Mark's Custom Further

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Thread Last Poster Posts Pages Last Post Archive through June 10, 2005 grateful 30  1  6-10-05  5:42 am   Closed: New threads not accepted on this page

Author Message grateful Member Username: grateful Post Number: 84 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Saturday, June 25, 2005 - 4:04 am:    "Sitting here in limbo, like a bird without a song..." Any news Mica? Mark (Message edited by grateful on June 25, 2005) mica Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2568 Registered: 6-2000 Posted on Monday, June 27, 2005 - 11:06 pm:    News? Why yes! Routed, precarved (needs some final neck shaping) and ready to get the sealer coats. Then we'll have to do some corresponding abot the custom inlay. After the neck thing, we were really discouraged. We decided to set the whole guitar aside a start fresh. The one with the hole is destined to be my dad's testbench guitar. So it will live on! grateful Member Username: grateful Post Number: 85 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 5:23 am:    Thanks for that Mica, I was starting to feel a mite discouraged. Thanks for selecting another wonderful piece of Birds-eye for it too, I really appreciate it. And to have a guitar originally built for me ending up with your Dad must be some claim to fame! For a deadhead, that's one cool connection! I'm also really glad that all the work that went into it hasn't been wasted. Mark (Message edited by grateful on June 30, 2005) tbrannon New Username: tbrannon Post Number: 10 Registered: 11-2004 Posted on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 1:08 pm:    My goodness... I'm not a huge fan of Maple, but that is the coolest Birdseye top I have ever laid eyes on. Can't wait to see it with a few coats of gloss on top! grateful Member Username: grateful Post Number: 86 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Thursday, June 30, 2005 - 10:07 am:    Hi Tobin. I'm glad you like it: I sure do. I've certainly found this sort of thing the most fascinating attraction of this site: how things that are not to your own taste can still really grab your eye! These (Alembic) people are truly Alchemists. Mark tbrannon Junior Username: tbrannon Post Number: 11 Registered: 11-2004 Posted on Thursday, June 30, 2005 - 1:51 pm:    Mark, You hit the nail on the head...Each and every instrument produced seems to have something special about it. I've been lurking for the better part of a year, drooling over all the customs and the showcase section. Hopefully someday soon I'll have the funds to get one of my own! mica Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2578 Registered: 6-2000 Posted on Thursday, June 30, 2005 - 4:36 pm:    I couldn't wiggle around to the front of this guitar in the drying room, but I'm 99-44/100% that this is the back of your guitar, Mark: Even with the flat, bright lights in the drying room, you can see there's more than bird's-eyes on this wood - some long wavy curls look very pretty! dubalbal Intermediate Member Username: dubalbal Post Number: 148 Registered: 10-2004 Posted on Friday, July 01, 2005 - 12:41 am:    Hi Mark , You guitar looks more than great ! Fantastic is the right word !!! ALAIN grateful Member Username: grateful Post Number: 87 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Friday, July 01, 2005 - 1:52 am:    Thanks Mica, that's a tasty photo. The contrast between the flame maple neck and birdseye body is lovely, not to mention the purpleheart. I'm away for a week, so will be incommunicado after this until July 8th. Hi Alain, Thanks, I am tremendously excited (as I'm sure you are: you'll have your bass soon I believe!). The artistry and craftsmanship of Alembic is incredible! What a sandwich! Mark davehouck Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 1978 Registered: 5-2002 Posted on Friday, July 01, 2005 - 2:52 am:    I really like the back!! grateful Member Username: grateful Post Number: 89 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Friday, July 08, 2005 - 5:07 am:    Any more pictures yet Mica? BTW, I've decided on a name: it has to be "Patience". Hi Dave, Glad you like it. It's a lovely piece of maple and the CWBs look better than I imagined. Mark (Message edited by grateful on July 09, 2005) mica Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2595 Registered: 6-2000 Posted on Monday, July 18, 2005 - 6:45 pm:    Ready for preset - that's when the frets go in, any inlays that are under the finish or hardware for plating gets prepared: Also saw the plates getting more of their finish: Just talked to mom, and she says that there will be some artworkk for you to view by Wednesday, so stay