Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: s_wood on January 08, 2006, 02:28:08 PM
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(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/23960.jpg)
This past Saturday, I finished the gig on 3 strings. Why? Because I broke the G string on the Music Man Stingray 4 string I borrowed from the guy in the next band 30 seconds into the first song of the set. Why was I playng a 4 string Stingray? Because my 5 string Series II fell off a guitar stand just before I picked it up to start the show, and when it hit the stage floor it decided to do a Steinberger impression.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/23961.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/23962.jpg)
This bass is -- was -- 7 months old. She is on her way back to Alembic for what I fear will be last rites. Luckily, she was fully insured through Heritage Musical Instrument Insurance against all loss and damage, so with any luck the claim will be paid without too much hassle and I will be able to replace her. Moral of the story: I already knew that gig bags sucked (see the Broken Bass in the Series II gallery). Now, I know that guitar stands REALLY suck. (Message edited by s_wood on January 08, 2006)
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Ooops can't begin to describe it.
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Steve; I guess you've already talked with the folks in the shop, but it looks to my layman's eyes that a scarf joint repair would make it good as new.
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I bet it's fixable.
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I hope you are right, and I am anxious to hear from the folks in Santa Rosa when they see the bass in a couple of days. I guess the question is does repair cost plus refin cost (which I assume will be necessary) plus reduced resale value make a repair foolishly expensive, as compared to a new bass with the electronics and parts from this one?
I am surprised at how calmly I took the whole thing. Of course, smoke was coming out of my ears when it happened, but The Show Must Go On, right?
Then, when I broke the string on the borrowed bass less than 5 minutes later (which is the first time in 30 years that has ever happened to me on a gig) I just laughed and relaxed...like the late HST said, when the going gets weird the weird turn pro!
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oh well, no one needs a G string anyway. [insert joke here]
actually I saw some crazy bass from Japan that was a ONE STRING bass. I really, really wanted one.
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I hope that it can be fixed or at least the insurance company comes through for a new one. Those pictures surely make your stomach drop to your knees.
Rich
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Like something out of a bad horror movie........................very sad. Jim
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Hello Steve, could you direct me to where I could find out info. on that insurance company you mentioned? I know the feeling of things gone really wrong at a gig(this case is heart breaking & catastrophic) but I do believe this could be fixed with nothing to worry about.
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he's talking about
http://www.heritage-ins-services.com/ (http://www.heritage-ins-services.com/)
I'd be interested in hearing how they come through as well.
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speaking of bad horror movies, that must've looked like some sort of squiggly alien chest bursting thing, what with all the strings flying and all...
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Ouch. I really feel for you. I am sure that it can be fixed. Other than apologizing to the person you borrowed the bass from I don't think 3 strings is a problem. Remember that at one time Tony Levin was playing a 3 string bass on purpose.
Keith
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I know this is after the fact, but.......
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/23972.jpg)
Here's how I avoid such tragedies.
Peace,
James
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It can definitely be fixed. My headstock broke off several years ago, and they were able to repair it without much difficulty. After getting it back, it plays better than it ever has. They were able to do some beautiful (hardly visible) woodwork. My break was not as clean as yours looks to be, and they simply replace the headstock, along with the top 4 or so of the neck. Your bass will have a small scar. As they say, scars are tattoos with stories.
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Aaaaargh! Good luck!
Mine gets laid in her case...
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Wow, does that suck! I've seen a few of those and had a couple lesser injuries to my own instruments under similar circumstances. Even so, I can't imagine the pain I would feel if my prize bass lost its head. From various FTC threads, though, it would seem that you have a few other nice instruments to get by with while you await a repair or rebuild.
Best of luck in getting your insurance company to come through and then Alembic will do the right thing by you to repair the instrument or duplicate it as precisely as you could wish! Unless you developped a special bond with the instrument in th efew months you had it, I would probably opt for a rebuild rather than a repair. Then there will be all sorts of people bidding for the repairable pieces to this one...
-Bob
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Steve,
Really sorry to hear/see what happened to your Series 2.I had a Warwick Thumb 6 that met a similar fate.Once repaired however it was pressed straight back into service and played/sounded just as it always had.I'm sure the good folks over in Santa Rosa will do you proud so don't lose hope.
