The gorgeous top laminate:

   Rough shape cut with the bandsaw:

   Chip checking before the bookmatch to center pocket is cut:

   Ready for that top, sir:

   Detail before the top bookmatch is in place:

   And finally, the back:

   Now, I normally don't get to catch every one of these steps, but I was in the shop all day on Tuesday. By then end of the day, Chip had your guitar in the press getting the top laminate glued.

Mica,
 
Thanks so much for the extensive pictorial. I gotta tell you, I love my Little Bear, but this new body style is the best!
 
Val,
 
You picked out another winning top, my friend!
 
 
Regards,
 
Jonathan
 
(Message edited by jalevinemd on May 18, 2006)

Jonathan - I can't wait to see what develops here. Is it my imagination or is the body going to end up a bit larger than a standard Darling model? I'll follow this thread with interest. BTW - great looking top!
 
Peace
Tom

Tom,
 
Your eyes don't deceive you, this is a larger version of the Little Darling.  
 
When my Little Bear arrived, I was quite surprised at how petite it was...not disappointed, just surprised. The FTC thread during its construction had no reference to help me gauge the size. It wound up as a fitting tribute to my daughter who is quite petite. This guitar is for my son who, obviously, is much more stocky. I wanted this body style to reflect his physical characteristics as well. In addition, he is blonde with gray/green eyes...hence the choice of woods. My daughter is more olive toned with brown hair and brown eyes, thus the rich coco bolo. Plus I always considered the omega cut to be much more feminine that the standard point, which this guitar will have.
 
Long story short, this current body style is actually closer size-wise to what I had in mind when Alembic came up with the original Little Darling. To give you an idea, I'm fairly certain that's my guitar behind Casey's Lefty Little Darling in the rack.
 
Regards,
 
Jonathan
 
(Message edited by jalevinemd on May 18, 2006)
 
(Message edited by jalevinemd on May 19, 2006)

Out of the press, and roughlly shaped:

  Just the body:

 It's ready for carving next week.   And you should really see this wood up close:

Wow...I'm speechless.

That's an awesome top! I really like these guitars.

Cool!!

Incredible!
 
Graeme

Point carved:  

 

 

  Peter's working on the rest of the carving, but thought you'ld like to see how the "vision" materialized.

Wow.

Mica,
 
For starters, thanks for all the photo updates these past few days. It's a real treat to log on and see so many new pictures. Secondly, in my heavily biased opinion, I think this is the most beautiful Alembic guitar body style you guys have created.
 
Warmest regards,
 
Jonathan

It is indeed a very nice body shape!  I really like the top May 22 pic; and the second pic looks great, especially when you pick up your monitor and rotate it left 90 degrees!

Dave,
 
I've been rotating my computer every which way 'til Sunday!

Looking good, Jon. Very nice indeed!
 
Cheers,
 
Kevin