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timothy_edwards
New
Username: timothy_edwards

Post Number: 2
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 9:48 am:   Edit Post

Hey guys, I am getting ready to post my 1988 Stanley Clarke Signature on eBay and thought I'd give you a heads up. Nice shape. Typical dings here and there from almost 20 years of playing. Has someone's signature on it, have no idea who. Also has a John Entwistle sticker from the Left for Dead tour on it. I didn't do either of these things to the bass, but if they bother the new owner I am sure that both will come off easily. Given John's relationship with Alembic and his recent passing, I thought the sticker was a little cool. Other than these purely cosmetic and reversible things this bass has no issues. I'm selling it because I really don't play bass. (I'm a guitar player - insert jokes here) But I do have Guitar Acquisition Syndrome something aweful, and on the day that I bought this it somehow lapsed into the Bass world. But that's probably just because it's such a wonderful instrument. And who doesn't want to be Stanley Clarke just a little ;) And if any of you recognise the signature I'd love to know who it is.
FrontBodySignature

This is what Mica had on record for this bass:
Hi Timothy,

Here's what I found in the file for 88SC4948:

top and back: Rosewood
accent laminate: Maple
body: Mahogany
neck: Maple and Purpleheart, 30.75" short scale
fingerboard: Ebony with pearloid oval inlays
pickups: AXY
controls: volume, pan, filter x2, Q switch 2x, mono output
birthday: June 24, 1988
originally made for: Guitar Center

That's it.
alembic_doctor
Member
Username: alembic_doctor

Post Number: 51
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 9:54 am:   Edit Post

please tell me thats an inlay and not a sticker. It is an inlay, right?!?!?!?
timothy_edwards
New
Username: timothy_edwards

Post Number: 3
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 9:55 am:   Edit Post

Sorry, it's a sticker. Previous owner's work.
alembic_doctor
Member
Username: alembic_doctor

Post Number: 52
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 10:08 am:   Edit Post

Really, honestly, who buys a multi-thousand dolar instrument and puts stickers on it? (say with an English accent, its funnier that way.) If I had my way, I'd have all of them shot.
tubeperson
Junior
Username: tubeperson

Post Number: 27
Registered: 5-2005
Posted on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 10:22 am:   Edit Post

The same type of nut that buys a 1961 Coral Pink Fender Jazz bass, and puts a sticker of Karl Marx on it. Then shortly after prominently using it live and to record, decides to go back to the Modulus bass named after him. Don't get me wrong, I love the Peppers and Flea's playing, but it more than bugs me that he would redecorate such a valuable instrument. Just because you have a bazillion dollars, etc. At least that's how I see it, and yes, I realize some people see no problem with that.

Of course better it happen to a Fender Jazz than an Alembic anyway!
alembic_doctor
Member
Username: alembic_doctor

Post Number: 53
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 10:30 am:   Edit Post

I once purchased a 77 Series I from a broke studio owner in Houston. (back in my Guitar Center days)(we don't talk about that anymore). Anyway. This thing was Dead Mint with Original Blue Case and everything. But it was covered with those clear plastic window stickers of unicorns. There were like 8 stickers on it. Took me two days to get them all off without damaging the finish.
kungfusheriff
Senior Member
Username: kungfusheriff

Post Number: 556
Registered: 8-2003
Posted on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 1:42 pm:   Edit Post

Timothy,
What were you looking to get for the bass?
Thanks,
KFS
timothy_edwards
New
Username: timothy_edwards

Post Number: 4
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Tuesday, October 24, 2006 - 9:50 am:   Edit Post

Hey guys, thanks for all of the interest. I'm having trouble establishing a price for this one. Can't find any recent similar sales. I think I am just going to post it on eBay with a relatively low starting bid and no reserve. That way the market can figure it all out. I am an honest eBayer with 100% positive feedback, mostly from high end guitars. Shoot me any questions you have and I'll answer them all to the best of my abilities. And I can take any pics that you would like to see. Cheers and see you at the auction. I'll post the URL once it is up and running.
timothy_edwards
Junior
Username: timothy_edwards

Post Number: 13
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Thursday, October 26, 2006 - 3:28 pm:   Edit Post

