Not to detract from what is one of the most stunning instruments I have ever seen, but what is going on with that black stuff on the bass in the background of the pic from 9/17?  Black finished back?

Looks like buckeye burl to me, not a black finish.

I agree with Kevin. If you look really closely, you can see Over spray / ragged paint edges around the lower right hand side and overspray in the control cavities, and the neck laminates arre just about showing through towards the top of the body, although it looks like a very dark blue to me rather than black.
 
graeme

Pay no attention to the guitar on the back wall - that's a rejected instrument from the mid-70's that we use for training and experimenting.  
 
Now for Bradley's request fulfilled:

Wow.
 
need.

Rubbed out, and ready to get loaded:

  Other bits accumulating too, like the pickups:

  And plates:

It's always nice to see pics of this bass!

I'd rather see it has been shipped and then hear sound clips... I'm dying to hear this beast.

Rubbed out and ready to get loaded... yes, life is good!
 
Beautiful bass too!
 
Mike

Thank you, Mica, for posting these. It all looks fab and like a fairy tale come true.

Seriously dying to hear it.

Me too, and it's getting tantalizingly close,

though I already know I lack the talent to appreciate it first hand.  
(The humcanceller is getting glued in - those strips of veneer are just temporary spacers.)

Mutha MaCree\....NOW THIS IS AMAZING!! I'm so taken by the color and contrast of this picture. Is this the best shot color compensated of the bass? I think so. Can't wait to see the matching knobs. Will the fingerboard be oiled? What is your take on that?  
 
Full speed ahead. Damn the torpedoes.

I think my humble digits would be lost in the beauty of that board...
 
Mike

The knobs are in place: