| Author | Message | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1965 Registered: 6-2000 |
Found the body before routing:  And a closeup of the interesting laminate arrangement:  Once we start finishing, these woods will really pop out an look even more amazing! | ||
| basstard
Intermediate Member Username: basstard Post Number: 115 Registered: 3-2003 |
What are the woods? Very unusual (and cool)! | ||
| trekster
Junior Username: trekster Post Number: 12 Registered: 7-2004 |
Best guess top to bottom: Vermillion, Zebrawood, PurpleHeart, Zebrawood, Mahogany  --T | ||
| jagerphan84
Member Username: jagerphan84 Post Number: 86 Registered: 10-2003 |
Not bad guesses, Jeff. It's actually a vermilion body as well, so from top to bottom it would be vermilion, zebrawood, purpleheart, zebrawood, vermilion. The neck will be an interesting wood combination as well, I can hardly wait to see how it comes out. Adam | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1979 Registered: 6-2000 |
The neck is Mahogany with Purpleheart, Vermilion and Ebony:  From the front with Vermilion front veneer to match body:  The Vermilion hasn't been scraped yet, there's some glue on the face, so don't be alarmed. The fingerboard is a really cool piece of Macassar Ebony:  My dad and I were buying Walnut a while back, and saw this outrageously striped Ebony board. It was expensive, but we couldn't resist! I think there's enough for one more fingerboard. | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 1662 Registered: 9-2002 |
Adam ...Mica ....an ab-so-lu-te-ly STUNNING combination ...."FAR OUT" really says it. That ebony MAcassar fingerboard ...what can I say ...WOW ...that tree must be grown for fingerboard reason. Fretless???? Side leds??? Paul the bad one | ||
| jagerphan84
Member Username: jagerphan84 Post Number: 92 Registered: 10-2003 |
Paul, I think "far out" is a fantastic description. I knew that this wood combination would be really unique, but actually laying eyes on it is entirely different than just dreaming about it. The striped ebony fingerboard is incredible! It is indeed a fretless with side LEDs - the LEDs will be green, but those at the 12th and 24th frets will be amber. That oughta make it plenty easy to navigate. Funny timing, Mica, in that this 'treat' was posted on my birthday! What a great birthday present!! Adam the 20-year-old one | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 1667 Registered: 9-2002 |
GREEN and AMBER sideleds ....gosh ...that is even "further out" (but that is no English). Green and amber ...oh ..huhuh ...watch out ....that are Brother Sams colors ...that bass has something Irish indeed. A fairy bass. | ||
| bob
Advanced Member Username: bob Post Number: 334 Registered: 11-2002 |
Adam, I'm having a hard time figuring out what to say here... My mind is racing - could I try to get the other piece for a fingerboard? (But why... I have yet to figure out anything I would want different on the bass I have). And it's the second time (the other was just some silly little guitar thing) where a Macassar ebony fingerboard just screamed at me - and yours is even better. But coming back to my senses, for a fretless I think I must still have basic black. But then again - you're only 20. You should have to wait at least that much longer to get something like this. Congratulations. The rest of the neck is equally awesome. With this luck, and taste, imagine where you'll be in another quarter of a century. -Bob | ||
| jagerphan84
Member Username: jagerphan84 Post Number: 93 Registered: 10-2003 |
Bob, Where I will be in a quarter century, I couldn't really say, but I sure hope I have an Alembic hanging from my shoulder. Thanks for the positive thoughts. Adam | ||
| the_mule
Advanced Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 281 Registered: 1-2004 |
Wow! Adam, what can I say? It's a stunning instrument, and with that excellent choice of woods and the LEDs it's already VERY definitely a strong candidate for Featured Custom as far as I'm concerned. Not too many Excels have had that honour, but I can see this one making up for that very easily. Have you thought about a name yet? Wilfred | ||
| bigbadbill
Intermediate Member Username: bigbadbill Post Number: 127 Registered: 10-2003 |
Cool combination Adam! That will look really great! And did you say you were 20? Wow, a custom Alembic at 20; I had to wait twice as long for mine! Well, if you enjoy it twice as much as I enjoy mine we're looking at the happiest man in the world.... | ||
| jagerphan84
Member Username: jagerphan84 Post Number: 95 Registered: 10-2003 |
Wilfred: Thanks for the compliments. As far as being a FC, I would certainly be honored. I haven't given much thought to the name; I'm hoping one will jump out at me as the construction progresses. Shaun: 20 indeed! I can no longer use the "I'm a teenager" excuse when I do stupid things. I inherited some stock about a decade ago on which I had a strict "hands-off" rule until now - I was able to finance this instrument as well as a car using what had originally been 36 shares of stock in 1994 (Thanks Grandma!!). I certainly plan to enjoy this instrument a great deal, but is it possible to enjoy anything twice as much as a triple O? That much enjoyment sounds dangerous! ...Re-reads the above, decides it doesn't make much sense, posts it anyway.... Adam | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1997 Registered: 6-2000 |
Adam: We've got 2 different instructions about pickup placement from your emails. Once has the pickups (Fat Boys) far apart, and the other has the both down near the bridge. Can you clarify which you prefer? Also, please let me know if you are changing the placement for the change in sound or if it's a purely decorative thing. | ||
| jagerphan84
Member Username: jagerphan84 Post Number: 96 Registered: 10-2003 |
Here's the text from the email with the config I'd like to use: >> I had originally spec'd for dual MXY 5/6, but I would actually like to have a FatBoy in the bridge position and MXY in the neck position. Using Rami's "Funky Cool" Vermilion Excel seen here (scroll down to Rami's post #33) : http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/1436.html?1078231759 , I would like this configuration with the neck pickup moved up (toward the neck) to leave a 1" gap between the pickups. << This placement is geared toward the various right hand positions that I use. I wanted to have the FatBoy right by the bridge, and the 1" gap is enough room for me to play between the pickups while still leaving plenty of room by the neck, in case I happen to go slap-happy on that beautiful fretboard (I suspect I will). Hope this clears things up! Adam | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1998 Registered: 6-2000 |
Sure does. I'll leave instructios for Bob before I go home in case he get router happy before I arrive in the morning (he's a real early bird!). | ||
| jeff
Member Username: jeff Post Number: 70 Registered: 12-2003 |
Another maple-less neck, and what a beauty! I'm guessing that the mahogany portion of the neck may add a bit of a bassier tone to the instrument, and the added combination of ebony and purpleheart will add some bottom end thunder and clarity in the mid to upper registers. The bass should sound as good as it looks! Congratulations Adam. | ||
| jagerphan84
Member Username: jagerphan84 Post Number: 97 Registered: 10-2003 |
I was wondering when someone would mention the lack of maple :-). My Distillate has a maple neck with purpleheart lams, and my Essence has only maple. There is a noticeable difference in both sound and feel between the two, with the purpleheart adding significantly to the low end. When I switch from the Distillate to the Essence, it's like "Where's the beef??" My goal with this custom was to take that "beef" to a whole new level with the ebony and purpleheart, and then the vermilion acts to reinforce the warmth of the tone. My ears are waiting anxiously to hear what this bass can do. | ||
| kenbass4
Intermediate Member Username: kenbass4 Post Number: 143 Registered: 10-2003 |
Hey Adam, Looks like you and I decided to take the "base" bass and expand on it...by quite a bit. Although mine's a bit more "traditional" than yours wood-wise, I think they both prove that you can get EXACTLY what you ask for with an Alembic. Now I just have to resist the urge to ask these fine folks "Are we there yet?" Ken (TEO) | ||
| jagerphan84
Intermediate Member Username: jagerphan84 Post Number: 104 Registered: 10-2003 |
I'm with ya, Ken! The wonderful craftsmen (and craftswomen) at Alembic are ready and willing to bring the most wild ideas to life (as long as your wallet can back up your imagination). I started off with the intention of getting the CHEAPEST possible custom, but logic kept saying "for only $X more, I could have this feature, too..." and by the time I knew it, practically every aspect of the bass had been customized. I'm very pleased with the progress so far, and I can only anticipate the awesomeness of the final result. Oh, and don't go calling your bass "traditional." That piece of walnut is gorgeous, not to mention the cool grain on the ash. That's a very nice combination as well. Adam | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2067 Registered: 6-2000 |
Tony was carving the heel area before fitting the neck to body:  Will probably have sealer coats on the body on Friday. | ||
| jagerphan84
Intermediate Member Username: jagerphan84 Post Number: 109 Registered: 10-2003 |