Quick update. Auction is set to start at 5:00pm EST today on eBay. Cheers and see you all there.
kungfusheriff
Senior Member
Username: kungfusheriff

Post Number: 559
Registered: 8-2003
Posted on Thursday, October 26, 2006 - 6:22 pm:   Edit Post

I'd call dibs on this, if I was 100% sure I'll be getting my back pay before Hell freezes over. Argh!
timothy_edwards
Junior
Username: timothy_edwards

Post Number: 14
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Thursday, October 26, 2006 - 9:04 pm:   Edit Post

Here is the URL for the auction:

link

Cheers,
Tim

(Message edited by davehouck on October 28, 2006)
longhorncat
Intermediate Member
Username: longhorncat

Post Number: 115
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Thursday, October 26, 2006 - 9:52 pm:   Edit Post

Cool, you're an Austinite.
Where did you buy the bass?

Thanks,
Bill in Oakhill
timothy_edwards
Junior
Username: timothy_edwards

Post Number: 15
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 8:04 am:   Edit Post

Hi, I actually picked up this bass secondhand in Colorado.
timothy_edwards
Junior
Username: timothy_edwards

Post Number: 16
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 9:06 am:   Edit Post

Hey you guys that have had experience removing stickers from these babies... What methods did you use? Any advice would be appreciated. As I was expecting, I am getting requests/sugestions to remove the sticker and signature. Cheers.
alembic_doctor
Member
Username: alembic_doctor

Post Number: 54
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 9:43 am:   Edit Post

on the Series I that was covered with Unicorns, I actually used some type of pait thinner / remover. Very sparingly. I put a little on a clean, soft cloth and just started rubbing it on the sticker. After a few minutes of light rubbing, it began to disappear. However, please check with Mica @ Alembic before attempting any such thing. It's been 12+ years since I did this and I did way too many drugs since then to remember fully what I did. But I am almost certain that it was Mica who told me how to do it.
groovelines
Advanced Member
Username: groovelines

Post Number: 398
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 9:46 am:   Edit Post

"Goo-b-gone". a few drops, let soak and patiently work the decal off with a soft cloth. Hasn't harmed any hard finished surfaces in my house.
timothy_edwards
Junior
Username: timothy_edwards

Post Number: 17
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 10:21 am:   Edit Post

Thanks for all these suggestions guys. And I have posed the question to Mica as well. Cheers.
groovelines
Advanced Member
Username: groovelines

Post Number: 399
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 10:53 am:   Edit Post

Looking closer, I can't tell is if the decal is mylar or a similar material. If so, you'll need to lift an edge and apply the solvent directly underneath to access the adheasive, then work your way around the decal as it loosens.

Good luck with the sale, it's a beautiful bass.
timothy_edwards
Junior
Username: timothy_edwards

Post Number: 18
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 11:00 am:   Edit Post

Yeah, the sticker is one of those vinyl ones. Thanks for the info.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 3715
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 12:11 pm:   Edit Post

You can use mineral oil or lemon oil to dissolve lots of adhesives. Like has been suggested, if you can get an edge started, then swab the oil in the exposed area and continue to peel the sticker away.

Once you get the whole thing off, you can clean up the sticky residue on the bass with an acetone-soaked wipe. You can use acetone to remove the sticker, but it's hard to comtrole the placement and evaporates quickly.
timothy_edwards
Junior
Username: timothy_edwards

Post Number: 19
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 1:06 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks guys for all of the responses. One last survey before the sticker goes. Would you guys keep it or get rid of it (although I think I already know the answer here ;) Also, what about the signature? Does it stay or go?
groovelines
Advanced Member
Username: groovelines

Post Number: 400
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Saturday, October 28, 2006 - 8:19 am:   Edit Post

Regarding the signature, that's a call only you can make. Autographs typically have only value to a particular and small segment of people.

From personal experience, as a seller I wouldn't let the possibility of a few extra bills in my pocket spoil a deal with someone that doesn't care who signed it. I'd leave it on and let the buyer decide it means to them.

IIRC, you didn't know whose signature it was? It's hard to make out from the pics.

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