| Author | Message | ||
| bkbass
Junior Username: bkbass Post Number: 25 Registered: 11-2003 |
Ya see what I'm talkin bout!The quilt is soooo much more awesome than EMW.Ya gotta keep the faith.Looks like your gonna get yours before I get mine.Can't wait to see and hear it in person. | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 55 Registered: 9-2003 |
Well, it doesn't have those big baloney curls a la "almost twins" like I was hoping for, but it is a very nice top. I realize that quilt sets like those are very hard to come by...just wishful thinking on my part. I'm wondering how much of the nice Ash back I'm losing to electronics and battery cavities. EMW has a big control cavity plate and a small battery plate...EMWII has side LED's as well, so I may be either getting a third plate or a bigger combo battery plate. At least they'll be covered by brass plates instead of black plastic. | ||
| bkbass
Junior Username: bkbass Post Number: 28 Registered: 11-2003 |
Three plates are the norm. Electronics,battery and a bigger battery box for the fingerboard lights as they require 4 batteries.That energizer bunny and you are going to become next of kin.Although given the amount of space in the control cavity and the layout of the controls perhaps only two plates. | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 57 Registered: 9-2003 |
Du'oh! So much for the weight-savings of an Ash body. Between the batteries and the brass plates, I hope the thing doesn't become a tank. My aching back is concerned, LOL! | ||
| groovelines
Intermediate Member Username: groovelines Post Number: 166 Registered: 4-2003 |
the thicker purlpleheart top lam is great, nice contrast to the top quilt, superb touch. Another is the purpleheart pinstripes, she's looking stunning, Kevin.  | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 58 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks Mike, Coming from you, having seen/played the original EMW, that is a compliment. I'd like to take credit for the purpleheart lams, but Mica and Co. did the thick top lam all by themselves (just like "almost twins"), and bkbass (Barry) recommended the neck lams. I wasn't impresssed with the thin top stripe of purpleheart used on the orignal EMW, so I was gonna go with something else: I'm glad I stayed with the purple heart. The Walnut neck stripes on EMW (or on any other Orion I've seen to date, for that matter) didn't turn me on either: the purpleheart striping looks great. I've got another trick up my sleeve as well: Roger at THG knobs is making me tophat knobs that are an analogue of this bass's "hippie sandwich" with a flame ash body and a matching purpleheart lam with quilted maple cap supplied by the fine folks at Alembic. THG is gonna finish them off with a real 10K gold position marker stripe ala Alembic's std. tophats. It should look awesome! | ||
| groovelines
Intermediate Member Username: groovelines Post Number: 167 Registered: 4-2003 |
The thin (standard) body lam on my Orion looked nice at first, but as the mahogany body is starting to darken, the laminate is starting to blend in. Of course a more Jazz-like contour for the right arm would expose more of the wood...too many darn options... Regarding the p-heart pinstripes. Was there any talk as to how they would influence the neck's ridgitity (can I say that?) vs the walnut, or is it more cosmetic? Regardless, I like the choice. just when I get close to nailing down options, someone tries something new and interesting...you guys are killing me, but I'm better off than my wife, she gets awfully nervous when she catches me checking the FTC pages. | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 59 Registered: 9-2003 |
With the light top and body, I'm probably not in any danger of losing too much contrast. From what I've read here in the reference section of this site, purpleheart (and more so ebony) increase neck rigidity, stability, and note fundamental sustain. While I'm sure there would be a difference in both neck physics and sound with thick optional lams (there's an Orion with thick neck lams ala the more expensive Alembics on the FTC thread archives), the thin stripes I got probably don't do much, but they sure look cool. I'm assuming that Alembic puts the stripes in there for a reason beyond aesthetics, and it's probably just to stabilize the neck. I'd have to defer to the experts at Alembic for the definitive take on this, though. Yes, that is the danger of this site: the more you look, the more you want. I wanted the box-stock EMW, and I ended up with a spec'd-out monster. The more ideas I got from this site, the more I spent by incorporating those ideas into my own instrument. Susan had to cut me off from my options frenzy, other wise this thing would never get done, LOL! | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 60 Registered: 9-2003 |
Mica, If you have any more pix, especially of the headstock veneer and the body rear, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance. Cheers, Kevin | ||
| bkbass
Junior Username: bkbass Post Number: 30 Registered: 11-2003 |
I rang your doorbell today and no one was home.I hope I didn't catch you working but rather out to lunch.I'm thinking next week I'll be over to bldg.#80 again.What's your schedule next week? | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 61 Registered: 9-2003 |
Barry, By my doorbell, I'm assuming you mean the EWR Electrical Maintenance Unit door @ Bldg 80? While I've been accused many, many times of working for Tom Quinn and now Herman Ret (hell, even my mail goes there sometimes!), I'm actually over at Bldg 70 (the old Newark 2000 Bldg.) off of Rts. 1 and 9 (Just moved from Bldg. 74 a month or so ago). I'm with the PA Resident Engineer's Office (PA Eng. Dept/Construction Management Div.), you know: the place where the sh*t flows down hill to, LOL! As I'm responsible for all the Elec. construction in virtually all of the Central Terminal Area as well as most of the aproach roadways (soon a big chunk of the aeronautical areas as well), I run around quite a bit. Give me a call, and maybe we can hook up. I'm usually in by 0600hrs. so I generally eat with the working men (around 1130hrs or so). If you call me by 1100hrs, I'll rearrange my lunch accordingly. Soright? | ||
| bkbass
Junior Username: bkbass Post Number: 31 Registered: 11-2003 |
Yeah I'm thinking maybe Wednesday @ #80 @ 11:30.Call me in the AM on the 12th and we'll confirm.I know Mr.Ret,say hello for me.Dude,it can't be long now I'm feeling two more weeks maybe three at the most? | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1635 Registered: 6-2000 |
Why does your peghead refuse to be photographed in focus?  Had to sneak up on the back:  The serial number was already stamped on the back. Back of the body:  Got your email and will review all the final specs on Monday with mom. She's feeling much better today, but of course we have to convince her she still needs some rest! | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 66 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks Mica, You're a real trooper! You must never sleep. Thanx for the pix. The poly finish really brought out the grain in the Ash body, especially where it was carved for the tummy cut. Was the peghead veneer from the same wood as the top or was it from another source (i.e., outsourced commercial veneer)? While the pic is a little fuzzy, it appears that your artisans did find a good match..it does resemble the top quite nicely. No biggie RE: the stamped serial number versus engraving of the truss rod plate. It's my own fault for not specifying this to begin with. I had assumed that with the brass plates instead of the plastic jobs, it would have the S/N on the cover like it's more expensive brethren. You know what happens when you "assume" said Felix Unger, LOL! Considering how busy you both are, I really appreciate the time you and your Mom are devoting to this project. If you'd like, I can have Superbass Steve call you guys to firm up the details and/or clarify any of the changes I made previously. Please tell your Mom to relax and get well...after all it is Mother's Day...everyone else is supposed to do for her, not the other way around, LOL! Happy Mom's Day, Susan! Regards, Kevin P.S., Is that a custom Telecaster-style guitar I see in hiding amongst all the Custom basses in the backround? I'm dying for a Custom high-end Tele and/or Strat-style guitar. Can you give any details, or is it top-secret? LOL! Inquiring minds wanna know! (Message edited by kmh364 on May 08, 2004) | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 67 Registered: 9-2003 |
Barry, I'll give you a shout on Monday. Are you sure you wanna eat at Pugliese's Cafeteria in Bldg. 80? I usually avoid that place for lunch as I eat breakfast there daily and I am usually acosted by various PA facility and Contractor types that like to interrupt my all important cup o' Joe and bowl of shredded wheat with trivial work issues, LOL! There's certainly better food than that in Elizabeth or Ironbound. Your choice, however. I guessed about one to two months until completion of my baby. Mica agreed that I was in the ball park. The finish has to be completed and cured, the electronics and hardware need installation and set-up, then they have to take it all apart to do the gold plating at the jeweller's, then reassenbly and final set-up is performed. They also have to order my road case. No wine before it's time, you know. Kudos for the sage advise about the purpleheart stripes and road case substitution. It'll be a monster, but it should fit in my new '04.5 Dodge Ram Cummins HD 4X4 long-bed crew-cab that I just picked-up today. It fits my two Eden 210XST cabs and WT-550 Traveller in the back seat area perfectly. | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 74 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi Mica, I asked Superbass Steve to give you guys a call..or you can call him. I just wanted to make sure we're all on the same page as to the final specification of EMWII (EMW Jr., Daughter/Son of EMW, Almost EMW, "insert name here", LOL!). I hope Mom (and all) had a nice Mom's Day. Cheers, Kevin | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 533 Registered: 5-2002 |
