| Author | Message | ||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 157 Registered: 6-2000 |
Here's a slice off the new Macassar Ebony I was telling you about earlier:  It's got some of the nice contrast you like so much. The striaght grain at the edge can be reversed to the middle if you prefer. Of course it will look entirely darker once the finsih hits it. | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Junior Username: rami Post Number: 22 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi Mica, I really love the swirl. How wide is it with respect to the body? I wouldn't want straight lines at the very edge of the body! | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Junior Username: rami Post Number: 23 Registered: 6-2002 |
About the body laminates... I think I'd like to go with the 3/8" top and back, and have very thin accent laminates of purpleheart and ebony veneers like on the peghead. So that would keep the 7 layer body, but the accent laminates would be of equal thickness and the top & back would be slightly thicker. | ||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 178 Registered: 6-2000 |
I remember talking about the differing laminate thicknesses on this bass to make it not an exact fretless version of the Dark Prince. So here's what I understand: top: 3/8 mac eb veneer: purpleheart veneer: ebony core: purpleheart veneer: ebony veneer purpleheart back: 3/8 mac eb Of course I'll have to select another piece of wood for you - the one pictured is for a standatard 1/4 top. | ||
| Rami (rami)
Junior Username: rami Post Number: 25 Registered: 6-2002 |
That's right, gotta have those laminates! As dark and swirly as you can find! Thanks | ||
| Rami (rami)
Junior Username: rami Post Number: 26 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi Mica, I measured 3/8" on the piece of the "Dark Prince" that you sent (remember that tail section?). It is the equivalent of the 1/4" top laminate plus the thicker Purpleheart laminate. Then comes the ebony veneer. The core is 3/4" thick. The Purpleheart and Ebony veneers have to be quite thin to keep the overall dimensios the same. I'd like to keep the core's thickness with the 3/8" top and back. Is it possible? Rami | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Member Username: rami Post Number: 60 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hey Mica, Any news on the new Mac Ebony boards for my bass? | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Member Username: rami Post Number: 90 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi Mica, Can you show me a picture of this board with the edges reversed, and an outline of how it would look on the body? Thanks | ||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 470 Registered: 6-2000 |
Here's the top laminate reversed:  and the back:  | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Member Username: rami Post Number: 91 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi Mica, Those boards are just incredibly beautiful. I'd just like to know how wide they are with respect to the body. Let's give it till the end of the month before proceeding (if nothing suitable in 3/8" is found). Thanks again! | ||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 471 Registered: 6-2000 |
Each side is a hair over 7.5" wide. Did you like the top with the whirls on the inside or the outside? | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Member Username: rami Post Number: 92 Registered: 6-2002 |
I really like the straight grain on the inside with the swirls following the curves of the body on the outside. Any prospects in 3/8" yet? | ||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 524 Registered: 6-2000 |
It isn't Ebony, but also take a peek at the Ziricote in the Wood Bank... it's usually a bit darker than Ebony. | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Member Username: rami Post Number: 95 Registered: 6-2002 |
These Ebony boards are so wild and swirly....I just can't bear to let them go! If nothing like that in 3/8" turns up by the end of the month, then let's go ahead and build! | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 104 Registered: 6-2002 |
Happy New Year Mica! LET'S BUILD THE BLACK BYRD! | ||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 551 Registered: 6-2000 |
Happy New Year, Rami! We should review all the specs together. Don't you think it deserves an inlay - like a little bird on the back of peghead? | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 106 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi Mica, Just one small point I forgot to mention about the top and bottom laminates; I'd like to keep the straight grain of the ebony in the center with that REALLY beautiful swirl following the curves of the body along the outer edges. To keep as much of the swirl as possible, we can trim the boards from the inside edges. I'll leave the rest to your discretion. Thanks again! Rami Oh yeah, lets again put an emphasis on weight....it's gotta be as heavy as possible!!! Like "The Dark Prince" (Message edited by rami on January 03, 2003) | ||
