Author |
Message |
effclef
Senior Member Username: effclef
Post Number: 560 Registered: 1-2004
| Posted on Monday, September 14, 2009 - 5:05 am: | |
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-rare-Hyak-scroll-bass-like-Alembic-neck-through_W0QQitemZ250498434106QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item3a52dec43a&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 |
sonicus
Advanced Member Username: sonicus
Post Number: 348 Registered: 5-2009
| Posted on Monday, September 14, 2009 - 5:33 am: | |
An interesting looking Bass. |
artswork99
Senior Member Username: artswork99
Post Number: 842 Registered: 7-2007
| Posted on Monday, September 14, 2009 - 5:42 am: | |
I really enjoy my Hyak Scroll... IMO, I think it's a good price if the electronics are intact. |
sonicus
Advanced Member Username: sonicus
Post Number: 350 Registered: 5-2009
| Posted on Monday, September 14, 2009 - 5:51 am: | |
It does have a certain lure to it. It beckons you . |
kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff
Post Number: 867 Registered: 8-2003
| Posted on Monday, September 14, 2009 - 9:12 am: | |
It beckoned somebody -- BIN'd. |
sonicus
Advanced Member Username: sonicus
Post Number: 352 Registered: 5-2009
| Posted on Monday, September 14, 2009 - 9:50 am: | |
I could tell it had some kind of MOJO ! But not as much too me as to buy it now already ! I wish them much happiness together____________.. |
dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217
Post Number: 991 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Monday, September 14, 2009 - 7:05 pm: | |
That was a bass I used to own. I've had a few Hyaks and I must admit, that one sounded the best. It was the latest version of their electronics. When I bought the bass, I paid $750.00. When I sold it a week or so later, I sold it for $750.00. The reason I parted with it was because the finish was worn off the back of the neck. That really bothered me a lot. |
sonicus
Advanced Member Username: sonicus
Post Number: 354 Registered: 5-2009
| Posted on Monday, September 14, 2009 - 8:25 pm: | |
I have to admit that it had a certain attraction . |
artswork99
Senior Member Username: artswork99
Post Number: 845 Registered: 7-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 5:49 am: | |
Michael, what year was that? They didn't mention the neck... I haven't seen a Hyak out there for so long that it seems that the values could only have increased. Nice to see the electronics are intact on this one too. |
dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217
Post Number: 992 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 - 3:44 am: | |
Art, This was not too long ago. I would think 5 years or less. I was in touch with the seller on ebay and he did confirm it was my old bass. I think he should have mentioned the finish on the back of the neck too, but didn't. Back when I bought and sold it, I paid $750 for it with a Buy It Now on Ebay. I sold it to someone in New York who kept in touch with me who really wanted one. He would keep in touch with me regularly because he knew I had a Hyak and I actively searched out others. After I decided I could not live with the finish on that bass, I called him up to give him first refusal. I just could not make a profit on it. I would have felt guilty! After all the bass had no power supply, incorrect case and a worn finish. When the bass showed up on Ebay a couple of days ago, I immediately made an offer on the bass. It also had a 'make offer' option. Then when I realised it was my old bass the seller graciously rejected my offer and someone bought it. I sometimes regret not swapping out the electronics in that Hyak for my electronics when I had it. But I know I would not be able to live with myself after that too! The electronics on that bass were really special. To my ears the tonal characteristics on a Hyak are unusual. When a chord is plucked, I notice that the secondary note is louder than the root. That is something I grew to expect with all Hyaks. This bass was different. The sound was more even. Also gone was the squawking of the filter controls. Art, I am sure you know what I'm talking about! It was dead quiet as the controls were used. When I looked inside, The circuits were a newer version than mine. |
artswork99
Senior Member Username: artswork99
Post Number: 846 Registered: 7-2007
| Posted on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 - 5:57 am: | |
Thanks Michael! I'm actually enjoying mine more than ever with my most recent setup (I think it may also have the latest circuitry - didn't know there were different ones)... playing both Hyak and Alembic and feeling blessed. (Message edited by artswork99 on September 16, 2009) |
room037
Advanced Member Username: room037
Post Number: 286 Registered: 9-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 - 7:13 am: | |
Hi Michael, Art, I am very interested about Hyak circuit. We know Hyak was manufactured only few years, but did electrical upgrade !? I also asked to the seller on eBay about the neck condition. Yes, I remember Michael's info. about the neck worn. But I missed it by someone's BIN while I was waiting the info. I was so sad untill yesterday... But I got very special offer last night ! I will get Hyak bass in the future, but not the time now. Eiji |
dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217
Post Number: 993 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Thursday, September 17, 2009 - 11:03 am: | |
From what I understand, there were six versions of the same circuit. The different versions addressed the Q filter squawking when the Q switch was in it's maximum position. In theory there was an additional trim pot installed per channel to help equalize this problem. It is VERY difficult to get this dialed in just right. The latest version was the best with a very even balanced sound too. They also made different pickups with an exposed blade for extended higher frequencies. It was made to interface with the standard circuitry, but the actual pickup required a power source due to onboard electronics. I'll post a picture of that pup later if anyone is interested. |
