Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Swap Shop and Wish Lists => Seen on craigslist, eBay, and elsewhere => Topic started by: gtrguy on April 11, 2018, 11:16:32 AM

Title: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: gtrguy on April 11, 2018, 11:16:32 AM
Sad Elan on EBay:


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Alembic-Elan-5-Project-Parts-Only-Not-Working/253554290284?hash=item3b09036e6c:g:-SIAAOSwa59azZhI
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: StephenR on April 11, 2018, 11:58:52 AM
For $500 it would be worth paying Alembic to refurbish it but I have a feeling it is going to sell for the usual "stupidly high" eBay auction price. One caveat is that depending on how they applied the stain it may have penetrated the wood to the point where it can't be removed. Pretty sure that when Alembic does a color finish or sunburst style they put a clear coat underneath so the instrument can easily be refinished later with a clear finish. At least, in this instance, nobody hacked up a Series bass but still sad to see any instrument in this condition.
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: gtrguy on April 11, 2018, 12:24:14 PM
I believe Alembic uses a 'grain filler' or leveler on top of the actual wood before adding other coats of whatever gets sprayed. Typically leveler has a slight wood tone to it, when I have refinished instruments using it.


This is a '76 Stingray I refinished a couple years back, that I first applied a grain filler to. It had originally been black, but the previous owner sanded it down some, so I went with a clear finish. The leveler imparted a pleasing vintage yellow tone to the wood, which is seen through the clear I applied.


You are correct that the stain could well be into the wood if this Elan was sanded down that far. To do a clear finish, all the stain would have to be removed, which means a lot of sanding. If it was refinished using a color, the refinisher would need to make sure that the stain was either removed or that it was capable of supporting a refin without lifting.
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: StephenR on April 11, 2018, 12:50:48 PM
Nice StingRay. I have a 77 which has been sitting in the closet unplayed since the early 80s. Did you replace the foam mutes? They look to be good condition, mine deteriorated over time. Also curious as to whether you refinished the neck. I wasn't keen on whatever finish was used for these instruments.
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: gtrguy on April 11, 2018, 01:01:42 PM
You should play yours! They are great truck-like beasts! I don't have the foam for the mutes and the pickguard is also not original (one of these days I'll get serious and find the correct one). I did not refinish the neck since it was OK. The PO just sanded on the original black finish for some reason. It was a lot of work prepping this thing to do the clear finish.


Do you have a pic of yours?
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: gtrguy on April 11, 2018, 01:03:03 PM
Oh wait, I do have the foam! I did not look close at it when I dug it out for a pic. I don't remember if they are original or not.
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: mica on April 11, 2018, 02:13:15 PM
I believe Alembic uses a 'grain filler' or leveler on top of the actual wood before adding other coats of whatever gets sprayed.

No grain fillers here - just the polyester finish.
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: edwardofhuncote on April 11, 2018, 04:17:11 PM
Lemesee... some lacquer thinner and steel wool, a little judicious reshaping and sculpting, maybe some new wires... shoot.  It'd be good as new. And probably a half pound lighter.  ;D


Wow, that's the craziest case we've seen in a while.  :o
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: gearhed289 on April 12, 2018, 07:43:30 AM
If it were a 4 string, I'd be tempted. Nothing a little black paint can't fix!  ;)
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: jwright9 on April 12, 2018, 07:45:31 AM
If it were a 4 string, I'd be tempted. Nothing a little black paint can't fix!  ;)

Spray paint, right?  ;D

Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: jazzyvee on April 12, 2018, 11:12:54 PM
Im not a fan of faked road worn instruments but I do like the look of this one a lot. I think it would be a good restoration project keeping the look it currently has in the body and neck. 
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: edwin on April 16, 2018, 12:15:40 AM
I want this bass.
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: sonicus on April 16, 2018, 12:33:24 AM
Go for it Edwin , I will refrain from bidding during the very last breath
of the auction and  before the end at the last moment as a Crow diving for a falling " French Fry " :)
****Take this Bass to be yours to love and redesign and let it be reborn. **** ( it might be fun )
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: hammer on April 16, 2018, 06:15:51 AM
Ouch! Anyone who thought they might get this at a bargain is going to be disappointed. $1,188 and still over a day to go. Sort of hoping it goes up at least another $12 so I can make the claim that it sold for the same price as my latest fretless Series I which, while a bit road worn, works and sounds beautiful.  I'm amazed at all the Alembics I see on ebay long after they have been initially listed (sometimes years) still being offered at outrageous prices.
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: FC Bass on April 16, 2018, 04:19:26 PM
:-)

