I'm so sorry I didn't get these pictures posted sooner for you, Marc. This sample has been ready for close to a month now, and finally your bass is at a stage where it's not moving forward until we get this part settled. So here's the latest samples;  

 

  Let me know if we're close to the mark on one of these so I can stop being the reason your bass isn't moving. Mike is really chomping a the bit to do the cuts on the real thing.

hi mica
 
no worries on the inevitable passage of time.  i've had a lot to keep me busy
 
the first image looks like the earlier 'medium sized version'.  the second image is exactly what i was hoping for.  if you agree that the scale of the carvings will work with the overall aesthetics of the bass, then please ask mike to proceed.  if not, please tell me
 
thanks
 
best regards
 
 
marc

Marc ...yes of course you're a busy man!! How did the Belgian beer and snack -day went?? Or ...did not happened yet??
 
Paul the bad one

Just gave Mike the go-ahead on the knob carvings (a bunch of us are working late). Those samples are done very quickly (and some are done over previous examples), the finished product will of course be much smoother than the test pieces. Will keep you posted as more interesting things happen.

Here's how the knob carvings came out:

  And a little closer:

 Sometimes I think the instruments are the byproduct and what we really make here is dust.   This week you're bass will be preset - that's levelling and fretting, and getting the hardware slotted. While it's back in spray getting the rest of the finish applied, Chris will buff out the hardware and we'll send that to the plater. This will be the first job from the new black plater, so let's hope it goes smoothly.

Darn lucky you put that simple between   (how do you call these ). This is NOT simple ...by no means at all!
Quite amazing!!!
 
Paul the bad one

Can't wait to see it. It's gonna be absolutely one-of-a-kind!!!
 
But... which Alembic isn't?... ;-)

Here's the inlay in process:

 The red stuff is a marking fluid. Once it dries, you can scribe a very fine line in it.   Mike's now done with the inlay:

  and up close:

  Here's how it works: you take off the inlay plate with carefully placed mounting screws (nice black one will be here soon for the white side):

  And you get to the brass plate:

 The screws are angled to get the clearance to mount the master volume control. Then the inlay plate mounts to this brass plate for the decorative finish. You won't need to access this hardly ever, so we didn't think the two-tier plate would be a problem.  Hope you like it!

hi mica
 
'like' doesn't quite express it
 
it's beautiful, and beautifully made, and the mechanical design is terrific
 
thank you mike!
 
 
best regards
 
 
marc

hi again mica
 
i just noticed:  the screws are angled to get the clearance to mount the master volume control
 
the master volume control
 
i thought we were putting the pickup selector on the lower horn, as on the old series basses.  the master volume was going to be to the left of the bridge volume, closest to the baby's butt (your proposed 'style 2' with the master volume added on)
 
wasn't that was the layout we agreed to?
 
please let me know
 
 
thanks
 
 
marc

Marc ...I still wondering myself what a Marc elaborate bass would be if THIS is simple.
Ohmawgod!
 
Paul the bad one

Oh yes indeed Marc - it actually doesn't matter for the construction if we put an MVB or pickup selector there, both have the similar physical requirements.  
 
Sorry for the minor scare there.

sorry i freaked out for a moment there
 
i was hoping it was no big thing and indeed it was not

Beautiful work, very tasteful! Love the body shape, old school EVH with a unique 'twist'...
 
Wilfred

Sooo... What's the progress on this beauty???