artswork99
Senior Member Username: artswork99
Post Number: 848 Registered: 7-2007
| Posted on Thursday, September 17, 2009 - 2:32 pm: | |
Michael, Always interested in Hyak information. Thanks for any input that you are able to contribute. Art |
lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq
Post Number: 4088 Registered: 7-2004
| Posted on Thursday, September 17, 2009 - 5:19 pm: | |
You guys have peaked my curiosity. I'm going to crack open my Hyak guitar this weekend, eyeball the electronics, and report back here (unless Senior Management has other plans for me this weekend - lol). Bill, tgo |
dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217
Post Number: 994 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Thursday, September 17, 2009 - 6:07 pm: | |
The circuit boards have the model number on them. On the newer ones you will see 2 sets of trim pots. One is for volume and the other for Q balance, for the lack of a better term. Bill, Does yours give a loud SQUAWK when you tweak the filters? ALL of the one I tried did this except the one that we are talking about from this auction. |
artswork99
Senior Member Username: artswork99
Post Number: 849 Registered: 7-2007
| Posted on Thursday, September 17, 2009 - 6:57 pm: | |
There are 2 trim pots on each of the preamps in mine (one white and one black - the white appears to be placed in the Q circuit after the initial design and the black flush to the board for the volume). I don't have that loud squawk that you speak of... |
dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217
Post Number: 995 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Friday, September 18, 2009 - 5:15 pm: | |
Mine is quite noisy, I may mess with the pots one day to see if I can possibly cure it. For now I have to remember to put the q switch in the down position before I tweak the filter! If yours is quiet, I suggest....Do not mess with those trim pots! |
dwmark
Advanced Member Username: dwmark
Post Number: 244 Registered: 1-2005
| Posted on Thursday, September 24, 2009 - 6:18 am: | |
I did it! Have been staying in the background until I saw what I did, but, I've been wanting one of these for a while (almost bought one from a member) and the price seemed right. Until the stuff about the neck surfaced. So here's what I found. Bass in pretty good condition (a little rash on the back, but not through the finish) and a nick here and there (including at least one small one that's all the way through the finish). All in all not bad. The neck was fixed. I still need to get the details from Dale (the seller), but I can see a darker area on the top (E side) all the way to the fifth fret and on the bottom (G side) at least to the third fret. If that's where the problem was, then it looks like someone used to play this with a studded glove on his hand--I can't imagine how else that kind of wear occurred. The repair is good enough that I might not have noticed if I hadn't read about the problem (looks like a darker grain--the outside wood on the neck is already a darker wood). Now that I know that there is/was one, I feel a little tackiness in that part of the neck, but nothing that's affecting how it plays. Hoping Dale will have a little more info on what was done. Last night was just unpack and play unplugged. It plays great. I'll report after plugging it in (by the way, I didn't know the five pin was side mounted--that looks pretty cool). dw |
davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck
Post Number: 8771 Registered: 5-2002
| Posted on Thursday, September 24, 2009 - 7:34 am: | |
Congrats David! |
dwmark
Advanced Member Username: dwmark
Post Number: 245 Registered: 1-2005
| Posted on Thursday, September 24, 2009 - 8:02 am: | |
Plot thickens. Dale says he didn't repair the bass. Michael, it must have been your buyer OR whatever bothered you isn't bothering me. Doesn't matter. I'm happy with it. Adding to it is that there seems to have been some pretty positive energy around it for a while (including when you had it and left it intact and sold it for cost when it just didn't work for you). Thanks for your part. dw |
sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus
Post Number: 402 Registered: 5-2009
| Posted on Thursday, September 24, 2009 - 9:01 am: | |
Sounds like good MOJO to me ! Congratulations ____________! |
dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217
Post Number: 998 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Thursday, September 24, 2009 - 7:26 pm: | |
dwmark - That is just great news! Yes, it sounds like someone repaired the bass. It had hardly any finish on the back of the nut to around the 5th fret or so. I may even have a picture somewhere of the back of the neck. Let us know what you think of the Hyak and please post some fresh pics!! Congrats! Michael |
dwmark
Advanced Member Username: dwmark
Post Number: 246 Registered: 1-2005
| Posted on Thursday, September 24, 2009 - 7:37 pm: | |
Michael I will post in the next week or so and would love your pics too. David |
dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217
Post Number: 999 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Thursday, September 24, 2009 - 7:56 pm: | |
Some pics. This was a few years ago and before it was refinished. The pics I have were taken with a crummy camera but it still shows the bass pretty well. You can see the wear on the back of the neck. I am sure it looks much better now! The pics really don't show that it was down to the wood. Michael |
artswork99
Senior Member Username: artswork99
Post Number: 851 Registered: 7-2007
| Posted on Thursday, September 24, 2009 - 8:09 pm: | |
You know how I feel... congratulations David. Glad you pulled the trigger and finally got your Hyak. Play it Healthy! Art |
dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217
Post Number: 1000 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Friday, September 25, 2009 - 4:19 am: | |
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