Archive through April 09, 2015 Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Alembic Club » Factory to Customer » Brian's Custom BOP Bass » Build Record » Archive through April 09, 2015 « Previous Next »

Author Message
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8374
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 - 6:10 pm:   Edit Post

So lots of stuff has happened in this build for Brian already...

Picking out woods:
15029 assembly

Rough cuts:
15029

wo15029

Neck lams gathering:
wo15029

Oooey gooey:
wo15029

Body lams gathering:
wo15029

Rough neck shaping:
wo15029

Hey, it's bass time!
wo15029
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 3636
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - 4:15 am:   Edit Post

Beautiful.

graeme
growlypants
Intermediate Member
Username: growlypants

Post Number: 115
Registered: 3-2011
Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - 6:19 am:   Edit Post

I swear...you guys!! AWESOME!!!!!
moongerm
Member
Username: moongerm

Post Number: 81
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - 7:34 am:   Edit Post

We shall call it BE BOP! Get it? BirdsEye BoP.........crickets.............. ................distant owl hoot.......
5a_quilt_top
Senior Member
Username: 5a_quilt_top

Post Number: 420
Registered: 6-2012
Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - 10:39 am:   Edit Post

D*mn - just when you thought you'd seen it all...

That's gonna be killer.
moongerm
Intermediate Member
Username: moongerm

Post Number: 101
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 - 2:14 pm:   Edit Post

Had a most memorable trip to the Mothership last month. A wonderful tour of the facility was provided and I had a great time talking with Susan and Mica. I also had a chance to meet briefly Ron, James, and Kris (who was working on the birds eye control plate laminates at the time).

Here is a cell phone shot (compressed to <150k), now with the Omega carving, I took while I was there.

Back of the BoP w/Omega carving

(Message edited by mica on February 27, 2015)
moongerm
Intermediate Member
Username: moongerm

Post Number: 102
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 - 2:17 pm:   Edit Post

Front
moongerm
Intermediate Member
Username: moongerm

Post Number: 103
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 - 2:20 pm:   Edit Post

Front of BoP floor
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 3643
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 - 12:34 am:   Edit Post

Looks great. Nothing better than a visit to meet the maker :-)

Graeme
moongerm
Intermediate Member
Username: moongerm

Post Number: 105
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 - 3:57 am:   Edit Post

Indeed! And live for another day :-)
moongerm
Intermediate Member
Username: moongerm

Post Number: 106
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 - 5:50 am:   Edit Post

Hi Graeme,

Thanks! That MK 5 string of yours is gorgeous! This build idea started out with an MK shape inspired by the Left is Right featured custom Will Gunn brought to my attention. When I researched the featured customs a bit more, the BoP really peaked my interest since the horn reaches the 12th fret.

Prior to playing my first alembic I bought on ebay in 2013 I had no experience with them.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8429
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, February 27, 2015 - 7:37 pm:   Edit Post

We are sealed.

15029 finish

15029 finish

Looks even better in person, and it looks mighty fine in the snapshots!
moongerm
Intermediate Member
Username: moongerm

Post Number: 110
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Friday, February 27, 2015 - 9:40 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks Mica! Mighty fine indeed. How many coats approx did it take or is this the first coat? Is that a clear or tinted finish on the Birdseye? You can see a mild contrast between the maple neck and the Birdseye on the unfinished photos. With it sealed it seems to have much more contrast. Could be the photos and light talking too?
groovelines
Senior Member
Username: groovelines

Post Number: 782
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Saturday, February 28, 2015 - 7:04 am:   Edit Post

My uneducated guess is that the swirls and grain (mineral deposits?) in the bird's eye maple are now more evident after sanding, prepping and sealing and are contributing to the "contrast" you're seeing. Bird's Eye is a gorgeous wood.

Beautiful choices all around, especially the thicker, purple heart body laminates.

