| Author | Message | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3651 Registered: 6-2000 |
Every one starts with a neck:  And the peghead before cutting the shape:  The body is almost ready to glue on the neck:  Just as soon as the LEDs get installed on the front of the fingerboard:  The side LEDs are in place:  There should be new pictures every few days over the next couple of weeks. | ||
| mtnst8
New Username: mtnst8 Post Number: 9 Registered: 8-2006 |
Mica: Smiles!  It is such a wonderful thing that your customers can participate in the build process through these forums. This is really exciting for me. The pictures are great. Keep 'em coming! And thanks so much. Brad | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3663 Registered: 6-2000 |
The whole thing is in the pipe clamps for the night:  | ||
| mtnst8
Junior Username: mtnst8 Post Number: 11 Registered: 8-2006 |
Mmmm. Yum. I can't wait to see the grain with some finish on it. Looking good! Brad | ||
| mtnst8
Junior Username: mtnst8 Post Number: 12 Registered: 8-2006 |
Any new news on the Spyder? Thanks! Brad | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3705 Registered: 6-2000 |
I was able to sneak into the drying room a few mintues ago and get a shot of your bass from the back - you haven't seen that side of it yet:  | ||
| mtnst8
Junior Username: mtnst8 Post Number: 13 Registered: 8-2006 |
Wow. I love scrolling back and forth between the "drying" picture and the one before it to see how the finish brings out the grain. The difference is amazing. | ||
| tbrannon
Advanced Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 212 Registered: 11-2004 |
Absolutely killer grain! I love the way the flame goes from horizontal to vertical on that bottom right corner. I noticed it on the earlier pictures (without the finish) and wondered if my eyes were fooling me. Guess not. What kind of wood is sandwiched between the maple? Is that walnut? | ||
| mtnst8
Junior Username: mtnst8 Post Number: 14 Registered: 8-2006 |
Correct you are, Toby. Walnut it is. Here is the link to the Featured Custom page for the Spyder basses: http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_spyders.html. I am having a few minor changes done but for the most part, those specs are what you'll be seeing here. | ||
| ox_junior
Advanced Member Username: ox_junior Post Number: 351 Registered: 3-2004 |
What are you having done that's different from the stock Spyder? Just curious. | ||
| mtnst8
Junior Username: mtnst8 Post Number: 16 Registered: 8-2006 |
Nothing major. Mostly just cosmetic things. The most noticeable will be the chrome hardware. Also having the logo inlaid with shell, abalone inlays instead of m.o.p., side and front laser led's in amber, recessed straplock on the bottom. Finally, I'm having the tuners angled towards the body slightly. Not sure my arms could've reached all the way out there on a 35" scale! I had originally thought I was going to do a custom inlay on the back of the peghead but I don't think that's going to happen now. Correction - It's a 34" scale. (Message edited by mtnst8 on October 31, 2006) | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1107 Registered: 6-2002 |
Whatever happened to Susan's original plan for "an ebony and silver spider on the headstock" - Entwistle Tribute Bass? | ||
| mtnst8
Junior Username: mtnst8 Post Number: 17 Registered: 8-2006 |
Adriaan, I don't know, that's a good question. In fact, I ordered mine through Bass Central and the description on their website still reflects that inlay as part of this model. To my knowledge, the spider inlay was deleted and not included on any that have yet been produced. Anybody know if that's the case? Brad | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3720 Registered: 6-2000 |
We were never quite satisfied with the way the spider turned out, so we scrapped the idea. We did not produce a single instrument with the inlay. | ||
| mtnst8
Junior Username: mtnst8 Post Number: 18 Registered: 8-2006 |
Hello Mica: Greetings. We should be getting close now I think. Can I have a quick status check? ETA? Thank you. Brad | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3742 Registered: 6-2000 |
Your bass is ready to get the body inlays:  It depends on how many more coats of spray it will need after the inlay. I'll know more once the silver is in. | ||
| tbrannon
Advanced Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 218 Registered: 11-2004 |
Looking sweet! I like those Paua fretboard inlays. I'm also pretty curious about that fretless blue Rogue that's hiding behind yours. Pretty nice neighborhood they've got going there. | ||
| mtnst8
Junior Username: mtnst8 Post Number: 19 Registered: 8-2006 |
Mica: These pictures are addictive. With each new one I crave more and more. I love what I'm seeing. I'm really curious about the peghead end and the inlay work up there. I'd also like to see the silver being inlaid. Is that all one piece or is it puzzled together? Hate to keep asking the same question but I'm curious about an ETA. Brad (Message edited by mtnst8 on November 10, 2006) | ||
| jaurigemma
Member Username: jaurigemma Post Number: 86 Registered: 3-2003 |
Okay, I don't mean to steal the thread here, as this is an awesome looking Spyder. But blue is my favorite color, and I am dying to get a better look at that Blue Europa behind the spider. Mica, can you post that Blue Europa to another thread? | ||
| mtnst8
Junior Username: mtnst8 Post Number: 20 Registered: 8-2006 |
