| Author | Message | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 1695 Registered: 5-2002 |
Since there are a few Hyak fans in the club and since we've had previous discussions on Hyaks and seen the shop's repair of one, I thought it wouldn't be too off topic to mention that there is what looks to be a very nice Hyak on Ebay. | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 507 Registered: 6-2002 |
I used to own that bass. I just want to say that is the best sounding Hyak that I have ever played. Period. I have owned 4 and played about a dozen. It is a really great sounding bass. Most Hyaks are sort of nasaly. Not this one. This is the closest sound to a series bass that I have ever heard on a Hyak. On the downside though is that the finish is worn off of the back of the neck from the nut to about the 5th fret or so. So, the wood on the neck is kinda stained. That was one of the real reasons I sold the bass. That, and the fact it is a long scale and I like my Hyaks medium. The auction mentioned that the back of the neck was was resealed. There is no picture of that position of the back of the neck on that auction though. Also this bass was kinda funny when it came to string selection. The bass only had 4 graphite composite laminates running the length of the neck. They are very thin laminates like a veneer. This made the neck very flexible. I found that only a round core string of a light gauge would work well. Such as DR Highbeams or TI Jazz Flats. I also like to use D'Addario Chromes, but on this bass it put a serious bow in the neck. This is a typical trait of a Hyak with a such a few graphite laminates. Of course there is no truss rod, so string selection is important with this bass. It is not a real big deal though because if you remove the strings, the neck bows back to where it should be. The amount of graphite laminates varied from bass to bass on these. The Hyak I currently own is a medium scale with a neck made up of bubinga and 8 graphite laminates. The neck on mine is quite stiff. Just thought I'd elaborate on this bass in case someone here is interested. If the reserve is not too high, this would be a good bass for a long scale fan. Pricing on these is kinda odd, so be careful. I have owned a few of these and there does not seem to be a real value for these instruments. I guess maybe if it was in perfect condition, I could see the price being up there. But on all of the Hyaks I have ever owned, I have paid from $750.00 - $1200.00 for them. And that usually includes a flight case and power supply. This bass on auction does not come with the original 36 volt Hyak power supply, but an Alembic supply works well. I have been using my Hyak with an Alembic power supply for many years with no problems. Michael | ||
| harald_rost
Member Username: harald_rost Post Number: 89 Registered: 6-2002 |
Thanks Michael for the precious clues (as always). I was watching the auction but the item was removed from Ebay. Never saw any Hyak bass here in Germany. Must be very rare beasts. Harald | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 1701 Registered: 5-2002 |
As Harald said, thanks for the great and detailed review. Kind of odd how the listing was removed. | ||
| jorge_s
Junior Username: jorge_s Post Number: 49 Registered: 8-2002 |
I had a bid in. I got an e-mail from ebay stating that they ended the auction because it "violated their policies". My guess is because it had "not Alembic" in the title. You are not supposed to do that. Hopefully it will return. | ||
| goatfoot
Member Username: goatfoot Post Number: 66 Registered: 12-2003 |
It's been relisted. What a unique and beautiful bass. http://alembic.com/club/messages/395/16931.html?1115829115 | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 1703 Registered: 5-2002 |
You mean here? Well, at least it's good to know that Ebay is cracking down on some of the abuse; even if this time they got one that most of us probably didn't mind showing up in our "Alembic" search <g>. | ||
| goatfoot
Member Username: goatfoot Post Number: 67 Registered: 12-2003 |
Oops. Wrong cut and paste. Thanks Dave. BTW, how do ya'll insert links w/o revealing the entire url? | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 1705 Registered: 5-2002 |
Go to the bottom of this page and click on Help/Instructions. When that page opens up, click on Formatting. Scroll down about three quarters of the page to Hyperlinks. The "link" code is what I'm using. | ||
| slapbass
Junior Username: slapbass Post Number: 20 Registered: 3-2005 |
Hello all. Well I just picked this beauty up yesterday. Once in person this bass is not in bad shape for its age. The back of the neck looks fine. dela217 your correct about the tone. Does anyone know where I could get an original hyak power supply? Or even another used Alembic would be fine. Thanks Dale | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 1872 Registered: 5-2002 |
Congrats!! You might want to post a new thread in the Wanted section for a power supply. (Message edited by davehouck on June 05, 2005) | ||
| slapbass
Junior Username: slapbass Post Number: 21 Registered: 3-2005 |
thanks will do dave | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 515 Registered: 6-2002 |
Great! I would have kept that bass if I did not have a medium scale Hyak already. It is in pretty good condition for it's age. I have seen MUCH worse in a Hyak. I think they were playing around with finishes and they varied a bit. Most of the ones around here are very cracked up. I have an original Hyak supply, (not for sale) and it put out almost 50 volts! I have been using the Alembic with no real problems. Just like the Alembic, these basses go through batteries quickly. A power supply is a must! Besides, with just the batteries you have to use a stereo cord. I am glad it went to a good home. Michael | ||
| slapbass
Junior Username: slapbass Post Number: 23 Registered: 3-2005 |
Thanks Michael. I played the bass with my Alembic power supply that is in my big vintage Sunn rig. And the sound is not what I originally heard when I bought it. I built a wireless setup for my series 1 awhile back So used this and ran the bass through the Eden wt800 and a single 410 cab and the tone was everything I could have dreamed for. But the wireless usually gets 4-5 hours of operation running the series bass but with the Hyak it lasted 2 1/2 hours And 6 9 volt batteries are gone! So I need another power supply for the Eden rig. Dale | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 1876 Registered: 5-2002 |
Would be possible to run from the power supply in the Sunn rig to the Eden head just for test purposes? | ||
| slapbass
Junior Username: slapbass Post Number: 24 Registered: 3-2005 |
Yes Dave I could but I hate disassembling the rigs ( kind of a lazy thing) the Sunn rig is in the basement where it is easier to load up in the car. The Eden is in the living room where else should it be. |
