| Author | Message | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2272 Registered: 6-2000 |
Here's a nice Bird's-eye Maple Further guitar, almost ready for the custom inlays:   Sorry for the minor scare a moment ago - I deleted the thread with the other pictures. | ||
| davr35
Junior Username: davr35 Post Number: 24 Registered: 12-2004 |
Is the main neck wood flame maple?.. I just love the look of it Dave | ||
| grateful
Junior Username: grateful Post Number: 16 Registered: 12-2004 |
I love the contrast between the neck and the body: really tasty. Whose is this? At first I thought it might be mine, but it seems to have an extra switch and a cavity in the top half of the guitar. Grateful (Mark), ago | ||
| dadabass2001
Advanced Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 337 Registered: 6-2002 |
That compartment in the upper body is for four 9 volt bateries, so I'd guess the switch was on/off for LEDs on the side of the neck. Mike | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2276 Registered: 6-2000 |
This is your guitar, Mark and Mike's right - the compartment and switch are for the LEDs, the special when you ordered your guitar. It does look wonderful with the contrast between the maples. Mom's been working on inlay drawings, so next week I'll have some mock ups for you to review and then Jon will start the inlays. | ||
| jacko
Intermediate Member Username: jacko Post Number: 122 Registered: 10-2002 |
Nice Looking Guitar Mark. I'll have to pop down for a jam when it's finished ;-) graeme | ||
| susan
Moderator Username: susan Post Number: 85 Registered: 5-2002 |
Mark, Yes it has LED's and that wasn't on your order and I know you don't want them. Chip had so many Tribute and Further guitar fingerboards he made the week your guitar was assembled I think he was on auto pilot as your guitar was the only one specified not to have them. Not to worry though, I have another guitar started without them for you and I won't have any trouble placing this one with a nice family I'm sure. I'm glad we caught it before the custom inlays went in. -susan | ||
| flaxattack
Advanced Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 396 Registered: 4-2004 |
can i adopt it? | ||
| grateful
Junior Username: grateful Post Number: 18 Registered: 12-2004 |
I realise now I'm an utter weirdo for not liking LEDs, but what can you do. No worries Chip, I could easily have done the same. I guess I wasn't meant to have this one. Graeme: you can pop down and join me in some "anonymous busking" this summer! | ||
| jacko
Intermediate Member Username: jacko Post Number: 139 Registered: 10-2002 |
I'm taking the kids down to Blyth to see their grandparents at easter. Not quite Robin Hood's but if I turn the amp up you should hear me ;-) graeme | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2453 Registered: 6-2000 |
Some embryonic body shots:   Look, Ma - no LEDs  | ||
| dubalbal
Intermediate Member Username: dubalbal Post Number: 109 Registered: 10-2004 |
Hello Mark , I think these last pics are your guitar now ! It looks really nice ! You do have great taste and this bird's eye maple is simply amazing ! Congratulations ! | ||
| grateful
Member Username: grateful Post Number: 67 Registered: 12-2004 |
Thanks for those Mica: it's nice to see something at last. And hey; I never cared for Led Zeppelin so it's no surprise I'm not a Led Head. Hi Alain, I haven't chosen the individual pieces of wood: I left that to the elves (I knew I can trust them to select a nice piece of wood). It was this one which showed me how wonderful Further's look in Birdseye, so thanks Charles! Mark, a drooling one! | ||
| jacko
Intermediate Member Username: jacko Post Number: 199 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hi Mark. Love the Laminates. Is that a purpleheart core? graeme | ||
| grateful
Member Username: grateful Post Number: 69 Registered: 12-2004 |
Hi Graeme, Yes it's a purpleheart core: I've stuck with the standard Further "wood recipe" 'cept for the Birdseye top and back, which shouldn't affect its tonal qualities. The sound Jerry obtained from the original Further/Wolf was vastly superior to that with his Strat IMHO. And yeah, those laminates are gorgeous! Mark | ||
| dubalbal
Intermediate Member Username: dubalbal Post Number: 111 Registered: 10-2004 |
Hi Mark , I'm sure you're are going to watch these pics a lot of times...whatever we can say , it's really great to be able to see the work in progress at so great distance...we all know these are our instruments and are already happy ...what's will it be for a happiness when we'll receive it ... ALAIN | ||
| grateful
Member Username: grateful Post Number: 70 Registered: 12-2004 |
