(u) 88H4967 USA

[Wehner]

Seems like I can no longer edit the original post, but I can say that I like this bass a LOT after having played it extensively for some weeks now. At 32" it even handles D-tuning with .40 gauge strings for my metal band! Also, impressively it still sounds like an Alembic even with all electronics switched.

However, I would still like to get it closer to original, so when you see this post, Mica, I would also love to get in touch with you concerning working out what would be fitting and realistic to do for a partial refurbishment. I know that I need a brush-up kit for the bridge and that I want new tuners (would they have been brass or chrome?) to match the refurbished  brass parts. For the more complex stuff I need counselling, but I was thinking maybe one of your preamps to go with the Bartolinis as the bass is now routed specifically for those pickups, but I am not set on anything.

As a cosmetic detail, I also really do not like the "five in line" knobs look for an Alembic - maybe the current active/passive switch could be a knob instead, and one or two of the knobs could be switches...

[Artgeckko]

Hello Wehner,
I'm sure I'm adding to the problem but...
You will probably get this thread moved over to the 'Troubleshooting" tab by the moderator, which is appropriate considering this is a serial number lookup thread.  I had the same thing happen to my thread restoring a 86 Spoiler. 
Moderator doing the gig!
Lots of help here for your adventure restoring this bass back to glory.  The good news is they are built really well, and the abuse given can be mostly rectified with some time, work, and patience. 
Sounds like you're on a great path, Mica will be able to help for sure, the Alembic folks just have a ton of requests!
The beautiful quilted maple top mod is a tough one.  Not sure how that would be addressed? 
EoH may have some clever tricks to share? Hes got some mad luthier skills!
Just a suggestion, but if you end up going down the road of new bass pre and others, you may want to redo pickups as well.  Good as they may be, the Barts are not Alembic pickups.
Good luck, and keep up the good work!

[edwardofhuncote]

Hello there and Welcome, Wehner.

I love a good fixer-upper like me. Yeah, I don't want to further clutter up your serial number lookup thread, but I believe, just eyeballin'... those Bartolini pickups are very likely the same size as an Alembic AXY. (you can measure them and confirm this...) An AXY4 measures 4.110" × 1.750". I can see your Elan here came with two P activators... or perhaps a P/J...? It's regrettable someone filled and re-routed, but wood is forgiving, and you have a nice palette on which to paint there.

Thanks for fixing that one up. Start a thread in the Troubleshooting section, and we'll get really specific with ideas.


Extra points for the Vector body. Interesting that it received an H letter code, rather than F.

[mica]

This file is another one that's gone missing.

[Wehner]

Too bad, but thanks for looking. Do they ever show up after having gone missing?

I can say that Mary was very helpful with a parts order and the bass is now looking better than it has done since before it was desecrated.