| Author | Message | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 601 Registered: 9-2005 |
Hi Mica! We just completed our move into our new house! Yay! Anyway, I DID speak to Beaver on Friday. (And I posted a post to that effect... but it didn't take for whatever reason -so here's another one.) I explained we were upgrading the electonics to Signature electronics with 3-position Qs and a single/master set of bass & treble controls for the specified cost. I offered to pay half or all of the cost of the upgrade -but he said not to worry about it and just pay when the order is ready. And of course he knows he can contact me and certainly you if he has any questions and/or needs to confirm anything. If convenient, I'd like the chance to have input on the placement of the Coco Bolo laminates -but I have confidence in your judgement; I've already stated my thoughts... you know what I want. I look forward to seeing pictures of the next stage, and hearing how it's coming when you get a chance. It looks awesome, and I'm really excited!!! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4580 Registered: 6-2000 |
Here's the suggestions for placement. First, the front laminate:  Note the horizontal line indicating the end of the fingerboard or "25th fret." The truss rod cover will be just below this, so there's nearly straight grain at the center tansitioning into some really nice swirls. For the back:  the center grain isn't quite as straight, but there's lots of great swirl to transition too, plus there won't be pickups and knobs to obscure it. Hope you like, we're waiting on cutting this until you get a change to see it. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2374 Registered: 7-2004 |
Killer wood! Bill, tgo | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 405 Registered: 11-2004 |
Mark, Incredible wood- I'm on my crummy work monitor and it's still unbelievable. Can't wait to get home and look at it on my good monitor. Toby | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 604 Registered: 9-2005 |
Oh, WOW!!! ...WOW!!! Thanks for waiting so I could see it and approve it! All I can say now is that I see and approve it!!! I most DEFINITELY approve it! Thanks again so much, Mica! Thank you, and Bill, and all the rest of the fine folks at Alembic! Beauty is, of course, in the eye of the beholder... that said, this is -in my eyes- as awesome as any Coco Bolo I've EVER seen! You've done it AGAIN! I really couldn't hope for anything better than this -it wouldn't even occur to me. You simply couldn't have gotton me anything better... it's exactly what I hoped for... wildly figured and full of swirls and detail -but with straight or mainly straight grain in the middle to disguise the Bookmatch to Center. I can see the front is absolutely perfect in this respect; and it looks like if the back isn't perfectly perfect... it'll be far too close for me to snivel about! I love the contrast of the figuring... this is all the same board, right, just reversed on each side? Regardless, it looks AWESOME! This is really going to help heal the hole left by my Elan. Thanks so much! I don't know what else to say, other than repeating what I've already said. Please proceed with the cutting at your convenience -with my utmost blessing, appreciation, gratitude... and awe! Bill & Toby, thanks for the appreciation & positive vibes!!! | ||
| bassjigga
Advanced Member Username: bassjigga Post Number: 204 Registered: 8-2005 |
Wow this looks great Mark! | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 606 Registered: 9-2005 |
Hey just checking... these'll have enough Coco Bolo to go over the Omega tips, right? It looks pretty close... (No disrespect intended, I know y'all know what you're doing! Just wanna check! And again, the centers of the BTC on these two board-pairs looks great!) | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 607 Registered: 9-2005 |
Just wanted to make sure that the Coco Bolo covers the Omega tips... it looks a little close... (No disrespect intended... I know y'all know what you're doing, but I just wanted to confirm since you're going to cut soon. Again, the centers of the BTC board pairs look great, thanks so much!  | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 502 Registered: 5-2006 |
Very nice indeed!  | ||
| jlpicard
Senior Member Username: jlpicard Post Number: 475 Registered: 7-2002 |
Beautiful, beautiful cocobolo! | ||
| jlpicard
Senior Member Username: jlpicard Post Number: 476 Registered: 7-2002 |
Beautiful, beautiful cocobolo! | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 608 Registered: 9-2005 |