Mica: Any word from the Mothership on this one? I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for news. Thanks, Brad | ||
| inthelows
Advanced Member Username: inthelows Post Number: 228 Registered: 11-2006 |
Love the wood accents. Very sharp spyder! NLP | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3919 Registered: 6-2000 |
Inlays in!   James finished the preset, and we should be getting the chrome back around January 8. Hopefully the rest of the finish will be done by then. | ||
| mtnst8
Junior Username: mtnst8 Post Number: 26 Registered: 8-2006 |
Mica, Looking good! I can't wait to see the inlaid logo and how the chrome looks. So, if the plating comes back around the 8th does that look good for a delivery that same week? Also, one quick question to clarify something I've been trying to read up on: Is "pure lemon oil" the same thing as "pure lemon essential oil?" I know there are several threads on this but I can't find one that addresses this specifically. Thanks, Brad | ||
| bob
Senior Member Username: bob Post Number: 796 Registered: 11-2002 |
"pure lemon oil" is probably also "essential", but like any marketing claim, you just need to check. If you've read the other threads, then you understand that you don't want something like "lemon flavored mineral oil". You want an oil that is produced solely by squeezing the zest (yellow colored portion) of the rind. Check the ingredient list, or whatever it says about how it's made. As long as it's just lemons, you've got the right stuff. I happen to be using Boyajian, and they leave out the word "essential". It basically just means it's the "essence", and it sounds cool for marketing purposes, but it's still just pure oil from lemon zest. | ||
| mtnst8
Junior Username: mtnst8 Post Number: 27 Registered: 8-2006 |
Thanks Bob. That was just the info I was looking for on the lemon oil. I was able to find that brand on eBay so at least I know I am headed in the right direction. Thanks again. Any news on the plating, Mica? Thanks, Brad | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3986 Registered: 6-2000 |
We got the plating back, James is almost done with the setup. I took this picture moments ago:  He calls it the Spyder Deluxe. I'd like to speak with you before we install the straplocks. That's the last thing to do. We should have the recessed ones in any day. We had tons of gold ones, but that won't work for yours. I'll be around all day tomorrow, so call me when you get a moment to chat. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 4700 Registered: 5-2002 |
It's a Reverse Spyder!! <g> Which kinda begs the question, has anyone ever ordered a reverse Spyder or Exploiter. Plenty of room for knobs and switches. | ||
| southpaw
Intermediate Member Username: southpaw Post Number: 118 Registered: 12-2004 |
Another reason why my Alembics sound so good; they are set up by a lefty! Keep up the great work James, we appreciate your effort. In 2004 I had the good fortune of seeing a Spyder being routed for the sterling "web" inlay. The sterling bars are as deep into the body as they are wide, the detail and craftsmanship was amazing. Congrats Brad on a stunning bass. | ||
| mtnst8
Junior Username: mtnst8 Post Number: 28 Registered: 8-2006 |
Thanks Paul. Dave, is this kind of what you had in mind on a reverse Spyder?  I don't have the tools to make it look right but that is what I thought of when you asked the question. I'm holding my breath again. Could ship this week! Brad | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1051 Registered: 2-2006 |
How about this "reverse"?  | ||
| southpaw
Intermediate Member Username: southpaw Post Number: 127 Registered: 12-2004 |
Now your talkin' Olie!! A lefty spyder, put some guts in it and send it to my house, it will be well cared for! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 4725 Registered: 5-2002 |
Brad; I was thinking completely reversed as in Olie's picture. It probably wouldn't work well with that big upper horn; but the shot of yours in a reversed playing position looks interesting. | ||
| bkbass
Intermediate Member Username: bkbass Post Number: 125 Registered: 11-2003 |
With the lower hip having that much real estate one could install series 5 electronics (assuming with each raise in series number more knobs will added)Lol! I played one or two flipped explorers in my day and they were quite comfortable and balance fairly well. The main problem is playing in the sitting position. Drum stool works chairs usually don't unless your hanging off the edge. | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1225 Registered: 6-2002 |
Woo woo - don't tell me Alembic is copying the Warwick Dolphin! J/K of course. | ||
| mtnst8
Junior Username: mtnst8 Post Number: 31 Registered: 8-2006 |
Thanks to all for the hand-holding through the build process and for your nice comments. My Spyder arrived a couple weeks ago and I can't keep my hands off it. It's wonderful! I'll put up some pictures on a showcase thread soon. And guys...don't forget Valentine's day is just 6 days from now! Brad | ||
| mtnst8
Junior Username: mtnst8 Post Number: 33 Registered: 8-2006 |
Mica: Any news on my truss rod cover? Brad | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4460 Registered: 6-2000 |
I received the new tracing, and the new cover should be completed this week. There's a batch of chrome plating scheduled for the week of May 7th, so it will be ready to go in with that set. |