Hi Alain, Yeah I have to admit I've visited this thread a few times today. It's wonderful to see one's guitar/bass taking shape when you're over 5000miles/8000km away! I'm surprised how "shaped" the body is at this stage. And I promise I'll let you know next time I'm visiting Belgium. Last time was for a batik conference/exhibition. My partner's a great batik artist: go here to see some of her stuff. Mark, still drooling. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2455 Registered: 6-2000 |
There's no easy way to say this, but we have to replace the neck on your guitar:  When Tony carved your guitar today, this unwelcomed guest showed up. It's not a blemish, it's a hole. Chip is going to start a new neck for you tomorrow, and I'll post again after the surgery. Until then, here's how nice it was turning out:   You can see how huge it is. Wood likes to remind us from time to time that it's a natural and unpredicatable material. | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 504 Registered: 4-2004 |
boy talk about getting bit by the snake..... total bummer....... | ||
| bob
Senior Member Username: bob Post Number: 441 Registered: 11-2002 |
Hang in there, Mark. Mine was also a "do over" because of a flaw in the neck wood (never saw a picture, probably just as well). In my case, it was before the body was attached, but still set us back a bit. On the plus side, they went out of their way to pick some really nice, well-aged wood for the second try. My bet is it will turn out even better, so try to look forward, not back. -Bob | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 927 Registered: 3-2004 |
Wow, that is just awful! When this one is done, though, it will be so perfect you'll be torn between hanging it on a wall and playing it. Hang in there, Mark! -Bob | ||
| dubalbal
Intermediate Member Username: dubalbal Post Number: 113 Registered: 10-2004 |
Hi Mark , ...well , all i can say is : don't loose your legendary patience , and i'm sure you won't . While some could try to sell it to you like this after a quick repair, Alembic won't , it's just the perfection or nothing ! Alembic is really a company you can trust ... that's great ! ALAIN | ||
| jacko
Intermediate Member Username: jacko Post Number: 200 Registered: 10-2002 |
Jeez Mark, that's a shame It was looking pretty good too. Look on the bright side though, you can be sure the Elves will go out of their way to make the next neck perfect. What was the neck BTW? Flame maple? graeme | ||
| grateful
Member Username: grateful Post Number: 71 Registered: 12-2004 |
DOH! It would have to be mine. The neck is flame maple as per standard spec: shame this turned out to be Swiss Cheese Maple! And as you say Mica, Nature sometimes likes to show us who's really in charge: LOL. Mark | ||
| grateful
Member Username: grateful Post Number: 72 Registered: 12-2004 |
Thanks for the kind words guys: it helps. Also seeing how your Rogue turned out after a similar problem is cheering: beautiful bass Bob! It must have been damage to the bark of the tree as it was growing. | ||
| grateful
Member Username: grateful Post Number: 75 Registered: 12-2004 |
I've also realised this is as big a bummer for you guys as it is for me. You have my sympathy Tony, it must be really upsetting to put so much time and effort into something and have it turn out like this, through no fault of your own.LOL. Mark | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 883 Registered: 9-2003 |
Tough luck, Mark. Sorry to see/hear about the setback. As a consolation, I'm sure Mica and Co. will do whatever's necessary to make the thing right. All is certainly not lost. My Alembic was mistakenly initially constructed with the wrong woods and activators, but Alembic made it right and it turned-out spectacular! | ||
| grateful
Member Username: grateful Post Number: 76 Registered: 12-2004 |
Thanks Kevin. I must admit I was initially concerned at the thought of such surgery (almost to the point of demanding a new body!) but then realised the neck can be destroyed in the process as it's useless, so there's every chance it can be done successfully. | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 891 Registered: 9-2003 |
Don't mention it. Alembic does primo work...I doubt that you will be disappointed with their craftsmanship. As a Dead Head my entire adult life, I'm always anxious to see a new incarnation or modern interpretation of one of Jerry's cherished axes, especially if they are Alembic in origin. Yours should be yet another masterpiece in that vein. BTW, ck out Alembician Mike Bisch's (of The Who Show fame) Spyder IV bass repair. The Daltrey of the moment (LOL!) from his band whacked the "Vee" peghead clean off the thing with his microphone flailing during an excited performance, and the wizards at Alembic replaced it with a "cone" peghead with a super-clean scarf joint that looks like it should be there. http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/12625.html | ||
| grateful
Member Username: grateful Post Number: 81 Registered: 12-2004 |
Hi Mica, Any word on the surgery? Mark |