Thanks guys! I'm glad to hear y'all appreciate it too! I think it's incredibly gorgeous and awesome-looking... as good as anything I've ever seen! I'm so psyched! | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 612 Registered: 9-2005 |
Hey Mica... if you've got a sec, I'd appreciate a little reassurance here... 'cause I LOVE this Coco Bolo! Will these boards be big enough to cover the whole top & back -INCLUDING the Omega tips? It looks pretty close. I can see there's a little additional wood at the top of the "front" board... and even more at the top of the "back" board. I'm just a little concerned -probably over nothing. Probably due to ignorance on my part. But, at your convenience, please humor me and confirm that there is no problem with these boards covering the entire front and back of my bass -INCLUDING THE OMEGA TIPS. This wood looks so awesome... I already TOTALLY in love with it, and I'd hate to have to go with other wood! I'm already fantasizing about how great it'll look when it has the finish, and then when I'm actually holding and playing it... so please confirm that it's safe for me to continue fantasizing!!! Thanks, Mark. Have a great weekend! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4584 Registered: 6-2000 |
The wood will cover front and back from the tips of the horns to the tips of the omega. You are looking at a slightly oversized outline. You can probably tell that the horns look a little chunkier than the finished shape. Even an exact outline drawing like we do for a case interior look larger than the finished piece. This is due to the way most people look at guitars. You concentrate on the flat part, and tend to minimize the size of the rounded edge. The Coco Bolo does not extend to edge of the body since there is a rounded edge. More like 3/4" inch in from the perimeter. Check out Bradley's 6-string for an idea of the finished look. Hope you're feeling better with the assurances and explanation. | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 613 Registered: 9-2005 |
Thanks Mica, I figured it was nothing to worry about... but now I know for sure! Thanks for taking the time to explain and assure... 'cause now I DO feel better! Even though it's nowhere near as fancy and elaborate as "8 Strings of Power", I'm almost as excited... and it looks like it'll DEFINITELY be as beautiful!!! And I'm confident it'll be equally awesome sounding -in it's own way! I'm still hoping you and your dad will figure out a "remote fix"/diagnosis for the Europa... but I'm planning/assuming that it'll require a trip to the mothership... which wouldn't be such a bad thing. My other half is already gung-ho for the trip! It would be nice to see you again, and the rest of the family... maybe even the "next generation." Thanks again, hope all is well with your family. Take care, Mark. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4625 Registered: 6-2000 |
Fingerboard getting glued to the neck:  Now there will be something to fit the bookmatch to centers to. | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 634 Registered: 9-2005 |
Thanks for the update! I look forward to seeing the body glued on... and then the BTCs being installed! | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 635 Registered: 9-2005 |
Hi mom! If you get the chance, I'd sure love to get an update and/or picture of the project... something for the weekend. Even a brief description of the status would be great. If not, don't fret, I know it'll be awesome. Tom Z and I might come up together for our instruments, depending on the timing. Also, reminder... the issue with my electronics on my 8-string, reserving your Dads time to examine/diagnose/fix the problem, etc... the premise again is that if we can't do a remote fix, I'll DEFINITELY come up to pick up the 6-string (when it's ready) and bring the 8-string to be fixed at the same time... and I'd only be able to hang a day or two or three at most (so I'd need it to be fixed within a 1-3 day period... that would be the premise of coming up... to "stone two birds with one joint"). Another related reminder... if/when I come up to pick up the 6-string and have the 8-string repaired, it would of course be important/ESSENTIAL to make sure any (potentially) needed parts are already on-hand... I've already given you the serial numbers for the electronics -again, I think the balance/pan control MAY be some sort of special part (which might NOT be a "stock" part for Alembic). So, just to be prudent, I'm posting this reminder/request well in advance of the actual visit. Again, if you need the info again, or any addition info and/or anything else to be able to facillitate the repair if/when I come up, please let me know as soon as needed so I can do whatever is needed. Thanks again for everything, the 6-string looks to be every bit as awesome as the 8, and I can't wait for the next set of pictures!!! And congratulations in advance for... well, you know! | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 637 Registered: 9-2005 |