In an attempt to cheer you up I managed to find a photo of the 1 string bass mentioned above.Made by Atlansia of Japan,it's a strange one alright!.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/23975.jpg)
Strange or not,I'd love to try one.
I hope things turn out for the best with your 5 string.Fingers crossed.Please keep us informed.
Best Wishes,
Simon.
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One string bass!!!!On floor laughing. LOL. Jim
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Still laughing, think of the solo possibilities. Thanks.tears in eyes. Jim
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Jim,
'Teen Town' would be a real bitch on this! :o).Still it offers a new take on the oft misquoted Zen Buddhism koan.
What is the sound of one string (slapping).
Simon.
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Hey Simon, I hear japan is going to try to compete with alembic this is a true series one prototype. lol, Jim
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that's it!
there are many amazing basses on the website, but it's all in Japanese. I wrote the webmaster trying to find out if there was any way to see/play one in the states, but never got a reply.
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the only solution is alembic must design and market a one-string series two bass.
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Simon, Link please.
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My condolenensces; to call this a MAJOR bummer would be a MAJOR understatement.
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Hey Jim,
Link?,no problem.The pic I posted was from a forum I came across having Google-ed 'Atlansia 1 string bass'.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/Kanikar/atl-solo.jpg (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/Kanikar/atl-solo.jpg)
It also,not surprisingly,came up with Atlansia's site.
http://www.atlansia.jp/ (http://www.atlansia.jp/)
There's some examples of the truly weird and wonderful on there.
One of the first issues of Bass Player magazine ran a review one of their basses,a shocking and tasteless display of over-indulgence (By that I mean it had FOUR strings!).It must have been good though,the reviewer was moved enough to buy it.Hope the links are a help.
Best Wishes,
Simon.
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Thanks Simon, Hey look your just two posts from becoming a member. Cheers, Jim
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Kungfusheriff said:
Aaaaargh! Good luck!
Mine gets laid in her case...
Ummmm,...can we be expecting a little baby bass anytime soon?.
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Hi Jim,
I didn't realise that a)I become a member after 50 posts,and b)I'm only 2 away.Or one after this.So now I'm getting really excited at the prospect.I don't know what to expect but maybe Mica and the guys monitor everybody's posts and when you get to 50....
...Hi Simon,It's.....(Insert name of senior ranking Alembic person)..calling to welcome you as a member.Can I have your home address,we've got a Series 2 to send you......Excuse me?......No,we do it all the time to welcome new members.....Aw,you're welcome!.So,what address do we send it to?......
Whaddya reckon Jim?,anybody said anything to you about it?. :o)
Sincerely,without a snowball's chance in Hell,
Simon.
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Jim,
Meant to say thanks for pointing that out.1 more post and I'll..........
(You see what I did there?). LOL
Best Wishes
Simon.
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Steve, I've got to give you credit for finishing the gig. If that were to happen to me I think I would be in a total catatonic state and someone would have to take me home, put me to bed and do a 24/7 suicide watch till I got it repaired or replaced!! It's very painful and frightening to look at those pictures. Did it fall backwards and hit right on the point of the back of the headstock or forward? As an amature builder, I'm curious because of how cleanly it peeled the back laminates off the neck. With all that laminating and Ebony, you'd think that the head would be stronger than that. I wonder, what kind of stand were you using so we can avoid that type or discard it if need be?
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Steve,
Wow, dude, that really sucks, and I feel for you. I can't imagine how I'd feel if that happened to one of my Alembics. I'd probably hunt down the responsible party (if needed) and throttle them within an inch of their life ... or make them play Warwicks for the rest of it :-) (note: not picking on Warwick owners here - they just happen to be one of my least favorite brands, so I figure if I gotta torture someone, a Warwick is the way to do it IMHO)
I know when I use my Alembics on a stage or bandstand that they always go in a case when I'm not playing them. I might put them in a stand temporarily, but only if I'm standing right next to it. I guess I'm a little paranoid at something happening to them, but that's just me. Maybe there's a better stand system out there that might preclude this from happening again (other than a case)? Any suggestions, anyone?
