| Author | Message | ||
| 5stringho
Intermediate Member Username: 5stringho Post Number: 106 Registered: 11-2006 |
Mark, Pull up the Raging Bass on COTM. That shows an excellent example of the satin/gloss junction @ the peghead and body. From what I can see, the actual maple of the neck, including the sides that roll up the peghead are satin, w/ the veneers hi-gloss, so the entire FEEL part of the neck is satin. My experience is that there is no concern with the Satin, the oil/wax finish that is applied gives excellent protection against moisture and stuff. It may require a litte wax added from time to time, if you may reside in an extremely moist climate, but I don't think YOU would have that problem in Lost Wages, Nevada! I just keep mine wiped off after each use, in the cases when not used, and have had no problems. Mica could clarify that mo bettah than me, with the Alembics. Concerning looks, your beast would look good with ANY finish!! What an AWESOME neck! But, you can rest assured it will be GOOOOORGEUOS with the satin finish (again, check the Rager out)And I'm sure the mothership would be HAPPY to make it any finish,to any degree, that you desire. All you have to do is let them know in time  Looking forward to seeing the progress! Mike (the'Ho)........ | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 544 Registered: 12-2004 |
Mark, I have an answer, but rather than using my 1000 word allotment, I brought pictures: http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_sixsen.html http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_nsb.html http://alembic.com/info/fc_yahya.html You can see that the satin neck is expertly delineated where the headstock laminates start. it is tres cool looking. Specifically, just the neck is satin, everything else is gloss. Bradley | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 455 Registered: 9-2005 |
Hey, thanks again, guys. I appreciate the links, Bradley. I checked 'em out -and "Ragining Bass", too. | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 547 Registered: 12-2004 |
Mark, You're welcome. I'm going to have the Calming Bass. Like Bob Ross painting. Let's paint a happy little bass... a nice bass. Bob Ross would have had a satin neck, definitely. Bradley | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 492 Registered: 9-2005 |
Hey Mica, Jason tells me I've got a really awesome top! Please post pictures of the BTC halves of the top together at your earliest convenience -preferably with an outline of the body, so I know exactly what it'll look like. I'm dying of curiosity, and would love to see the top -and the back, too for that matter! Thanks Mica! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4506 Registered: 6-2000 |
Here's the peghead veneers:  The note is to hold off on cutting the peghead until you can review some pricing details about possible changes you asked me about recently. and the body core with pinstripes:  I've got to get with mom on the pricing for some of the options, and I just couldn't do it this week (but at least I finished all the quarterly tax returns, yay!). I should be able to get you the details on Tuesday. | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 555 Registered: 9-2005 |
WOW, WOW, WOW!!! Wow, how AWESOME!!! The peghead veneer looks absolutely AWESOME!!! And it looks like you guys delivered another awesome and unexpected surprise... and put the pinstrips right on the body like I wanted... so they won't go over the neck!!! How unexpected... and how cool!!! Thanks so much, that is just a really unexpected and cool feature. I remember our conversation on the matter, and remember (for reasons I didn't frankly grasp) you regarded it as extra-challenging to do... but (obviously) you did it!!! Yay! I'll like the look of this even more. I wanted it, but didn't have the $ ask/offer you more for it if it were needed, so seeing this small but meaningful feature... it just great! Thanks so much! It does make me a bit curious about something, though... so I have to ask. Obviously, the laminated body core and pinstripes are a specific thickness here already... have these already been done based on the assumption that the body will be 1.7 inches for the Series prep? If so, that's fine, I don't really care if it's slightly wider at 1.7 instead of the already planned 1.6 for the side jack. But... if it's NOT Series thickness... then what? I assume the logical options would be either make the Coco Bolo slightly thicker (assuming that were an option) or maybe add an additional pinstripe all the way to the center on either side to add the additional thickness... or I guess the body core could be cut in half and put another lam in the middle? Whatever you think is best, I'm just curious what the plan is. Broke as I am, I'm really grateful for this unexpected nice touch, so if it needs to be a little thicker for the Series I prep, I could pay a little extra for an addition pinstripe or two if it were necessary for the extra body thickness (that is, assuming I can afford the Series prep in the first place). It'll all come down to the price/cost. Since we've put a hold on the peghead bevel and mini-omega, that gives me $550 retail to potentially redirect towards the Series I prep and/or upgrading the electronics to Signature with/without a (single) set of bass & treble toggles or knobs. It would be really nice if I could do all three things: (1) upgrade to Signature & a second 3-position Q; (2) get a set of bass & treble controls; and (3) get the Prep for Series I. But I could probably only afford 2 out of the 3 -if that. I've checked the quote generator, and I know to upgrade back up to Signature is $400; and I'd have to pay for the upgrade for the second Q switch, which Beaver said is either $125/$150. So this would be the same cost as the bevel and the mini-omega. Then the question is, how much extra to add a set of bass & treble knobs or toggles, and how much extra for the Prep to Series -including factoring in an extra continueous back woodplate. (Again, I'm not clear on how many backplates are standard for Signature basses... I'm not sure if what I've paid for already would normally cover one or two backplates, thus, I'm not clear on whether the additional backplates -and thus, fees- for the Series I Prep would require quotes for 2 vs 3 additional woodplates -or just 1 vs 2 additional woodplates.) IF what I've paid for would NORMALLY cover two backplates, THEN I MIGHT consider respectly inquiring if it would be possible to just upgrade to Signature (with a second 3-position Q) and add a set of bass & treble controls, and just get ONE backplate and apply credit for the second plate toward the cost of the bass & treble controls. But only if it's cool. But I guess it comes down to cost again. Geez, I hope I don't sound like an ingrate! Here you folks are surprising me with this unexpected treat, and I'm responding with ANOTHER long-winded post!!! I'd better go! Thanks again so much, it looks awesome, I'm REALLY excited, and I look forward to getting the pricing info. On a separate note... I'll tell you this has been an UNBELIEVABLY stressful and unpleasant day for us. Our mortgage lender has been extremely irresponsible about his committments to us... he's failed to communicate and honor his word, and it's caused us some pretty serious problems with planning our living arrangements, closing on our house, and packing and moving etc. Prior to posting this, we had a LONG and very unpleasant conference call between him and our realtor -who is REALLY COOL and "on the ball", and me and my gal were total steaming. So I went out and got us some beer, and when I saw this, it instantly became the high point of my day, week and month! We should have signed for our house tonight -in which case THAT would have been the high point... but... that didn't happen, and seeing this was very comforting, and well-timed!!! Thanks again so much! Gratefully yours, Mark! YAY! THIS IS GOING TO LOOK SO COOL WITH THE BOOKMATCHED TO CENTER COCO BOLO GOING OVER THE NECK WITH THE PINSTRIPES GOING ONLY TO THE NECK!!! | ||
| bassjigga
Intermediate Member Username: bassjigga Post Number: 187 Registered: 8-2005 |
Dang Mark, you're so boring. You could at least get excited about your bass. ;) The peghead is lookin nice. | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 556 Registered: 9-2005 |
Thanks, Dave!!! Yeah, I'm really psyched! As you can see, the peghead looks freaking awesome!!! But they did something extra cool for me, out of the blue. I'd asked them before about having the pinstrips go ONLY over the Mahogany body, and STOP at the neck... in other words, to have the pinstrips NOT go over the neck (the purpose being to not shave the neck down any more than necessary -except for what's necessary for the bookmatch to center). Well, Mica indicated it was an extra hardship, so I withdrew the request. So I was very pleasantly surprised to see this... just a really cool and unexpected surprise. I think it'll look REALLY cool -having the pinstripes ONLY go to the neck, and have the bookmatched-to-center Coco Bolo go right over the neck! I'm just totally psyched! I've also asked them for quotes for the Prep for Series I and for the cost of upgrading to Signature and adding a pair of bass & treble controls... I probably couldn't afford to do all of these things, and I'd have to sacrifice my peghead omega and bevel... I'll just have to see -it'll depend on the cost. But it's all cool. Even if I just stick with the original plan of Europa electronics with the 3-position Q, it'll be cool. But it would be extra cool if I could upgrade to Signature electronics with the Series Prep and/or with a set of bass & treble controls!!! And it'll be EXTRA COOL with this nice pinstripe-to-neck only feature I wanted but didn't expect!!! | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 557 Registered: 9-2005 |
Oh, P.S. congrats on taking care of the tax stuff, Mica! I'm sure it's nice to have that headache over with!!! | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 561 Registered: 9-2005 |