Imho anything under $1500 is a bargain, looks very salvageable.
I would cheat a bit around the cosmetic flaws and go fully Rolling Stones on it (Paint it black) Yummie! :-)

Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: gtrguy on April 16, 2018, 06:51:49 PM
You certainly don't have to worry about getting that first scratch...
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: edwin on April 16, 2018, 11:15:39 PM
You certainly don't have to worry about getting that first scratch...

And would fit in with all the rest of my well-loved (and modified) instruments!
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: bigredbass on April 17, 2018, 09:39:42 AM
What struck me:  One of the close-ups you can see a lot of orange-peel.  Pitiful.  NO SUCH THING as an Alembic with orange-peel finish !

Absolutely my new Number One on the 'What WERE they thinking?' List.
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: StephenR on April 19, 2018, 10:26:30 AM
Did you end up with this one Edwin?  Price didn't go as high as I thought it would and it looks like whoever won the auction only placed the final bid.
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: sonicus on April 20, 2018, 12:40:37 PM
I am intereted to find out  if someone  here has aquired it as well :)   
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: lowphatbass on April 20, 2018, 07:34:34 PM
I thought I’d chime in here as the seller of the sad Elan. Losing the bass was really tough. Getting it back in the current condition was much, much tougher. After years of on and off deliberation it was time to let it go. I hope it doesn’t get disbanded and scattered around the world. Letting the bass go wasn’t easy either but life goes on.
I posted an inquiry here some years back and received a lot of support and good information and for that I’m mighty appreciative. Hopefully someday I’ll be able to join the club again.
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: gtrguy on April 21, 2018, 12:18:20 PM
Hey, no reason to quit!
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: rv_bass on April 21, 2018, 06:04:46 PM
Yes, hang out, another will come along!
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: mikeyswood on August 01, 2018, 10:28:32 AM
You'll be happy to know this bass is now in the arctic with an Alembic lover.

I took sympathy on this instrument and figured I'd take a shot at what can/should be done.

The stain is penetrating the wood so I do thing the curl and laminates will be lost forever if this is to ever be Alembic quality again. I've reached out to Mica to start a conversation about restoration. I'm thinking this will go black with maybe a silverburst. The hardware is pretty rough so maybe it will be chromed.

The electronics are missing the several Molex bits and an entire pot is missing. I'd like to see this go back to proper Alembic electronics so we'll see.

It will play again.

...someday.
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: edwardofhuncote on August 01, 2018, 11:26:15 AM
That's great news.  :)
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: David Houck on August 01, 2018, 11:33:09 AM
I hope you and Mica are able to get this one as good as new.
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: mikeyswood on August 01, 2018, 01:31:33 PM
Well, "new" is definitely out of the question. "Restored" to Alembic quality is the goal here.
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: mikeyswood on August 01, 2018, 03:30:44 PM
Since the original owner and myself are here, let's make this a visible restoration.

There will be plenty of bumps along the way so let's see where this goes...

Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: David Houck on August 01, 2018, 08:18:39 PM
Nice video!
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: tbrannon on August 01, 2018, 08:31:42 PM
That's a cool addition that can be archived in the history of this instrument.  Really good idea.
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: mikeyswood on September 01, 2018, 08:24:15 AM
Just got back to the States and I'm happy to say this bass is on its way to Santa Rosa for the proper corrections.
Title: Re: Sad Elan on EBay
Post by: goran on September 01, 2018, 12:44:27 PM
Oh man, that's a beauty... Can wait to see how it will look after restoration, it will be a great bass!