I truly hope your insurance company takes care of you. I know the good folks in Santa Rosa will.
Best of luck,
Alan
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Good grief Steve, what a shock. I had to get up and do an Alembic check after those photo's. For what it's worth, your story made me rethink my bass handling skills.
Good luck with the repair. That Alembic can do such amazing things with wood, makes me believe they can fix her as good as new.
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We all saw the results of Alembic craftsmanship when Mike's Spyder came into contact with his singer's slinging mic. I'll bet you would be hard pressed to find the damage after the repair.
Sam
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Steve,
My condolensces. That's a really sweet SII with the Europa body, ebony lams, quilt maple w/burst finish, etc. All is not lost. Let Alembic fix 'er and see how you like it first...this one looks too d*mn nice to give up on just yet. As stated above, Mike Bisch's Spyder was severly damaged, and the repairs along with the upgrades he did, made it even better than it was, IMHO.
Remember, your neck-through's headstock was joined to the neck via scarf joint originally, now they'll just move it down a little. It'll be visible (ck out Mike's Spyder repair thread for further edification), but Alembic does it in a way that it actually looks like it's supposed to be there. It's a conicallly-cut joint that looks just like the one's that Grover Jackson (did) on his neck-throughs.
Cheers,
Kevin
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I'm sorry Steve! That's a horrible thing to have happen right at showtime. I think I'll be getting one of the stands that James reccomends. I first saw one in use at my new year's gig. Here's (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8293) pics of Wayne's repaired headstock.
There is an article in the November, 2005 Bass PLayer that mentions Dusty Wakeman's 3 string Rick Turner bass... no G string on purpose!
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The insurance company I use is Heritage Insurance. They specialize in musical instrument insurance. www.musicins.com (http://www.musicins.com) Their policies are underwritten by St. Paul Travelers Insurance Co., and they covers all kinds of loss from theft or accidental damage. The insurance is very reasonably priced. I have always dealt with the owner, Ellis Hershman at 800-289-8837, and he has always been great. Of course, this is my first claim so we will see just how great he really is Supposedly, they will either pay replacement cost or the cost of the repair plus devaluation (as a repaired bass will be worth less on the resale market). We'll see.
Anyway, if anyone decides to check out Heritage Insurance for their basses (and you should) please mention my name (Steve Wood) as perhaps that will help things go my way.
By the way, if you think you are safe with your homeowner's or renter's insurance you better double-check as many policies exclude instruments if you use them even once at a paying gig.
About finishing the gig: I was playing with an original rock band called Prima Donna at a place in Philadelphia called the North Star, which is the most prestigious gig that an unsigned original band can play in that city. I am a sideman in that band, and I pride myself on being reliable and a team player. I would have played the gig through a veil of tears on a kazoo if I had to, but when I broke the string on the borrowed bass I really relaxed and started having fun because it was so obvious that I was just completely hosed.
Plus, and this is the main point, compared to what Dela217 and everyone else in New Orleans and the US Gulf Coast has been through what happened to me isn't really even worth mentioning.
Especially because I have insurance.
So there are 2 morals to this story:
1. Guitar stands REALLY suck; and
2. Get your basses insured. Right now.
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Oh Steve - this is sad news indeed. It's very likely it can be repaired, but that doesn't make it hurt any less I know.
I'm always one to look on the bright side: it's a chance to change the finish color if you want to since refinishing will be required.
Let us know if your insurance company needs any documentation from us.
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Steve,
when I initially saw this thread I almost broke down myself. Such a lovely beauty, crashed in pieces...
But I know everything will turn out fine with the repair, and I am glad you shared this accident with us. I learned from other threads what the elves at MARS (Magic Alembic Restore Shop) are able to perform.
Christian (the faker)
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Steve,
Condolences. This happened to me many years ago, when the headstock broke off my Gibson Les Paul bass. The repair worked beautifully, except for a small bit of missing inlay; I now have a rare Gibson dotless i.
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Sorry to see that Steve. I spend many minutes gazing at your instruments.
