thanks mule!!  this one is going to get series 1 electronics.  can't wait.

I can assure you: if it sounds anything like mine does (simply put: EvH electronics = Series I without external power supply) you'll be hooked for life! Again, excellent choice for a custom Alembic. It'll be a real pleasure for me to witness this bass' progress...

Caught mid-prep:
 

 
Next week will probably see the first layer of almost black finish.

You're bass will get the first black coat today on the front of the body and the front of the peghead. Pictures will follow probably tomorrow.

that's great news!  looking forward to seeing the pics...

Here's how the masked off part winds up looking:
 

Bob wasn't happy with the first black he mixed, wound up a little too bluish.

Well, this bass wants to be really dark inky blue. Here it is in two different lighting conditions:  

 With the mask in place.  

 With the mask removed.  From about 4-5 feet away, it looks pretty much black. If you don't mind the wood getting a bit more obscured, we can add another coat and get it a bit darker. You'll have to be about a foot away to see the wood grain, but that may be just what you're looking for. Let me know how you want to proceed.  

definitely add another coat mica.  it's fine if we loose the grain....in fact we may have to go opaque black if it comes down to it.  i don't know if it is a lighting issue, but from the pics it looks way to purpley (?).

Wow, that's stunning! If it was my bass, I'd love to keep it this way colourwise, very nice shade of deep purple...

With another coat of the sheer black:  

 It's hard to get an idea of the color from a photo. From about 3 feet away, it looks nearly opaque black. Up close, I'd say there's still a tinge of the purplish color. With all the reflections of the shop, I took another picture in my office:  

 Here it looks a bit darker to me. We can shoot another coat, but my guess is that it will completely obscure the Flame Maple. Let me know if you want to start clear coats now or add another coat of black. Your bass will live in my office out of the spray run until we hear one way or the other.

BTW, my dad just came in my office and said, black bass pointing at yours.

I'd leave it there, but I love wood grain and figuring, and it isn't my bass.  Maybe it's the blue tape, but the maple in the neck is looking very blue.  If I wanted it to appear blacker, I would try to focus a partial layer of black down the neck stripe to darken it up without further covering the flame.  Maybe a reverse sunburst type of thing blending into the body so the flames still stand out near the edges.  
 
Good luck with whatever you do!
 
(Message edited by bsee on May 20, 2004)

Reverse sunburst - sounds like a total eclipse of the sun, that would be an interesting finish!

Reverse sunburst - Isn't that what happens after a star goes super nova?

It looks good, Mica.  Let's leave it as is.
You can start the clear coat.  Thanks!