Wow, I really like the contrast between the vermilion and purpleheart in the neck. Thanks for keeping me posted! Adam | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2117 Registered: 6-2000 |
You've probably been wondering, "what will this look like when the finish is applied?" Well, now you don't have to wonder:   The back has this outrageous ribbon-stripe figure. And one of the back of the peghead so you can see how that's shaping up:  | ||
| jagerphan84
Intermediate Member Username: jagerphan84 Post Number: 114 Registered: 10-2003 |
Well, it looks AMAZING. That's absolutely gorgeous, and it's exactly what I wanted. With one possible exception - control layout? Here's what I sent to Susan on 8/26:  Will this still be doable, or will it be standard Europa layout plus LED toggle? | ||
| jagerphan84
Intermediate Member Username: jagerphan84 Post Number: 115 Registered: 10-2003 |
(edit) (Oops on my part.) (Message edited by jagerphan84 on November 12, 2004) | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2124 Registered: 6-2000 |
Well darn! Your bass is slated to get the top peeled off and a new one set in place. Then, we can actually route it to your specification. It's great when nothing goes wrong, but we're gonna make some mistakes. Pics in a few days with the new top and then back to spray. Shouldn't delay the delivery too much. | ||
| jagerphan84
Intermediate Member Username: jagerphan84 Post Number: 118 Registered: 10-2003 |
Well, shucks! This top was really beautiful. Hope the new one is just as nice! | ||
| jagerphan84
Intermediate Member Username: jagerphan84 Post Number: 119 Registered: 10-2003 |
Mica, Just a quick thought - could the LED toggle be a 3-position, with Off-Lo-Hi rather than just Off-On? Please email me if there would be a cost difference and I'll check and see if there is any green paper in my wallet. Thanks! | ||
| jagerphan84
Intermediate Member Username: jagerphan84 Post Number: 122 Registered: 10-2003 |
Another thought - I spec'd for vermilion pickup covers, but is it possible to add a 1/4" horizontal stripe of zebrawood across the center of the MXY, and two 1/4" stripes across the FatBoy? I can make a photoshop mock-up if my above description is not clear. It would be something along the lines of JayDee pickup covers, but I think zebrawood/vermilion covers would work well on this bass. Adam | ||
| jagerphan84
Intermediate Member Username: jagerphan84 Post Number: 123 Registered: 10-2003 |
Something along these lines, but perhaps simplified somewhat to allow the grain of the woods to take the attention, rather than the elaborate stripes.  Maybe a pinstripe at the top & bottom of each pickup, one larger strip of zebrawood on the MXY and two on the FatBoy? | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2144 Registered: 6-2000 |
Here's the new top in place:  Sorry I didn't catch it before prepping, it's hard to see how nice it is under the sanded surface. I'm sure it's possible to add the decoration you are interested in. I'll pass your request on to my mom on Monday and have her contact you with pricing details. | ||
| jagerphan84
Intermediate Member Username: jagerphan84 Post Number: 127 Registered: 10-2003 |
Very cool...Thanks for the update! I'm gonna take a wild guess that the figure of the wood will be more visible when finished... In this state, it has a sort of wenge-ish look to it, but when I put my face real close to the monitor all the grain starts to pop out a little bit. Should be cool! Adam | ||
| jagerphan84
Intermediate Member Username: jagerphan84 Post Number: 130 Registered: 10-2003 |
Here's a mock-up that I came up with to give you a clearer idea of what I am picturing for the covers:  I'm thinking ebony pinstripes and zebrawood strips. Please excuse the faux zebrawood ala microsoft paint. I somehow managed to delete Photoshop in the midst of a desperate battle with spyware. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2157 Registered: 6-2000 |
I can assure you your bass looks nothing like any Wenge I've ever seen. Here's where your pickups were on Monday:  and yesterday:  The pickups you referenced on the 25th are made much differently. They are a shell in which the pickups are cast. We could have done a veneer style like you mocked up, but the original one you ordered are already done. If you want to make arrangements to get a second set of pickups now or later, just get in touch with Susan. | ||
| jagerphan84
Intermediate Member Username: jagerphan84 Post Number: 131 Registered: 10-2003 |
Wow! That's lookin' good just the way it is. I'll keep the plain vermilion. | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 1069 Registered: 5-2002 |
I agree! The pickups in your mock-up, in my opinion, tend to draw attention away from the rest of the bass. The finished pickup looks great!! |