Hi Mica! I'm seriously "jone-zeen" for an update on my replacement bass... so if you get a chance to throw me a bone for the weekend, I'd appreciate it. But again, don't worry if you're too busy... I know you've got a lot on your plate. Take care, Mark. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4713 Registered: 6-2000 |
I saw the peghead cut and drilled. Since Bob is off until the 5th, I probably won't have much more to report until after he's back and getting the BTC glueups in place. | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 638 Registered: 9-2005 |
Thanks, Mica! | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 639 Registered: 9-2005 |
Oh, duh, by the way, I caught an error a while back on a previous post where I thanked you and BILL and the other fine folks at Alembic for the awesome Coco Bolo board you selected for me... SORRY... I meant to thank BOB... no offense, Bob! My apologies... I mixed your name up with ibpesq/bills name... it was on my mind as I was thanking him for the positive vibes/comment he made about the wood earlier. So once, again, my apologies, BOB, and thanks for the wonderful board you selected for me, which will give me great pleasure for decades to come! (Unless the Yellowstone Supervolcano erupts and/or an astroid hits the Earth and ends our existence prematurely -as the Mayan calander supposedly predicts will happen in 2012!!!) (And even in that case, I'll have 4 or 5 good years with it!!!) | ||
| jtussing
Intermediate Member Username: jtussing Post Number: 105 Registered: 12-2006 |
Ha! Hey King! Ah yes, the Mayans. Either December 21st or 22nd I understand, depending on how you count. Pity it's so close to Christmas but I'm glad we get to have one last fall. Autumn is so pretty in Ohio and winter's such a drag. What say we all get together and build a big bomb shelter and stock it with enough food and sound equipment for all the Alembic players in the world? Heck we could even move the mothership entirely underground! We could have a zoo to hold some of the more useful animals - lambs, goats, cows, horses, dogs, drummers. :-) Well, about five years to go everyone! Play hard! :-) Regards, Jim | ||
| jtussing
Intermediate Member Username: jtussing Post Number: 106 Registered: 12-2006 |
Just thought of something. An alternative (or plan B) would be to have Ron build us a giant sound system that covers the entire state of Utah (the "State of Sound?"), facing straight up. Then we could all plug into it and play a low E at the same time, perhaps using the rhythms of an an ancient Mayan tune if anyone knows one. The intense low-frequency sound waves (with all their attending harmonics dutifully replicated by the fruit of Ron's labor and the fact that we will all have our filters wide open) will gently nudge said asteroid off it's evil trajectory and into a more benign one. We may not avoid an impact, but we might avoid cataclysm and in any event we'd all have a grand time! Hey - it's an idea... | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2498 Registered: 7-2004 |
Mark: Go ahead and thank me, no problemo, though I spell it "L"bpesq, not "I"bpesq! Believe me, I've been called far worse things than one of "the fine folks at Alembic". And I still love your wood - looking forward to seeing it in a more finished state. As for the Utah "State of Sound", watch out for the infamous "brown note". lol Bill, tgo | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4728 Registered: 6-2000 |
Sorry the lighting wasn't very good, but you can see your bass in the finish department, with one coat of sealer, sanded and ready for the next coat:  | ||
| 82daion
Member Username: 82daion Post Number: 63 Registered: 5-2005 |
That is going to be an awesome bass when it's done-I love how the grain of the cocobolo follows the curves of the body. Can't wait to see it with more finish! | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 665 Registered: 9-2005 |
Thanks Bizzymom! It looks extremely awesome! I'm very sick and feel absolutely horrible today. This is a big moral boost, seeing it at this point. | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 666 Registered: 9-2005 |
P.S. Thanks for your positive comments as well, Chris! | ||
| bassjigga
Advanced Member Username: bassjigga Post Number: 230 Registered: 8-2005 |
Lookin good Mark. Get well soon. |
