Thanks for the welcome, all!
To try and answer all the questions:
Q: It's your first?
A: Yep. This is my first Alembic. It's bass #7 that I currently have in the stable. I have 3 Mike Lull basses (M5, M4V, P4), a MM Sterling, a Hamer Chapparal 12-string, and a Modulus Q4.
Q: Were you tempted before by this glorious brand??
A: Not really, no. I'm sure this is going to bring fire and brimstone upon me, but I historically have not been a huge fan of the necks on Alembic basses. I have always thought they sounded amazing. This particular bass (I was told) was made to the same specifications that JPJ gave Alembic when he ordered his. Hence, the neck is a bit different than the standard neck. The neck on this thing is sleek, fast, and feels very good in my hands. After playing it, I just had to own it.
Q: I'm guessing the top is Zebra wood?
A: Yep! I love the grain too! The curve in it really adds to the overall body shape and contour. Very nice, indeed. :-) Other body woods are purpleheart, maple, and a mahogany core.
Q: Those must be store photos or else you have one heck of a rig.
A: Those are store photos that Bass Northwest took. I'll eventually get some more pictures taken of it and post them here and/or on my website.
I'm already thinking that it would be really, really cool to have an 8-string made to these same specifications. The GAS never ends.