That's pretty funny since the Monty Python Flying Circus collection was loaned to me on Sunday and I've been watching them for several days.

That was worth the wait!
 
Congratulations, Marc.
 
That bass is amazing.

Hi Folks
 
Thank you all very much for your very kind comments.
 
It's hard to express how delighted I am with how it came out; I hadn't seen any pictures except those that were posted to this thread.  It has been a long time coming, and there were many detours and changes along the way.  Mica and Susan solved every issue, steered me right when I had bogus ideas, and wouldn't let the bass go to completion until it met their standards.
 
I really meant 'simple' in an aesthetic sense, rather than in the sense of 'not many features':  just two woods, mahogany and ebony; no body accent laminates; no back laminate; no fret inlays; and no script.  Eventually I weakened and went for the OM and the little tai-ji in back.
 
The electronics are 20th Anniversary, with 3-position Q switches and master volume.  The control configuration, from butt to horn, is (alternating knobs and toggles):  master volume, LED on/off, bridge filter, bridge Q, bridge volume, stereo/mono,  neck filter, neck Q, and neck volume.  The pickup selector is the teardrop on the lower horn, a gesture to the old-style Series control layout; it's also the only place there is for it below the mahogany pinstripe.  I love the old EvH basses - especially the 'baby bass' Edwin had made for his daughter - and also the softer points from back in the day, so those elements were worked into the design as well.
 
Mica told me that the basic sound is like a super-clean, super-precise P-bass with massive sustain and a massive bottom end.  That's exactly what we aimed for, four years ago.  I've been playing for 40 years but I've only ever owned one bass:  a 1970 Fender Precision that my parents bought for me, new, when I was 15; it has been everywhere with me, and it's sitting ten feet from me as I type this.  So I have a lot to learn.
 
 
Marc

I am dumbstruck seeing this bass finally completed. Congrats Marc and Alembic! What an amazing piece, Wink, wink, nudge, nudge!

As a devotee of black Alembics, I salute you most heartily sir! May you play it with joy for many years to come.

Wow. Congratulations.  Definitely one of the most elegant Alembics ever.  A long time coming to be sure, but an amazing conclusion...

Fantastic. Just needs a set of DR Black beauties to set it off nicely.
 
graeme

Hi Marc,
Congratulation !
 
What a nice bass !
It's worth 4 years waiting.
I love the black color just like ecliptic night.
And I am very interested mandolin frets that you said.
Please report the feeling.
 
Eiji

That's really cool!

Congrats - WONDERFUL looking bass!

In the words of mister Zulu,,, OOOO MY.
 
Chuck

A beautiful and unique bass!
Mike

Marc,
what shall I say. WOW !!!
This is a simple bass? It is stunning, stealthy and technically looking. Well it makes me think of a DW or a Spyder in this design....
 
Oliver (Spyderman)

Not often you see a gabon ebony top. Maybe this was in there somewhere but I didn't read through the pages of the thread... was the reason for the two strips in the top because you couldn't get gabon ebony wide enough?

Marc:
 
Gorgeous!  Do I detect a COTM?
 
Bill, tgo