I just wanted to say thanks again for putting these pictures up for me to enjoy over the weekend, and thanks again for having the elves put the pinstrips on the body halves! Being familiar with the Alembic building process, I was expecting to see the Mahogany body halves glued on next, before seeing the pinstripes and bookmatched-to-center Coco Bolo finally added to the front and back. When I saw the body halves NOT glued on... but with the pinstripes already on... WOW, what a cool surprise! And they're SO thin... just like what I wanted! They'll be GREAT as contrasting laminates -separating the darker Coco Bolo from the lighter Mahogany -and I know they'll look awesome with the tummy contour and elbow contour! The peghead front veneer looks awesome! I love the asymmetrical look -with the one half being "liney" and the other half being wildly figured. And it looks very well matched to the color and figuring of the board you chose for my top. And that board looks awesome, again! Whether we go with what you've suggested initially, or what I think I might prefer -"flipping" it, as long as the "pinched" part of the figuring would be cut out anyway for the neck pickup or trussrod plate- it looks to be awesome either way. I know y'all will probably get that board cut soon, and then we'll be able to figure the best section to use for the BTC. Hopefully the board will be thick enought to use for both sides -but if not, I'm not worried... I know you'll just find another awesome board for the other side. I look forward to getting the pricing info for the Series I Prep and/or upgrading to Signature with an added set of bass & treble controls. I might not be able to afford ANY of these upgrades... but it's all good. Even if I just stick with the Europa setup & 3-position Q, this bass will rock. If I am able to afford the electronics upgrade, I most likely would do one or the other -that is, upgrade to Signature and and a set of bass & treble controls OR upgrade to Signature and do the Series I prep. I'd hate to give up the bass & treble controls... but if I had Signature electronics with 3-position Qs, and was set up to upgrade to Series down the road... that would be very good. I'm sold that Series basses are the ultimate -even though they don't have conventional bass and treble controls. And I could probably still add a pair of bass & treble controls if/when I upgraded, right? Thanks again, I really look forward to seeing the body halves glued on soon, and on seeing the Coco Bolo when it's cut up! And again, I'm crossing my fingers and toes it'll be wide enough to yield quarter inch boards for both the front and back, but (again) I'm not worried 'cause I know you'll just get another awesome board if it's not thick enough! Thanks again, Mark! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4533 Registered: 6-2000 |
You'll receive an email later today with the electronics pricing options that are available to you. Since your order was not for Series I/II thickness, it's not an available option at this point to prep for future Series I/II electronics - the nack was made for the required thickness long ago. Here's the laminates in the first stage of BTC:   | ||
| bassjigga
Intermediate Member Username: bassjigga Post Number: 194 Registered: 8-2005 |
Oh man I like your lams King! | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 569 Registered: 9-2005 |
Thanks Dave! Mica... these look fantastic! Thanks so much again, it looks like Bob picked a wonderful board for me indeed, and I'm pleased to see it was thick enough to yield both a front and a back. I'm assuming the top picture is the back and the lower picture is the front -as that corresponds to what I thought I'd like. Both boards look awesome! I'd have preferred to have a little more of the inner edges trimmed off the upper board (lower picture/front of bass) to have more of the "super cool area(s)" on either side included on the top -it looks like most of that wood will end up being cut off- but it looks much too awesome to snivel over! And the top picture/back of bass DOES have all that awesome "super cool area" figuring right in the center of the body... it looks awesome too... pretty close to what I'd envisioned. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS ON ORIENTATION AND CONSULT WITH YOU BEFORE YOU DO THE ACTUAL CUTTING. I originally figured on the lower picture/front of bass having the left side of the picture go towards the peghead and the right side of the picture go towards the tailpiece... but as I look at this picture, it looks like it would look just as good going the other way -as long as the "pinch" didn't interfere with the disguised BTC objective. It's hard for me to tell from this picture where it would be exactly. What's your opinion on this? On the other hand, the top picture/back of bass looks to me very clearly like it would make more sense and look better to have the right side of the picture go towards the peghead and have the left side go towards the tailpiece; the figuring seems to go from wider to narrower as I look left to right -just as the Balance K body is wider at the bottom, and narrower towards the fingerboard and peghead. So please share your thoughts. Also, when the glueing is complete, please post a "straight-on" flat shot of at least the bottom picture/front of bass to help give me a better picture of what orientation would look better... it's hard for me to fully appreciate due to the angle. I'm leaning towards thinking it would look better to have the left side (of the lower picture/front of bass) go towards the peghead and have the right side go towards the tailpiece -but again, I want to know what you think before you commit to cutting it. So it's too late to prep for Series, huh? Oh well, it'll be awesome with "just" Europa electronics... with/without the second filter and Q and with/without the upgrade to knobs for the bass & treble controls. I'm psyched to see the top lams being glued together! Woo hoo! And I look forward to seeing the pricing for the electronics! I'll check again after this post! Have a great weekend... Mom! (Message edited by the 8 string king on May 04, 2007) | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 572 Registered: 9-2005 |
