(1) Most importantly, I saw a thread recently that showed an Alembic tailpiece/bird that was significantly off-center.  (In Showcase, in Pierreyves Stanley Clarke Signature Deluxe 2004 thread.)  I don't recall ever seeing noticing another Alembic with an off-center tailpiece like that, and I assume it's a rare anomoly?  But one of my character flaws is that I'm picky about stuff like that, and, even with the BTC, it'd bother the heck out of me if the center didn't like up with the join-line (even though it will hopefully be invisible or near-invisible).  So please keep this in mind.  Now I would really like/love/prefer the bird -which is what I've spec'd.  However, if you're not certain you can nail it, I'd ask to switch to the block -which I'd still want to be centered too, but which would not be a noticable if it were slightly off-center (since it doesn't have a little pointer in the center).  Also, I'd really like it if we could put 5 screw holes in the tailpiece, if it's not too much trouble; it would give me a lot of emotional security.
 
(2) I think I'd like to have that ferrite bead thing... the thing that reduces interference from cell-phones and stuff.  Is that extra?
 
(3) As mentioned in the original and subsequent E-mails, I'm interested in the welded palladium Switchcraft jacks.  Are these extra, and if so, how much?  Depending on what you tell me about the Omega/reach issue, I may switch to a Balance K Point body or a Europa (if still an option) and apply the $300 from the Omega to a Switchcraft and/or side-mounted jack.
 
That's pretty much it!