Hardy's Essence Bass

[mica]

Valentino asked me to send you some nice photos today. Here's your bass just before James put in the frets:

  And the peghead before he inlaid the logo:  

[mica]

These are the other pictures I had collected earlier in the build.  Right after front routing:

 

   In carving:

 

[hardy]

This looks great... BUT, Susan promised that this bass would take 4 months. FOUR MONTHS!!!! It's been since the beginning of March to today the end of October. That's 8 months! thats twice as long as you guys promised???... What gives with that? I would like to think especially that since this is a the 3rd try on this bass that it would be a priority on the assembly line. I have seen basses start to finish during my wait time. I certailny hope that this bass is correct in all the measuements that I put in on my initial order. I cant wait another year to build another one if this one turns out wrong. I was also promised pictures at the end of the summer and are now just getting them. Is someone working on this bass EVERY DAY if they aren't WHY ARENT THEY? I have a gig on Nov 18th that a lot of other bass players are going to be attending. Can someone in a plain yes or no answer tell me if I will have my bass in my hands by then?
Please advise ASAP - Hardy

[mica]

Sorry for all your troubles, Hardy. The measurements for this bass were taken directly off the bass you supplied.  
 
I just braved the fumes of the drying room to confirm that your bass was sprayed today. Everyone in the shop has gone home for the evening, so I'll have to ask Bob in morning how many more coats he thinks it will take.  
 
I can't predict the exact delivery date of any instrument. All we can do is to try.

[flaxattack]

i would chill a little hardy  :-)
... waiting is the hard part and alembic is a small shop. and they always take care to do right or make right.
took 7 months to fix direwolf
took 13 months to make direwolf and yes susan promised earlier and i blew my gut once- maybe twice and i learned to be patient
it will be 15 months by the time the tribute bass is done
thats a gorgeous instrument you have there. the coco is awesome. hang in there  
only time and the good hands of alembic can make a bass like this

[dannobasso]

As a professional anticipator myself, i must also add my relax and be patient advice. I waited 9 times for my children to be realized. They say that pain has no memory especially in birth. i never dwell on my past anxieties, just on the enjoyment of the instruments. on a reverse note, I took about 10 months to pay off my Skylark. Susan never called to ask when i would be done withg my payments.  You will be thrilled when it does arrive. i wish ebony lams were the vouge years ago. i missed out on something great I fear.

[lbpesq]

As Tom Petty said, the waiting is the hardest part.  I'm inching up on two years for my Further.  Of course I could have had a Fender in a matter of days, but that's why a Fender ain't no Alembic.  Art happens at it's own pace.  
 
Bill, tgo

[Bradley Young]

In through the nose, out through the mouth.  I'm in my happy place.
 
Bill's Further and my Balance K are brothers in wait-- they started around the same time, and, I suspect, will finish around the same time.
 
Hardy, I can assure you of one thing, and that is when your bass will arrive: when it is done.
 
To quote _The Princess Bride_: You never rush a miracle man!  You get rotten miracles.
 
Bradley

[mica]

James was rubbing out your bass today:

 

  It's still dull in these photos since it hasn't yet been on the buffing wheel.   Things are looking good to get your bass to you in time for your concert. Will keep you posted on the progress.

[palmann]

I like the contrast of the woods.  
 
Beautiful instrument...
 
Gruesse, Pablo

[hardy]

Mica, That would be just outstanding if my bass is in my hands for that concert this Sat night. Also would it be possible to ship it and hold it at the closest FedEx/UPS place by my house. This way I can pick it up right when it arrives (I just know I would miss the UPS guy for the first 3 delivery trys...) I will be calling late today about a few other minor details
 
Thanks - Hardy

[mtnst8]

Inquiring minds want to know.  Did you get the bass Hardy?  How was your show with your newest?  What's the scoop?
 
Brad

[hardy]

Actually no I didn't... Susan called me and told me the news herself. They tried but as always, Alembic will sell no wine before it's time
 
This also gave me the chance to add on (something I was thinking about as an after thought) of adding my initials inlaid into the bass {read: Dont even THINK about stealing this bass cause its marked for easy identification) As much as I wanted the bass, I would rather have it right and perfect instead of something half ass'd. Alembic will never do half ass'd work [thats what Fender MIM is for ;-)  ]
 
I want Susan to come up with something creative that will knock my socks off in a design. With my real name being Hardy Cash and always signing my initials H$ I figured why not stick it on the bass. She said the only place to put it is under the tailpiece but I was thinking right in the middle of the 4 tuning posts on the front headstock. I'll talk with her about that though...  
 
I am staying here in Vegas at the Hard Rock Casino and the place is littered with famous guitars... I have yet to see an Alembic on the walls (or behind glass)... Guess everyone famous or not is gonna hold on the something like that instead of giving it away... Says something about the instrument now doesnt it?
 
Well, thats the scoop!
H$

[mica]

Here's the plan - a nice juicy oval at the first fret with the H$ inscribed in black.  
 

 
This would probably look the most natural. Hope you like it - I think the double bars on the H are pretty darned sweet.

[hardy]

That works fine! It'll save time by not having to go back to spray at all and will get me my bass back before Christmas (Uhhh... WILL it get me my bass back by Christmas?...) I like the double bars too. An uh Mica.... I never really thought of oval inlays as being juicy... ;-)
 
Thanks - Hardy