The lLast of the Hyak Basses Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Alembic Club » Introductions » The lLast of the Hyak Basses « Previous Next »

Author Message
chrish
New
Username: chrish

Post Number: 1
Registered: 7-2014
Posted on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 1:50 pm:   Edit Post

I'm brand new here, so please bear with me.

This story comes from memories I have from the early eighties. I think I have a really good memory, it's just short. So consider this a disclaimer. Some of my recollection may not be entirely correct and I welcome anyone to set me straight.

I bought a Hyak Bass in 1982, or 83 from an ex-roommate (Jeff) who owned a music repair shop in Bellevue Washington called Custom Music. He acquired the left-over inventory from Hyak Guitars after they went out of business.

There were basses and guitars that were finished, but without the electronics, pickups, etc. installed. I told Jeff that I'd be willing to buy a bass, if one could be finished. Now, here is where my product-of-the-seventies-memory gets a little sketchy... Jeff put me in contact with someone, I believe, who worked for Hyak Guitars. This guy (I think his name was Art), finished the bass and sold it to me.

Jeff sold Custom Music to another fellow and moved on. As far as I know, no more Hyak instruments were ever produced.

So this is why I say this guitar may be the last of the Hyak basses.

The pictures of this bass have file sizes too large (over 150 KB) to post. I'm more than happy to email photos to anyone who wants to see them. Sorry bout that. Chris
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 1647
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 3:49 pm:   Edit Post

Chris,

If you want to email the photos to the email in my profile, I'll resize them for you to get them under the size limit.

Just drop a note in the thread here to let me know if you've emailed them so I know to look for them.

Toby
afrobeat_fool
Senior Member
Username: afrobeat_fool

Post Number: 543
Registered: 7-2009
Posted on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 5:48 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Chris. My name is Nick and I live in Portland, Ore. Your story sounds familiar. About 4 yrs ago I bought my second Hyak bass from a kid who claimed his grandfather was the guy who made the graphite laminates for the necks of the Hyak instruments. I bought from him an unfinished bass. It is currently at Alembic getting refit. His grandfather said he completed a full set of basses (10) and 2 guitars and never got paid. He kept some of the basses and a guitar for his troubles.

I and a few others would be stoked to see some pics when you can.

Also a couple is guys here know a lot about the history of Hyak.
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 1648
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 7:31 pm:   Edit Post

Here are a few pictures from Chris:





chrish
New
Username: chrish

Post Number: 2
Registered: 7-2014
Posted on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 7:34 pm:   Edit Post

Toby- I sent the pics to your email. Thanks very much for the help!

Nick- I have a son named Nick who lives in Portland too.

Sounds like mine is not the last of the Hyak basses. Maybe this kid's grandfather is the same person who sold me my bass in '82?

The mystery continues... Well, for me anyway. Thanks Nick!
chrish
New
Username: chrish

Post Number: 3
Registered: 7-2014
Posted on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 7:37 pm:   Edit Post

Toby- Wow, that was quick!
artswork99
Moderator
Username: artswork99

Post Number: 1998
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2014 - 11:22 am:   Edit Post

Welcome Chris!

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration