| Author | Message | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 82 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi Mica, Thanks for the prompt reply. After today's consultation with my Alembic Guru, the great and wise Superbass Steve Frank, I'd like the following control configuration: Knob 1) Pan/Blend Knob 2) Bass Boost/Cut Knob 3) Treble Boost Cut Steve will give you a call this week to confirm the final specs. for this gem. As always, if you have any further progress pix, If you could please post them, it would be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Kevin | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1669 Registered: 6-2000 |
Okay, we'll arrange the numbered controls as you've specified and drill today. I'm in the habit of posting progress pics at the end of the week, so please check back then for any new shots. | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 83 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks Mica, I look forward to any new shots you can post. Did Superbass Steve give you a ring yet? Cheers, Kevin (Message edited by kmh364 on May 18, 2004) | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1681 Registered: 6-2000 |
Susan and Steve have missed eachother a few times, but they're going for this afternoon to review. I didn't see any discrepancies from the workorder and the list you emailed me. You gold plating will go off to the platers tomorrow. James did the preset on Monday and Chris is buffing out the parts and mounting them to the shipping board.  With holes marked for drilling.  Back with more finish. Now it's time to get the lat few coats and await the return of the hardware. | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 89 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hey Mica, Cool! I'm getting close now. I hope Steve and your Mom hooked up via phone teleconference. I just wanna make doubly sure everything is accounted for. I look forward to further progress pix as things unfold. BTW, what's up with the red/purple dye in the control (electronics) cavity? Is that a marking agent to facilitate drilling for control shafts and/or board/component layout or for further cavity wood removal, or is that a primer for the Ag conductive paint? Inquiring minds wanna know! Cheers, Kevin | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 462 Registered: 7-2002 |
Hello Kevin, I'd say the red/purple is the thick purpleheart accent laminate; the battery cavities don't go as deep, so there you still see the ash core at the bottom. Valentino | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 90 Registered: 9-2003 |
(Message edited by kmh364 on May 21, 2004) | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 91 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi Val, Du'oh! What was I thinking? I wasn't even in the same galaxy with how close I was to the reasoning behind the "mysterious" purple. You are obviously correct. With the reflection off of the side of the control cavity, it appeared to be dye. It didn't occur to me that it was actually the accent lam. I cked the earlier pic of the back, and you can clearly see (now that I actually looked, LOL!) that the color does not extend to the sides. The color alone should have clued me in. My bad. Thanks for the clarification. Cheers, Kevin | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 92 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hey Val, What's up with that Telecaster-style guitar I see hiding behind my bass in one of the above progress pix? Is it top secret or can you share some details? I'm actually very interested the idea of having a custom 6-string guitar made by Alembic. Kevin | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 95 Registered: 9-2003 |
Mica, Any more news that's fit to print? Just wondering if there was any progress since you ck'ed in last week. Kevin | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1699 Registered: 6-2000 |
No real news, just getting the last coats of finish and waiting for the gold hardware to return. It's hard to tell from a picuture if there's sealer coats only or all the paint is applied - it doesn't wind up looking very different though it gets worked on every day. As for the Tele in the background, the one in the background is a personal project of James. We've only made one guitar like that, it's the Ruby Red Finish on the Wood Samples page. | ||
| kmh364
Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 96 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks, Mica. Is the road case in your possession yet, or is it still on order? I'm thinking that besides the gold plating, that would be the last outstanding item (excepting final assembly, set-up, and testing). I doubt that Roger will have my custom knobs ready in time to install them before the bass ships from Alembic, what with his recent move (Bkbass spoke to him earlier). Unless something changes, I guess it'll just have to ship with the standard black tophats. Thanks for the guitar info...I'm already scheming about my next Alembic...this time, it'll probably be a 6-string guitar. I'm torn between a "Jerry" hippie-sandwich job with all the trimmings, or a high-end Tele or Strat-style Custom with highly-figured woods and possibly neck-through construction. Cheers, Kevin P.S., I hope you had a nice B'day. I'm a carrot cake fan as well, LOL! | ||
| kmh364
Intermediate Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 103 Registered: 9-2003 |
