Hi Mark ,  
 
I'm sure you're are going to watch these pics a lot of times...whatever we can say , it's really great to be able to see the work in progress at so great distance...we all know these are our instruments and are already happy ...what's will it be for a happiness when we'll receive it ...
 
ALAIN

Hi Alain,
 
Yeah I have to admit I've visited this thread a few times today.  It's wonderful to see one's guitar/bass taking shape when you're over 5000miles/8000km away!  I'm surprised how shaped the body is at this stage.
 
And I promise I'll let you know next time I'm visiting Belgium.  Last time was for a batik conference/exhibition.  My partner's a great batik artist:  go here to see some of her stuff.
 
Mark, still drooling.

There's no easy way to say this, but we have to replace the neck on your guitar:  

 When Tony carved your guitar today, this unwelcomed guest showed up. It's not a blemish, it's a hole.   Chip is going to start a new neck for you tomorrow, and I'll post again after the surgery. Until then, here's how nice it was turning out:

 

 You can see how huge it is. Wood likes to remind us from time to time that it's a natural and unpredicatable material.

boy talk about getting bit by the snake.....
total bummer.......

Hang in there, Mark.
 
Mine was also a do over because of a flaw in the neck wood (never saw a picture, probably just as well). In my case, it was before the body was attached, but still set us back a bit.
 
On the plus side, they went out of their way to pick some really nice, well-aged wood for the second try. My bet is it will turn out even better, so try to look forward, not back.
-Bob

Wow, that is just awful!  When this one is done, though, it will be so perfect you'll be torn between hanging it on a wall and playing it.
 
Hang in there, Mark!
 
-Bob

Hi Mark ,  
 
...well , all i can say is : don't loose your legendary patience , and i'm sure you won't . While some could try to sell it to you like this after a quick repair, Alembic won't , it's just the perfection or nothing ! Alembic is really a company you can trust ... that's great !  
 
ALAIN

Jeez Mark, that's a shame It was looking pretty good too. Look on the bright side though, you can be sure the Elves will go out of their way to make the next neck perfect. What was the neck BTW? Flame maple?
 
graeme

DOH!
 
It would have to be mine.  The neck is flame maple as per standard spec:  shame this turned out to be Swiss Cheese Maple!  And as you say Mica, Nature sometimes likes to show us who's really in charge: LOL.
 
Mark

Thanks for the kind words guys:  it helps.  Also seeing how your Rogue turned out after a similar problem is cheering:  beautiful bass Bob!    It must have been damage to the bark of the tree as it was growing.

I've also realised this is as big a bummer for you guys as it is for me.  You have my sympathy Tony, it must be really upsetting to put so much time and effort into something and have it turn out like this, through no fault of your own.LOL.
 
Mark

Tough luck, Mark. Sorry to see/hear about the setback. As a consolation, I'm sure Mica and Co. will do whatever's necessary to make the thing right. All is certainly not lost. My Alembic was mistakenly initially constructed with the wrong woods and activators, but Alembic made it right and it turned-out spectacular!

Thanks Kevin.
 
I must admit I was initially concerned at the thought of such surgery (almost to the point of demanding a new body!) but then realised the neck can be destroyed in the process as it's useless, so there's every chance it can be done successfully.

Don't mention it. Alembic does primo work...I doubt that you will be disappointed with their craftsmanship.
 
As a Dead Head my entire adult life, I'm always anxious to see a new incarnation or modern interpretation of one of Jerry's cherished axes, especially if they are Alembic in origin. Yours should be yet another masterpiece in that vein.
 
BTW, ck out Alembician Mike Bisch's (of The Who Show fame) Spyder IV bass repair. The Daltrey of the moment (LOL!) from his band whacked the Vee peghead clean off the thing with his microphone flailing during an excited performance, and the wizards at Alembic replaced it with a cone peghead with a super-clean scarf joint that looks like it should be there.  
 
 http://club.alembicguitars.net/Images/631/12625.html

Hi Mica,
 
Any word on the surgery?
 
Mark