Hyak bass Seattle

[neyman]

Anyone see this yet? Looks promising...
 
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/msg/1593562891.html

[elwoodblue]

Very interesting,
 I wish I had some disposable income.
It looks like it wouldn't be too hard to complete.
Thanks for the heads up,

[lbpesq]

The seller is mistaken about the mic jack(for PA system).  It is actually a jack for a power supply, just like on an Alembic Series instrument.
 
Bill, tgo

[sonicus]

Hypothetically speaking ; If I were to take possession of this instrument I would take it up to Alembic to see about installing Alembic Pic ups & electronics, perhaps even series 1  with a master volume. Alembic bridge as well.

[afrobeat_fool]

I just talked to the guy. His Granddad worked with Mr. Smith on the necks. This was the Granddad's personal piece. It would be spendy, but how could you resist putting Series electronics in it. I wish I could afford it. I would like to replace my stolen Hyak. If anyone else is selling I am looking.  
 
 
Nick

[dela217]

Sonicus,
 
That is the way to go.  I wonder if they Hyak electronics are still inside.  That would be a great help.  
 
I was thinking about making an offer just to save it. But, I have enough basses that need work right now. I just know that someone is going to get hold of this bass and ruin it.  I can just see it showing up on ebay with a Badass bridge and Bartolinis.
 
Michael

[sonicus]

Hello Michael /dela217
 
  I am pleased that there is agreement on your part on  a correct process of completion or restoration for this Bass .I would like to prevent the Badass bridge plight and such as well. I am curious if  I call the owner as to what monetary sum would be in the ball park for me to offer. Nick/afrobeat fool , what do you think is in the ball park from low to high $ in as is condition ?  Any suggestions on this matter are welcome , perhaps we can save this instrument and put it in top form.

[lbpesq]

A Hyak in good condition should fetch around $1600, give or take a hundred or two, I believe.  Adjust accordingly considering the condition.
 
Bill, tgo

[sonicus]

Hi Bill, thanks for your post. I will call the seller later to inquire about what would be an acceptable transaction for him.I think the first thing it needs is an Alembic adjustable string nut and bridge.If the electronics are in tact I might try some old prototype  HI-A pickups that I have that might fit (specs permitting)before I jump for the full series 1 conversion . I will have to see about power supply requirements and adaptation,Any suggestions are always welcome of course. I am thinking out loud here and speculating as is my propensity _ LOL !

[mike1762]

Bill, what do you think this project bass is worth?  
 
Would SI electronics fit in the bass?  It looks like  Signature electronics wouldn't be a problem if not.  What do you think about the idea of changing out the Fingerboard and making it fretless?

[sonicus]

HI mike1762,
 
The frets could be pulled and  slots inlayed without   changing out' the entire finger board to convert it to be  fretless .
 
(Message edited by sonicus on February 11, 2010)

[afrobeat_fool]

I talked with the owner and posted last night as I was walking on the bandstand. Here is what I know, Wolf. The owner is a young man and is very proud of his G-dads bass. Rightfully so. It is a beautiful axe.Purpleheart, maple, bubinga neck. There are NO ELECTRONICS in the body. No knobs for the controlls. Light hand finish, no polyeurathane. He is talking to people to try to get the best price. His current # is 1,000. I think it's a little high and informed him what it would cost to put Alembic activaters, p-ups, filters, controlls, bridge, nut, and knobs. He did not believe me at first till I told him what new basses cost from the mothership. It became very quiet on the other end of the phone. He is a good kid, and wants someone to have this bass and restore it to as close as possible. I believe a guy could put Series electronics in the body cavity. I remember my stolen HYAK had a big cavity well and it seems the same size as my S1. I hope someone here gets it. BTW, I told him I would give $800 and he didn't budge. That's all I can remember as I was playing moments after the conversation. Oh yeah, it is a 34in scale.I had him measure from the nut to the middle if the brass plate that the bridge sits on. And the condition is New. Never finished/never played.
 
 
Nick

[mike1762]

To get an idea of the possibilities with this bass, see this thread: http://www.alembic.com/cgi-bin/alembic-club/discus.cgi?pg=prev&topic=631&page=11578
 
Just keep it away from UPS!!!

[sonicus]

HI Nick. Thanks for passing on the information to me , I called the seller earlier today and left a message reflecting my interest. You have answered the basic  questions  concerning such particulars .I thought that the situation concerning his Grand Fathers work would be as you have described as well. To finish this Bass in the form as per the thread link that Mike1762 has dug up  for us(thanks mike ) would indeed be a costly but worth while affair. I will explain to the good Lad as well about the cost involved to bring his Grand Father's bass to it's fullest potential.NIck,   if you want this Bass go for it, your Hyak was taken from from you in the most hideous way . I already have other Bass projects that I am involved in. You live closer to him then me and might even be able to pick up and pay in person ,that's always my preference to avoid  UPS  !  or other brutal shippers .  
Good luck on the acquisition of your new Hyak .
 
     Sonic regards ,
            Wolf

[sonicus]

MIke _   Thanks for the link . I have had MANY a  battle with UPS as well about their destructive tendencies.  I usually get financial restitution  even after they have denied a damage claim  but you have to be prepared to really put MASSIVE pressure on them . In some circumstances their damage just  can not be replaced by the  money .