"Osage orange " bass

[dave137]

My friend posted this photo from a trip to  Gruhn Guitars?.looks like the pickup area has been filled for new or different pups?.I  understand this is a 'famous' bass, one of the earlyest ones for Mr. Lesh. I have no idea why it is in Nashville, or what?just thought I'd share?.

[sonofa_lembic]

You just don't mess with history!

[elwoodblue]

It's cool to see pics, thanks!
Edwin mentions Rick is(was?) mulling over what to put in it-
 
http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/1922.html?1418110838
 
(Message edited by elwoodblue on July 24, 2015)

[edwardofhuncote]

Nice to see old Mission Control again. I've been thinking about it a lot since the mystery Series I guitar showed up here a few weeks ago. Uncanny how the inlay seems patterned on the same theme.  
 
Another thing I miss about Nashville... a slow afternoon trip to Gruhn's was an adventure in extraordinarily cool vintage instruments. (note the L-body Gibson flattop in the background)

[bigredbass]

I go in Gruhn's from time to time.  I'm dumbstruck as to why this bass, sans electronics (where in the hell did that plug for the pickups come from and when?), and am wondering IF it's going to be restored, or re-routed for Seymours or EMG's . . . . . I'd think surely not, but then again, this is a long way from NorCal . . . .
 
Joey

[sonicus]

In my opinion ; at the very least this piece  of history deserves a new set of Series II Alembic electronics with pickups. I would think that the inlays on the top could be saved and any superfluous holes can get even more ornamental inlays.  A  nice refinish as well . Who is the current owner ?    
 
Wolf

[mtjam]

I am also curious about who owns this bass now. This piece of history is one that inspired me to become an Alembic player. I hope it gets the proper restoration it deserves.

[fordhornsby]

Gruhn owns the bass.  They are doing a full restoration on it. I'll see it again soon and get more info when I go back and check on the mystery series I guitar as well.

[edwardofhuncote]

A couple years (?) ago, Rick Turner was working on this bass for Gruhn. Skip down to edwin's post near the bottom of this thread.
 
http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/1922.html?1418110838
 
Not sure what's transpired since then, but it appears RT filled in the many routes in the top the bass with the inlaid wood seen here.  
 
FWIW - I would love to see Mission Control/Osage Orange restored, seems logical the folks that built her should do it. (preferably at the birthplace) Given Gruhn has it, I would guess eventually it'll be for sale... the hopelessly sentimental side of me wishes Phil had it back.

[fordhornsby]

Derek...who's is working on my alembic is also working on Phils.  I'll get more info soon and maybe some more photos.

[edwin]

Weird. Rick gave up on it? I would like to see it with Alembic Series II at the very least, if not a Superfilter setup, as it originally had.

[zomnius]

Why would you do a restoration?  If you want another pickup setup, buy another bass?  Just my 5 cents.  But beautiful bass anyway.

[zomnius]

Why would you do a restoration?  If you want another pickup setup, buy another bass?  Just my 5 cents.  But beautiful bass anyway.

[mtjam]

When I use the word restoration here, I mean returning the bass to somewhere near its original glory with a Series II setup.
 
Let's hope Gruhn doesn't butcher it with EMGs or something!

[edwin]

No matter what, this bass needed restoration because it was butchered in the past. Why restore this instead of getting another bass? Because this bass has historic significance, both from the person who played it and the company that made it.
 
I agree, I hope that Gruhn does the right thing.