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mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 4191
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Thursday, March 01, 2007 - 4:55 pm:   Edit Post

This is the neck I was bringing up to the office when you were on the phone with my mom:
neck

This will be hidden under the peghead veneers:
neck
jtussing
Junior
Username: jtussing

Post Number: 29
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Thursday, March 01, 2007 - 4:59 pm:   Edit Post

YAAAAAAAYYYYYYY! :-) Thanks very much Mica! Can you change it to "Jim's" custom signature tho?

I'm SO happy to see this. Thank you very much!

- Jim Tussing
jtussing
Junior
Username: jtussing

Post Number: 30
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Thursday, March 01, 2007 - 5:00 pm:   Edit Post

"Jim's custom signature deluxe" actually... Sorry. So excited I can't type!
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 4192
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Thursday, March 01, 2007 - 5:01 pm:   Edit Post

I already caught that and changed while you were reading :-)

(Message edited by mica on March 01, 2007)
jtussing
Junior
Username: jtussing

Post Number: 32
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Thursday, March 01, 2007 - 5:04 pm:   Edit Post

:-D Well, I'll be showing off my new dental work for a while! Thanks for the close-up!

- Jim
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 4194
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Thursday, March 01, 2007 - 5:07 pm:   Edit Post

This is the top wood that my mom and I dug out of the stacks a few nights ago:
3623

Even though you've already seen this wood, it seems appropriate to include it on your thread.
jtussing
Junior
Username: jtussing

Post Number: 33
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Thursday, March 01, 2007 - 5:30 pm:   Edit Post

For the curious, here are the original specs of my bass:

Alembic Mark King 5 Deluxe
Top/Back: 5A Quilt Maple Top, 3A Quilt Maple Back
Balance K Body w/Tummy & Elbow contours
Anniversary Electronics
Heart Omega
Red side LED's
Abolone inlays
Inlaid Alembic logo w/shell
One ebony, two purpleheart neck laminates
hifiguy
Member
Username: hifiguy

Post Number: 73
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Thursday, March 01, 2007 - 6:05 pm:   Edit Post

Man, I dreamed up a very similar MKD 4-string on the Custom Quote Generator a couple of months ago. Only differences are that mine was spec'd with a blue buckeye burl top 'n' back, blue side LEDs and standard Sig electronics. Even the neck laminates were the same. You should wind up with a killer cool bass, Jim.
5stringho
Member
Username: 5stringho

Post Number: 88
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Thursday, March 01, 2007 - 6:38 pm:   Edit Post

Hey, Jim!!

Yayyy!! Yer little monster finally hatched! Glad to see ya made it! Ebony lam, cool!
Can't wait to see the progression!
Congratulations, Jim! The next few months will be memorable, Enjoy yourself!

B Cool, Mike (the 'Ho....)
the_8_string_king
Senior Member
Username: the_8_string_king

Post Number: 431
Registered: 9-2005
Posted on Thursday, March 01, 2007 - 10:13 pm:   Edit Post

Congrats, Jim!
jtussing
Junior
Username: jtussing

Post Number: 36
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Friday, March 02, 2007 - 1:02 am:   Edit Post

Hifi, Ho, King,

Thanks! First time I've ever done anything like this and am looking forward to watching it take shape. Is it done yet? Is it done yet? Is it done yet? :-)
the_8_string_king
Senior Member
Username: the_8_string_king

Post Number: 436
Registered: 9-2005
Posted on Saturday, March 03, 2007 - 12:33 am:   Edit Post

Have you considered getting continueous woodplates for the back, Jim? They really look awesome -especially on highly-figured woods like Coco Bolo and Quilted Maple.

One other thing you might consider: they've got a REALLY bitchin' amber tint I've seen 'em do with Maple basses... you might ask 'em about it, I think there are probably an example or two floating around on the site. Maybe they could show you/refer you to a picture.

I think I'd have to get the amber tint if I were getting a Quilted Maple Alembic... but that's me!

Oh yeah, one other thing. I recommend you consider kicking out a few extra bucks for 3-position Q switches... they'll add a lot of flexibility.

Look forward to seeing your Balance K get built, Jim. It's looking like they'll be working on ours about the same time, so we'll see 'em built together!
jtussing
Junior
Username: jtussing

Post Number: 40
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Saturday, March 03, 2007 - 5:17 am:   Edit Post

Thanks King! I will ask about the tint. I had thought about the continuous wood backplates but didn't think it was really worth the $ to me. Besides, I am kinda going for that nautical feel that brass gives. Come to think of it the tint might even accentuate that. I am getting the 3-pos Q's though (0/4/8). I'm also replacing the pickup selector switch with a regular 3-pos toggle too - I don't like that weird pie-shaped selector they use.

Anyway, thanks for the great advice!

Regards,
Jim
5stringho
Member
Username: 5stringho

Post Number: 89
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Saturday, March 03, 2007 - 6:06 am:   Edit Post

C'mon, Jim, get out some more of that old, moldy money you have layin' around, and spring fer the continuous wood backplates! And while yer at it, I'll even let you pay for some for mine:-)!!

