Chip has been working on this body a bunch. Here is the latest:
 

 
To my eyes, we are almost there. The upper bump (I can't call it a horn) needs to be rounded slightly. The lower horn needs to be a scoonch longer and ever so slightly more pointy.
 
Keep in mind when comparing the solid Mahogany body to the finsihed bass on the right to follow the Mahogany on the finished bass for comparison. It's easy to be distracted by the top laminate being smaller, so everything looks much bigger in mock up than it does when finished.  
 
If you agree with me about the little issues, we will probably just start building the body for your bass with those very slight changes to the template, rather than making another mock up. You'll let me know.

Mica,
 
    I agree that the upper bump needs to be rounded and smoothed at the waist and at the top of the bump before it goes down into where it meets the neck.  It also needs to be a bit more parallel to the neck, if you know what I mean.  The angle on the upper bump going towards the neck appears a bit too steep to me.  And I agree on the lower horn - it does indeed need to be more pointy.  I also think that on the bottom of the bass, the body needs to be more rounded at the points (the upper rear of the bass, and the lower rear of the bass near the controls).  Might be a photo-ism that I can't see, but that's what I think it needs.
 
     Please extend my sincere thanks to Chip - he's doing a fantastic job.  But then again, this is Alembic after all - of course he's doing a great job!  ;-)
 
     Also, wanted to make sure that we all know that I wanted a walnut body, with Bird's Eye maple for the top (and back).  I'm considering the idea of walnut lams for the neck, maybe ebony (and yes, I know that will increase the price; I'll work this with Beaver F as needed), but I haven't made a definitive decision yet.  As we haven't begun building the instrument yet, we have a bit of time.  Let me know if this is untenable for you guys, and whether you need a decision now.
 
     I'll be home fairly soon, and I plan a trip to Santa Rosa sometime in August.  I can't wait to finally visit and see my bass in progress in person!
 
Thanks for the update,
 
Alan

Alan; it's great to hear that you will be coming home soon!!!!!!!!!!

We're looking forward to seeing you, Alan.   Chip finished the latest template. I've placed it over the old mock-up:

   Mom and I inspected this very closely, and feel it's just right, including a slight correction here:  

 today's template over the picture of JE bass. Note how the template is slightly larger here.  We don't feel the carving on the original you are comparing it too was careful. There are some weird angles and abrupt changes there, and it doesn't even go around the inlay evenly.   What we're thinking is to proceed with the build on this template. This would give you the option of after seeing it with the laminates and roundover, having Peter carve it down more if you felt it needed it. Sound like a plan?

Mica,
 
    Thanks for taking the time to get this body style right - I know it must be a lot of work and painstaking.
 
    My take is that the angle of the upper horn on the left hand side of the bass, as you look at it, needs to be slightly more acute, upward every so slightly - it looks a bit too parallel to the fingerboard/neck to me.  Also, I think the rounding where the upper horn merges into the rear horn on the left side of the bass could be a bit softer; it appears to angle back up more steeply than on the picture of JE's bass.
 
     Is it possible to fix those two things?  If we can, I think we're there. I'm also thinking that maybe the angle at the picture was taken is affecting my judgment, but I'll defer to you guys since you took the picture.
 
     If you want to wait til I visit to make the final changes to the template, that's cool.  I'd rather get it just as we want it rather than move too quickly and not get it there.  Let me know what you think.
 
     We're almost there, and I'm really pumped.  Thank everyone at the Mothership for the great work they're doing for me.
 
Best regards,
 
Alan

Alan:
 
This looks to be shaping up as a very cool project.  Great news that you'll soon be back so that you can make the trip to Santa Rosa.  I'm sure you and your's are very excited.  Best wishes for a safe and uneventful journey (at least until you hit the states, then enjoy all the events you want!)
 
Bill, tgo

Bill,
 
    Thanks.  It will be great to be home again with my wife ... and my Alembics!
 
Alan

Alan:
 
In that order?  
 
 
(You may not want to, and probably shouldn't, answer that)!  LMAO
 
Bill, tgo

Bill,
 
   Yes, in that order.  That is, if I want to stay married!
 
Alan

Amen, brother!
 
Bill, tgo

Mica,
 
   Any movement on my bass?  If not, that's cool.   Just curious.
 
Alan

The calender in assembly is mostly dedicated to you for next week, Alan. I'll get you lots of good progress shots so you can see all the neat details.

Mica,
 
   Thanks. Can't wait to see it.  Don't feel like you have to dedicate all your time to me .. I've been to the Mothership and know you have lots of folks you have to attend to.  I also know you guys are busier than a one-armed paper hanger ...
 
    Can't wait to see my bass as it progresses.  
 
    Say hi to your Mom, Dad, and Val for me ...
 
Best regards,
 
Alan

Isn't there a song about a one-eyed, one-horned, flying purple paper hanger?
 

I believe so - wore short shorts and quite friendly, as I recall.  
 
Bill, tgo