Mike
moongerm
Intermediate Member
Username: moongerm

Post Number: 111
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Saturday, February 28, 2015 - 7:30 am:   Edit Post

Thanks Mike! Yes that is a good guess and agreed it is a gorgeous wood. Looking forward to Mica's responses as it is intriguing to learn that certain woods and even the same types of woods require more coats than others.
groovelines
Senior Member
Username: groovelines

Post Number: 783
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Saturday, February 28, 2015 - 9:31 am:   Edit Post

You're very welcome. My first Alembic had a bird's eye top. The patterns and tiny swirls were mesmerizing; countless whirlpools to get lost in.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8432
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Saturday, February 28, 2015 - 11:03 am:   Edit Post

This is just a single sealer coat, no tint. I took the pictures in the evening with only one bank of shop lights on. I just couldn't wait to share!

Even in the "raw" state you can see there's a good amount of contrast between the neck and the top/back woods.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 11678
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, February 28, 2015 - 11:34 am:   Edit Post

Beautiful!
moongerm
Intermediate Member
Username: moongerm

Post Number: 113
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Saturday, February 28, 2015 - 11:43 am:   Edit Post

Thanks Mica! :-)
moongerm
Intermediate Member
Username: moongerm

Post Number: 114
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Saturday, February 28, 2015 - 11:54 am:   Edit Post

Thanks Dave! Soooo looking forward to joining the Series owners club. Can't wait to compose and perform for/with it.
moongerm
Intermediate Member
Username: moongerm

Post Number: 123
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Wednesday, March 04, 2015 - 10:18 am:   Edit Post

Looking at these new (sealed) pics Mica is like watching Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra (1963) teasing the camera. Lol! Looking forward to some full and/or more up close shots whenever the time is right/whenever you get a chance.

best, Brian
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8442
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, March 06, 2015 - 8:23 pm:   Edit Post

Well, here's a couple more of Liz, being coy as usual:

15029

15029 finish

Next week the frets will go in, so your bass is in "preset" then back to get the rest of the finish.

I will try and get you some full view shots when there is more finish. It looks amazing!!!
moongerm
Intermediate Member
Username: moongerm

Post Number: 129
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Saturday, March 07, 2015 - 4:04 am:   Edit Post

Ha ha ha! Showing a little vermillion never hurt anyone. Thanks Mica! Way to keep the suspense going, lol!
moongerm
Intermediate Member
Username: moongerm

Post Number: 130
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Saturday, March 07, 2015 - 7:53 pm:   Edit Post

So here is the hurd this will be joining. Just oiled the fingerboards up on the Alembic custom & Fbass, and the whole body of the Carl Thompson. Moooo
darkstar01
Senior Member
Username: darkstar01

Post Number: 537
Registered: 6-2005
Posted on Monday, March 09, 2015 - 8:39 pm:   Edit Post

Man Brian,I didn't know you had that 5 string persuader. You don't even need that CT anymore, hit me up haha! Bass looks awesome so far!
moongerm
Intermediate Member
Username: moongerm

Post Number: 137
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 - 8:26 am:   Edit Post

Thanks Austin! Actually it is a Spoiler 5 string 32" scale. There is an interesting backstory to that fancy new Carl Thompson 5 string bass I will tell you about sometime. If I am ever able to aquire a 5 string 32" scale Series 1 or 2 I would consider selling the CT and possibly the Spoiler 5 too.
rustyg61
Senior Member
Username: rustyg61

Post Number: 1567
Registered: 2-2011
Posted on Friday, March 20, 2015 - 9:28 pm:   Edit Post

WOW Brian! This is going to be a stunner! I'm a little late getting to the party, been too busy playing my Blue Orca to check the new postings! I love your wood combinations! I can't wait to see this beauty come to life & hear it with your band!
moongerm
Intermediate Member
Username: moongerm

Post Number: 144
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Monday, March 23, 2015 - 8:40 am:   Edit Post

Thanks Rusty! Glad to hear you are enjoying your new Europa! Many blessings.

-Brian
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8493
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Thursday, April 09, 2015 - 6:49 pm:   Edit Post

I Instagrammed your electronics today:

15029 electronics

I think drilling is on the menu for tomorrow.
moongerm
Intermediate Member
Username: moongerm

Post Number: 170
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Thursday, April 09, 2015 - 7:41 pm:   Edit Post

Veddy Veddy nice Mica! Danke' :-)

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration