| Author | Message | ||
| sonofalembic
New Username: sonofalembic Post Number: 1 Registered: 3-2010 |
Both of these 75 basses came into the shop recently for clean up, fret work, and restoration. They are owned by two brothers who bought them independently of each other, but who both had similar stories. The Shedua bass was bought at a shop in Santa Barbara for $600.00. It was all original and complete. I thought that was an amazing purchase until his brother told me his story. The Zebrawood bass came out of an attic in Texas where it sat for 25 years unplayed. It was original but missing the power supply. He got it for $50.00. It is currently having the electronics restored since he removed them and installed EMGs at some point. See the basses at: http://img690.imageshack.us/g/img4756.jpg/ | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1012 Registered: 6-2002 |
Welcome Trevor, That must be this one. It's nice to see your bringing her back to spec. That's definitely the deal of the century. | ||
| sonofalembic
New Username: sonofalembic Post Number: 2 Registered: 3-2010 |
That's the one. The electronics were cut out with a weed whacker, and need a total rewire and harness. Somebody even cut the pickup wires! With a totally modular system, I can;t comprehend the guitar hack who would clip almost every wire to remove the electronics. Makes me nauseous. I may be able to do some touch up in the pickup cavities since very little was removed to fit those EMGs. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 777 Registered: 5-2009 |
I would think that some who does not have a clue would only cut the harness and pickups in the way that you describe and therefore I think that it would be prudent to do a background and origin check on the serial numbers. Have they been sent to Alembic for electronics restoration ? | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1016 Registered: 6-2002 |
That's how I received the first Alembic I bought, a '78 series one guitar...weed wacked  I'm looking forward to the day she gets to see the factory again to be refurbished. I should look into what that would cost. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 6644 Registered: 6-2000 |
Oh dear, was the instrument recently refinished? I've been emailing pictures to a repair shop in southern California of Series I harnesses since they clipped the wires to remove the electronics for a refinish. I was heartbroken when I learned of it. We got a box from you today Trevor. I didn't open it up, but I think it must be related to this! | ||
| sonofalembic
New Username: sonofalembic Post Number: 3 Registered: 3-2010 |
Hi Mica, That box has the grizzly pile of electronics in it. I am hoping Tony can resurrect the mess. It would be a shame to not restore this fine early bass. This bass was registered, was not refinished, and was all original when the owner bought it. He took it to someone in Texas to have the EMGs installed since he thought the electronics did not work due to the stereo output jack. I have seen more carnage from even experienced luthiers concerning the stereo jack. They always are baffled by the single pickup output with the mono cable, and they just seem to give up, gut the basses, and replace the electronics. Mica, I need a quote via phone on what it will cost to restore those electronics before I can proceed. | ||
| 2400wattman
Senior Member Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 784 Registered: 11-2005 |
You know....., it's great that these brothers both found these wonderful instruments and got them for a song. It's just great, just great......and I think to...myself........... WHEN IS GOING TO BE MY F$&*!NG TURN!!! Please everyone, this is a joke. I just got home from a 13 hour drive and I'm feelin' pretty damn sweet. ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!;) | ||
| sonofalembic
New Username: sonofalembic Post Number: 4 Registered: 3-2010 |
I have been thinking the same thing! I console myself by playing the four Alembics I own, and I still feel lucky. I guess the only thing that is better than a Series instrument is one for $50.00. That has to be a record or something. The good thing is the two brothers are super nice guys, and if anyone deserved the deals, it was them. | ||
| glocke
Senior Member Username: glocke Post Number: 698 Registered: 9-2002 |
I dont get the gutting of alembic electronics some people do. I was talking to a guy just the other week who said he had a series I guitar and gutted to fit it with EMG's or something. He made some idiot comment that "Alembic knows what they are doing when it comes to bass electronics but they have a ways to go before they get things right with guitars". No lie! My jaw hit the floor to say the least. | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 509 Registered: 4-2004 |
Ive said it before~ Bill and all the other treble-cleffers here need not take offense..... MOST GUITAR PLAYERS HAVE A WAYS TO GO BEFORE THEY GET THINGS RIGHT WITH ALEMBIC ELECTRONICS!!!!!! | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 4345 Registered: 7-2004 |
No offense taken. I agree. Alembic guitars are really a different beast from the usual Fender/Gibson/PRS/etc. mold. They seem to work much better for some types of music than for others. For those (like me) that like a clean sound (like the Grateful Dead school), there is nothing like them once you grok the electronics. If you're looking to play heavy metal or other heavily distorted music, Alembics are probably not your first choice. And, as we all know, bassists and guitarists alike, if your technique is even a little sloppy, Alembics can be very frustrating. Bill, tgo | ||
| eligilam
Advanced Member Username: eligilam Post Number: 240 Registered: 2-2006 |
"...once you grok the electronics." Awesome. Fnord. Cheers, Will | ||
| crobbins
Senior Member Username: crobbins Post Number: 560 Registered: 6-2004 |
Is the coffin case a new option?  |