tuned! grateful Member Username: grateful Post Number: 90 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Tuesday, July 19, 2005 - 2:34 am:    Thanks for finding two such different pieces of beautiful birds-eye: the back reminds me of marble, the front is pure chaos. Perfect! Mark hollis Senior Member Username: hollis Post Number: 627 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Tuesday, August 02, 2005 - 1:37 pm:    Mark, What a beauty! marcm Member Username: marcm Post Number: 99 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Tuesday, August 02, 2005 - 2:08 pm:    hi mark that is a gorgeous guitar! the contrasting, but equally beautiful birds-eye figures of the top and back are the nicest i've ever seen. the body-accent pinstriping is dramatic and understated at the same time an amazing axe! marc grateful Member Username: grateful Post Number: 91 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Tuesday, August 02, 2005 - 2:08 pm:    Thanks Hollis, I certainly think so. Shouldn't be too long now and I'll finally be an Alembic owner. Mark hollis Senior Member Username: hollis Post Number: 628 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Wednesday, August 03, 2005 - 12:08 pm:    And what an Alembic to own! Mark, you are a very lucky fellow. I gotta go play for a while to keep my envy in check! mica Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2705 Registered: 6-2000 Posted on Thursday, October 27, 2005 - 1:46 pm:    The concept of the phases of the moon: Here's a shot of James cutting out the phases of the moon inlays: Some blanks before cutting: and some roughs freshly cut in a bag: There's glops of glue, and some still needed shaping, but you can see the concept turning into reality. grateful Intermediate Member Username: grateful Post Number: 102 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Thursday, October 27, 2005 - 2:13 pm:    Thanks for those Mica, it's nice to see it happening from over 5000 miles away. Those moons look just how I imagined them. I'm really starting to drool! Mark (Message edited by grateful on October 28, 2005) mica Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2731 Registered: 6-2000 Posted on Wednesday, November 02, 2005 - 2:41 pm:    Now that the phases are in, we need to iron out the last details on the other two inlays. For the medallion, I'm not sure if you had a specific size in mind, but James and I were thinking just shy of 2 inch diameter, with the stem pointing toward the straplock like this: Or if you prefer an "audience perspective" rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise: I scaled down the mockup I sent you by email, so the stem's a little lost in the reduction, but hopefully it's something you can make your decision by. We didn't want to make it as large as the inlay on this one, because the fingerboard inlays are less elaborate. On to the bolt. After consulting with James, he liked the idea of the bolt being near to the size of the logo. Plus, then he can cut it from one piece of shell. If we make it larger, we'll have to get creative on splices. Here's a quickie mockup to see if you like the direction: grateful Intermediate Member Username: grateful Post Number: 103 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Thursday, November 03, 2005 - 8:29 am:    Hi Mica, You are the experts so I'll certainly take your advice regarding size. I'd like the leaf in the "audience perspective" orientaion please and the bolt a little straighter like this . Mark jahnahisti New Username: jahnahisti Post Number: 9 Registered: 9-2005 Posted on Thursday, November 03, 2005 - 10:33 am:    Hey Mark...don't mean to intrude on your forum...but I was thinking and thought that I'd chime in and say..."wouldn't it be cool if you had a leaf made out of lightning bolts?" (Message edited by jahnahisti on November 03, 2005) grateful Intermediate Member Username: grateful Post Number: 104 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Friday, November 04, 2005 - 5:03 am:    Hi Brian, As I've been waiting near 11 months for this guitar, I'm not changing the inlays now. Anyhow, I wished to "honour" the planet's most valuable renewable resource, not to mention the planet's safest drug. Mark laytonco Junior Username: laytonco Post Number: 30 Registered: 3-2005 Posted on Friday, November 04, 2005 - 2:54 pm:    Right on! foth Junior Username: foth Post Number: 45 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Saturday, November 05, 2005 - 2:41 pm:    I call it musical viagra...the musimian's choice, lol! descended Junior Username: descended Post Number: 15 Registered: 7-2005 Posted on Saturday, November 05, 2005 - 4:16 pm:    mmmmmmmmm weed