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mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 981
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 11:22 am:   Edit Post

Here's some pictures of the neck right off the press:

neck

neck detail
The Purpleheart is not terribly distinct from the Pau Ferro, but I suspect it will show a bit more contrast when the paint hits it.

More pics soon!
jaurigemma
Junior
Username: jaurigemma

Post Number: 34
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 9:32 pm:   Edit Post

Oh yeah!!!! I can't wait. I think the purpleheart will also look more defined when the paint hits it as well, Mica. I even have a guitar hanger ready and waiting for our new baby:




I am drool with anticipation! I really can't wait to see the brushed finish on the hardware!
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 1023
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 4:36 pm:   Edit Post

Looks like the new bass will be in excellent company!

Here's something to tide you over:

body
body detail
neck ready to join

I got lucky on Tuesday and caught Tony carving your neck:
carving in action

Hope you like!
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 1024
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 4:39 pm:   Edit Post

I should also point out that the Redwood will really darken up a bit with the paint.
jaurigemma
Junior
Username: jaurigemma

Post Number: 36
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Monday, June 30, 2003 - 4:14 am:   Edit Post

Cool!!! I love the color of the redwood! I have a couple of questions about this though:

1. Sustain block - It appears the routing for this is missing.

2. Pickups - it appears to be routed for MXY pickups, and it's supposed to be dual fatboys.

I will give you a shout later today. I am on vacation in Michigan, and had to find a computer to check out the pictures.

Thanks Mica!
jaurigemma
Junior
Username: jaurigemma

Post Number: 37
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Monday, June 30, 2003 - 7:35 am:   Edit Post

Wow!!!! The first computer I used had AOL and the pictures were not very clear, but I managed to get my laptop connected, and Holy Sh!^$%#$%$!!!! Look at that burly goodness! The neck is looking very good too!!! I am definitely going to give you a call today.

I hope it's not too late to get the sustain block and pickups that I originally ordered put in. I hate to have that beautiful wood routed more, but all for the quest of tone!!!

Also, if you get a chance, can I get a "hippie sandwich" shot so I can see all of the laminates? Your mom said that the Excel had some new contouring as well, can you point that out to me?

Thanks Mica!
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 1030
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Monday, June 30, 2003 - 11:12 am:   Edit Post

Got your phone message, I left you a voicemail. I've made the corrections (at least bothwere for "bigger" things, so the impact on construction is truly minimal.

The new contour is a slight elbow carving. That doesn't happen until the neck and body are joined when Tony does the final carving.

Glad you got to see the pictures on a better computer - the bass is simply gorgeous, and like I said earlier, just wait until the paint hits it (will be in the spray run no later than July 7).
jaurigemma
Junior
Username: jaurigemma

Post Number: 38
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Tuesday, July 01, 2003 - 1:32 pm:   Edit Post



[Delete this line and type your message here]

jaurigemma
Junior
Username: jaurigemma

Post Number: 39
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Sunday, July 06, 2003 - 4:16 pm:   Edit Post

OOoops! I tried to reply to the message via email and screwed up. Anyways, I am back home, and thank you for the piece of the leftover wood from the neck. I will definitely keep it as a paper weight or something on my desk! I will take any other chunks if you got em :-)!!!!!

Mica, when you have time, and take more shots, can we arrange for you to email me some "blown up" images?

I am sitting here, drooling in anticipation!!!!
jaurigemma
Junior
Username: jaurigemma

Post Number: 40
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - 8:21 pm:   Edit Post

Mica, any update? I know you said the bass was supposed to hit the paint room around the 7th, but haven't seen anything lately. I will probably give you a call tomorrow to see how the new baby is coming.
jaurigemma
Junior
Username: jaurigemma

Post Number: 41
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Monday, July 28, 2003 - 7:06 pm:   Edit Post

Well, I heard that my baby is in the spray department, looking quite sexy. Come on Mica, through a guy a bone!
basstard
Member
Username: basstard

Post Number: 51
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 5:26 am:   Edit Post

Yeah! Throw us all a bone! Let us all drool over the sexy Excel! ;-)
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 1076
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, August 08, 2003 - 7:10 pm:   Edit Post

Your bass has been setup for the plating and is now back in spray.

Jeff's Baby

We got the sample of the brushed nickel finish. It looks cool, a little more "industrial" than the polished. It's not very matte, still has a good shine. Stil probably a couple weeks till you get to play it, but we're in the home stretch now.
bob
Member
Username: bob

Post Number: 66
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Friday, August 08, 2003 - 9:11 pm:   Edit Post

To me, this defines "bookmatch to center". Doing anything else with this wood, would be a crime. Wow.

