That's just the kind of update that I look forward to seeing when I get back from a vacation!
 
Looking beautiful already.  I'd love to see it again soon during the shaping/building process.  It's so cool to have photos of it while being worked on to compare to the finished product - which I realize is some time off still.

Mica,
 
Is there any chance of a few more carving/routing/shenanigans photos of this beasty before it gets to ?the long wait??

I ain't too proud to beg...
 
PLEASE PLEASE PLEAAAAAAAAAAAASE??

Ha!  Just for you and Oolong, the back pics:  

 

  It's even cuter than a bunny with a roll on his head.

Flamealicous!!
 
All maple?  That sucker is gonna have some snap!

That makes me exceedingly happy to see.

Brian,
That neck is just beautiful!
Are you having the satin finish treatment on the neck done?
-Rich

All maple is gonna sound deadly and crisp.  
You know, I still think that body shape would be excellent for a guitar.
Jazzyvee

My 91 Essence is all Maple .    Every one who I have played with loves it. I love it too !

I too have an all maple Essence.  It was the inspiration for this one.  The tone kills.  It's light weight and minimal controls (but not limiting) make it ideal for live situations.
 
After playing my existing one almost exclusively for a year (at gigs anyway) I started to really miss a few things.  The master bass control and 35 scale being the big ones.  It would have been easy to add a master bass control to the existing one - would have been much harder to make the scale longer.  So the idea for this bad boy was born.  After thinking about it for a good month+ while running I finalized the options and called The Mothership.
 
I'm not 100% sure what I'm going to do with my existing Essence when this little monkey is complete.  Might use it as a backup - might sell it.

Is The Blackness happening yet?
 
Inquiring fruitbats want to know.

Blackness?
 

Could we get a few update pictures?  Assuming of course that round 2 of The Blackness was/is successful.
 

I saw the new black today - but when I returned with my camera to the shop, it was already sanded and prepped for the next coat of spray. I may be coming in on Sunday, in which case I will get to sneak a picture for you. Otherwise, I'll leave a note so that I can actually catch it before prepping!