I hope the insurance works well. For another option, I got all 3 of my Alembics insured at full retail minus monthly special price from www.merzhuber.com (http://www.merzhuber.com) which I found elsewhere on this site. I hope I never have to use it.
T
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Steve-
As my ordeal is well documented, I simply say trust Mica and the artisians in Santa Rosa (which you obviously do). It won't be exactly the same, but it will take an amazing ear to hear any tonal difference after the repair.
As for appearence, no one in front will ever know. And anyone behind will have to look close.
Even after everything, the Dark and the Light is still my favorite sounding bass.
C-Ya..........wayne
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Steve: Sorry about your misfortune. It looks like the scarf joint let go, probably saving your neck from more damage. It's definitely fixable. You may have seen this thread in the past, but here are the pix of Mike's Spyder getting a new headstock following an unfortuante injury: http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/12625.html (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=7312).
Take heart, it'll be back to playing good as new. Plus if your insurer will make you whole for loss of resale, then maybe the scar won't seem so bad.
Whenever I get paranoid about damage to my basses, I eventually remind myself of something Mica said a while ago here. If I remember, she said the purposes of the scarf joint were: (1) to add strength against the pull of the strings and (2) to give the neck a fixable place to break when it is subjected to trauma - helping promote the survival of your instrument. She illustrated this by pointing out that, of all the Stradavarius (Stradavarii?) violins still surviving, not one has its original headstock. Kind of puts my paranoia into perspective...
Bill
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Actually, the scarf joint's purpose is to allow for the attachment of the angled headstock. Otherwise, the wood neck blanks would have to be huge in order to carve out the angled portion...with lots of waste. It's the LAMINATED construction that gives the joint it's strength. On the lesser Alembics, like my Orion, they use a volute (like a double bass) for strength in place of the lams.
Remember, Alembic got their feet wet with instruments by performing repairs. A lot of those initial repairs involved busted headstocks...hence the Std. Point body genesis (i.e., forcing you to use a stand versus leaning the instrument on something...and having it topple over: the prime cause of broken headstocks).
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That's a better way to put it: Added strength is a result of the joint. Otherwise, a lot of stock would be wasted. Plus it enables neck designs to avoid clunky volutes.
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Well, I know nothing about woodworking, but I'll tell you this: when I heard the crash, turned around and saw my bass on the floor in two pieces, my first words were not oh, thank God my scarf joint gave way and prevented more drastic damage. I think my initial utterance was significantly more, well, colorful.
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Just had a little chat with Bob and Chip and James about the neck repair on your bass. Moving the scarf joint down is doable. Here's a picture of another instrument to show about where the new joint would wind up:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/24066.jpg)
Each end of the red line is at the nut (it's a little hard to see the nut from this angle). It won't be like it was when it was first made, but it can be salvaged. I was also a little relieved when I actually saw the bass in person. My first reaction to seeing the pictures was along the lines of Steve's reaction, only I thought there was a faulty glue joint (the Ebony and Maple parts looks so clean and smooth). Of course, if I had used my mind instead of having my emotional reaction, I would have realized there isn't a joint where the break occured. But the straight-on angle made it appear like a smooth surface. Here's what I'm talking about:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/24067.jpg)
In person, it was clear that the wood sheared. Mom is working up the quotes for vairous avenues of repair, there are several options. It will be up to you and your insurer to decide which way makes you whole.
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Mica & all
Thanks for your compassion, advice and help. I gotta tell you: that close-up is ugly!
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The pics on the Spyder repair are unbelievable!! but if these guys cannot repair your bass then no one on this earth can. I am sure your bass will come back like new..they are great craftsman and I would not trust my Alembic to anyone else, if it ever needs attention I will have to ship it to the USA to them(I live in the UK).
I heard once that Stan Clarke gave a local luthier one of his Almebics to re fret or something..no way..it goes back to the creators of the bass.
Do Alembic ever do copies of Fenders ie in there exotic woods etc or does it break the copright law??
I would love(if I could afford it) a Jazz style bass with there build quality and electronics
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They do and they have. The can't/won't copy the headstock design, which is copyrighted. Do a search...they did a couple of J-bass-bodied basses that they shipped to Britain within the last couple of years that were very nice.
