| Author | Message | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1488 Registered: 6-2000 |
This one's taking a little more time to get off the ground. Like I mentioned, we had to search in the deep freeze for the old Edwin template. Here's a mock up of the template with a roundover and the bottom carving detail:  Let me know if this is on the money and Chip will be able to assemble the body within a few days. | ||
| mendez4
Junior Username: mendez4 Post Number: 16 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hey Mica. This shape is cool. But the shape that we first talked about looked exactly like this but I think it had more of a cutout on the lower horn. Is this possible? | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1493 Registered: 6-2000 |
Do you mean where the lower body half joins the neck? This is set around the 22nd fret. Or do you mean the shape? | ||
| mendez4
Junior Username: mendez4 Post Number: 17 Registered: 6-2002 |
i like the shape. i mean where the lower body half joins the neck. seems like on the original pic i sent you, it was set around the 23rd or 24th fret. i'll email you the pic again. if all else fails, we will just go with this template. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1494 Registered: 6-2000 |
We can certainly set the neck anywhere in relation to the neck without any problem. I just checked the picture, and it seems to join at the 22nd fret too. The lower horn has been slightly modified. The older version had a long, flattish shape near the center that we felt needed to be corrected. I like the way the interior curves are more related now. Anyway, just let me know if therre should be any changes. | ||
| mendez4
Junior Username: mendez4 Post Number: 18 Registered: 6-2002 |
Ok, so let's go with the template above. Thanks! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1506 Registered: 6-2000 |
The neck's been made, ready for the Essence Cone peghead shape. Chip is getting the body parts ready for gluing. Here's the roughed out plan for the selective finish:  I wanted to confirm if you wanted black all across the top o if you want the neck to show. The neck will be satin finish, the rest gloss. Lemme know! | ||
| mendez4
Junior Username: mendez4 Post Number: 19 Registered: 6-2002 |
Cool, Mica. You guys are the best! Confirmed, black all across the body. It is a cool look. Thanks! (Message edited by mendez4 on March 24, 2004) | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1513 Registered: 6-2000 |
Excellent, we can get this one really rollin' now. | ||
| bassman10096
Advanced Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 260 Registered: 7-2003 |
Another cool-looking, very unique bass. I can't wait to see how it looks! Bill | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1577 Registered: 6-2000 |
With all the body work done, the neck has been moving along. Here is the peghead veneers mid-glue:  | ||
| mendez4
Junior Username: mendez4 Post Number: 20 Registered: 6-2002 |
thanks for the pic, mica. the laminates look great! i am anxious to see more in progress pics, especially of the body. | ||
| mendez4
Junior Username: mendez4 Post Number: 21 Registered: 6-2002 |
hi mica. any chance of seeing a progress pic of the bass? thanks! a- | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1606 Registered: 6-2000 |
Hi Adam, These shots were collected over the last couple of weeks. Hope you like them!    | ||
| the_mule
Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 69 Registered: 1-2004 |
Wow, Adam, that'll be a great custom altogether! Digging up the 'old' EvH body style is an excellent choice IMHO. I enjoy a 1991 EvH Signature (Showcase for pics) with the first body style and aesthetically (sp?) I feel it works a little bit better than the later versions actually. What are the electronics she'll get? | ||
| mendez4
Junior Username: mendez4 Post Number: 22 Registered: 6-2002 |
thanks mule!! this one is going to get series 1 electronics. can't wait. | ||
| the_mule
Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 70 Registered: 1-2004 |
I can assure you: if it sounds anything like mine does (simply put: EvH electronics = Series I without external power supply) you'll be hooked for life! Again, excellent choice for a custom Alembic. It'll be a real pleasure for me to witness this bass' progress... | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1625 Registered: 6-2000 |
Caught mid-prep:  Next week will probably see the first layer of almost black finish. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1632 Registered: 6-2000 |
You're bass will get the first black coat today on the front of the body and the front of the peghead. Pictures will follow probably tomorrow. | ||
| mendez4
Junior Username: mendez4 Post Number: 23 Registered: 6-2002 |
