Rami's New Fretless

[mica]

Happy New Year, Rami! We should review all the specs together.  
 
Don't you think it deserves an inlay - like a little bird on the back of peghead?

[Rami Sourour (rami)]

Hi Mica,  
 
Just one small point I forgot to mention about the top and bottom laminates; I'd like to keep the straight grain of the ebony in the center with that REALLY beautiful swirl following the curves of the body along the outer edges.  
 
To keep as much of the swirl as possible, we can trim the boards from the inside edges.  I'll leave the rest to your discretion.  
 
Thanks again!  
 
Rami
 
Oh yeah,  lets again put an emphasis on weight....it's gotta be as heavy as possible!!!  Like The Dark Prince
 
(Message edited by rami on January 03, 2003)

[rami]

Hi Mica,
 
I was wondering if you have any news?
 
Rami

[mikedm]

Rami,
 
If you don't mind, what are the specs for your new beast?
 
Mike

[rami]

Well, I didn't want to Let the cat out of the bag, but since you asked.....HERE GOES!
 
Identical construction to The Dark Prince
 
http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_rami.html
 
But unlined Fretless, with Series II electronics, and red side LED's.  Lot's of little details as well, such as 18K gold tubes for the LED's, 21K gold inlaid logo with Abalone shell,  and a funky cool Eye of Horus inlay on the back of the peghead.
 
Mica and I have decided to name it the Black Byrd
 
In honor of my favorite musician of all time Donald Byrd.
 
 
Everybody now, go out and buy every album by Donald Byrd!!!
 
Rami

[basstard]

I can only say 'Wow'...
 
BTW, Rami, you surely love heavy basses. You must have a spine of steel! ;-)

[mikedm]

Rami, come to the Dark-Side... Geez, the ebony will really set off the gold accents, nice touch.
 
Is it a Rogue/set neck with SII upgrade or an SII/neck thru with a modified Rogue body?
 
not to be too nosy, hmmm, well, yes, I do.
Mike

[rami]

Hi Mike,  
 
Rogues are all neck thru.  You may not notice it at first when you look at The Dark Prince, because the neck is covered up by the bookmatched top and back.  It's body shape is standard.  
 
This one is a Rogue with Series II electronics.  No Series II construction.  I want it heavy, so it's gotta be solid, not semi-hollow like the Series II.
 
Cheers!
 
(Message edited by rami on June 09, 2003)

[mikedm]

Rami,
 
I don't know what I was thinking, I knew that.
 
So, by No Series II construction you mean no chambered body? I'm surprised the electronics will fit in a Rogue.  
 
Sounds like a sonic monster, can't wait for the story to unfold.
 
Mike

[rami]

Hi Mike,
 
That's right - No chambered bodies for me!
 
The electronics will fit because I decided to nix the Master Volume and pickup selector.  I found them to be redundant.
 
By the way,  I can't wait for the story to unfold either!  It may be another Featured Custom.  Hopefully, without the drama of the Dark Prince.
 
Rami

[rami]

Hi Mica,
 
I love the new boards!  Wow!!!
 
I think I'll keep the one that we selected for the top - I just love that wild swirly pattern.  I just can't let it go.
 
For the back, I like the Dark boards #3126.  Perhaps it may go better with the swirly top.  Let's take it's darkest and swirlyest part.  
 
I'll leave it to your discretion.
 
Thanks Mica.

[rami]

Hi Mica,
 
On second thought,  I CAN'T DECIDE!!!
 
I like them all, even the first one you picked for the back.
 
I'd like to keep the original top - I'll NEVER let that one go.  For the back, I'll leave it entirely to your discretion...whichever complements that beautiful top the best.
 
Thanks again Mica.
 
Rami

[mica]

Let's keep it all original, in person, the colors are very complimentary. I just checked with Kris, and the new Ebony can't be glued for about a month, so let's get this bass a rollin'!

[mica]

Progress!  The peghead veneers follow the shape of the peghead very well:

  Don't freak out! I can see the purpleheart and ebony veneers under the fingerboard on the bass, the lighting in this shot doesn't show them but I know they are there! Here's the first gold inlays around LEDs (these at the 12th fret):

  And the whole neck here:

  I'll have shots of the body progress next week. Black Byrd is flying. I'm listening to Wind Parade right now.

[rami]

Wow Mica......I'm getting goose bumps!
 
Makes me want to go and hold the Dark Prince again.  
 
I'm still hooked on Fancy Free!
 
Rami