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Alembic Club » Factory to Customer » Michael's Coco Bolo Lefty Custom » Archive through March 30, 2006 « Previous Next »

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jlpicard
Advanced Member
Username: jlpicard

Post Number: 304
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Tuesday, January 03, 2006 - 7:48 pm:   Edit Post

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Bass looks unbelievably fantastic! I can't believe the transformation that the wood goes through once the finish hits! I've seen it a million times on other instruments but it still blew me away! The top is absolutely gorgeous! The color is so rich and warm and the grain so well defined! And Mica says that it doesn't have all the finish on yet? Amazing is right Mike, and obsess, I certainly did plenty of that! But you know in a way, that's half the fun! Thanks to all for the wonderful advice. Mike
jalevinemd
Advanced Member
Username: jalevinemd

Post Number: 301
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Tuesday, January 03, 2006 - 8:36 pm:   Edit Post

Those neck lams are amazing! A bookmatched to center top on this beauty would have been criminal.
crgaston
Junior
Username: crgaston

Post Number: 35
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Tuesday, January 03, 2006 - 10:05 pm:   Edit Post

Mike, that is fantastic! Is that a vermillion body?
jlpicard
Advanced Member
Username: jlpicard

Post Number: 305
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 12:03 am:   Edit Post

Yes, it is Vermillion. I hoping it adds a certain extra "warmth" to the tone.
811952
Senior Member
Username: 811952

Post Number: 605
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 7:01 am:   Edit Post

Beautiful. Wow.
hb3
Member
Username: hb3

Post Number: 54
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 2:42 pm:   Edit Post

what scale is it?
jlpicard
Advanced Member
Username: jlpicard

Post Number: 306
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 3:11 pm:   Edit Post

It is a 33". I have a Distillate that is a 32" which I feel very comfortable on, yet I wanted to retain a little wider spacing above the 12th fret and also not lose any of the bottom end of a 34" scale. So I compromised with the 33" and hedged my bet with the addition of the Ebony neck laminates. After many valuable discussions with Val, my conclustion was that the loss of one inch of scale will have a minimal impact on tone and string tension and on the plus side, the neck laminates and the body woods should put me way ahead of the game. Perhaps this is an oversimplification of the situation. I'll just have to wait and see.

(Message edited by jlpicard on January 04, 2006)
jerico
Junior
Username: jerico

Post Number: 42
Registered: 7-2005
Posted on Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 3:34 pm:   Edit Post

Oh my god... really, utterly speechless here...!
Justin
the_8_string_king
Member
Username: the_8_string_king

Post Number: 53
Registered: 9-2005
Posted on Thursday, January 05, 2006 - 12:25 am:   Edit Post

Wow! Right up there with the coolest of the cool. Your neck is awesome, and instant classic! Having a similar neck, I can attest to the fact that the performance/function will be every bit as awesome as it's striking visage...

Resistance is futile!

What a masterpiece!
hb3
Member
Username: hb3

Post Number: 57
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Thursday, January 05, 2006 - 1:20 am:   Edit Post

the bass I posted pictures of in the "custom" section is a short scale; it's got more low end than you'd think. Ultimately I suppose I'm most confortable on a 32" -- though I may revise that opinion. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
richbass939
Senior Member
Username: richbass939

Post Number: 535
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Saturday, January 07, 2006 - 5:15 pm:   Edit Post

Mike, the grain on the top is outstanding. You've gotta be proud beyond words. Congrats.
Rich
byoung
Intermediate Member
Username: byoung

Post Number: 173
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Saturday, January 07, 2006 - 11:02 pm:   Edit Post

That bass just kills.

Man. The neck and the pistol grip are super-duper.
jlpicard
Advanced Member
Username: jlpicard

Post Number: 313
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Sunday, January 08, 2006 - 2:00 am:   Edit Post

Thanks guys! I am very proud indeed, Rich. If it looks this great in a photo, I can't wait to see it in person!
jlpicard
Advanced Member
Username: jlpicard

Post Number: 318
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 11:27 pm:   Edit Post

Latest update from Val...we're looking at maybey, and I stress maybey, the end of Feb. for completion.
More finishing work to be done, gold hardware to come back form the plater, setup and electronics installation and of course, alot will depend upon what is on Ron's bench already.
You know, the experience of having a custom bass built for me and working closely with the good people of Alembic has served to deepen my appreciation for the level of quality, attention to detail, dedication to "The Art", and just plain heart that goes into each and every instrument. These folks obviously love what they do! I consider myself a very fortunate person indeed to have the rare opportunity to own a piece of history and the very pinacle of Bassdom. It just doesn't get better than this!
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 2977
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 1:15 pm:   Edit Post

