Author Topic: (x) Mystery solved?! 83 2559 USA (Read 202 times)

the_mule · « **on:** October 28, 2007, 05:56:20 AM »

http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/10532.html?1193382708

Today I've cleaned Blondie up as much as possible, oiled her fretboard, and unscrewed about everything that could be unscrewed. And guess what I found, unmistakenly stamped in the neck woods under BOTH pickups? D'ooooh! The serial number!

So after three years it looks like the mystery is about to be solved.

Since I rescued her from the paws of a pawn shop it's been in the back of my mind that it could be a stolen bass. Well, at least it's 100% certain that she isn't on the list.

I'm very interested in her birthday and history. Was she an early Dutch order, one of Edwin van Huik's own basses maybe? Were the modifications (shortening the end of the fretboard, hiding the pickup selector switch) originally or later done at the Mothership? Did she indeed once belong to a Dutch 'indo-rock' bass player and was she accidently run over by a roadie when the case was left standing against the tour van, as flashes of Edwin's memory and various (repaired) cracks seem to prove?

I would appreciate any info from the 'A-files' that's available (and can be shared) concerning my bass:

- serial number: 83 2559 USA
- harness checkout number: 1937
- another number written in the neck pickup cavity: 1251

Can't wait to be able to properly register her, maybe for the first or second time in almost 25 years!

Thanks alot!
Wilfred

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** October 28, 2007, 09:54:24 AM »

accidently run over by a roadie when the case was left standing against the tour van !!

adriaan · « **Reply #2 on:** October 30, 2007, 01:41:03 AM »

For our non-Dutch audience, Indo rocker should not be confused with indie rocker.

Wilfred, I'm guessing Massada?

Manfred · « **Reply #3 on:** October 30, 2007, 06:13:25 AM »

I know Wilfred, you had some cleaning to do. Sorry for that. To be honest, when I bought the bass, all I cleaned was the surface. I did a search on the serial number as well but couldn't find it. It did belong to an Indo-rocker but not Massada, I did a gig with one of the old members of that band and ask him that question. BTW, after you cleaning job, please put some new pictures of it in the showcase.

Manfred

the_mule · « **Reply #4 on:** October 30, 2007, 02:53:55 PM »

Hi Manfred, the cleaning and oiling is part of my ritual of getting to know the instrument. Doesn't matter how clean or dirty it is. I will make some new pictures a.s.a.p. I'd also like to try to put the pickup selector switch back on its original location, the horn.

Hopefully Mica can also tell if it's possible to order a new round brass plate and pointer knob at Alembic?

Wilfred

the_mule · « **Reply #5 on:** December 20, 2007, 11:03:37 PM »

Still very happy about having this bass back,
but also still very curious about its history...

Wilfred

the_mule · « **Reply #6 on:** March 11, 2008, 11:43:11 PM »

I know curiosity killed the cat, but I'm not a cat lover...

Wilfred

the_mule · « **Reply #7 on:** July 12, 2008, 04:43:25 AM »

I just love this bass. After hanging there for two months I took it from the wall yesterday, plugged it in my 1972 Kustom charger and the tone was instantly there!

Wilfred

mica · « **Reply #8 on:** August 14, 2008, 02:58:49 PM »

It's a long time coming, but here's the details from the instrument file:

top and back: Bird's-eye Maple
body: Mahogany
through body neck: Maple and Purpleheart, 30.75 short scale
fingerboard: Ebony with mother of pearl ovals
birthday: March 22, 1983
originally made for: Edwin Van Huik

I only reveal previous ownership specifics if a previous owner is in the public eye and it's able to be confirmed 100%. I don't know if this was one of Edwin's first Alembics, but we did make it for him.

There is no history of repairs, but not all repairs get recorded, though we try to get as much detail in the files as possible. The only previous registered owner is Edwin.

You can order any parts you need for the bass. The plate and knob are not terribly expensive - but is the pickup selector switch still somewhere?

the_mule · « **Reply #9 on:** August 18, 2008, 05:47:56 AM »

Thanks Mica! Edwin was already almost sure about this being one of his old basses when I showed it to him a few years ago. Shortly after he sold it the accident with the tour van happened. My best guess is that a local luthier made the repairs. The pickup selector is still connected and hidden in the body cavity. I'll let you know when I decide to order a brass plate and point knob. Would be nice to have the selector in its original location.

Thanks again,
Wilfred