I'm also anxious to see the brushed nickel (this is where we were earlier talking about a satin stainless finish, right?).
jaurigemma
Junior
Username: jaurigemma

Post Number: 49
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Saturday, August 09, 2003 - 7:09 am:   Edit Post

Mica, all I can say is.... Oh my. Wow, I'm amazed. The top is just gorgeous! I expected it to be a little more red in color, but even this way, wow! The extra accent laminates are definitely a nice touch, and I can see the difference in the pau ferro and purpleheart in the neck, even though the picture does really show it too well. It's a great looking piece of art, kudos to you, and I can't wait to touch this thing for the first time.

Bob, yes, this is the one we originally talked about brushed stainless steel, but I decided against it due to the extreme cost involved. I am also eager to see the hardware.

Mica, can you post a picture of the hardware when it comes back?

I will say it again, this is the reason I will never ever buy another brand of bass ever again.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 1095
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 1:11 pm:   Edit Post

Here's a shot of the hardware, I hope you don't mind it's on your completed bass:

brushed nickel hardware

The hardware looks really cool, you can tell the texture is applied by hand. There's a randomness in the pattern I find very appealing. It's also very hard to photograph!

Here's the other side with a closeup of the neck:

neck detail

It looks great, and while there isn't a ton of contrast between the Pau Ferro and the Purpleheart, the colors look nice together.
jaurigemma
Junior
Username: jaurigemma

Post Number: 50
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 3:49 pm:   Edit Post

Wow, that's exactly the look I was looking for with the hardware!!! This thing is going to awesome. I am very very happy with the way this thing looks!

Talk about a tease though, you only give me two close ups, but not the whole thing. I can't wait to see her and touch her!!!
elzie
Intermediate Member
Username: elzie

Post Number: 186
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 6:03 pm:   Edit Post

From what those pics show that Excel looks great! What a spectacular top. The hardware looks good too!

Congrats Jeff!
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 1098
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 2:42 pm:   Edit Post

Here's a full frontal shot:

jeff's finished

There's a good chance the bass wil ship today.

I took the liberty to play it for a while, and it sounds great, really full and surprisingly warm but not at all mushy. A Coco Bolo topped Excel with a standard neck was a bit brighter (as expected) and had perhaps slightly more clarity, but I was really diggin' your bass. Of course, I play mostly blues, so it fit right in with the tones I like best.

Hope you like it too. It's a very unique instrument.
jaurigemma
Member
Username: jaurigemma

Post Number: 51
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 4:26 pm:   Edit Post

Okay, it can't get here soon enough! Thank you very much Mica and tell everyone involved a special thanks! She's beautiful, and I cannot wait for her to get here.

You are going to ship her to my work address, correct?
jaurigemma
Member
Username: jaurigemma

Post Number: 52
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Friday, August 29, 2003 - 3:26 pm:   Edit Post

Mica, I got her today!!!!!! She's so sweet!!!! My rig isn't here at the house, or the neighbors would be calling the cops from the sonic thunder that would be occuring tonight. I absolutely love the top and the hardware, plus all of the extra laminates you did on the headstock and back of headstock. Kudos to the guys and gals in the shop.

I wasn't originally going to take her to my gig this weekend, but now I am having second thoughts. I want to hear her through my Acmes, because this Crate practice amp just can't handle it.

Once again, awesome awesome job! I'll post some pictures of us together if I use her this weekend.
jaurigemma
Member
Username: jaurigemma

Post Number: 53
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 9:48 pm:   Edit Post

Here's a picture of me and she:


I will get better close ups over the weekend. I've been swamped between gigs and work!
jaurigemma
Member
Username: jaurigemma

Post Number: 54
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 9:49 pm:   Edit Post

Here's a picture of me and she:


I will get better close ups over the weekend. I've been swamped between gigs and work!
alemboid
Junior
Username: alemboid

Post Number: 11
Registered: 5-2003
Posted on Sunday, September 14, 2003 - 6:43 pm:   Edit Post

Jeff,

You have the most incredible Excel I have ever seen. It is among the most beautiful Alembics I've ever seen. DROOOOOOOOL!!!!! You nailed it with your wood choices. I hope she sounds as good as she looks!

...wow!...

Bryant

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