First part of rubout caught while James was on a break last Friday:

rubout phase 1
jlpicard
Advanced Member
Username: jlpicard

Post Number: 323
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 6:53 pm:   Edit Post

Cool! and thanks for the latest post! I'm curious. What is the purpose of this step? Is it to level the finish before buffing or is this just one of the many rubouts done between coats? Is that a mild abrasive compound or just sanding residue and what's being used on that air sander? I hope you don't mind me asking as this doesn't seem to be anything proprietary. I'm so interested in learning more about finishing so who better to ask than the masters themselves?. I've only done oil and brush-on poly/oil finishes on my homemade projects. I'll post a picture in the Miscellaneous section if anyone else would like to chime in. Mike

(Message edited by jlpicard on January 23, 2006)

(Message edited by jlpicard on January 24, 2006)
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 3009
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 3:38 pm:   Edit Post

Between coats, we call the sanding "prep." The term "rubout" is reserved for the final sanding, where we use finer and finer abrasives up to 3000 grit to smooth everything is all silky like. The chalky looking part is the dust from sanding mixed with water, as such fine abrasives need to be wet sanded.

Then it's ready to get buffed. On the buffing wheel, we use a finer yet compound to coax the shiny surface out. It takes a long time.
jlpicard
Advanced Member
Username: jlpicard

Post Number: 326
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 7:54 pm:   Edit Post

Mica, Thanks for the info! Just for bragging rights, can you tell me approximately how many coats are on my bass? I understand that it varies from wood to wood and cocobolo tends to take alot in order to build a good finish.
jlpicard
Advanced Member
Username: jlpicard

Post Number: 362
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Wednesday, February 08, 2006 - 2:12 pm:   Edit Post

Mica, Just wondering if there's any news or photos available to ease my G.A.S. pains! Thanks again for all that you do. Michael
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 3085
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 11:27 am:   Edit Post

Rubbed out, drilled, and ready for the guts to be dropped in:

rfg

Will let you know when your bass is on the calibration station.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 3291
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 4:45 pm:   Edit Post

Gorgeous!
jlpicard
Advanced Member
Username: jlpicard

Post Number: 376
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 9:08 pm:   Edit Post

Oh thank you Mica, thank you, thank you so much for posting this latest photo! It looks fantastic! I can't stop staring at the grain, and the colors of the coco never cease to amaze me! I've seen so much cocobolo on this site and elsewhere and yet I am still floored by how individual each piece of wood is. The way this top seemingly shifts from various reds to orange (not to mention all the various darker red/browns etc.) and every little variation in between! To me, that is one of the many reasons that makes Cocobolo a very special wood. That is the part I love so much about beautiful woods in general! As indivdual as a fingerprint, Natures art is hard to surpass! It's also one of the big reasons why I love Alembics so much. You do justice to Natures handiwork by bringing out the best in each piece with your artistry. God, words seem so inadequate when I try to describe what I see before me!
southpaw
Junior
Username: southpaw

Post Number: 48
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 8:00 am:   Edit Post

Beautiful bass JL, hang in there, the wait is almost over!
jlpicard
Advanced Member
Username: jlpicard

Post Number: 378
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2006 - 12:30 am:   Edit Post

Hey Paul, the Elan and Europa are still for sale if you get the urge!
southpaw
Junior
Username: southpaw

Post Number: 50
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2006 - 2:46 pm:   Edit Post

Got the urge, I just lack the cash!!
kata3901
Junior
Username: kata3901

Post Number: 34
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 4:34 pm:   Edit Post

Mike, it was nice talking with you. Looks like you have a keeper!
jlpicard
Advanced Member
Username: jlpicard

Post Number: 387
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 12:25 pm:   Edit Post

Tim, Great talking with you too! Thanks for the advice! This is DEFINITELY a keeper!
jlpicard
Advanced Member
Username: jlpicard

Post Number: 390
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 3:30 pm:   Edit Post

Mica, Arrangements are all set to go for Monday. Any final pictures of the finished bass available. I really love the way you do the archive shots!
jlpicard
Senior Member
Username: jlpicard

Post Number: 410
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 1:17 pm:   Edit Post

Hello Mica or Val, Any news, photos?
valvil
Moderator
Username: valvil

Post Number: 867
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 3:45 pm:   Edit Post

The upgrade is done, Mica is busy getting the April featured custom ready, but we should be shipping next week.

Valentino

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