Brother RAmi,
 
did the twins made it out of the bar to Montreal your place???
How are they?
Are you happy?
You forgot about the rest of your collection now temporarily??
Is Brigitte Bardot coming too???
What IS IT That you exactly collect?? We thought it were Alembics and basses??
 
Paul the bad one

Dark Prince and Evil Twin arrived last week, safe and sound.  They are PERFECT!  They (Especially Dark Prince) actually looked better than when I first recieved them in '02.  The finish has so much more depth.  I had the same reaction when I opened their cases as the first time I ever saw them.  They are back to their former glory.
 
Thanks Mica!
 
Rami

hm ...uh ...maybe ...once ...pictures ...or is it actually the same look as when they were Custom of the month?http://www.alembicguitars.net/info/fc_rami.html
 
Paul the bad one

Rami,
 
Ditto on brother Paul's request for pictures.  We are anxious to see the beauties again!
 
Jeff.

I don't know if the el-cheapo-single-use cameras that I've been using will really show the difference in the new finish.  They look very much as they did when featured, but now the finish on Dark Prince's pickups and knobs is a deep lusterous (I love that word) gloss instead of the matte finish they had before.  Check out Valentino's custom bass and you'll see what I mean.  Also, the finish quality is much better.  It's perfectly even and so, so deep; like a true show quality work of art.
I'll take a few pictures and see how they turn out.
 
Rami

how dare you use cheap cameras on such expensive works of art!

Gold plating returned:
 

 
But I realized that we went continuous wood-crazy! The bridgeblock is covered with wood. If you want a solid brass one that's gold plated too, let me know and we'll make a second one.  
 
As for the electronics, we'll be putting that mode switch on the power supply so you can enjoy it with your order Series bass. Tony will be building the electronics for you on Friday, so I'll need to confirm if you want to have 2 volumes and a master or a pan / master arrangement before then.  
 
Hey, this Black Byrd is almost ready to fly!

Wow!
 
Mica, as usual, that's beyond words!
 
Actually, we discussed the bridge block early on and I remember wanting it in solid brass (gold plated, of course!).  Since a continuous piece of Mac Ebony has been cut out for it, I'd sure love to have it (separate from the Bass though).  But I'd really prefer the brass bridge block on the Bass since it's purpose in life is all about sustain.
 
Also, to confirm for the electronics, after much delibertion, I FINALLY settled on individual volume controls for each pickup. I promise you I won't change my mind again!
 
Thanks again,
 
Rami

Okay - I'll ask Mike or James to make the larger block and you'll get both with the bass. The one that's on there now is solid brass, just has a MacEb cap on it (like the pickups). But one that's thicker will be more massive and more sustainy.  
 
Just to be extra confirmy - individual volumes I got. Do you want a master volume too? Gotta make sure before we go drilling holes y'know.

You know that I am bad and so I just try to spoil the party ...hehehehe.
Have you considered to use other -heavier mote dense- material than solid brass? I thought there were experiments going on with Tungsten for instance???
Seen the level of detail and hidden features on this super-bass, I thought it could be a good option???
Faut pas t'?nerv? Rami ...ce n'est q'une id?e. Je crois que Valentino et Bob -celui de San Fransisco- ont l'exp?rience.
 
Paul le m?chant

Hey Mica,
 
I guess I'm getting a little senile in my old age.  I forgot that the bridge block would be under the Mac Ebony cap - like the pickups.  For some reason I thought it would one or the other.  I like the idea of what's there now.  It's actually more unique.  Let's keep it - as long as there's no risk to the ebony cap from the bridge load above it.
 
If there's room for a master volume, let's go for it.  It would be nice to be able to control the overall volume without changing the other settings.
 
Thanks again - sorry for the mixup.  I guess I'm forgetting some of the details as well.
 
Rami

More sustainy says Mica. I think Webster will need to be notified that we have a new word for the English language!  If I had to guess, Rami will always opt for more sustain on his bass, as he is King of Sustain. Can't wait to see the Black Byrd in finished form!

How about hooking up one of those Fernandes Sustainer units to a bass?  Infinite sustainy! LOL
 
The Black Byrd?  Didn't Bogie tell us that It's the stuff that dreams are made of?  Seems appropriate.
 
Bill, tgo

Talked the existing bridgeblock over with James. He shoed me that the decorative veneer is completely clear of the threaded area for the bridge height adjustment, so it won't be an issue.  
 
Also, I got lucky and caught James buffing out your bass:
 

That's really cool Mica!  
 
I think it's really great that we can still find new ideas for another Alembic first.  Each one of my Basses HAS to have on it something that's never been done before. But I have to give credit where it's due - That continuous wood bridge block cover was your idea.  I love it!  
 
Thanks,  
 
Rami
 
(Message edited by Rami on February 03, 2005)