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Archive through February 14, 2007mica30 2-14-07  3:36 pm
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jtussing
Junior
Username: jtussing

Post Number: 25
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 - 4:06 pm:   Edit Post

Wu-HOW. Speachless. Beautiful bass.

Jim
bassjigga
Intermediate Member
Username: bassjigga

Post Number: 134
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 - 4:12 pm:   Edit Post

The black pearl cloud looks like it's ready for some rain. :D
tbrannon
Advanced Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 313
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 - 8:47 pm:   Edit Post

The Alembic logo is just too cool- the black pearl and the abalone chosen are just incredible.

Awesome stuff.
flaxattack
Senior Member
Username: flaxattack

Post Number: 1385
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Thursday, February 15, 2007 - 4:50 am:   Edit Post

can we see this baby's front?
crgaston
Advanced Member
Username: crgaston

Post Number: 344
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Thursday, February 15, 2007 - 6:35 pm:   Edit Post

That is simply fantastic. The logo is almost like a stained-glass window...I cant wait to see it in person!
I agree with Jeff...
A nice front shot would be nice!
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 4152
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 - 3:44 pm:   Edit Post

Here's the bass today, just letting the final coat of finish cure before the rubout:

ready to rub

ready to rub

ready to rub
crgaston
Advanced Member
Username: crgaston

Post Number: 346
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 - 8:03 am:   Edit Post

Drooool....

OK, now I'm REALLY excited!

Mica, Susan & co., have I told you lately how mich I love you guys???


Also, since it's awaiting rubout, can I correctly assume that the backplates are done? Did we go with binding on just the center or on all 3?
Thanks,
Charles
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 4197
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Thursday, March 01, 2007 - 5:21 pm:   Edit Post

Darn, I still gotta check on those backplates for you.

We got the hardware back from the plater today, but we had to reject the tailpiece, as it was scratched:
scratch

scratch

The scratch appears to be only in the protective coating, so the plater thinks they can turn this around within just a few days.

I don't think it will impact the delivery date since there's a short wait before the electronics calibration will be performed anyway as we were discussing yesterday.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 4208
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, March 02, 2007 - 6:14 pm:   Edit Post

In the end, we opted for no binding:
backplates

The area of concern was one of the corners on the central battery plate (lower left in this picture). Having a harsh line surrounding it, and any of the other plates would look more distracting that the small wiggle in the cut.
jags
Member
Username: jags

Post Number: 94
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Saturday, March 03, 2007 - 7:48 am:   Edit Post

that is such a pretty back.

but what is binding? a construction method for the backplate,that appears to form a line around the perimeter of the backplates (for design also)? too reinforce them?

(Message edited by jags on March 03, 2007)
jags
Member
Username: jags

Post Number: 95
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Saturday, March 03, 2007 - 7:54 am:   Edit Post

i understand how guitars,like gibsons have the "body binding". its usually the white plastic around the outside of the les pauls. isnt it?
crgaston
Advanced Member
Username: crgaston

Post Number: 348
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Saturday, March 03, 2007 - 8:57 am:   Edit Post

Cool, thanks Mica. I agree, that was a good choice. Is that the rubbed out finish? It looks absolutely amazing!

Jags, check out "Fitting Tribute" and "Autum's Delight" in the custom Archive for examples of backplate binding.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 4236
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Tuesday, March 06, 2007 - 7:25 pm:   Edit Post

That's the rubbed out finish, Charles - like a mirror.

We use wood binding around continuous wood backplates when the fit isn't as good as we'd like or if the customer prefers the look. The first 10 or so continuous wood backplates were done with binding. Bob just kept getting better and better until it was rarely needed for a nice look.
2400wattman
Advanced Member
Username: 2400wattman

Post Number: 302
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Wednesday, March 07, 2007 - 6:52 pm:   Edit Post

Great googooly goo Chuck! Can't wait to see this in person. Get Down man!!!!
crgaston
Advanced Member
Username: crgaston

Post Number: 361
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 9:33 am:   Edit Post

Bizarro-Dragonfly!





Kind of looks like lightning in night clouds to me.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 4504
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, April 27, 2007 - 5:54 pm:   Edit Post

It's all stuffed with the electtronics, and ready for the final calibration:
almost there - stay on target
tbrannon
Advanced Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 389
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Friday, April 27, 2007 - 6:09 pm:   Edit Post

Too cool for words.

Hang in there Charles =)
the_8_string_king
Senior Member
Username: the_8_string_king

Post Number: 559
Registered: 9-2005
Posted on Friday, April 27, 2007 - 10:15 pm:   Edit Post

Incredibly awesome looking... and it has a particularily interesting look... contemporary/modern Alembic... yet the "old style" pickup selector placement gives it a certain "Je ne c'est quois".

Really, really, cool!:-)
crgaston
Advanced Member
Username: crgaston

Post Number: 373
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Saturday, April 28, 2007 - 9:31 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks, Toby!

Mark, that's pretty astute of you to pick up on the selector switch location thing. One of the motivating themes behind this bass is contradiction, since the dragonfly itself is such a dichotomous creature. It is delicate, graceful, and beautiful, but it is the most fearsome and powerful of insect predators. Also, it is an incredibly ancient species, but only lives a few months once it starts flying. I wanted this bass to be sort of low-contrast and unassuming (well, for a Series II, anyway) from the front, but eyeball-poppin' from the back. I think the elves definitely succeded in making that happen! And as you pointed out, it's got a modern/retro thing happening, too. The selector, of course, and also the low-contrast vermillion laminate with no pinstripe, which reminds me of the older 3-layer sandwiches.

P.S.
The bridge sure looks bizarre all un-intonated like that...took me a minute to figure out what was wrong with it...

P.P.S.

Mica, is that a stereo/mono switch below the 1/4" jack?
jahnahisti
Member
Username: jahnahisti

Post Number: 69
Registered: 9-2005
Posted on Sunday, April 29, 2007 - 4:16 pm:   Edit Post

I love the black hardware. Obviously and inspired creation!

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