The real thing:  

   And a detail shot, so you can see how all the laminates lined up:  

The detail of the laminates is really nice!  I like how not only the bookmatch to center top but also the Maple and Purpleheart body laminates wrap around and give strength and color to the Maple omega tip from the neck-through.

Sharp as all Hell!

What impresses me the most about this stinger is the incredibly tiny width of burl redwood that runs down the top of the stinger!  I have often wondered how Alembic would do a bookmatch-to-center w / stinger body. Now I know. Very impressive carving skills, but then again I have come to expect nothing less from Santa Rosa!

That is off-the-charts cool!

Wow.  I'm glad it's not mine, because I am not worthy.  Very, very nice.  And to think we're talking about physical appearance here.  Just imagine the sounds that are going to come out of this monster!
 
John

Unreal craftsmanship; almost like if I didn't see it myself, I wouldn't have believed it.  
Just beautiful.
Congratulations Paul!
 
(Message edited by eastcoastepic on November 19, 2005)

Wow!  The idea was to create the illusion of a thin tapered stinger and you nailed it.  The burl top lam and the maple pinstripe are needles!  Nice goin' Peter!  The stinger is still substantial though, with a butcher block end.  I think there's an ebony neck lam hidden in there somewhere.  The purpleheart accent lam was Susan's idea.
It's nice to see the extended horn.  It looks like the strap pin will be over the 14th fret.

It seems I'm always in the shop when something interesting is happening on your bass, Paul!  

 I caught your bass right after the front routing.  

 And here getting the mounting holes drilled.  

 Here is cleaning up the routing and getting ready for the final carving. Next step, sealer coats!

This one just keeps gettin' better!
 
(Message edited by kmh364 on December 06, 2005)

The PH lam just glows against that spectacular burl redwood!

Action shots...cool!
Kevin, that accent lam really does glow in that top pic, almost like there's a light behind it.
Mica, is there anything you can do at this point to ensure that I'll have truss rod action with low tension strings like TI jazz flats?  I've already had my SI up for a heat bend, and my rogue is always at it's limit over here in the land of dry.  Thanks for the pics!

Somebody make it stop!!!!! I wonder how may of these I could buy if I sold my house?

I'll let James know about the TI Jazz Flats. Meanwhile, your bass got its first sealer coat:
 
 

Hey, it's back!
Very riverine.  I've always been fascinated by the relationship of wood and water.