Mark's Custom 6-string Bass

[mica]

I've made sure the body accents are still marked as pinstripes.

[the_8_string_king]

Thanks, Mica.

[mica]

This got me thinking today. I checked my notes, and in our last conversation about bookmatch to center construction, you had specified no accent laminates to keep the neck as thick as possible. This was in lieu of your idea of having the accent laminates stop at the neck, and having the Coco Bolo only over the neck. I don't know if you remember our discussion about how difficult (but possible) this would be, but at that time, the thought was to eliminate the accents alltogether.  
 
If you want a accent pinstripe, Maple would be the best choice for contrast. Here's Danny's Excel, with one pinstripe so you can get a visual idea:
 
 
Just to make absolutely certain, please let me know if you want:
 
1. no accent pinstripes
2. one accent pinstripe in Maple (for top and back of course)
 
Thanks.

[the_8_string_king]

Hi, Mica.  I would at least like 1 pinstripe.  If you think Maple is best, let's do Maple, then.
 
If it didn't involve extra cost, I'd like 2 pinstripes, whatever wood/colors you think best (Maple and something else?  It seems like Maple and Purpleheart are the most common combination; but I like Walnut, and also Vermillion).
 
Bottom line:  I DO want at least one pinstripe, and I tend to think I'd prefer two (provided there's no extra cost)... but -so long as I get at least one pinstripe- I defer to your judgement on the choice of woods/colors, and also whether to have one or two pinstripes.
 
If YOU THINK one pinstripe would look better than two, then give me one pinstripe.  It sounds like Maple would be what you recommend.
 
If YOU THINK that two pinstripes would look as good or better than one pinstripe (and wouldn't cost any more $) then give me whatever woods/colors you think best.
 
Thanks, as always, for your devotion to detail.

[mica]

If we do two, then we are getting thicker, and that defeats your other concern regarding the thickness of the neck.  
 
It doesn't cost extra to do 2 pinstripes, if you like the look we'll do it. Maple with Purpleheart would be better than Maple with Walnut - the Walnut would vanish into the Mahogany.  
 
This is your bass, Mark. You get to decide what will look best to you. Both styles will look great, so I'm guessing you'll want two, but you'll have to decide that and let me know - the sooner the better.

[the_8_string_king]

Hmmm.  Okay.
 
I need your help/advice.
 
I know I want at least one pinstripe on either side... Maple, since that's what you suggest for best contrast.
 
The question is whether or not to get a second pinstripe on either side.
 
Visually, I'd definitely prefer two.  Since you don't recommend Walnut, then it would be either Purpleheart or Vermillion.  I think, all things being equal, I'd lean towards Vermillion, for balance, since there's more Purpleheart/less Vermillion in the neck.  But, I'd defer to your recommendation -IF we go for two pinstripes.
 
Now here is where I need your help/advice/input.
 
My concern about shaving down the neck is based on concern about reducing the sound/effect/benefits of the Ebony neck laminate -as a result of shaving it down.  But, based on previous conversations we've had, I tend to think this concern isn't valid.  I searched unsuccessfully for info on pinstripe thickness... but I'm assuming they're roughly 1/32cnd of an inch thick, and therefore, two additional pinstripes would add an additional 1/16th of an inch that would have to be shaved off the neck.  I'm assuming this is too minor to significantly reduce the impact of the Ebony.
 
Does this sound about right?  Are these assumptions valid?  If my concerns about losing/reducing the impact of the Ebony laminate as a result of the additional shaving required to accomodate the additional two pinstripes are unfounded, then I want to go for it and get two pinstripes on either side.
 
Please get me the best answer you can.  I'll give you an answer as soon as I hear your response.  I'll check tomorrow before I go to work, and then first thing when I get back -which may be later than usual, around 5 or 6.
 
Thanks, Mark

[mica]

I only brought it up because it was previously a fairly major concern for you, and I just want to confirm that we'll be making the bass as you envision it.  
 
It's a really small amount of wood, I actually don't think you'll hear the difference if we use one or two pinstripes.  
 
Vermilion will brown out eventually and blend into the Mahogany same as fresh Walnut. As an accent laminate (1/8) it's big enough to still see when the color ages.  
 
You'll have to decide whether the change in color of the Vermilion will be acceptable to you in future. While the Purpleheart ages as well, it just gets darker, and as a pinstripe, it's not going to be too noticeable.  
 