Kevin; please forgive the following, I just awoke and I am still working on my first cup of coffee. North Meets South Left Meets Right Up Meets Down Atlantic Meets Pacific Occident Meets Orient Europe Meets Asia Overthataway Meets Overthisaway Thishere'n Meets Thatthere'n Eastsoutheast Meets Westnorthwest East Nears West East Gets Acquainted With West West Meets East East Meets West At Different Coordinates Sunrise Meets Sunset Bass Meets Treb ... Where's that second cup of coffee?? | ||
| keavin
Advanced Member Username: keavin Post Number: 356 Registered: 12-2002 |
man that's gonna be one hot puppy when it's finished!,i also like the electronics package your puttin in it! | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 75 Registered: 9-2003 |
Dave: First cup? I'd say you've had enough already, LOL! Keavin: Thanks much. I'm droolin' waitin' for his thing. | ||
| hollis
Intermediate Member Username: hollis Post Number: 189 Registered: 11-2003 |
Dave, Thanks for the morning gaffaw! I almost spit out my second cup of coffee!! | ||
| mint_bass
Intermediate Member Username: mint_bass Post Number: 148 Registered: 1-2004 |
sorry double post silly silly andrew (Message edited by mint bass on May 12, 2004) | ||
| mint_bass
Intermediate Member Username: mint_bass Post Number: 149 Registered: 1-2004 |
this is going to look great i love the grain of the ash i cant wait to see it complete coffee i have allready started on the beer well we are hours ahead here in the uk but still | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 76 Registered: 9-2003 |
Andrew: Thanks, Mate. You and me both. While the thing is (at least to me) beautiful, I'm actually surprised that I'm getting so many favorable responses. I figured that I'd be derided by the collective Alembic faithful for copying a Special O' Month. I've tried to personalize it as much as I can, but there's no hiding the fact of which bass it is that I really wanted to own. Cheers, Kevin | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 77 Registered: 9-2003 |
Mica, Any more progress pix? Did you confirm the final specs. with your Mom? Did Superbass Steve call Re: the same? Inquiring minds wanna know, LOL! Regards, Kevin | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 78 Registered: 9-2003 |
Mica, Can you tell me what the control knob/switch layout is gonna be? I was looking at East Meets West and the Custom Orion in your online store (So THAT'S what happened to the original EMWII boo-boo? LOL!). I'm not sure I'm diggin' the latter's control layout as opposed to the former. Please advise what knob/switch goes where ASAP. Thanks, Kevin | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1654 Registered: 6-2000 |
Confirmed the specs with mom, don't know if she talked to Steve yet (we've been without Valentino here all week), progress pictures come on Friday/Saturday like usual, but seriously, since it's in spray, they really won't look much different from the sealer pics. Maybe I can get the peghead in focus this time. Mike and I can work on the control layout tomorrow. I agree, it's not my favorite. The side jack has to be 90 degrees to the edge, so it does limit placement, and it's so big that it can interfere with the layout. See Jonathan's guitar for a reference on how big the jack is. Look for a layout on your electronics tomorrow afternoon. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1655 Registered: 6-2000 |
Also, could you live with the LEDs coming on automatically when you plug in? We could eliminate one switch that way. The battery supply for the LEDs is totally separate from teh battery for the electronics, so even if you let the LED batteries run down, it won't bother the output. | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 79 Registered: 9-2003 |
Mica, While I don't know the actual layout (i.e., what knob controls what function) of the original EMW, can you do it just like that with the addition of a switch for the LED's (maybe next to the "Q" switch)?. While living without an LED switch wouldn't absolutely kill me, I would prefer to have that option, if at all possible. I'm just not a fan of the "smiley face" (for lack of another descriptive phrase) control layout ala the "boo-boo" Orion. | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 80 Registered: 9-2003 |
Mica, Any news RE: the control layout? | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1661 Registered: 6-2000 |
Hi Kevin, Mike and I worked on the layout yesterday. Since you liked the original EMW style, here's a mock-up of it with the LED switch added:  You can decide where you want to put the pan, bass and treble controls. Just reply with your preference. |
