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Alembic Club » Dreaming... for now » Archive through October 06, 2007 » Archive 2003 » Archive through January 29, 2003 » Factory modification Quote request « Previous Next »

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Clay Sharp (exploiterplayer)
Junior
Username: exploiterplayer

Post Number: 13
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 7:54 pm:   Edit Post

Would it be possible to modify my 95' Mark King Deluxe with an Omega Heart cutout behind the bridge? If so, How much will it cost and how long will it take? I would also like to get a price on Omega cutouts on the upper and lower bouts of the body. (only if the bridge one is possible)
*Will this modification substantially lower the value of this bass?
*As the creator of this bass.... Do you morally approve of this modification or do you think it comprimises the integrety of this instrument?
Thx,
Clay
Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 659
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Monday, January 27, 2003 - 6:46 pm:   Edit Post

This biggest expense is the refinishing - which such a modification will require. Here's the individual costs:

750 Refinishing
275 Heart Omega Carving
300 Side Omegas

Time - almost as long to make a new one since most of making a new one is the finishing process. At the moment, we'd need your bass to 6-8 weeks to complete the job.

I don't know about devaluing the instrument since we have little experience at the factory with used bass values (we just sell the new ones).

The Heart Omega wouldn't be done much differently than how we do it on a new build except we wouldn't have carved the Point so nicely first. It's not too different for the side omegas, though these days we cut them from the template before the body is glued up, but we've made many where the side Omegas were cut out after assembly.

Structurally the bass will be as good as if we'd made it with the omegas originally and you won't be able to tell that it was done later without looking in the instrument file.

Check out Bobby's bass that underwent a similar modification. The side Omegas are a bit smaller when adding them later - otherwise it just doesn't look right. I wish I had taken a "before" picture of that one. Live and learn, eh?
Clay Sharp (exploiterplayer)
Junior
Username: exploiterplayer

Post Number: 14
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Wednesday, January 29, 2003 - 8:19 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks for the reply Mica. The example photo of Bobby's really helped me on this one. I really like the Omega Heart but will probably stop there and omit the side cutouts. I did not even think about the refinishing time and expense factor when first getting this wild idea. I will give this information some serious thought and make a decision one way or another soon.
Sincerely,
Clay

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