LOL! Mike......
jtussing
Junior
Username: jtussing

Post Number: 42
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Saturday, March 03, 2007 - 4:32 pm:   Edit Post

Hahahaha! Noice! Oh sure, Ho, goad me into it... BTW, how did you know my money was mouldy? You haven't been sneaking around my tool shed have ya? :-)

- Jim
5stringho
Intermediate Member
Username: 5stringho

Post Number: 102
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Friday, March 09, 2007 - 11:49 am:   Edit Post

Hey, Jim!

I think you made a good decision on the tint. That Maple will look righteuos all by itself!!!

B Cool, Mike......
jtussing
Member
Username: jtussing

Post Number: 62
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - 10:09 am:   Edit Post

Hey Mica,

Any updates? Just curious. I'd love to get some pics during the process if possible.

Thanks!
jtussing
Member
Username: jtussing

Post Number: 65
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 - 11:51 am:   Edit Post

Hey Mica! I know everyone must be busy, just thought you might have caught some shots of my li'l monster on the factory floor?

Hopefully yours,
Jim :-)
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 4326
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 - 4:49 pm:   Edit Post

As soon as I spy something interesting, I'll post it here. You'll see that the work kind of comes through in "clumps." There's a lot of gathering materials, and setting up operations, so the next thing you'll see will probably be the body. I've noticed many stacks forming in the glue area, but there's just not interesting looking yet.
jtussing
Member
Username: jtussing

Post Number: 66
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 - 5:17 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks, Mica.

I appreciate the update!

Jim
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 4372
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, March 30, 2007 - 3:02 pm:   Edit Post

I found the peghead veneers were all glued up and ready for the peghead to get cut out:
assembly

Sure there will be more stuff happening soon.
jtussing
Member
Username: jtussing

Post Number: 67
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Saturday, March 31, 2007 - 4:04 am:   Edit Post

Hey cool! And thanks much for the pic, Mica! That's going to be a pretty peghead someday! Thanks again, it means a lot to me to watch it take shape.

Jim
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 4439
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 12:54 pm:   Edit Post

More goodies, your bass has landed in the carving department:

carving

carving

carving

carving

The Maple looks really flat after sanding. This one isn't even finished with the sanding yet, and it will look worse before it looks better again. But don't worry - the fact that you can see anything going on with the figure at this point means it will all leap back when the finish hits it, since it's a really nice piece.
jtussing
Member
Username: jtussing

Post Number: 69
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 1:02 pm:   Edit Post

YYAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! It looks wonderful, Mica! Thanks again for the pics!

Just a question - I notice that you went with the 2-up/3-down headstock like Shim's instead of the 3-up/2-down headstock which is usual. Is there a reason for this? Not complaining at all, just curious!

Again, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU ! :-)
jtussing
Member
Username: jtussing

Post Number: 70
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 1:31 pm:   Edit Post

...and, did you go with a smaller headstock than normal? The neck looks really wide up at the nut and I'm wondering whether it's just perspective / optical.

Sorry for the split questions - just excited to see it.
mele_aloha
Member
Username: mele_aloha

Post Number: 68
Registered: 1-2007
Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 2:55 pm:   Edit Post

Man JT, It is gorgeous!!! I am jelous haha!! It is really beauututiffuulllll!!

Congradulations. I had chosen Maple also at one point and changed my mind.
Very nice.
When it gets the finish, lookkkoouutt---
Aloha, Paul
jtussing
Member
Username: jtussing

Post Number: 71
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 3:24 pm:   Edit Post

Hey thanks Paul! I'm extremely pleased with the way it looks. Can't wait to hold it. Such wonderful torture.

Say, I'm gonna be in Princeville on Kauai in a few weeks wit da fam, making up for all the money I'm spending on this baby! Can't WAIT to take in some greens & blues.

So Aloha right back atcha! :-)
jtussing
Member
Username: jtussing

Post Number: 72
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 3:37 pm:   Edit Post

And by the way, Mica, I absolutely love the top. Exactly what I was hoping for and more. WOW. Thanks to you and Susan for picking out such a wonderful piece of maple to carve.

- Jim
mele_aloha
Member
Username: mele_aloha

Post Number: 69
Registered: 1-2007
Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 5:47 pm:   Edit Post

They are the greatest aren't they JT?

And by the way I'm on the Big Island going through Merry Monarch this week. (Hula Festival)
You are going to the greatest spot though ya know.
Have fun, and I know the torture. The best I've ever been through!LOL
Aloha, P
5stringho
Intermediate Member
Username: 5stringho

Post Number: 112
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 6:46 pm:   Edit Post

Hey, Jim!!!

No Bull, Bro. That is the most PHENOMENAL piece of Quilt I've EVER seen on an instrument! It MUST be classed AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA or better:-)
They say good thing come to those who wait!! Can't wait to see the progression from here. Excuse me while I empty my drool bucket...

BCool, Mike (The 'Ho)

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