Cool! and thanks for the latest post! I'm curious. What is the purpose of this step? Is it to level the finish before buffing or is this just one of the many rubouts done between coats? Is that a mild abrasive compound or just sanding residue and what's being used on that air sander? I hope you don't mind me asking as this doesn't seem to be anything proprietary. I'm so interested in learning more about finishing so who better to ask than the masters themselves?. I've only done oil and brush-on poly/oil finishes on my homemade projects.  I'll post a picture in the Miscellaneous section if anyone else would like to chime in. Mike
 
(Message edited by jlpicard on January 23, 2006)
 
(Message edited by jlpicard on January 24, 2006)

Between coats, we call the sanding prep. The term rubout is reserved for the final sanding, where we use finer and finer abrasives up to 3000 grit to smooth everything is all silky like. The chalky looking part is the dust from sanding mixed with water, as such fine abrasives need to be wet sanded.  
 
Then it's ready to get buffed. On the buffing wheel, we use a finer yet compound to coax the shiny surface out. It takes a long time.

Mica, Thanks for the info! Just for bragging rights, can you tell me approximately how many coats are on my bass? I understand that it varies from wood to wood and cocobolo tends to take alot in order to build a good finish.

Mica, Just wondering if there's any news or photos available to ease my G.A.S. pains! Thanks again for all that you do. Michael

Rubbed out, drilled, and ready for the guts to be dropped in:
 

 
Will let you know when your bass is on the calibration station.

Gorgeous!

Oh thank you Mica, thank you, thank you so much for posting this latest photo! It looks fantastic! I can't stop staring at the grain, and the colors of the coco never cease to amaze me! I've seen so much cocobolo on this site and elsewhere and yet I am still floored by how individual each piece of wood is. The way this top seemingly shifts from various reds to orange (not to mention all the various darker red/browns etc.) and every little variation in between! To me, that is one of the many reasons that makes Cocobolo a very special wood. That is the part I love so much about beautiful woods in general! As indivdual as a fingerprint, Natures art is hard to surpass! It's also one of the big reasons why I love Alembics so much. You do justice to Natures handiwork by bringing out the best in each piece with your artistry. God, words seem so inadequate when I try to describe what I see before me!

Beautiful bass JL, hang in there, the wait is almost over!

Hey Paul, the Elan and Europa are still for sale if you get the urge!

Got the urge, I just lack the cash!!

Mike, it was nice talking with you.  Looks like you have a keeper!

Tim, Great talking with you too! Thanks for the advice! This is DEFINITELY a keeper!

Mica, Arrangements are all set to go for Monday. Any final pictures of the finished bass available. I really love the way you do the archive shots!

Hello Mica or Val, Any news, photos?

The upgrade is done, Mica is busy getting the April featured custom ready, but we should be shipping next week.
 
Valentino