| Author | Message | |||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2160 Registered: 6-2000 |
Most of the specs are settled, but I hear that we are deciding on the tailpiece(s) soon. Here's those mini-birds Val told you about:  This is Tony Stoufer's personal guitar. He makes all the pickups here.  Mike finished these with a crosshatched brushed texture. We're brainstorming for ideas on placement - thinking zig-zag, maybe a chevron or all in a diagonal. I think if you want the mini bird tailpieces, a mini-bird inlay or two on the fingerboard might look really sweet - maybe just at the twelfth fret or something. | |||
| bigideas
Junior Username: bigideas Post Number: 27 Registered: 1-2004 |
oooooo, that thing is nice. are those pickups rick shaped or standard series shaped? (that thing sortuv smells of rick, in the very best way) 12 string bass eh? Garz guitars has pictures of a couple of fretless double course 6 strings. i like the idea. the more the merrier. | |||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 583 Registered: 7-2002 |
I believe the shape of the pickups is Alembic. The guitar is definitely Rick-inspired. I saw it being built, it got started just before I came to Alembic & Tony just took it home recently. A sweet guitar. Valentino | |||
| the_mule
Advanced Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 353 Registered: 1-2004 |
Aaaaaah, those mini-birds are sooo sweet! I can see a custom 6-string bass with mother bird in the middle holding 4 strings, and two mini-birds on each side of her holding one. That would be really special! Wilfred | |||
| bigbass
Junior Username: bigbass Post Number: 44 Registered: 6-2002 |
Yes, I believe the birds will be fine. I'll take'em! I just hope they don't peck-off the finish when they get hungry. They can create a lot of damage in large numbers, you know. I mean.....I saw Alfred Hitchcocks "The Birds"......pretty frightening. Any assembly / assemblage as of yet? | |||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 618 Registered: 7-2002 |
Not yet David, we're still reeling from the avalanche of orders we got the last 2 months. The bass should enter production next week, I believe. Sorry I wan't able to return your call, but these days I feel like have a phone grafted to my ear, it never ends!!! But boy, it's fun...  Your power supply should ship next week. Valentino | |||
| bigbass
Junior Username: bigbass Post Number: 45 Registered: 6-2002 |
Thank you greatly for everything. You is da best! ~David | |||
| dgcarbu
Intermediate Member Username: dgcarbu Post Number: 132 Registered: 6-2004 |
David, Can't wait to see the production start for your Alembic. Watching these pieces of art being made in stages is amazing. Darrell | |||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2422 Registered: 6-2000 |
Bob wants some advice from you before he chops up the top/back wood you provided:  Next to it are the templates for the body for scale. Bob thinks the central section has the most exciting burl action, with some curly figure along the right edge. He wants to use the central portion of the wood, unless you have a strong preference for another region. If you've got Photoshop available, you might want to try moving the top layer around on this file:
| |||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2437 Registered: 6-2000 |
Here's the other side of the wood:  Dead center has the most burl clusters - the pronounced grain along the right edge of this picture is clearly very interesting as well. | |||
| bigbass
Member Username: bigbass Post Number: 59 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hence, I believe we have a front and a back in consideration of the thickness of the ol' block of wood. How many splits can we make? Are the two sides the same color or is that a color type-o? I would like the redder (is that a word?) to be that of the top. What happens when it is split and we find more visual goodies inside? That which is left over becomes the head-stock front and back, yes? Please advise. Tag, you're it. Love, David | |||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2537 Registered: 6-2000 |
 Got some nice flamey and burley action here!  I adjusted the color a bit - these office lights don't doa thing for wood! This is closer to what it looks like to me  Yet closer in for some of the idea of the burl clusters.  Another color adjustment needed (Message edited by mica on June 16, 2005) | |||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2538 Registered: 6-2000 |
Here's Bob with the slab, so you can get a sense of scale:  | |||
| bigbass
Member Username: bigbass Post Number: 60 Registered: 6-2002 |
Ahh....very nice. I love salmon. Those Fillets will last me a few months if I freeze them. I will prep some garlic and get the correct utensils ready. Are you splitting each of these blocks again for consideration of a front and back? What does the back side took like? | |||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2550 Registered: 6-2000 |
We've only sliced off enough for one laminate, I think the right half in the picture is the thicker one, ready for more resawing. The bookmatch is the of course what I took the picture of (backside won't be bookmatched). The wood seems fairly similar throughout, so if you candirect us to the areas if figure you want included, we'll make the next slice and mark them up for you. | |||
| bigbass
Member Username: bigbass Post Number: 62 Registered: 6-2002 |
It appears to me that the lower-most and middle parts of the block has the most "action" or at least I find the most interesting. I am seeing the body upside down with the horn on the bottom right. Please advise if you see it differently. Wish I could see this with some ace-tone on it. Perhaps that is not so important. No matter what, I really dig this piece of wood. | |||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2569 Registered: 6-2000 |
Will 'tone that wood for you shortly. In the meantime, wouldn't you like to see how that swirly Macassar Ebony fingerboard turned out?  Wow! | |||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 1959 Registered: 5-2002 |
Wow is right!! | |||
| bigbass
Member Username: bigbass Post Number: 63 Registered: 6-2002 |
.....A rather visually deadly combo! All great stuff to see and further dream about. Thank you for your time and effort to satisfy my curiosity. As you can well imagine, I can hardly wait!! | |||
| bigbass
Member Username: bigbass Post Number: 66 Registered: 6-2002 |
I wonder what time it is? My watch batterie has died and the sun has gone down. | |||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2844 Registered: 6-2000 |
Other parts in the works, like the template for the first 12-string Knobby:  Let us know how you like it. | |||
| byoung
Intermediate Member Username: byoung Post Number: 156 Registered: 12-2004 |
Must. Suppress. Urge. To. Order. New. Bass. Where will it stop?!? Brad | |||
| bigbass
Member Username: bigbass Post Number: 81 Registered: 6-2002 |
LIKE IT? ABSOLUTELY!! WOW! How wide is the area closest to the nut? Is that the anticipated width or will it modified to what ever it is or becomes? Is the knob the same size as my "Lion's" knob? | |||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1412 Registered: 9-2003 |
This one's gonna be spectacular! Congrats David! | |||
| bigbadbill
Advanced Member Username: bigbadbill Post Number: 220 Registered: 10-2003 |
"Must. Suppress. Urge. To. Order. New. Bass." Ditto. LOL!!!! | |||
| bigbass
Member Username: bigbass Post Number: 83 Registered: 6-2002 |
Thank you...thank you, one and all. I'm really looking forward to the cutting, design and placement of the fine Redwood that will be used on this creation. | |||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 590 Registered: 10-2003 |
When this one gets finished I'm going to need one of Paul TBO's stockings! John | |||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 2179 Registered: 9-2002 |
I'm gonna open an Internetstore! For special clients I can do a list with possible banks to rob in their neighbourhood. Hehehehehehehehehehehe PTBO | |||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2956 Registered: 6-2000 |
After we spoke yesterday, Bob said it was fine to slice open the Camatillo.  I think the other stick can get sliced in a couple of days. | |||
| bigbass
Member Username: bigbass Post Number: 85 Registered: 6-2002 |
ah no....i don't thique this piter isof a Bob. i go back and look. may be dare iz to Bobs'. some thique iz VERRY rong hear. i all so thique the board iz to wide. (Message edited by bigbass on January 12, 2006) |