Hey Mica, I just got home and checked my email just a few minutes ago -and there was no email from Alembic... so if you sent it, I didn't get it -for whatever reason. | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 573 Registered: 9-2005 |
Well, after putting more stare time in, I have to say I'm extremely pleased... the Coco Bolo BTC lams look extremely awesome, and it looks like -as far as my untrained eyes can tell- the "disguised BTC" has been well-executed. Both of these look really great, and I like the contrast that results from each pair being joined in opposite ways. Thanks again, these'll be nice to look at over the weekend, and until the next stage!!! | ||
| shim
Member Username: shim Post Number: 95 Registered: 12-2006 |
Sorry, Mark. I'm so busy that I cannot check your question about my 3-way Q-way. I think it's unbelieverble. It make my bass can have the wide range of sound. But, it may take times to control it to get what you want. I should practice to control them. But, I'm so happy to get these control. | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 580 Registered: 9-2005 |
Nice to hear from you, Shim. Yeah, it can take a little while to figure out how to use the controls. It take a little while for the ears and brain to figure it all out. I suggest playing with the Q in the 4db position most of the time, and with the bass & treble controls in the middle. Then, if you want more or less Q -or bass/treble- you just make a little adjustment one way or the other. I hope the few minor issues you've had don't keep you from fully enjoying your Alembic... it's an awesome bass! Take care, Shim! | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 583 Registered: 9-2005 |
Hey Mica, in your post 4328 in "Dave's Custom Europa" therea are these cool clear "Europa Template" things... I was wondering if you had 'em for the Balance K yet... I'm trying to figure out what part/how much of the wood in the above pictures will be my front and back. I'm pretty sure I'd like it to be set up like what I described above in my post 569... but I'd like to see it and/or hear your opinion before you commit to cutting. I largely defer to you, but would prefer a little input, insofar as once it's cut, we're committed, and if I'd have preferred it the other way... it would be too late. It would be cool to see the outline -if you have the time. But I know you're busy. So as long as you agree that what I've described would be equal or better looking than the alternative, then go ahead with it. On the other hand, if you think it might look better the other way... if you think there's a strong case for me going the other way for whatever reason, then I'd like to hear your concerns and get a better look at the wood. Thanks again for everything, and I'm keeping my eyes open for the electronics options/pricing email. Mark | ||
| georgie_boy
Advanced Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 223 Registered: 8-2005 |
Don't think I can take any more of this eye boggling colour changes!? I may be going blind G | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 585 Registered: 9-2005 |
Okay, "the boss" told me -most diplomatically- that I've gotton carried away with the colors... so I'm gonna tone it down... sorry gang! | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 586 Registered: 9-2005 |
Hey Mica, I just sent you an email confirming that -bassed on the price quote you gave me- I WANT TO WITHDRAW MY REQUEST FOR THE PEGHEAD OMEGA AND THE DUAL BEVEL... AND REQUEST THAT YOU UPGRADE MY ELECTRONICS TO SIGNATURE ELECTRONICS WITH 3-POSITION Q SWITCHES (O/6/9 dbs) WITH (a single pair of) BASS & TREBLE KNOBS. (Pretty much "Shim's electronics"... but no LEDs.) This WILL be my LAST change to my order. The ONLY minor remaining issue is whether my Bird Tailpiece will have 3 or 5 screws. I'm not worried about it one way or the other, bassed on our conversation about it... but I'll give you a decision as soon as I get a price. I'm a little sad to sacrifice the peghead Omega and dual bevel... but it's WELL worth it to add a second filter and 3-position Q to my Europa electonics and to upgrade the bass & treble toggles to variable knobs. The increase in electronics versatility will be TREMENDOUS, and far outway the (only) slightly less cool appearance of the peghead Omega and bevel. I'll post my requests for the control configuration in the appropriate thread in "changes and additions." Thanks again, Mica! This is going to make my most awesome custom Signature bass even more awesome!!! | ||
| shim
Member Username: shim Post Number: 98 Registered: 12-2006 |
Oh... your bass will have similar sound to my bass~!!!! You will be happy to get your monster. And I think... the peghead omega can be looked like a metal bass. So when I ordered, I didn't include that option in my bass. I think the upgrade of your electronics is more worthy than the appearance. Anyway, congratulation~!!! | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 593 Registered: 9-2005 |