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Further to Terry's mention of Alembic Jazz style basses,this one was up for sale at Bassworld in Kent,England.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/24133.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/24134.jpg)
Rather gorgeous IMHO. Best Wishes,Simon.
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WOW Bassfingers; if I played Bass, I think that is what I'd want. An Alembic Jazz Bass would sound, feel and play softly as a morning sunrise.
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I tried to find the link to the site featuring the bass above but Bassworld,as you may know,is a bass forum site.However,after some brief Google-age I found it.It's well worth a look,they've got some beautiful Alembics and the bass above is still advertised.
www.psst.co.uk/americanguitars/bass.htm (http://www.psst.co.uk/americanguitars/bass.htm)
Best Wishes,Simon.
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That's the store that got 'em. There was a 4-str. as well...it must have sold. The pix of that one, as well as that of the bass above, are buried somewhere here on the site.
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That F Jazz style bass is the biz, bet it sounds great as well looking good(as if it wouldn't!!)
Well guess I shall start saving my pennies then.
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Hi Terry,
I hope you've got a big piggy-bank mate,did you get a look at the website?.I'm not sure I understand why the shop price is ?1200.00 more than the net price.
Still,you're right,that bass looks the business,at any price.Yet another piece of Alembic exotica that has me thinking How can I go about financing this one??.
D'you think my brother would mind if I sold his car?.
All the best mate,
Simon.
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hi bassfingers
The trouble is can you justify it..I mean if I won the lottery I would no problem, they all look so damn good..even to hang on the wall in the home they would be such a talking point but overall these basses are meant to be played as they are built not just for looks but for tone as well. Still I can dream...
Yes the website is a choice menu of bass food
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Ahhh, the Pound Sterling...there's a definite reason why Britain is not on the Euro, LOL! Yes Bass World UK's prices are high, especially for one like me who has $USD, LOL! They do have an excellent selection, though...better than most US Dealers...and you do get what you pay for with an Alembic.
Further, unless you have one custom-made, they got the only two J-bass bodied Alembics currently available (only one left now) anywhere, to my knowledge. IMHO, Alembic seems to prefer to leave the Fender-clone business to Sadowksky and Lakland, so you probably won't see too many more like these, LOL!.
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FINALLY...I found pix of BOTH of the Bass World UK Jazz basses....scroll down to Mica's post half-way down the page.
http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/7704.html (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=20762)
Enjoy!
FWIW, Mica mentions that this was to be the FIRST of more shipments of J-Bass Alembics...not sure if they ever made any more.
Val? Mica? Dave? Anyone know?
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Hi Terry,
I'm sure I could justify the cost of any bass if it was to become part of my working 'A' team.The basses I use most have,or will at some point,pay for themselves.This was always my 'Ace up the sleeve spousal placation vote-winner'.
If I could assemble an ultimate 'Noah's Ark' collection-(Two of that,Two of those)-I'd struggle to justify that,but it would take a lottery win to finance it.(I'd need a lottery win just to finance all the Alembic's I'd like.Then there's those several sets of Mk1 Taurus pedals to think about!).
Kevin,it must have taken ages to find that thread.It generated a fair amount of interest at the time,so who knows?.Thank you for posting it.I (we)appreciate your time and research.
Best wishes,
Simon.
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Simon,
No worries, Mate. It took me a couple of days because the search engine on the site was giving me nothing but error messages.
There were other pix as well, but I think they were from Bass World UK's site. Apparently, they don't have a sold bass section like some others have on their sites on this side of the pond (i.e, Bass Central, G Guitars, Superbass, etc).
Mica and Co may have some more pix hidden away somewhere.
I think you're not alone on this site...a lottery winner here would keep Alembic in beer n' skittles for a long time to come, myself included. With Alembic, you are only limited by your imagination...and your bank account, LOL!
Cheers,
Kevin
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Hello Kevin,
we only made those two so far.
Valentino
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Thanks Val...I had a feeling that the Wickershams weren't real keen on re-inventing the Fender wheel unless specifically comissioned to do so, LOL!
