| Author | Message | ||
| lyla53
New Username: lyla53 Post Number: 6 Registered: 12-2012 |
Also if you've played it recently - Condition? Sound? Neck? Any Info would be appreciated. Thank You  | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2753 Registered: 5-2009 |
Hello ! That looks like one of the Alembic Bass's that I played at the Hollywood California Guitar Center in April 2009. I believe that it is medium scale ("32) . It played well even though I think that it needed a truss rod adjustment at the time( easy to do ). It sounded like nice series I would sound ; variations in wood being part of the equation. If I remember correctly there was minor finish cracking but the instrument did not look like it was been handled roughly in it's lifetime to the point that I last saw it in "person " in 2009. | ||
| sonsofalembic
New Username: sonsofalembic Post Number: 1 Registered: 1-2013 |
I saw this bass this week. It has major issues. The headstock was cracked and poorly repaired. Someone refinished the neck and used a paintbrush. The bridge is all the way down, and the action is still high. It also does not have a case, the power supply or a cable. The neck feels like a club. | ||
| that_sustain
Member Username: that_sustain Post Number: 96 Registered: 8-2012 |
Now I've never seen anything like that. | ||
| lyla53
New Username: lyla53 Post Number: 10 Registered: 12-2012 |
Nor I.... I guess I have a few more questions for the seller. | ||
| sonsofalembic
New Username: sonsofalembic Post Number: 2 Registered: 1-2013 |
Trust me. I looked it over carefully, and I am a luthier and was Alembic's clinician for 21 years. There is a reason that bass has been hanging on the wall at Guitar Center since 2006 when they bought it. The peg head has had a lot of touch up and the "ears" are made of mahogany. It is so sloppy there that you almost have to wonder if that area was repaired and the mahogany added. There is a crack in the headstock transition which probably is the reason for all of the bad finish work. It is a cool looking bass, and unusual in its construction, but it was overpriced and needed a lot of work. The finish was in good condition other than the mess on the neck and headstock. The body core looked like myrtle. Fingerboard was probably padauk. The neck needed to be leveled and the bridge saddles needed to have the slots lowered in order to get it off the deck, and improve the action. I recently asked if they would offer the bass for a reasonable price so I could restore it, but they wanted to wait until Spring before they would drop the price. Now some poor sucker has bought the bass and not only paid too much, but has a mess on their hands in need of restoration. If I had been able to buy it at the fair price I offered, I could have done all the work, and sold it for $1500.00 less than the GC price. I still hope the bass crosses my bench at some point so I can make it 100% again without removing the mojo it has. | ||
| sonsofalembic
New Username: sonsofalembic Post Number: 3 Registered: 1-2013 |
Lyla 53, If you are dealing with LeRoy at GC Hollywood, ask him about all of the claims I have made as well as the fact that the frets are on their last legs. I was there and went through the bass with him, and told him everything I listed here, and he agreed with all of it. If he does not give you the whole story, then consider yourself forewarned. | ||
| lyla53
Junior Username: lyla53 Post Number: 11 Registered: 12-2012 |
Trevor thanks for taking the time to chat. This has been quite the learning expierence. I will certainly keep in touch. | ||
| 51pbass
New Username: 51pbass Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2012 |
I have also seen this bass.You would be wize to NOT buy it !!!!!!!!!!!!! | ||
| sonsofalembic
New Username: sonsofalembic Post Number: 5 Registered: 1-2013 |
Well, after deliberating about whether I should leave this unique bass on the wall at GC, or whether I should give it some TLC, I decided to give the bass the care it needed. Leroy let me take the bass on approval for a client, and I told him I would get the bass back to tip top shape again no matter what. When I got it home, the electronics were not working due to batteries that went dead in 2008 and had corroded at the terminals onto the battery clips. Someone had tried to remove them at some point and torn the terminals right out of the batteries! It was a quick fix with the solder gun once I had replacement battery clips. Now the electronics are perfect. Then I took on the task of removing the painted on additional finish on the neck and headstock. The original finish was fully intact underneath, and I have no idea why that top coat was applied in the first place. It also afforded a much better view of the headstock ears which turned out to be purple heart. This was a big relief since there was no evidence or replacement or damage there. The finish did have some cracks at the headstock/neck transition, and I do suspect there was some trauma to the wood there, but the cracking is slight and it is clear the headstock did not crack off or become dislodged. From there the bass just needed a few little things like the correct pickup selector knob, to straighten a Q switch, The bridge saddle slots lowered, and a mill and crown on the frets. After all of this restoration, the bass plays great, sounds good, and is almost worth the money they are asking. What this bass has going for it is it is a rare model, and it has a unique neck construction. I have never seen another like it. It is a long scale bass and came with a flight case which indicates it was used on tour with the Neil Larson/ Buzzy Fieton Band. I also have a new Alembic old style power supply and 5 pin cable coming to complete the package. With them, the bass is well worth the $5,500.00 price tag. | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1483 Registered: 6-2002 |
well done, great to hear of these rarebirds coming back to life! thanks for the details, elwood |
