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rami
Advanced Member
Username: rami

Post Number: 319
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, March 15, 2004 - 3:48 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Mica,

I was wondering if you have any updates yet?

Also, are any of the replacement Rogue electronics ready?

Are the brass plates for my Essence 5 ready yet?

Thanks (please don't forget about me!)

valvil
Moderator
Username: valvil

Post Number: 376
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Monday, March 15, 2004 - 4:04 pm:   Edit Post

If one works at Alembic, forgettting about you, Rami, is not possible.
I'm not at work and won't be until Wednesday, and Mica is also off until then.
We'll post an update when we get back.

Valentino
rami
Advanced Member
Username: rami

Post Number: 321
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 11:45 am:   Edit Post

Hi Mica,

ET's coming home! It's leaving today and UPS guarantees delivery by 10:30AM tomorrow.

As well as the finish problems, it would also be an opportunity to upgrade it's electronics to the quieter Rogue electronics.

So that leaves 3 Basses with those electronics that I still have. Are there any on the horizon to send me?

Thanks

Rami
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 1503
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 6:01 pm:   Edit Post

We're still waiting to get the 1/8" brass for the backplates. Apparently this is now an exotic item from our regular suppliers.

Wow - that's fast on the shipping. Must cost a small fortune. DP was on Jon's bench today getting reassembled. Tony reports I'll have the other Rogue electronics by the end of the week, so do you want me to hold off shipping DP or send them with the ET?
rami
Advanced Member
Username: rami

Post Number: 322
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 8:59 pm:   Edit Post

Mica,

I'm actually quite worried about DP. I spoke with Valentino today and he thinks (and I agree) that DP, ET and the Black Byrd should all stay with you for a while after they're completed. I want to make sure that their finishes are stable enough so that these problems don't re-occur. It did cost a small fortune to ship DP and ET, but for such master works of art, I couldn't do any less for them. However, I don't want to have to do that ever again. I don't know what is a suitable length of time to be sure the finish is stable enough (3-6 months perhaps?), but I'll leave that to your discreton.

Do you know if that crack in DP's body was in the finish or the wood?

If it would be possible to ship the 3 Rogue electronics while ET, DP, and Black Byrd are with you, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks again Mica
rami
Advanced Member
Username: rami

Post Number: 340
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 - 11:08 am:   Edit Post

Hi Mica,

Any news???

mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 1612
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Thursday, April 29, 2004 - 8:07 pm:   Edit Post

I called and left a message for the jeweller today - where's the gold logo? I hope to hear from him by tomorrow. I'll let you know as soon as I know.

I put on "Change (Makes You Want to Hustle)" before I called to get the Byrd-vibe going. Actually, we wound up listening to Byrd the rest of the day.
rami
Advanced Member
Username: rami

Post Number: 341
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, April 30, 2004 - 5:58 am:   Edit Post

That's the funky Bassline of the GREAT Chuck Rainey. I still LOVE that CD!

I was also wondering about the other stuff (The twins & the Rogue electronics).

Thanks Mica,

Best wishes!
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 1620
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, April 30, 2004 - 8:46 am:   Edit Post

ET is waiting for DP to join him in the shipping room. Since you indicated you wanted us to hold on to them for a while, I'm sorry I didn't tell you that ET was ready and waiting. DP is in the spray booth still.

The Rogue electronics are also ready, but I'm holding them back for shipping until Monday. Then I'll have your HEAVY 1/8" brass plates for the Buckeye Essence ready. You'll get a pretty good-sized box from us next week.

Did I mention the plates were HEAVY? You will love them. Since there's more than a few people who want to change out from plastic plates to brass ones later, we are working on a couple of solutions. Many will find the additional weight of 1/8" brass unacceptable, so we've got a platic "booster ring" we can use as a shim under a standard brass plate in development. ALso, I've got a sample of some plastic on its way here that has the look of the satin finish brass. Will help on the weight fo those sensitive to it.

Maybe I'm overreacting to the weight, but the 12 inch square of brass we finally managed to find was much heavier than I expected.

I will drop you an email with the tracking number of the package on Monday.
effclef
Intermediate Member
Username: effclef

Post Number: 145
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Friday, April 30, 2004 - 3:31 pm:   Edit Post

Mica, if you don't know about www.mcmaster.com (McMaster-Carr) for metals and other hardware, take a look.

EffClef
bkbass
Junior
Username: bkbass

Post Number: 37
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 7:49 am:   Edit Post

Hey Rami,is this one in your hands yet?How'bout some pix?Between you and Val,you gentlemen have lighted torches to guide the rest of us down that dark decisions on options path.
rami
Advanced Member
Username: rami

Post Number: 345
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 5:22 am:   Edit Post

Hi Barry,

Still waiting... I knew that it would be long. Going on 2 years now! I can't imagine anymore customs after this.

Cheers,

Rami
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 1733
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 4:25 pm:   Edit Post

Today's the day!

