| Author | Message | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3316 Registered: 6-2000 |
The gorgeous top laminate:  Rough shape cut with the bandsaw:  Chip checking before the bookmatch to center pocket is cut:  Ready for that top, sir:  Detail before the top bookmatch is in place:  And finally, the back:  Now, I normally don't get to catch every one of these steps, but I was in the shop all day on Tuesday. By then end of the day, Chip had your guitar in the press getting the top laminate glued. | ||
| jalevinemd
Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 429 Registered: 12-2003 |
Mica, Thanks so much for the extensive pictorial. I gotta tell you, I love my Little Bear, but this new body style is the best! Val, You picked out another winning top, my friend! Regards, Jonathan (Message edited by jalevinemd on May 18, 2006) | ||
| tom_z
Advanced Member Username: tom_z Post Number: 389 Registered: 7-2004 |
Jonathan - I can't wait to see what develops here. Is it my imagination or is the body going to end up a bit larger than a standard Darling model? I'll follow this thread with interest. BTW - great looking top! Peace Tom | ||
| jalevinemd
Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 430 Registered: 12-2003 |
Tom, Your eyes don't deceive you, this is a larger version of the Little Darling. When my Little Bear arrived, I was quite surprised at how petite it was...not disappointed, just surprised. The FTC thread during its construction had no reference to help me gauge the size. It wound up as a fitting tribute to my daughter who is quite petite. This guitar is for my son who, obviously, is much more stocky. I wanted this body style to reflect his physical characteristics as well. In addition, he is blonde with gray/green eyes...hence the choice of woods. My daughter is more olive toned with brown hair and brown eyes, thus the rich coco bolo. Plus I always considered the omega cut to be much more feminine that the standard point, which this guitar will have. Long story short, this current body style is actually closer size-wise to what I had in mind when Alembic came up with the original Little Darling. To give you an idea, I'm fairly certain that's my guitar behind Casey's Lefty Little Darling in the rack. Regards, Jonathan (Message edited by jalevinemd on May 18, 2006) (Message edited by jalevinemd on May 19, 2006) | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3324 Registered: 6-2000 |
Out of the press, and roughlly shaped:  Just the body:  It's ready for carving next week. And you should really see this wood up close:  | ||
| jalevinemd
Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 432 Registered: 12-2003 |
Wow...I'm speechless. | ||
| jerico
Member Username: jerico Post Number: 81 Registered: 7-2005 |
That's an awesome top! I really like these guitars. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 3847 Registered: 5-2002 |
Cool!! | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 649 Registered: 10-2002 |
Incredible! Graeme | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3330 Registered: 6-2000 |
Point carved:    Peter's working on the rest of the carving, but thought you'ld like to see how the "vision" materialized. | ||
| jaysimon
Junior Username: jaysimon Post Number: 15 Registered: 1-2006 |
Wow. | ||
| jalevinemd
Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 433 Registered: 12-2003 |
Mica, For starters, thanks for all the photo updates these past few days. It's a real treat to log on and see so many new pictures. Secondly, in my heavily biased opinion, I think this is the most beautiful Alembic guitar body style you guys have created. Warmest regards, Jonathan | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 3858 Registered: 5-2002 |
It is indeed a very nice body shape! I really like the top May 22 pic; and the second pic looks great, especially when you pick up your monitor and rotate it left 90 degrees! | ||
| jalevinemd
Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 434 Registered: 12-2003 |
Dave, I've been rotating my computer every which way 'til Sunday! | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1907 Registered: 9-2003 |
Looking good, Jon. Very nice indeed! Cheers, Kevin | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3340 Registered: 6-2000 |
with the front routing completed, it's starting to look more and more like a guitar:  The guitar is under some bright work lighting, which washed out some of the contrast in the lighter areas. I always say this, but it looks much better in person. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3396 Registered: 6-2000 |
In spray now:  I got in the booth after the run, so I couldn't maneuver to the front, but I'll catch it soon for you. | ||
| lidon2001
Intermediate Member Username: lidon2001 Post Number: 181 Registered: 4-2005 |
Looking great Jonathan! Mica, do you think Series electronics could fit in this body? Thanks, Tom | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 917 Registered: 7-2002 |
Hi Tom, yes, we could put series electronics in this body; it would have to be a little thicker that's all, but same shape. Valentino | ||
| pace
Advanced Member Username: pace Post Number: 240 Registered: 4-2004 |
So no Series upgrade for Jon....  But, could you eventually upgrade to Anniversary guts?!?!?? I cant wait to see the buckeye!!!!! congrats, Jon!!!!!! -Mike | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1427 Registered: 7-2004 |
Jonathan: Tres cool! You're going to have to get together with Flax ... this guitar and his in progress Tribute bass could be a matched set! I'll keep an eye out for Little Bear's little brother the next ime I'm in Santa Rosa. Bill, tgo | ||
| jalevinemd
Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 467 Registered: 12-2003 |
Thanks guys. Just seeing the back of this thing has me craving a full frontal! Bill, you're SO lucky to live just a hop, skip and jump away from the mothership. A quick pop-in is just what the doctor ordered. Jonathan | ||
| tom_z
Senior Member Username: tom_z Post Number: 417 Registered: 7-2004 |
Jonathan - the back is really gorgeous. Good call on the continuous wood back plates - it would be a shame to interrupt those maple waves. Won't be long now. =) Peace Tom | ||
| jalevinemd
Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 468 Registered: 12-2003 |
Tom - it's all live and learn. I'm doing a bunch of things on this guitar that I wish I'd done on the Little Bear. But, at least this way, they'll be unique in their own rights. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1438 Registered: 7-2004 |
Jonathan: You're right, I am lucky ... and I know it. Of course it it wasn't for a bunch of guys named Jerry, Bobby, Phil, Billy, Ron, Mickey, T.C, Keith, and associates, there's a good chance neither Alembic nor I would be around here. Bill, tgo | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 4028 Registered: 5-2002 |
Wow!!! | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 701 Registered: 10-2002 |
Wow indeed! The back looks just as nice as the top. I wouldn't know which way round to hold it;-) Graeme | ||
| guitarbeau
Junior Username: guitarbeau Post Number: 19 Registered: 12-2005 |
Amazing looking back. I want to see the front!! | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 518 Registered: 2-2006 |
Does anyone else see the wolf in this photo? My wife tells me I'm crazy and seeing things. This is a REAL nice instrument.  | ||
| applejuice
Junior Username: applejuice Post Number: 45 Registered: 1-2006 |
I never noticed that before, too cool! |