This would make the stack:
 
Coco Bolo top
Maple pin
Vermilion or Purpleheart pin
Mahogany core
Vermilion or Purpleheart pin
Maple pin
Coco Bolo back

[the_8_string_king]

Thanks, Mica.
 
Based on your feedback, I'd like to go for the Maple & Purpleheart dual pinstripes for each side.
 
Are we getting close to putting on the body and the top & back?

[the_8_string_king]

If -AND ONLY IF- it DID NOT ENTAIL ANY ADDITIONAL DIFFICULTY- I'd prefer single pieces of wood for the pinstripes (as opposed to halves of wood -like the bookmatched Coco Bolo front and back).  This would also eliminate any possibility of the pinstripes not lining up in the center.
 
But, if this poses ANY difficulty at all, please consider the request withdrawn.

[mica]

Sorry, we don't get veneers wide enough for that. Every BTC we've done has a center seam on the veneers.  
 
I'll mark the Maple/Purpleheart combo for a double pinstripe on the work order before I go home tonight.

[the_8_string_king]

Oh, Mrs. Thomas... just one more thing... (as Lt. Colombo would say).
 
There was one more small issue that popped up that I forgot to ask you about during our brief conversation today (Friday 4/6/7).
 
I recently read a thread somewhere here (but I can't recall where) that expressed concern about... something to the effect of/that (at some point) too many (body) laminates -and the additional glue- adversely affecting the sound.
 
I've read so many threads I can't recall which one it was... but I do recall it specifically pertained to an instrument (probably a bass) with Coco Bolo.  A club member was advising another against putting additional laminates between the Coco Bolo and the Mahagony body, opining that it would/could take away from the Coco Bolo sound.
 
So I'd like to know your thoughts on this.
 
Specifically, I'd like your thoughts as they relate to 3 alternatives:
 
(1) NO pinstripe laminates;
(2) ONE pinstripe laminate (Maple)
(3) TWO pinstripe laminates (Maple & Purpleheart)
 
As far as APPEARENCE goes, I prefer (3), then (2), then (1) -in that order.  This is why I settled on & asked for the Maple/Purpleheart combo -as you noted in your post above.
 
But this was bassed on the assumption that there would be no sonic downside/tradeoff for any of these 3 options.  I'm MUCH more concerned with getting the best sound then I am with the additional spiffyness of pinstripes (assuming there's a tradeoff).  I've paid a lot extra to get Coco Bolo on the front & back, 'cause I want the legendary sound of Alembics house recipe.  I don't want to compromise any of that sound.
 
Now I see people get Coco Bolo instruments all the time with double and even triple pinstripes; hopefully, this just isn't really a concern.  Hopefully, the truth/your experience/opinion is that there would either be no difference, or that the difference would be too insignificant to merit concern.
 
But you've seen a LOT of basses... so I'm sure you've have meaningful perspective on this.
 
I'd like to stick with what I've specified above... but if the double pinstripes and the additional glue required may disrupt the sonic harmony of the Coco Bolo/Mahagony recipe, then I may re-think this.
 
So whadaya think?  What's the scoop? Significant issue, minor issue, or no issue?  If the additional pinstripe & glue may compromise the Coco Bolo/Mahagony sound that I'm paying dearly for, I may want to withdraw my request for the second pinstripe... or even do away with both pinstripes.  I'd hate to do this, 'cause I like the look... but IF there's in fact a tradeoff between looks VS. sound, I'll go for sound over looks.
 
Whatcha think?

[mica]

It's no issue when it comes to these very thin veneers. On March 14th I said, It's a really small amount of wood, I actually don't think you'll hear the difference if we use one or two pinstripes and I haven't revised my position, so I think you're safe with your top choice of #3.

[the_8_string_king]

Cool beans!  Thanks for the word!

[the_8_string_king]

The awesome appearance of Bradley's custom 6 string Coco Bolo Balance K in FTC prompts me to ask how much it would cost.  I know the front&rear bevel is $250 retail; but how much extra is the cost for the mini-Omega cutout in the headstock?  Depending on cost, I simply might just HAVE to get this/these features!

[mica]

I'll have Valentino email you about that tomorrow. He's got Tuesdays off, and only Susan and Valentino quote prices.