24k logo

Tim dropped this wonderful logo by this morning. It took three castings to get it to come out right. I learned a bunch about metal casting today. He also had to wind up making it thicker than usual to hold its shape properly.

James is the designated inlay artist - he's done all the inlays on your other basses. Once this inlay is done, we can get that back into spray. More soon!
rami
Advanced Member
Username: rami

Post Number: 351
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, June 11, 2004 - 12:01 pm:   Edit Post

Absolutely spectacular Mica! Is it in 21 or 24K?

I still believe that (with all due respect to all the other Alembics ever built) this will be the greatest EVER!

Thanks,

Rami
hollis
Advanced Member
Username: hollis

Post Number: 231
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Friday, June 11, 2004 - 12:07 pm:   Edit Post

It really is a masterpiece Rami!

Enjoy
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 1744
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, June 11, 2004 - 12:42 pm:   Edit Post

Rami, it's 24K gold. The first time he poured the metal, it wasn't hot enough and it cooled before reaching the top of the cloud. The second casting he quenched too soon, after about 10 minutes of cooling. The gold fractured. Tim had never encountered that before (and he didn't even think it was possible). Finally he got the kinks worked out and had a successful third casting, and he reports he can now make these with confidence (and with normal delivery times).
kmh364
Intermediate Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 141
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Friday, June 11, 2004 - 5:18 pm:   Edit Post

That's awesome, Rami. Just when I think you're done, you pull out another trick feature from a hat that kick's a**! Hey Mica, is it too late to get that on my bass? JUST KIDDING! LOL! I love that gold logo, and to get it inlayed with shell would look stunning, but I'm dying to get my bass soon (and I don't wanna spend another $1k to get it done, LOL!). I'll have to settle for the gold-plated surface-mount jammy sans shell.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 1756
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, June 18, 2004 - 6:02 pm:   Edit Post

Hey Rami,

Your other parts are in the spray booth, need only a couple more coats to get the pickups and knobs shiny like the rest of the bass.

rami's stuff in spray
These are prepped (sanded) and ready for the next coat. These will look even better than original, I know you'll love it.
rami
Advanced Member
Username: rami

Post Number: 355
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, June 18, 2004 - 6:36 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks Mica. Although I did like the orginal matte finish, it had a tendency to "Fog up" and had to be continually cleaned - even though I'd never touch them. Maybe it's the weird weather here. I'm sure the new finish will be more resistant (not to mention gorgeous).

I like to think of those pickups as the ones that started it all - the continuous wood everything trend!

Any news on the electronics?

Thanks again,

Rami
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 1764
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, June 18, 2004 - 6:49 pm:   Edit Post

Yeah - I've got 4 sets here and Tony will perform the upgrades on Monday, so check your post box next week.
rami
Advanced Member
Username: rami

Post Number: 364
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 - 7:03 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Mica,

Any news? Have the electronics been sent out yet?

Thanks,

Rami
keavin
Senior Member
Username: keavin

Post Number: 429
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 6:36 am:   Edit Post

Dear rami, how many do own?,,,(alembics)
rami
Advanced Member
Username: rami

Post Number: 365
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 9:16 am:   Edit Post

Way, way too many.....

Although I got most of them when my dealer was liquidating his stock at half price or less.

I probably wouldn't do it again though.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 1815
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 8:06 pm:   Edit Post

Sorry, Rami, those electronics were not shipped yet. Instead of sending by post I'll get them on the UPS truck. It seems there's never enough time to make it to the post office (you have to present the package in person if it weighs over 1 pound). Then you can finally get all your Europa electronics in good order.

We started the work on the logo inlay. It's really difficult to work with! The shell pieces are cut, and next is to fit them in the logo. Your bass should be back in spray by the end of next week.
rami
Advanced Member
Username: rami

Post Number: 366
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Saturday, July 17, 2004 - 6:43 am:   Edit Post

Thanks for the update Mica.
How are ET & DP coming along?
rami
Advanced Member
Username: rami

Post Number: 380
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, September 09, 2004 - 1:40 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Mica,

Any chance of pics? I'd love to see the progress.

mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 1924
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 1:21 pm:   Edit Post

I'll make sure I get you some updated pics this coming week. When I was taking pictures on Friday, your bass was in the drying room.
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic

Post Number: 1561
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 1:45 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Rami,

I know it's nothing of my business but if I read this thread it seems you are missing AND Evil Twin AND Dark Prince AND the newcomer Byrd.
Yes?
Jeeeez Rami ...that must be hard! Did they ALL need a re-finish?? I read somewhere about changing electronics??

I guess you are devideing your attention between the other basses in your collection??

Keep up the good spirit ...and be patient!
Not for too long anymore I sincerely hope with you.

Paul TBO
rami
Advanced Member
Username: rami

Post Number: 381
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 3:46 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks Paul,

Yeah...., it hurts. But Mica has been very helpful and generous with support through it all.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 1953
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 12:33 pm:   Edit Post

Here's that fabulous 24k logo inlaid and even under a few coats of spray:

24klogo

My dad saw it yesterday and was really impressed with the color.

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