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Aaarghh! you said the F* word Kevin. That's 3 hail marys and an 'our father' for your sins. ;-)
graeme
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Forgive me Father for I have sinned...I own two Smith Stratocasters from the early '80's, LOL! Amen!
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Steve:
Just for sh*ts and giggles, what stand did you use that caused this great catastrophe? Inquiring minds wanna know. I use USS Genesis stands and I just recommended them to another (new) club member in another thread.
PLEASE tell me that you didn't use one of those, LOL!
Cheers,
Kevin
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Guitar stands..mine is a standard body sits in cradle with two rods that clip together to form the neck cradle, there is no 'stop on the neck cradle as there are on music shop hanging types..to solve this get a very wide rubber band and wrap it around the exit of the neck cradle, if the bass decided to go walk about it will bounce back.
Even with all these precautions something is bound to happen that makes it fall over etc..we need to play 'em and not wrap them up in cotton wool.
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Kevin:
It was, indeed, a Genisis stand that fell over and caused this disaster. The model was Genisis Ultimate GS100. It's one of the ones that uses a red disc to lock the folding legs into place. One explanation for what happened is that the lock failed to engage, but who knows?
I do know this, though: guitar stands suck. All of them.
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Sorry to hear that...they seemed like the best of what's available today. I use the GS200 because I like to cradle the instrument from the bottom, as opposed to hanging it from the neck.
I have two older stands (no longer made...and I can't remember the manufacturer) of early '80's vintage. They're built of heavy-duty steel and are chrome plated. They're cradle type and are identical in contruction and aesthetics to ultra-premium drum/cymbal stands. The cradle is a heavy-duty steel padded removable fork and the neck cradle is a smaller version (no neck lock). Unfortunately, the foam rubber padding on the surfaces that touch the guitar succumbed to age and turned to powder. I'm sure it wouldn't be to difficult to re-pad them with something soft that's NOT reactive to lacquer (gotta watch the Custom Shop Les Paul, '62 VRI Strat and Heritage Golden Eagle jazzbox finishes). I have never seen any other stands come even remotely close to the quality and strength of these stands...I wish I could still get 'em. In the days when $1k guitars were expensive, we had good stands....now that guitars can cost more than a house, we have junk...go figure!
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Back in 1980 when my cat knocked over my guitar stand with series I in it, the bass fell straight out and landed on a carpet on the fretboard and snapped the neck starting under the neck lams and them diagonally across the neck. The front lams held so it did not come complely off. I showed it to my buddy at Giant Music and he said it can be fixed. So I took it to my Luthier and he glued it back together with yellow glue. I still used a guitar stand while at home but I used large staples and nailed the stand to the floor and put a large rubber strap across the neck holder. It held for about 21 yrs when a friend had it in his studio and while recording the neck slowly started separating and the crack opened up again. He took it to Washington Music center( Chuck Levin's) and they repaired it using a poly glue. You can see the crack but can not feel it. The harmonics are perfect and still plays like a dream. If this ever happens again I'll send it back to alembic and have it replaced with a new neck.
Howierd
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Steve, that bass is a beauty... and the damage is a shame. I stumbled onto this post, I was actually looking to see what new and exciting Alembic(s) you might have in the works.
Now I'm curious to see how it all works-out: rebuild or replace.
At least you've trusted your bass to the best of hands.
-John
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My cats knocked a guitar off its stand face first onto the floor, too -- an MTD 535 onto a HARDWOOD floor.
Here's the amazing part: no damage. Zero. Not a ding. I swear to God.
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the cats would have become Davy Crocket hats..
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Susan and Mica:
Now that I have the repair vs. replace estimates in hand, I am still unsure how to proceed with this project. One factor that will help me decide is this: from the photos that Mica posted above which show where the new scarf joint would be placed it looks like that there will no longer be a continuous system of maple and ebony from nut to bridge because there will be a glue joint somwhere between the nut and first fret. Am I right about that? If so, would it be fair to say that a repair would basically turn this bass from a neck through to a set neck (with the glue joint being near the nut as opposed to where the neck joins the body)?
