Here's the back with the plates cut out for the continuous wood backplates:
 

 
I don't usually get to catch a shot at this phase.

It's been a while since we've watched a buckeye burl bass get built.  I'm very partial to the blue/grey w/cream color combination here.  My (very, very loose) association, looking at the wood is that it's marble, or that it's something edible - maybe an exotic new ice cream flavor?
 
(What's that, doctor?  My therapy session is over and the orderlies have come to put me back in my straightjacket?  Oh well...)

I've had that response to my bass also, Bill. Boy, that bass must be heavy...is that granite or marble?  
 
I can only imagine what a guitar of granite would weigh!  
 
Congrats, Dave...welcome to the wonderful world of Buckeye Burl. Very nice selection of wood; good coloring and pattern there. Best of luck, and may patience be with you....
Chris

Cool-this Looks great. ANY more Pics?

There will be pics all along the way, I collect them even if I don't get a chance to pos the right away. Here's some others of your body:  

 

  It's gonna be a beaut.

Mica,
 
Too cool.  It looks awesome!  Tell me, is this the current stage of construction?  Any idea on ETA?
 
thanks,
 
DML

Dave, beautiful BB! Is this a standard SC shape or are the horns more round?!? It almost looks like a Gibson 335 or EB-2

Hey Pace,
 
Thanks.  I've become quite an aficionado of buckeye burl.  It's beautiful wood.  The bass is a custom SC.
 
Cheers!
 
DML

Buckeye burl has really grown on me the past couple of years. Another club member remarked that when he played his buckeye burl bass, people remarked that the bass must be darn heavy with all of that marble on it! It actually looks more like granite, which is fabulous.  Buckeye burl is a beautiful mix of swirly wood grain and a variety of colors.  Dave, your bass has all of these features in spades.  She's gonna be a real beauty.
 
Don't know if Ed Roman (I know, I said the ER word; sorry) still has that stunning Series I buckeye burl bass, but I'm still tempted to make an offer.

Jeff,
 
Hey, thanks for the post.
 
This will be my second buckeye burl - I had Spector make an NS 5 for me in BB (BB laminate over walnut back) and it's beautiful both visually and aurically. I did (unfortunately) purchase it thru Ed Roman, and I do believe that series 1 is still there.  I say (unfortunately) because they're a crusty bunch at Roman, and I'd be hard pressed to deal with them again.  I'm so glad Alembic will work without the bother of a middle-man (or person).
 
Anyhow, I am anxious to get the guitar and thanks for your words of support.

Jeff, I was at Ed Romans in late Oct. and it was still there. They grudgingly let me play it for a few minutes. great bass! most impressive in person
If it were left handed it would be mine!

Oh yes.........

The only thing that Series I has going for it, given it's in the hands of ER, is that you have Alembic and Thor backing it up.  Those guys at ER are a bunch of neolithic clods (sorry for the expletive).
 
To which ER would reply What's in your wallet??
 
Beautiful bass.  I think Susan mentioned to me at one point it is a bit heavy though.
 
Regards,
 
DML

ER's Triple O is probably the most beautiful bass I've ever seen in the flesh(wood?), although personally I'd prefer a knobby headstock. If I could have any bass (non player-associated), that would be it. BTW, just out of interest, is it possible to change a crown h/stock into a knobby after the event? Not that it's likely that I'll ever be able to get that Triple O, but I have seen a Rogue with a crown that set me thinking...BTW, back on thread, those are fantastic woods Dave!

These are from the last week of December:  

 

 

  I know your bass is in the finish department, and I'll add some more pics soon so you can see how nice the grain and color pops with the paint.