Barry:  
 
Yeah, if they don't replace this POS with a proper flame top, I definitely want a refund. Unfortunately, $2500 all-inclusive (vs. the nearly $6k MSRP) that I paid won't even put a dent in a new custom Alembic 6-str. order. Hell, that's the DEPOSIT I put on my Custom Orion. I haven't seen the final price tag, but I'm betting I'll have to at least match that amount to pay it off...and I got nearly 40% off of MSRP!!! Looks like we'll be eating WISH sandwiches (and rubber biscuits) for that lunch, LOL!  
 
BTW, what's up with your DARK CUSTOM? I haven't seen an update in a while. Mica doesn't love you anymore? LOL! J/K of course.
 
(Message edited by kmh364 on August 08, 2004)

Update for those who care: Gibson is sorry. The Custom Shop Mgr. is dealing with me sans intermediary this time. I get to pick out my own flame top. He'll bypass the Shipping Dept. and personally pack it with EXTRA bubble wrap (oh boy!) and it'll be shipped via FedEx. They'll begin construction within two weeks of my final choice of a suitable top lam. We'll see, LOL!

Mica: I spoke to Superbass Steve today. While he said he has been in fairly regular contact with Alembic, I asked him to give you guys a call RE: the shipping of my bass. Specifically, we both need Alembic to transmit the final invoice to Steve so he can in turn bill me and be paid-in-full. Secondly, he needs to make arrangements to ship the instrument DIRECTLY to me, instead of the usual arrangement. We both decided that this was mutually beneficial, especially considering my recent experience with instrument shipping. The elimination of you shipping it first to him, and then him in turn shipping to me saves him money and saves me time and grief.  
 
PLEASE ensure that the bass and flight case are securely wrapped and protected. I'd like to be the one who personally puts the first scratch/dent in both, LOL!
 
Thanks as always for your patience and understanding,
 
Kevin

The bass is in the flight case, and the flight case is wrapped very well. It's in the shipping room ready for the shipping instructions. Susan and Steve will be going over the final bill tomorrow, so we'll wait for the word from Steve to ship.

Kevin, is your bass on the way at long last?      I have been thinking about a custom for some time now, but I just don't kown if i have the will power to wait that long. Speaking about waiting my new skylark finally arived form up north.

Thanks, Mica.
 
There was a message from Steve on my voice mail last night. Steve got the bill from your Mom and you guys are holding the shipping pending the shipping arrangements. I was at the Dead show @ PNC Bank Arts Center in the Garbage, er, um, Garden State last night getting rained on so I didn't get the message until today (Joan Osbourne made a guest appearance, and Warren Haynes was a nice addition). I'll settle both the bill and the shipping address with Steve this AM.  
 
Thanks for all your help. I am so psyched to get this thing. I'll let you know what I think of it once I get it. Hopefully, we can do business again real soon (HINT: just offer that 20% special again and watch me go, LOL!).
 
Regards,
 
Kevin

Doug:
 
Yep, I'm finally on the home stretch. I should have it by next week. Good luck with the Skylark. Post some pix and let us all know what you think of the thing. I'd like my next Custom Alembic to be a six-string guitar so I'm interested in any and all info regarding Alembic guitars in order to develope a spec for my own.

Sorry, duplicate post.
 
(Message edited by kmh364 on August 12, 2004)

Sorry, duplicate post (again).
 
(Message edited by kmh364 on August 12, 2004)

BTW: Since you now have an Alembic, the wait for a new custom won't be bad at all. Just imagine that you didn't and you waited eight months for yours. Ask me how I know about that one, LOL!  
 
Having said that, I'm sure it was well worth the wait. I think you'll have to search far and wide to find anyone who has a negative thing to say about their Alembic and the custom order process, irregardless of how long they had to wait for it to be made.

I will post some photos soon. As for what i think of the thing, i sold my 89 LP standard the skylark blowes it away and the finish is so sexy.as you could guess the tone is great. now the only thing is the how the the 5 alembic basses will adjust

Yeah, an Alembic spoils you for everything else, unfortunately. The nonsense with Gibson and the impending Alembic have certainly stolen the thunder away from my LP. Good luck with yours and don't forget the pix.