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Steve:
While my intention is not to speak on behalf of Mica et al, nor am I looking to usurp their authority, please allow me to interject my $0.02:
You've always had a glued scarf joint, it was just disguised by the headstock lams. Alembic will just lower the scarf joint slightly. You will still have a neck-thru-bodied instrument...the vast majority of the neck remains.Other than the slightly visible new joint, the sonic effects should be zero to nil, IMHO.
Cheers.
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My $0.02: I've had this repair done on my bass. They did a beautiful job, and you can only see the repair if you look up close. They cut the neck diagonally from the middle of the second fret to the middle of the fourth fret, and installed the new corresponding part of the neck/ headstock. The neck laminates match up well, but, of course, it's not perfect. You can see it if you are looking for it, although you have to be quite close to the bass.
I guess it's been 4 or 5 years since I had the work done, and my '76 Series 1 sounds better than it ever has. Sure, it's got a scar from the surgery, but it adds character. After all, scars are tattoos with stories.
I'm trying to get some pictures of this, but none so far really allow the repair to be seen. I'll keep trying.
Andy Calder
www.andycalderbass.com (http://www.andycalderbass.com)
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I know stands are a subjective thing. I've used everything from the Hamilton 'Hanger' (yes, it did begin to put marks into the headstock) to most everything else out there. I've finally settled on those little folding Fender stands where the center post has a padded 'T' that rests right in the middle of the back of the body. Since it's so low to the floor, they are really pretty tip-proof and there's no contact with the neck at all. And you can fold them up and put them in your gig bag. $10-15 most places.
J o e y
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I've got the ultimate guitar stand. I hired the biggest, meanest, ugliest looking biker I could find and on breaks I hand him my bass and he holds it tightly while scowling menacingly at anyone that comes within ten feet of the stage! LOL
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Well, I guess a real Alembician is, like everyone else on this board, open-minded and willing to listen to the opinions of others and try new things.
I'm not, though. On this point I shall remain firm: guitar stands REALLY suck.
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After wrestling with the decision about how to fix this mess, my insurance company (Heritage Insurance) made it easy - they decided to total the bass, since the estimated repair cost plus expected depreciation (which is covered by my policy) was close to replacement value. Plus, since the repair would have involved placing a new scarf joint - glue joint - between the nut and the bridge, the whole sonic point of the ebony neck laminates would have been diminished, if not lost.
Since the insurance company offered to pay for me to have a new bass built (using the hardware and electronics from the old one) the decision was a no-brainer. So, here we go again! Quick Susan, the quilt!
I totally have to give mad props to Ellis Hershman at Heritage Insurance Co, my musical instrument insurance broker www.musicins.com (http://www.musicins.com) He specializes in musical instrument insurance, and was a pleasure to deal with.
Listen: insurance on a 10K Series bass costs about $60 US a year. The insurance covers accidental, shipping or travel damage (including depreciation!) and loss. You have to be stone cold crazy not to insure your Alembic! Know this: most standard homeowner's policies either don't cover your instrument (particularly if you ever use it at a paying gig) or are riddled with exemptions.
Pardon my shouting, but DON'T BE A BUTTHEAD. INSURE YOUR ALEMBIC!
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Sounds great Steve!!
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Is ungluing things and transplanting in a new neck not an option because of the bookmatch to center? I have heard about doing neck transplants on non B-2-C instruments.
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Steve - Thanks! I found out the hard way that my basses were not covered by homeowners. In fact, I have had lots of insurance lessons lately. If a bass is used for income, it is not covered. If it is used as a hobby, it is not covered! My problem is that I had a flood. So NOTHING was covered with homeowners. It is a separate flood policy. I had my home insured for flood, but not the contents. I thought that the contents were under homeowners. WRONG! Come to find out, my policy was worthless. So, this time, I will definately insure my basses. Live and learn.
Michael
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Michael:
I visited you bass today. It was proudly on display in the Alembic showroom. Mica seemed very jazzed about the restoration. I have to tell you, your bass really oozes soul. Call me a California sprouthead, but your axe really has good vibes. I'm looking forward to following the restoration.
Bill, tgo
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(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/25940.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/25941.jpg)
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I bought a Jaydee Mark King bass a few years ago, it was 6 months before I realised that it had at some time, had a head break repair.
You could only see the repair when the lighting was right.