Mica, Superbass Steve called and said that he spoke to your Mom on Friday. He said that he reconfirmed the final specs. and that it all looks good. He also said that he thinks that you guys have my road case in, and are just awaiting the return of the hardware from the plater's in order to finish the thing up. Do you have an ETA for shipping the thing out at this point? Inquiring minds wanna know! As always, if you have any pix of the thing before shipping that you can post, it would be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Kevin | ||
| kmh364
Intermediate Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 112 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi Mica, Any news? Kevin | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1712 Registered: 6-2000 |
Until the gold plating returns, I can't quote a shipping ETA. The last several jobs had at least one piece that had to be sent back to the plater. We are awaiting your case, and expect it within a week, so it won't hold up shipping even if your gold plating is up to our standards the first time around. Your bass has been rubbed out, waiting for final buffing until the hardware is ready to load. The existing pictures are more informative than any I could take for you now. I always photograph before we ship, so there will be plenty of eye candy when it's all finished. | ||
| kmh364
Intermediate Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 113 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi Mica, Thanks for the update. I'm psyched and anxious to see pictures of the thing completed. Cheers, Kevin | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1719 Registered: 6-2000 |
Not that it's very exciting, but here's the bass with the rubout:  It's a wetsanded surface (usually 2500 grit). All the wet slop is slushed around on there. It looks like a very satin finish now, but it's just waiting for the buffing wheel. I also misunderstood about the drilling. The template was drilled, but your bass will be drilled after buffing. I'm sure you're more anxious to actually start playing, but I will post final pictures so while it's en route you'll know what you're looking forward to. | ||
| kmh364
Intermediate Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 117 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks Mica, Do you ever stop working? LOL! Thanks for the pic...nice Tribute as well. I see the pilot drill marks so it's no big deal..no wine before it's time. Yeah, I'm dying to play the thing. I think Superbass Steve and Bkbass are dying to try it more than even myself, LOL! Those guys are real bassists: I'm just a guitarist that plays bass. Even my guitar teacher (who's also my repair guy and an expert luthier) who's not an Alembic convert is dying to try the thing. My new Eden amp stack has been patiently awaiting it's first signal massage from this beauty. Regards, Kevin | ||
| kmh364
Intermediate Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 128 Registered: 9-2003 |
Mica, Any updates on the plating/case? Kevin | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1730 Registered: 6-2000 |
Sorry, no updates yet. I will post to let you know when there is some news. | ||
| dela217
Advanced Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 396 Registered: 6-2002 |
Mica - Is that an amber tint on that Tribute in the picture with the Orion? Michael | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1734 Registered: 6-2000 |
No, Michael. It's just really really golden colored Maple. | ||
| kmh364
Intermediate Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 135 Registered: 9-2003 |
The flame on that tribute core and neck, as well as the golden color of same, is excellent. As a devotee of highly figured woods, (especially maple) I'm jealous, LOL! (Message edited by kmh364 on June 11, 2004) | ||
| dela217
Advanced Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 397 Registered: 6-2002 |
Mica THAT is beautiful neck wood. You know I really don't care for white maple. I like the yellow look. The yellower the better! Thanks. | ||
| kmh364
Intermediate Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 147 Registered: 9-2003 |
Mica, Any updates? BTW, it sounds like Roger over at THG Knobs is near completion of my custom knobs. I asked him to contact you when they're completed for inclusion on the bass at the time of shipping. Assuming this happens, if you could document same on the build sheet/file, it would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Kevin | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1755 Registered: 6-2000 |
Spoke with Roger from THG, he'll have the knobs here probably next week. We got the goldplating in today, but they forgot the nut, so they overnighted it and we'll get it on Monday. Case isn't here yet, but we expect it to converge with the knobs next week in our receiving room. With any luck, we'll be shipping before the end of the month. | ||
| kmh364
Intermediate Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 150 Registered: 9-2003 |
Amen, LOL! I'm chompin' at the bit to get this bad boy. Please take lot's o' pix to post before you ship. | ||
| kmh364
Intermediate Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 153 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi Mica, Any updates yet? Kevin | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1765 Registered: 6-2000 |
Kevin, I promise I'm not holding out - as soon as there's an update, you'll know right away. | ||
| kmh364
Intermediate Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 155 Registered: 9-2003 |
LOL! I didn't think you were holding out on me, Mica. My apologies. I'm just Jones'n like a little kid on Xmas Eve because I'm excited that the thing is so close I can taste it. I just figured I'd ask and be my usual PITA. (Message edited by kmh364 on June 23, 2004) |
