Alembic Guitars Club
Connecting => Introductions => Topic started by: chrish on July 20, 2014, 01:50:17 PM
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I'm brand new here, so please bear with me.
This story comes from memories I have from the early eighties. I think I have a really good memory, it's just short. So consider this a disclaimer. Some of my recollection may not be entirely correct and I welcome anyone to set me straight.
I bought a Hyak Bass in 1982, or 83 from an ex-roommate (Jeff) who owned a music repair shop in Bellevue Washington called Custom Music. He acquired the left-over inventory from Hyak Guitars after they went out of business.
There were basses and guitars that were finished, but without the electronics, pickups, etc. installed. I told Jeff that I'd be willing to buy a bass, if one could be finished. Now, here is where my product-of-the-seventies-memory gets a little sketchy... Jeff put me in contact with someone, I believe, who worked for Hyak Guitars. This guy (I think his name was Art), finished the bass and sold it to me.
Jeff sold Custom Music to another fellow and moved on. As far as I know, no more Hyak instruments were ever produced.
So this is why I say this guitar may be the last of the Hyak basses.
The pictures of this bass have file sizes too large (over 150 KB) to post. I'm more than happy to email photos to anyone who wants to see them. Sorry bout that. Chris
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Chris,
If you want to email the photos to the email in my profile, I'll resize them for you to get them under the size limit.
Just drop a note in the thread here to let me know if you've emailed them so I know to look for them.
Toby
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Hi Chris. My name is Nick and I live in Portland, Ore. Your story sounds familiar. About 4 yrs ago I bought my second Hyak bass from a kid who claimed his grandfather was the guy who made the graphite laminates for the necks of the Hyak instruments. I bought from him an unfinished bass. It is currently at Alembic getting refit. His grandfather said he completed a full set of basses (10) and 2 guitars and never got paid. He kept some of the basses and a guitar for his troubles.
I and a few others would be stoked to see some pics when you can.
Also a couple is guys here know a lot about the history of Hyak.
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Here are a few pictures from Chris:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/397/195184.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/397/195185.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/397/195186.jpg)
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Toby- I sent the pics to your email. Thanks very much for the help!
Nick- I have a son named Nick who lives in Portland too.
Sounds like mine is not the last of the Hyak basses. Maybe this kid's grandfather is the same person who sold me my bass in '82?
The mystery continues... Well, for me anyway. Thanks Nick!
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Toby- Wow, that was quick!
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Welcome Chris!