Mark's Custom 6-string Bass

[the_8_string_king]

Oh, WOW!!!
 
...WOW!!!
 
Thanks for waiting so I could see it and approve it!  All I can say now is that I see and approve it!!!  I most DEFINITELY approve it!
 
Thanks again so much, Mica!  Thank you, and Bill, and all the rest of the fine folks at Alembic!  Beauty is, of course, in the eye of the beholder... that said, this is -in my eyes- as awesome as any Coco Bolo I've EVER seen!
 
You've done it AGAIN!  I really couldn't hope for anything better than this -it wouldn't even occur to me.  You simply couldn't have gotton me anything better... it's exactly what I hoped for... wildly figured and full of swirls and detail -but with straight or mainly straight grain in the middle to disguise the Bookmatch to Center.  I can see the front is absolutely perfect in this respect; and it looks like if the back isn't perfectly perfect... it'll be far too close for me to snivel about!
 
I love the contrast of the figuring... this is all the same board, right, just reversed on each side?  Regardless, it looks AWESOME!
 
This is really going to help heal the hole left by my Elan.
 
Thanks so much!  I don't know what else to say, other than repeating what I've already said.
 
Please proceed with the cutting at your convenience -with my utmost blessing, appreciation, gratitude... and awe!
 
Bill & Toby, thanks for the appreciation & positive vibes!!!

[bassjigga]

Wow this looks great Mark!

[the_8_string_king]

Hey just checking... these'll have enough Coco Bolo to go over the Omega tips, right? It looks pretty close...
 
(No disrespect intended, I know y'all know what you're doing!  Just wanna check!  And again, the centers of the BTC on these two board-pairs looks great!)

[the_8_string_king]

Just wanted to make sure that the Coco Bolo covers the Omega tips... it looks a little close...
 
(No disrespect intended... I know y'all know what you're doing, but I just wanted to confirm since you're going to cut soon.  Again, the centers of the BTC board pairs look great, thanks so much!

[FC Bass]

Very nice indeed!

[jlpicard]

Beautiful, beautiful cocobolo!

[jlpicard]

Beautiful, beautiful cocobolo!

[the_8_string_king]

Thanks guys!  I'm glad to hear y'all appreciate it too!  I think it's incredibly gorgeous and awesome-looking... as good as anything I've ever seen!
 
I'm so psyched!

[the_8_string_king]

Hey Mica... if you've got a sec, I'd appreciate a little reassurance here... 'cause I LOVE this Coco Bolo!
 
Will these boards be big enough to cover the whole top & back -INCLUDING the Omega tips?
 
It looks pretty close.  I can see there's a little additional wood at the top of the front board... and even more at the top of the back board.
 
I'm just a little concerned -probably over nothing.  Probably due to ignorance on my part.  But, at your convenience, please humor me and confirm that there is no problem with these boards covering the entire front and back of my bass -INCLUDING THE OMEGA TIPS.
 
This wood looks so awesome... I already TOTALLY in love with it, and I'd hate to have to go with other wood! I'm already fantasizing about how great it'll look when it has the finish, and then when I'm actually holding and playing it... so please confirm that it's safe for me to continue fantasizing!!!
 
Thanks, Mark.
 
Have a great weekend!

[mica]

The wood will cover front and back from the tips of the horns to the tips of the omega. You are looking at a slightly oversized outline. You can probably tell that the horns look a little chunkier than the finished shape. Even an exact outline drawing like we do for a case interior look larger than the finished piece. This is due to the way most people look at guitars. You concentrate on the flat part, and tend to minimize the size of the rounded edge.
 
The Coco Bolo does not extend to edge of the body since there is a rounded edge. More like 3/4 inch in from the perimeter. Check out Bradley's 6-string for an idea of the finished look.  
 
Hope you're feeling better with the assurances and explanation.

[the_8_string_king]

Thanks Mica, I figured it was nothing to worry about... but now I know for sure!
 
Thanks for taking the time to explain and assure... 'cause now I DO feel better!
 
Even though it's nowhere near as fancy and elaborate as 8 Strings of Power, I'm almost as excited... and it looks like it'll DEFINITELY be as beautiful!!!  And I'm confident it'll be equally awesome sounding -in it's own way!
 
I'm still hoping you and your dad will figure out a remote fix/diagnosis for the Europa... but I'm planning/assuming that it'll require a trip to the mothership... which wouldn't be such a bad thing.  My other half is already gung-ho for the trip!  It would be nice to see you again, and the rest of the family... maybe even the next generation.
 
Thanks again, hope all is well with your family.
 
Take care, Mark.

[mica]

Fingerboard getting glued to the neck:

Now there will be something to fit the bookmatch to centers to.

[the_8_string_king]

Thanks for the update!  I look forward to seeing the body glued on... and then the BTCs being installed!

[the_8_string_king]

Hi mom!
 
If you get the chance, I'd sure love to get an update and/or picture of the project... something for the weekend.  Even a brief description of the status would be great.
 
If not, don't fret, I know it'll be awesome.
 
Tom Z and I might come up together for our instruments, depending on the timing.
 
Also, reminder... the issue with my electronics on my 8-string, reserving your Dads time to examine/diagnose/fix the problem, etc... the premise again is that if we can't do a remote fix, I'll DEFINITELY come up to pick up the 6-string (when it's ready) and bring the 8-string to be fixed at the same time... and I'd only be able to hang a day or two or three at most (so I'd need it to be fixed within a 1-3 day period... that would be the premise of coming up... to stone two birds with one joint).
 
Another related reminder... if/when I come up to pick up the 6-string and have the 8-string repaired, it would of course be important/ESSENTIAL to make sure any (potentially) needed parts are already on-hand... I've already given you the serial numbers for the electronics -again, I think the balance/pan control MAY be some sort of special part (which might NOT be a stock part for Alembic).  So, just to be prudent, I'm posting this reminder/request well in advance of the actual visit.
 
Again, if you need the info again, or any addition info and/or anything else to be able to facillitate the repair if/when I come up, please let me know as soon as needed so I can do whatever is needed.
 
Thanks again for everything, the 6-string looks to be every bit as awesome as the 8, and I can't wait for the next set of pictures!!!
 
And congratulations in advance for... well, you know!

[the_8_string_king]

Hi Mica!
 
I'm seriously jone-zeen for an update on my replacement bass... so if you get a chance to throw me a bone for the weekend, I'd appreciate it.  But again, don't worry if you're too busy... I know you've got a lot on your plate.
 
Take care, Mark.