Well, this is a little bit weird for me... I'll try to make it not for everybody else. I'm thinking about selling one of my Series basses. I don't have the bass right now - it's at the Mothership, where last I heard it was close to completion of some restoration work that I had done. In the time that's passed since I sent it out for the work though, well... life has happened, and I really question now whether I need two Series basses. I'm very attached to the older one that I got from Dave Houck, and while I know re-bonding with this one wouldn't be a problem, maybe it's best to let someone else take it from here. We'll see how that goes...
I've had everything done to this bass that it could possibly need for the next 40 years, and then some. I left a little bit of room at the top... you could have it refinished, or have some custom stuff done, but I just couldn't see it. It's simply too nice as-is. Short of buying a new one, I don't think you can do much better than getting a refurbished bass right off the workbench at Alembic. And if you were thinking of buying an old one that needs a buncha' work, I've already done it for you, and done most of the waiting. I think that has some value too.
Cutting to the chase-scene, here's what you will get:
• 1980 medium-scale, Standard Point, #80-1684, has a very nice matched flatsawn walnut top and back, mahogany core, maple/purpleheart neck. The bass has had no breaks, no accidents, hence no repairs. The original finish is very nice, with a minimal amount of honest playing wear, mostly from one person. There is no crazing, no haze, it's very smooth and satiny. (see pics)
• Series I > upgraded to Series II electronics, 2 × Volume, 2 × Filter, 2 × CVQ, 1 Master Volume, 4-position Pickup Sel. switch, 5-pin jack, 1/4" stereo jack. (sorry, no LED's) All current preamp RF upgrades performed, new 'hypermatched' set of pickups installed. (2022-23)
• Refretted with EVO gold fretwire by my friend and mentor, Ward Elliott. (see pic)
• Gold Schaller M4 tuning machines and Straplocks. (yes, both parts... the button and the lock assembly)
• Strung with new set of TI Jazz Flats. (if you prefer something else, we can probably arrange for it to be strung with whatever you want, and send my strings back)
• New G&G hardshell case, purchased from Will Gunn Guitars.
• With DS-5 and two cables, an 18-foot 5-pin and a stereo-to-mono 1/4" converter cable from Bayou Cables. (Neutrik connectors and red canare wire... I had these made for this bass)
•A couple small things Alembic did/is doing, but worth mentioning; install threaded inserts for the backplate, and replace/repair bridge height adjustment screws. One of them needed something, I honestly can't remember what.
• All work done at Alembic will be 'paid for'. Buyer is only responsible for shipping the bass from Alembic. DS-5 power supply and cables will be shipped separately from me to buyer upon receipt of funds.
I am happy to discuss the bass privately through the Email button or the Club messaging system. If you're serious about it, we can even talk on the phone like real people used to do!
~Greg
*note that the pictures attached were made before the bass was sent to Alembic... so Q-switches will be replaced by CVQ's. All 5 of the Raytheon knobs were new replacements when I sent it.
