Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Owning an Alembic => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: krystoof on November 11, 2012, 05:45:06 AM
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Hello, everybody at Alembic and forum fellows!
First of all, I'm not anglophone and I hope you will forgive my crappy english, ayayay! ;-)
I just wanted to submit this problem I have on my MK 5 string : the varnish is cracking on the a part of the back. The bass has been built in 2003, I 'm not the first owner and I have been playing about 250 gigs for the last 3 years.
If you have any informations, please, let me know.
Regards from France
Here is a picture of the problem
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/152/p1060211.jpg/ (http://[url=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/152/p1060211.jpg/)](http://imageshack.us/a/img152/1996/p1060211.th.jpg)[/URL]
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In my experience, cracking like that is usually caused by sudden, extreme temperature changes; for example, bringing it in from an unheated equipment truck in winter and opening it immediately, rather than giving it a couple hours in the (closed) case to warm gradually. Other than that, I don't know.
Peter
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My experience has been the same as that of Peter. Happened to my first bass because I got lazy after a Friday night gig and left my instrument out in the van in 20 degree (f) weather rather than bringing it in to the hotel.
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Hi, guys!
Thank you so much for your experience report! I would have liked someone from Alembic to answer the question, but that's a good start for finding out what may be the cause of this problem...
Have a good day! :-)
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Hi Christophe,
Sorry it took a couple of days to respond to you (I try hard to not work on Sunday if it's possible).
What Peter and Brian is correct. While the instruments are quite durable, they are not indestructible. I've only seen this a few times, most notably on Jimmy Johnson's main touring bass (which he recently had us refinish).
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Yes, below is a before picture of what happened to my bass.
Because the checking was so localized we're not sure if the cause was thermal shock or related to body heat drawing moisture from inside the cavity. This bass has been exposed to every possible atmospheric condition so I'm surprised it didn't fall apart years ago!
And after a visit to HQ it looks like new again. Yay!
Jimmy J
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/143414.jpg)
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Thanks, Mica and Jimmy (man ,I'm answering to Mica AND Jimmy Johnson! Woohoooooo!!!!!!!)
Well, the point is that I put the bass on the market, and I have no idea of the cost for repairing this. I guess it takes to remove and put a new varnish on the whole body.
Anyway, I didn't notice any change in the sound of the bass...
It's funny because it is exactly the same cracking spot on my bass and on Jimmy's.
Have a good day! :-)
Xtof
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WOW! You guys must generate a LOT of body heat when you play. Jimmy, from the photo your bass looks more like it blistered from heat as opposed to the cracks that appeared on mine.
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Do you think sweat can be the origin of this problem?
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No.
Peter
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Ha! Well, I let this go for quite a while and didn't pursue repairs until it started to snag my shirts...
The finish is really impervious to moisture from the outside - it's like boat finish. I don't think even the most acidic sweat would bother it. This is why Mica was thinking my checking related to moisture rising from inside the bass.
The cavities are not hermetically sealed so dampness can work it's way in. And I've been caught in a few weather events over the years after which the bass went back into its trunk and onto the truck. So it's taken some abuse. (Hmmm, maybe some 18v internal heaters to dry things out in those instances...?)
Considering the relatively complicated nature of Alembic gear the build quality is simply outstanding! From the beginning they've always made road-worthy gear and I've had very little trouble over the past ... 35+ years (good Lord).
Jimmy J. (old guy)
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Nothing wrong with being an old guy
With age comes wisdom, poor eyesight and cheap car insurance!
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I've seen Jimmy's car - Not sure it needs insurance . HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Just kidding :-)
Graeme
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Thanks for your comments, everybody, that's really nice!!
I would just want to know what kind of varnish is on the Alembic.
Thanks again!
Xtof
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Thanks for your comments, everybody, that's really nice!!
I would just want to know what kind of varnish is on the Alembic.
Thanks again!
Xtof
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The finish is polyester.
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Isn't that the same material Leisure Suit Larry wears!!!
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Yes, the mighty Polyester can use its powers for good or evil!
Peter
(Message edited by cozmik_cowboy on November 19, 2012)
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Polly Ester - I think I dated her in college.
Bill, tgo
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You're a bad man Bill panzer :-)
Graeme
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I think that was the same time I dated her roommate, Rosemary Focaccia.
Peter
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And there I was, stuck in my room with Rosie D'Palma.
I must be a bass player
Anonymous-
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I used to make out with Polly in my car on the back seat covered in naga hide.
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Body heat is definately the cause. This '92 Elan has a heavily checked finish on the back where it rests against my body and on the top lower bout where my right arm rests while playing, with no checking anywhere else.(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/145642.jpg)
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Is this a 'do it your self' task?
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I'd suspect that would all depend on: (a) how much of a perfectionist you are,(b) whether you have the necessary equipment including a respirator, spray booth etc.; (c) your skill at using a spray gun; and (d) if you have the time and patience to do the many, many coats (with sanding in between)that would be applied by the folks at Alembic.
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Just removing the damaged portion of the finish and preparing the edges for refinishing takes much longer than most folks are willing to spend. Then as Hammer says, spray, sand, repeat...repeatedly. I'd leave it to professionals if you want to have it redone.
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AND, you need to spray it when it is warm out, which pretty much is a problem in winter!
However, it can be done. Strip or sand, wood prep and level, spray, sand, spray, repeat, let cure, rub out, play, wax after 6 months! Let it hang rather than sit in a case, for a couple of months after doing the work so it can cure more.
You can actually use a rattle can if you want to, since you are going to be sanding it and rubbing it out anyway. Make sure to use the same brand of paint at all times and even then it might lift on you if you use 2 or more colors (test it first). Warm up the can in a pan of warm water before using and then shake it up. Get lots of grades of wet sanding paper and a good rubbing compound.
In a paint shop you could speed up the whole process. It takes a patient mind more than skill to refinish a guitar.
It is not expensive to do yourself and you feel a real sense of achievement afterwards.
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To reinforce grtguy's quote It takes a patient mind...
This is a table I restored using traditional french polishing methods, it took a long time..
Before restoration..
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/148358.jpg)
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And after the process
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/148361.jpg)
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very nice Terry. With skills like that you can come up here and help me finish polishing my car :-)
Graeme
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Sounds good to me..could have a few beers and talk basses!!