mica Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2780 Registered: 6-2000 Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 11:55 pm:    More happenings... These aren't mock ups, it's the real thing. Your lovely is back in spray, getting the last coats. Patience is really progessing now! ctjim Junior Username: ctjim Post Number: 17 Registered: 4-2005 Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 - 1:09 am:    Wow! looking great lbpesq Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 765 Registered: 7-2004 Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 - 1:12 am:    Mark: Way cool! I love the bird's eye ... my '83 Electrum has a bird's eye top. It looks like you're in the home stretch now. What a long strange trip it's been! Not original, but in this case VERY appropriate. We've been watching your trials and tribulations for quite a while now. It's great to see this gorgeous guitar near completion. I love the bolt on the headstock. As for the other inlay, as a former High Times Freedom Fighter of the Month, all I can say is "Ja approve!!!!" Keep an eye out for the inlay on the back of my peghead. I think you'll like it. Bill, tgo grateful Intermediate Member Username: grateful Post Number: 105 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 - 3:51 am:    Oh wow! Thanks for the great job on the inlays, James: they're even better than I imagined. Glad you approve Bill. It's been a long wait but well worth it! Mark kmh364 Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1253 Registered: 9-2003 Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 - 5:19 am:    Sweeeeeeeeet! jacko Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 417 Registered: 10-2002 Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 8:21 am:    It's looking really nice Mark. I'll be truckin' on down to see it in the flesh someday. BTW are you heading across to manchester for Sundays BassDay? Graeme jalevinemd Advanced Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 256 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 9:15 pm:    "Patience..." What a great name. What a spectacular instrument. grateful Intermediate Member Username: grateful Post Number: 107 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Friday, November 18, 2005 - 5:45 am:    I'm not gong to BassDay: at this point, the only Alembic I wish to see up close is in the pictures above. Mark kmh364 Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1269 Registered: 9-2003 Posted on Friday, November 18, 2005 - 5:46 am:    More pix, more pix, more pix! LOL! grateful Intermediate Member Username: grateful Post Number: 110 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Wednesday, November 23, 2005 - 3:38 am:    Having spoken to Graham (UK Alembic dealer) yesterday, I'll finally become an Alembic owner on December 17th. I'm afraid you're all gonna have to wait until then for more pix: I promise I'll post some pronto when I have her. The Long, Strange Trip is nearly over! Mark, ago jacko Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 421 Registered: 10-2002 Posted on Wednesday, November 23, 2005 - 3:44 am:    Looks like Christmas will be a good one for you then Mark.Bet you can't wait. Graeme grateful Intermediate Member Username: grateful Post Number: 111 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Wednesday, November 23, 2005 - 3:59 am:    Absolutely Graeme, I can't imagine a better present. Mark darkstar01 Junior Username: darkstar01 Post Number: 21 Registered: 6-2005 Posted on Wednesday, November 23, 2005 - 9:45 am:    Beautiful guitar, Mark. All these pretty furthers almost make me wish i played guitar ;] i love the leaf!! Austin (Message edited by darkstar01 on November 23, 2005) the_8_string_king Junior Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 47 Registered: 9-2005 Posted on Wednesday, November 23, 2005 - 11:11 am:    I see a lot of holes... what electronics are you getting? davehouck Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2632 Registered: 5-2002 Posted on Wednesday, November 23, 2005 - 11:22 am:    Looks like it's drilled for Further electronics. grateful Intermediate Member Username: grateful Post Number: 112 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Thursday, November 24, 2005 - 4:56 am:    Quite right Dave, standard Further electronics, including the effects loop. Mark grateful Intermediate Member Username: grateful Post Number: 115 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 2:07 am:    She arrived at 09:55 GMT on Saturday. I'm happy to be able to quote Bob Weir: "Just Exactly Perfect". I've put a couple of pix in the showcase: http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/23449.html?1134986389 Seriously Grateful!