Headstock Guidance, Help, And Opionion..

[SteveB]

Being a newbie to the forum and a first time Alembic owner, I would appreciate any advice I can get on two issues I found on my new (used) bass. The first situation, I was wondering if I could buy two black alan screw pick screws as shown in pic, that are missing.
The second a bit more complicated..
I seem to have a very slight hairline crack (that I believe is only in the thick finish) by the headstock.. Please see photos.. When I say hairline, I'm assuming its less then the thickness of a hair.. Does not look like anything structural to me and is only apparent when I run my hand over it..Maybe 1/32" lifted around the bottom of the veneers... Do you think I should be concerned about this at this point? The bass stays in tune and if I flex the headstock, the lift does not move at all...Any advice would be appreciated and comforting... Thanks
Steve..

[edwardofhuncote]

First, Welcome to the Forum Steve. 

Secondly, that headstock has definitely taken a hard shot as evident by the crack. It has either already been glued, and had the finish touched up or needs it. From the pictures it doesn't look too bad... a little Tite-bond and positive clamping pressure should stabilize it. If you're not comfortable with that, I'd highly recommend getting a competent luthier. It's important.

Lastly, I have a couple of those pickup screws, and you're welcome to them... just hit my email contact here and send me a address where you'd like them sent.

[lbpesq]

Are those pickups actually missing screws, or are these the same as the wider pickups that mount with two screws above the pickup and the other two screws below the pickup to adjust height and lock it down?

Bill, tgo

[edwardofhuncote]

Good catch Bill... forgot to ask that... my Persuader has them all-the-way-around on the JZ bridge pickup. (which is why I have extras... Mica sent new ones with the new pickups)   

[SteveB]

I can see the gold female receptacles that the screws go into when I shine a flashlight into the missing screw hole so I assume these PU's should have the 4 screws...
As far as the headstock, Should I find a local luthier, or do you think this is something that the factory should handle???

[edwardofhuncote]

Nobody will do a better job of making that disappear than Alembic HQ, but you can probably find somebody local for that job. There are a few Club Members up your way too, who may even be able to recommend a good repair guy. It won't be a hard fix, but (barring major surgery - grafting a new headstock) the repair will always be visible. You just need to make absolutely certain it's stable. Glue and clamps are the ticket. 

*Replied to your email. Had to dig around to find them, but I got you a couple screws on the way.

[SteveB]

Can't thank you enough... maybe Mica would be able to give me an estimate... hopefully she will chime in... I think I would like to have my first alembic done by the factory... somehow makes me feel warm and fuzzy... thanks again..this forum is the best..

[dtothec]

I think the screw holes that you see are for the set screws that go below the pickups. If you look at most Alembic basses it looks like screws are missing on the opposite  ends of the pickups. When I got my first one I thought the screws were missing also. What I found out when I went replace them is that the way you adjust Alembic pickup height is by loosening the top screws adjusting the bottom screws to the height you like and then tightening the top screws which locks down the pickup. If the bottom screws are missing you should take the pickups out put the screws in the opposite corners at the height you like, then put the pickup in and use the top two screws to lock them down. My 2¢ worth.

Darrell

[SteveB]

Thanks Darrell, I will check it out and report back.....

[SteveB]

I do know for sure that the "P" Pick Up has the screws all the way around.....
I had to reset the springs on two of them....

[edwardofhuncote]

What Darrell says is true, and it's a common goof to see MXY & AXY pickups mounted incorrectly with all four screws tightened, but the Alembics equipped with P/J shaped pickups (Persuader, Elan, etc) are the slight exception to that rule. They are spring-loaded with all four corners fastened, versus having two alternate screws for pickup height adjustment. 

But then, I've had about 5000 volts of caffeine today... so someone please correct if my info is off. 

[edwardofhuncote]

Here's how mine are installed:

[FC Bass]

Yep, that's how my Elan came from Santa Rosa.
I doubt the usual Alembic mounting will work for the J pickups (obviously not for the P pickup) if you want to try it you'll need two shorter screws.

[mica]

The P and J pickups are usually mounted with all screws above deck and springs below from that time.

From the looks of the peghead, that's a crack in the wood, and from the side view it doesn't look like it's been repaired. You can call or email me if you want to schedule a repair.

[SteveB]

Thanks Mica, great speaking to you last night! Will talk soon. BTW Dinner was good.lol