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yggdrasil
Member
Username: yggdrasil

Post Number: 94
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 10:42 am:   Edit Post

Just purchased this Series 1 _ any info would be appreciated.

Edit- on loking closer, the number is more likely to be 816, or even 810 - the 3rd digit is not as clearly stamped as the others.
It's a short scale small body



Merci!

Frank

(Message edited by Yggdrasil on January 11, 2006)
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 2993
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 3:29 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Frank,

It's got to be 816 since both 810 and 818 are long scale basses. You should probably write this number in the electronics cavity or under a pickup as a backup.

Here's what's in the file:

top and back: Cherry
core: Cherry
neck: Maple and Purpleheart, 30.75" short scale
fingerboard: Ebony with mother of pearl inalys
originally made for: Rothchild
birthday: September 9, 1977

It's been here a couple of times. First, in September 1977 Rothchild returned it stating
the neck was too thin by 1/8" at the nut. There isn't a record of the remedy (none?)

Then in November 1977, they returned it again, stating: "noticeable blemish on the peghead to the right of the logo" and a "crooked 5th fret inlay." There is a repair order from November 1977 staing the "zit" on the peghead was fixed, and the inlay was redone.

It was sold to Vic Zinn Music (our first dealer!) in 1977 and they sent it to us at their customer's request to make it fretless. Also it was refinished under warranty (the dreaded polance checking incident) at the same time.

There's another note from Vic Zinn Musicn from July 1980, where they returned it to us to have it returned to a fretted bass. There is just a quick handwritten note on their letter that states "done."

Wow - that bass has been around! Now that you know the serial number, you should get it registered to you.

With all that Cherry, do find it's pretty heavy? My bass has a Cherry body, and nobody can believe how heavy it is. I also find it's pretty "thunky" sounding compared to Mahogany. How does yours compare?
yggdrasil
Member
Username: yggdrasil

Post Number: 96
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 6:25 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks Mica!

After it went back and forth to you, the guy I bought it from did some work as well:

"I bought this bass 15 years ago from it's first owner. I sent it to a renouned luther in Clevelad Ohio for complete refinishing. I then contacted Susan Wickersham and obtained OEM replacement pickups, bridge, brass string guide, selector switch cover & all new brass screws & gromets. I assembled the components & sent it to a local luther for set up electrical cleaning & inspection. I could not replace the brass control panel as it is a custom panel made for this bass."

Cherry, eh? The finish is immaculate, and I wondered what the wood is - it is the same back & front, with a slightly darker hue in the centre.

Pics are here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7375898911&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

The electronics are clean compared to the other 77 I sent in a few years ago for the electronics upgrade, so we may not be having those numerous cross-border telephone calls on this one! :-)The neck is nice and narrow - just over 1.5" - which is the way I like it; the neck pickup is close to the neck also, so I get a great bass tone.

The bass only weighs 8.5 lbs. on the bathroom scale, and it has a wonderful open tone, I wouldn't say thunky - it sings! It's a great bass. I need to replace the knobs - either classic hat or THGs, now that I know what the woods are.

I will register it - I don't think I've registered my Stanley Custom (01C12666) either, so I'll likely do both.

Thanks again!

Frank
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 3056
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 6:34 pm:   Edit Post

Sounds great Frank!

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