Thanks for your thoughts, Shim! I think the same thing. It's worth giving up the fancy peghead for the upgraded electronics. I'm getting a lot more than I'm giving up!!! | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 594 Registered: 9-2005 |
FINAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR MARK'S CUSTOM 6-STRING BASS: Mark King Signature Deluxe 6-String Bass Balance K Omega Body Tummy and Elbow Contours Crown Peghead, Alembic Symbol & Script, no "Mark King" signature Coco Bolo front and back, both Bookmatched to Center, disguised BTC Continueous Wood Backplate(s) (1 preferred, 2 is okay) Signature Electronics with 3-position Qs (0/6/9 db) and one pair of Bass & Treble Knobs Standard pickup for Neck pickup, Fatboy for Bridge pickup Mahogany Body with thin Maple & Purpleheart pinstrips Custom Neck: mah/pur/map/pur/ver/eb/ver/pur/map/pur/mah Standard 34 inch Long Scale -2 inches @ nut & 2&2/3 inches @ 24th fret Bird Tailpiece -standard 3 screws Control layout preferences detailed in another thread | ||
| 5stringho
Intermediate Member Username: 5stringho Post Number: 117 Registered: 11-2006 |
Hey, Mark! Congrats on the Electronics upgrade. I think you'll be VERY happy with her. She's gonna be both beautiful AND sound amazing. Looking forward to seeing her continuing progress. Oh, and double congrats, too, on the new crib. Man, it's just a banner time to be KING, isn't it ! BCool, the 'Ho.... | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 596 Registered: 9-2005 |
Thanks, Mike! Yes, it IS indeed good to be KING! I sure would've liked to have the snazzy peghead Omega and bevel... it looks awesome. But... while the Europa electronics are a really nice, versatile package... my experience with my custom Europa (and it's individual tone controls for each pickup) has taught me that individual filters and Qs for each pickup dramaticly increase the sonic potential of the instrument. The thing is, I just expect there to be bass and treble controls on a bass... I just do. If I had to choose between a stock Signature package and a stock Europa package, I'd rather get the Europa package, because even though it only has one filter and Q, it DOES have the bass & treble switches. But as time went by, I began to think I'd really like to have both, and that maybe I could -if the price was right. And the price they quoted me wasn't too much more than the peghead Omega and bevel. Now it's a compromise, not as versatile as the setup on my Europa... but it's still an awesome setup that combines the best of both worlds. And it's still a relatively simple setup -which also has it's charm. Each pickup essentially has just one tone control -the filter- and a 3-position Q switch to modify the sound... 0/6/9 dbs -just like the Series I setup. Simple, yet extremely versatile. The balance control blends the sound/output of the two pickups... and then I have a master bass and a master treble control to quickly and easily adjust these overall frequencies should I desire. The fact is... this setup should completely rock, and be exceedingly awesome! Of course, I'm counting on the bass to just sound awesome PERIOD -regardless of electronics. It is, of course, (obviously) an Alembic... and I've heard so many people rave about how awesome Coco Bolo sounds -especially with the Mahogany body- that I'm counting on it to just have an exceedingly awesome killer natural sound -especially with my ultra-cool neck, what with the 5 different woods... the Ebony, Maple, Vermillion, Purpleheart, and Mahogany. I'm banking on this having a mind-blowing rich and complex killer sound from the carefully thought-out combo of 6 killer tone woods. Wow! I just thought of something to scare the superstitious people! This is the "666" bass!!! 6 strings, 6 woods, and now 6 knobs! Heh, heh, heh, I love it! Yeah, I'm pretty excited! It's pretty far along at this point... the Coco Bolo bookmatched pairs have been glued up, the pinstrips are on the body core halves, and I imagine they'll have those glued on any day and be ready to carve the front and back shortly after. Then the question will be how long it stays in spray... Mica tells me Coco Bolo is unpredictible... it could take just a week or two, or it might be in spray for a month or two -there's just no way to know until they do it. I'm guessing the electronic are simple enough that there probably won't be much of a wait at that point -so hopefully it won't be too long. But it doesn't matter, because when it's ready, when it's done, when it comes... it's gonna be a world class mind-blowing, jaw-dropping, drool-inducing bass!!! | ||
| bassjigga
Intermediate Member Username: bassjigga Post Number: 196 Registered: 8-2005 |
Dang it Mark you got me thinkin again... | ||
| 5stringho
Intermediate Member Username: 5stringho Post Number: 118 Registered: 11-2006 |
Man, I've gotta empty MY drool bucket again, just reading about it!! BCool, The 'Ho..... | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 597 Registered: 9-2005 |
Mica, I've been really busy moving but I wanted to let you know I called Beaver yesterday as you instructed but he was at the doctors so I'll try him again today. I think you know what I want so if you need to make a call without me go ahead, it'll be cool. Take care, wish me luck with the move, see ya! |
