Sir Flip. as a veteran of now 6 black finishes, I can understand and feel your emotional stress. When it comes it will all fade like the pain of childbirth. Or for us hernia surgery. I'm going for that this July. You have a brother in solidarity here in Joisey. My wait continues but I am not bothered. I told you. you get yours first and I'll be happy for you. So Cliff out while you wait my dude!

I was very fortunate at how fast my Alembic came about.  If it took 5 times as long, I'd be equally as happy with the outcome...and 5 times more impatient.  =).  Alembic won't let anything less than bitchn' leave their hallowed halls.  Totally worth it.    Keeping my eye on the  progress of this thread.

This is from about a week ago:

 

 I adjusted the exposure so you could see the almost blackness despite the underexposed original image.   Your bass is curing again, waiting to get a (hopefully) final rubout.

i can't get over that crazy flame maple neck and that finish, if i get a custom it will deinitely have an almost black finish to it
 
~Taylor

That it reflects the other instruments is pretty cool.

Made it safely to setup:

 
Working out the engraving for the truss rod now.

OH MY GOSH!!!!! IT'S BEAUTIFUL!!! care to order me one, Flip? ;-) i'm VERY jealous
 
~Taylor

Lovely Bass FC.
 
Jazzyvee

Wow!

Yeah,congrats!!!!

Looks Great!  
Hat style knobs look perfect on your bass. Gold script on only the center p/up looks cool too!

Looks great, thanx!
 
I was not expecting an almost completed picture this soon, took a while for me to regain breath :-)
 
I prefer a uniform look for the pickups, either all all black or all with the golden script. (slight preference for the last option)  
Can the Elves make it so Mica?
 
And I would love to see the 12th fret inlay + a full frontal of the headstock when the logo and script are attached.  
 
Thanx! She looks like a killer bass :-)

BEAUTIFUL!  
 
Those FAT Old School knobs on your bass, is what you need to control all that FAT sound out of those MESA amps -- All that thunder requires a good grip.
 
Like Greg said (once upon a time ago...)  
 
Earth Quakes coming.
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-

This Bass should come with a Roll of Toilet paper cause you're gonna shit striking the 1st note!!!

 
@ Hal: I have my Mesa gear ready for this monster, also bought a Mesa Abacus midi controller to make my effects case a bit heavier :-)
 
I see now why you have so many Quakes over there with Santa Rosa and Petaluma in the area (!)