| Author | Message | ||
| jlpicard
Advanced Member Username: jlpicard Post Number: 304 Registered: 7-2002 |
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 |
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 |
Mike, that is fantastic! Is that a vermillion body? | ||
| jlpicard
Advanced Member Username: jlpicard Post Number: 305 Registered: 7-2002 |
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 |
Beautiful. Wow. | ||
| hb3
Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 54 Registered: 2-2005 |
what scale is it? | ||
| jlpicard
Advanced Member Username: jlpicard Post Number: 306 Registered: 7-2002 |
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 |
Oh my god... really, utterly speechless here...! Justin | ||
| the_8_string_king
Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 53 Registered: 9-2005 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
First part of rubout caught while James was on a break last Friday:  | ||
| jlpicard
Advanced Member Username: jlpicard Post Number: 323 Registered: 7-2002 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Rubbed out, drilled, and ready for the guts to be dropped in:  Will let you know when your bass is on the calibration station. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 3291 Registered: 5-2002 |
Gorgeous! | ||
| jlpicard
Advanced Member Username: jlpicard Post Number: 376 Registered: 7-2002 |
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 |
Beautiful bass JL, hang in there, the wait is almost over! | ||
| jlpicard
Advanced Member Username: jlpicard Post Number: 378 Registered: 7-2002 |
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 |
Got the urge, I just lack the cash!! | ||
| kata3901
Junior Username: kata3901 Post Number: 34 Registered: 5-2004 |
Mike, it was nice talking with you. Looks like you have a keeper! | ||
| jlpicard
Advanced Member Username: jlpicard Post Number: 387 Registered: 7-2002 |
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 |
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 |
Hello Mica or Val, Any news, photos? | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 867 Registered: 7-2002 |
The upgrade is done, Mica is busy getting the April featured custom ready, but we should be shipping next week. Valentino |