| rami
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 193 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi Mica, I was wondering if you have any news? Rami | ||
| groovelines
Junior Username: groovelines Post Number: 25 Registered: 4-2003 |
Rami, If you don't mind, what are the specs for your new beast? Mike | ||
| rami
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 195 Registered: 6-2002 |
Well, I didn't want to "Let the cat out of the bag", but since you asked.....HERE GOES! Identical construction to "The Dark Prince" http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_rami.html But unlined Fretless, with Series II electronics, and red side LED's. Lot's of little details as well, such as 18K gold tubes for the LED's, 21K gold inlaid logo with Abalone shell, and a funky cool "Eye of Horus" inlay on the back of the peghead. Mica and I have decided to name it the "Black Byrd" In honor of my favorite musician of all time Donald Byrd. Everybody now, go out and buy every album by Donald Byrd!!! Rami | ||
| basstard
Junior Username: basstard Post Number: 41 Registered: 3-2003 |
I can only say 'Wow'... BTW, Rami, you surely love heavy basses. You must have a spine of steel! ;-) | ||
| groovelines
Junior Username: groovelines Post Number: 27 Registered: 4-2003 |
"Rami, come to the Dark-Side..." Geez, the ebony will really set off the gold accents, nice touch. Is it a Rogue/set neck with SII upgrade or an SII/neck thru with a modified Rogue body? not to be too nosy, hmmm, well, yes, I do. Mike | ||
| rami
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 196 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi Mike, Rogues are all neck thru. You may not notice it at first when you look at "The Dark Prince", because the neck is covered up by the bookmatched top and back. It's body shape is standard. This one is a Rogue with Series II electronics. No Series II construction. I want it heavy, so it's gotta be solid, not semi-hollow like the Series II. Cheers! (Message edited by rami on June 09, 2003) | ||
| groovelines
Junior Username: groovelines Post Number: 28 Registered: 4-2003 |
Rami, I don't know what I was thinking, I knew that. So, by "No Series II construction" you mean no chambered body? I'm surprised the electronics will fit in a Rogue. Sounds like a sonic monster, can't wait for the story to unfold. Mike | ||
| rami
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 197 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi Mike, That's right - No chambered bodies for me! The electronics will fit because I decided to nix the Master Volume and pickup selector. I found them to be redundant. By the way, I can't wait for the story to unfold either! It may be another Featured Custom. Hopefully, without the drama of the "Dark Prince". Rami | ||
| rami
Advanced Member Username: rami Post Number: 206 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi Mica, I love the new boards! Wow!!! I think I'll keep the one that we selected for the top - I just love that wild swirly pattern. I just can't let it go. For the back, I like the "Dark" boards #3126. Perhaps it may go better with the swirly top. Let's take it's darkest and swirlyest part. I'll leave it to your discretion. Thanks Mica. | ||
| rami
Advanced Member Username: rami Post Number: 207 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi Mica, On second thought, I CAN'T DECIDE!!! I like them all, even the first one you picked for the back. I'd like to keep the original top - I'll NEVER let that one go. For the back, I'll leave it entirely to your discretion...whichever complements that beautiful top the best. Thanks again Mica. Rami | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1005 Registered: 6-2000 |
Let's keep it all original, in person, the colors are very complimentary. I just checked with Kris, and the new Ebony can't be glued for about a month, so let's get this bass a rollin'! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1226 Registered: 6-2000 |
Progress! The peghead veneers follow the shape of the peghead very well:  Don't freak out! I can see the purpleheart and ebony veneers under the fingerboard on the bass, the lighting in this shot doesn't show them but I know they are there! Here's the first gold inlays around LEDs (these at the 12th fret):  And the whole neck here:  I'll have shots of the body progress next week. Black Byrd is flying. I'm listening to Wind Parade right now. | ||
| rami
Advanced Member Username: rami Post Number: 251 Registered: 6-2002 |
Wow Mica......I'm getting goose bumps! Makes me want to go and hold the "Dark Prince" again. I'm still hooked on Fancy Free! Rami |