that's great news! looking forward to seeing the pics... | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1636 Registered: 6-2000 |
Here's how the masked off part winds up looking:  Bob wasn't happy with the first black he mixed, wound up a little too bluish. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1665 Registered: 6-2000 |
Well, this bass wants to be really dark inky blue. Here it is in two different lighting conditions:  With the mask in place.  With the mask removed. From about 4-5 feet away, it looks pretty much black. If you don't mind the wood getting a bit more obscured, we can add another coat and get it a bit darker. You'll have to be about a foot away to see the wood grain, but that may be just what you're looking for. Let me know how you want to proceed. | ||
| mendez4
Junior Username: mendez4 Post Number: 25 Registered: 6-2002 |
definitely add another coat mica. it's fine if we loose the grain....in fact we may have to go opaque black if it comes down to it. i don't know if it is a lighting issue, but from the pics it looks way to purpley (?). | ||
| the_mule
Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 76 Registered: 1-2004 |
Wow, that's stunning! If it was my bass, I'd love to keep it this way colourwise, very nice shade of deep purple... | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1682 Registered: 6-2000 |
With another coat of the sheer black:  It's hard to get an idea of the color from a photo. From about 3 feet away, it looks nearly opaque black. Up close, I'd say there's still a tinge of the purplish color. With all the reflections of the shop, I took another picture in my office:  Here it looks a bit darker to me. We can shoot another coat, but my guess is that it will completely obscure the Flame Maple. Let me know if you want to start clear coats now or add another coat of black. Your bass will live in my office out of the spray run until we hear one way or the other. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1684 Registered: 6-2000 |
BTW, my dad just came in my office and said, "black bass" pointing at yours. | ||
| bsee
Member Username: bsee Post Number: 78 Registered: 3-2004 |
I'd leave it there, but I love wood grain and figuring, and it isn't my bass. Maybe it's the blue tape, but the maple in the neck is looking very blue. If I wanted it to appear blacker, I would try to focus a partial layer of black down the neck stripe to darken it up without further covering the flame. Maybe a reverse sunburst type of thing blending into the body so the flames still stand out near the edges. Good luck with whatever you do! (Message edited by bsee on May 20, 2004) | ||
| adriaan
Advanced Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 246 Registered: 6-2002 |
Reverse sunburst - sounds like a total eclipse of the sun, that would be an interesting finish! | ||
| dnburgess
Advanced Member Username: dnburgess Post Number: 266 Registered: 1-2003 |
Reverse sunburst - Isn't that what happens after a star goes super nova? | ||
| mendez4
Junior Username: mendez4 Post Number: 26 Registered: 6-2002 |
It looks good, Mica. Let's leave it as is. You can start the clear coat. Thanks! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1685 Registered: 6-2000 |
Alright, I'll let Bob know and he'll get it in this afternoon's spray run. | ||
| dela217
Advanced Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 376 Registered: 6-2002 |
Adam - I REALLY like the necks you choose. I think it resembles the older instruments. The plain maple necks just don't look as nice to me. I used to like the plain maple necks when the finish Alembic used was a bit yellower. But now, I am a fan of non maple necks. I think the shape of this bass looks great too. You and Alembic are making another great bass. Michael | ||
| mendez4
Junior Username: mendez4 Post Number: 27 Registered: 6-2002 |
Thanks Michael. And yes, I am definitely going after the vintage look. My inspiration for this bass came from an old pic of Stanley's "black bass" which just had the front finished in black. Anyway, the main reason why i chose mahogany for the necks is because of deeper tone (besides the fact that cosmeticly I think it looks better). Maple is brighter. My batbass actually has a walnut neck. That bass has a fabulous "woody" tone. | ||
| dela217
Advanced Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 377 Registered: 6-2002 |
Adam - I know what you mean. I have Alembic a walnut neck and it just sounds wonderful. I also have one with a neck of mostly purpleheart, and that one ain't too shabby either! I really like that look. I also noticed that you are having the pickup selector put in a more traditional location. I like that too. I have a custom that Alembic made for me in 2000 that has the selector by the bridge. I still cannot get used to that. I keep reaching for where I think it is, but it isn't there! I think the dark face of that bass is going to look nice. But in one of the previous pics before the black went on, it looked great too. I bet with that wood combination it would look great with an oil finish too. So many choices.... Michael | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1721 Registered: 6-2000 |
