| Author | Message | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 981 Registered: 6-2000 |
Here's some pictures of the neck right off the press:   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 |
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 |
Looks like the new bass will be in excellent company! Here's something to tide you over:    I got lucky on Tuesday and caught Tony carving your neck:  Hope you like! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1024 Registered: 6-2000 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
[Delete this line and type your message here] | ||
| jaurigemma
Junior Username: jaurigemma Post Number: 39 Registered: 3-2003 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Yeah! Throw us all a bone! Let us all drool over the sexy Excel! ;-) | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1076 Registered: 6-2000 |
Your bass has been setup for the plating and is now back in spray.  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 |
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 |
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 |
Here's a shot of the hardware, I hope you don't mind it's on your completed bass:  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:  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 |
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 |
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 |
Here's a full frontal shot:  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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