It had no detrimental effects on the sound or playability of the instrument at all.
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Steve- I called Heritage Musical Instrument serv. and talked to Matt Hirshman. He said there was a minimum charge of $250 per year and that covered up to 250k insurance. Did I ask about the right type coverage? Thanks.
Mike
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Please do not look at my previous Post Number as it may be offensive. DON'T LOOK AT IT!
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Hmmm. good question. That price seems high based on what I know, but it's his business and I am just a customer. I have a couple of basses insured, so I never asked what the rate was for just one. My understanding from Heritage was that the usual charge was somewhere around 60 cents per hundred dollars of insured value.
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When I talked to them a couple of weeks ago, they quoted $.50 per $100 value.
Bill, tgo
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Mr. Greene,
I have nothing to say, but stand in humble awe of your perception and timing.
Impeccable.
Charles
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So I'm reading the May 2006 issue of Vintage Guitar Magazine and I get to the Q&A column on page 76, and, lo and behold, there is a letter from a guy whose bass feel out of it's stand onstage and was decapitated. The writer signs Steve Wood! It looks like one of us has been published!!!! Congrats, Steve.
Bill, tgo
P.S. The issue also has a story on guitar wiring through the ages that mentions four huge influences on guitar wiring in the 1970's: Les Paul; Billy Lorento, who changed his name to Bill Lawrence; Bernie Rico, who started B.C. Rich; and Alembic, started in the late 60's as part of the Grateful Dead gestalt. Unfortunately the article gets it wrong, writing that by the late 70's Alembic guitars featured preamps, onboard EQ, and a lot of switches for tapping coils and aligning phase.
Go Olympic!!!!
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This whole project has some seriously bad karma attached to it. Susan told met that the load of quilted maple that was going to supply the killer quilt top for the replacement body was actually destroyed in a kiln explosion.
So, the rebuilt bass will have a name: Fawn Leibowitz. Perhaps my stage name should be Eric Stratton.
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You mind if we dance with your dates?
I think The Fawn is a great name given the chain of events surrounding this repair. I am checking out instrument ins as we speak thanks to this thread, and you wonderful posters!
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I use to touch fawn this way ,I know, she told me
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I can personally testify to the quality work Alembic is capable of when this happens.
Go to the Factory to Customer thread and look down, down, down for Peghead Swap for Mike. My Spyder required a new peghead after my singer was a little overzealous with microphone swinging.
I was horrified, of course. But a most spectacular repair job was managed by the Alembic team, you can barely see where the repairs were made (see the photos on the thread), and I can detect no negative effects whatsoever in the playability and tone of the bass.
Your beautiful bass will rise again!!!!
Cheers, Mike Bisch
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Ok. I'll bite. For the benefit of us Europeans, who on earth is Fawn Leibowitz?
Graeme
(Message edited by jacko on May 26, 2006)
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A Google search on Fawn Leibowitz will tell you more - from what I can tell she's a character in a National Lampoon movie who is supposed to have died in a tragic kiln accident.
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If you didn't scroll to the right, you might have missed the operative word in my previous post:
a tragic kiln accident
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LOL! Fawn Leibowitz....from National Lampoon's Animal House, one of my favourite comedies of all time. Heck, probably one of my favourite films of all time (which may say a lot about me )
As for the bass, oooooouuuuchhhhhhhh. Glad it's going to be reincarnated. Wonder if it'll be one step closer to enlightenment? BTW Simon, thanks for the American Guitar Centre link; I want that Triple O!!!! Buckeye was actually my first choice wood but I couldn't afford it at the time....wonder if there's some way I could swing that? Hmmmmm........it may be clearout time.......
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To my fellow Alembicians across the pond (be it the Atlantic, Pacific, one of the Great Lakes, the Straits of Juan de Fuca, Rio Grande, St. Lawrence or any other body of water I forgot), I will tell you this: it is simply not possible to understand America unless you have seen Animal House.
(Message edited by s_wood on May 28, 2006)
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I'm from the UK and as I say it's one of my favourite films, for better or worse.....I remember my dad taking me to see it when I was about 14 or so and I've never seen a grown man laugh so much...