Here's a shot with the black paint and the clear coats:  | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1763 Registered: 6-2000 |
Here's the whole thing, starting get some parts loaded:  | ||
| rklisme
Junior Username: rklisme Post Number: 50 Registered: 5-2004 |
Adam When I first saw your bass in person I wasn't sure I would like it but as I see your vision come together I must say it is pretty stunning! I can't wait to see when it is all done! Rory | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 1388 Registered: 9-2002 |
Yes ...quite nice!!!! I wonder: is there still the "blue-ish" effect available in real life (I imgaine you cannot have that effect captured on camera) and still a faint glimpse of the wood-pattern??? Paul TBO | ||
| the_mule
Intermediate Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 124 Registered: 1-2004 |
Wow, it's getting better and better! This bass is one of my favorites, great 'understated' look. Great shape, just like my EvH (duh!) Personally I'd prefer to see some of the wood grain through the dark finish, maybe the next round of pictures will answer that question..? | ||
| the_mule
Intermediate Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 168 Registered: 1-2004 |
Forgive me for being so curious, and I guess I shouldn't be the one asking for new pictures in the fist place, but what's the latest news about this great instrument? Wilfred | ||
| mendez4
Junior Username: mendez4 Post Number: 30 Registered: 6-2002 |
Thanks, Mule! Here i am trying very hard to remain patient.... Mica, any news regarding this bass or lil vermilion. I tried to email you recently but it got bounced back. I know that lil vermilion was closer to completion. Updates, pics...Thank you so much! Adam | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1846 Registered: 6-2000 |
Your vermilion bass is on dad's becnh right now, so it's getting mighty close. This one's almost there too. Quick question: would you mind if we used just the logo and no script on this one? It will look so cool. Also, how about the lower strap pin placement? We haven't installed it yet, wanted to check with you first to see if you had a preference. We could even do 2 if you want. | ||
| mendez4
Junior Username: mendez4 Post Number: 31 Registered: 6-2002 |
I am a big fan of the vintage look...so just logo is cool. So please go ahead with no script. lower strap pin should be around where the top part of the neck meets the body (in the upper carving). As for a second pin (bottom part of neck meets body) I am all for it if you think it will be necessary/more versatile. A lower pin will probably be better when I wear the bass up high...right? | ||
| the_mule
Intermediate Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 183 Registered: 1-2004 |
FYI: strap pins on my EVH, perfectly balanced while using my personal favorite natural 'rough' suede straps...  Hopefully pictures of the finished bass will appear very soon. You're a lucky man, but you must be a really nervous man too! Wilfred | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 1483 Registered: 9-2002 |
How? what? When? who? Where? ????????????????????????????????? And silence filled the skies. | ||
| 81distillate
Junior Username: 81distillate Post Number: 28 Registered: 1-2008 |
Hey Adam, I own this bass now and I cant thank you enough for having the vision to order this bass for me 5 years ago, its exactly the way I would have ordered it. I have to say though, Im confused about the electronics. Above you state it to get Series 1, but it either has Anniversary or as one poster put it, EVH electronics, which is supposed to be Series 1 w/o the power supply. It has been routed out for the Series 1 electronics, but I cant figure out why I would want to put them in there, if the sound wouldnt change and would take away my ability to have a wireless, or to do stereo or mono without a power supply. Anyone have any input or thoughts. BTW there is a dead spot on the G string around C# and D. I am going to take it to Joe Glaser in Nashville and get it pleked in a couple of weeks. Should take care of it. I LOVE THIS BASS! Just used it on a couple of Country tracks for the artist I play for here in Nashville, totally not a Fender sound, I cant wait for it to come out! | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1013 Registered: 5-2009 |
I was looking through the archives and stopped here to admire this Bass. I like the entire design concept. |
