It never looks right in a photo, but here's where the color is now:
 

Mica
 
The newest pic looks absolutely spot on to me--too sweet for words!!  
 
As per our phone discussion a few minutes ago, I'll be in to see Bob on Monday, 10-9, at 11 A.M.for a first-hand look.
 
As always, thank you for your help.  You and all the Alembic artisans have a great weekend!
 
Eric

Hi Mica--
 
Checking in again to see if there might be anything new with my intstrument.  Do I dare to hope for an Alembic Christmas?  
 
Thanks for any information you can provide!
 
Eric

It's going to be an early Christmas for you, Eric...
 
James is working on the hardware as I type this. It should be done early next week.
 
Valentino

Breath sloooowly Eric, don't want to hyper-ventilate.

That is a BEAUTIFUL burst paint job.  
 
That green one behind yours is looking sweet as well.  I'm getting ready to join Joey's Alembics look better in Color Club.

Val--    
 
Olie--Too busy smiling and doing double back-flips to hyperventilate!!
 
Toby--Thanks, I appreciate that.  It looks even better in person--Bob got it just right!
 
Eric

Done:

  The inlay came out great:

  Delicate, and with no joint at the crossbar on the T:

  Let me know when you want to drop by and pick it up.

uh, yeah boss, uh, I'm fuh..f-f-fuh...eelin a little low tuh-cough-tuhday. I'll be in t-t-tuh tuhmorrow. See ya.
 
It's rumored that an unshaven, wild-eyed, pajama-clad Eric was later seen motoring down the highway, Santa Rosa bound, heavy on the horn and pedal.
 
Nice ax.

Another cool bass taking a trip on the casting couch.
 
Congratulations.

Mike--LOL!!  Normally, that's exactly what would have happened. However, in one of life's few happy coincidences/proper alignment of planets/whatever, I actually have been on vacation this week.  Tomorrow will be the trip to Santa Rosa to pick up the ax (as yet unnamed. I will try to post some pics, but that's gonna have to wait a while, obviously, until the ax and I get very, very well acquainted!
 
Bradley--thank you.  Things are progressing on your ax, as well--hang in there!
 
Eric

Eric:
 
Beautiful bass.  Congrats!  Just try and keep your speed below triple digits on your way out from Sacto.  So what's JT stand for, or are you planning to give this as a present to cousin James?
 
Bill, tgo

Bill tgo--
 
JT = the initials of my wife, without whose understanding and support my dream of Alembic ownership would never have been realized.  I know, I know--such a sugary sweet story, but I figured it would be a fitting way to acknowledge her!  
 
Anyway, I did manage to make it to Santa Rosa today--no worries about triple-digit speeds, as it was I-80 to Highway 37 and finally onto Highway 101 North   The Orion is now home with us!!  There just aren't words to describe the way this baby sounds, let alone looks!  Thank goodness for this, because now, as Valentino so aptly put it this morning, I will be in post partum depression.  The baby has been delivered, if you will, the project completed--how will I survive without an FTC thread; my emails/phone calls to Mica and Valentino about the build status or questions I forgot to ask; daydreaming about how things will be once the bass is here-- Guess I'll just have to start saving for my next Alembic, not to mention playing the hell out of this one!!
 
Thanks for your interest, and talk to you later!
 
Eric

Eric,
Have fun playing her. You have a beautiful and serious instrument to work with. Make music magic.
Mike

Eric:
 
4:02 a.m.??!!!  Have you been up all night playing her?  You wouldn't be the first.  I thought I saw some special vibes in the eastern sky this morning!  Enjoy!  Ain't no problem with sugary sweet homage to senior management.  The brass truss rod cover on my Alembicized Fernandes, the leaf guitar, is engraved Tina, my wife's name.  Want even more sugar?  It is reversible.  The other side is engraved Nicky, our son.
 
Bill, tgo
 
(Message edited by lbpesq on January 06, 2007)