Sad Elan on EBay

[gtrguy]

You certainly don't have to worry about getting that first scratch...

[edwin]

You certainly don't have to worry about getting that first scratch...

And would fit in with all the rest of my well-loved (and modified) instruments!

[bigredbass]

What struck me:  One of the close-ups you can see a lot of orange-peel.  Pitiful.  NO SUCH THING as an Alembic with orange-peel finish !

Absolutely my new Number One on the 'What WERE they thinking?' List.

[StephenR]

Did you end up with this one Edwin?  Price didn't go as high as I thought it would and it looks like whoever won the auction only placed the final bid.

[sonicus]

I am intereted to find out  if someone  here has aquired it as well    

[lowphatbass]

I thought I’d chime in here as the seller of the sad Elan. Losing the bass was really tough. Getting it back in the current condition was much, much tougher. After years of on and off deliberation it was time to let it go. I hope it doesn’t get disbanded and scattered around the world. Letting the bass go wasn’t easy either but life goes on.
I posted an inquiry here some years back and received a lot of support and good information and for that I’m mighty appreciative. Hopefully someday I’ll be able to join the club again.

[gtrguy]

Hey, no reason to quit!

[rv_bass]

Yes, hang out, another will come along!

[mikeyswood]

You'll be happy to know this bass is now in the arctic with an Alembic lover.

I took sympathy on this instrument and figured I'd take a shot at what can/should be done.

The stain is penetrating the wood so I do thing the curl and laminates will be lost forever if this is to ever be Alembic quality again. I've reached out to Mica to start a conversation about restoration. I'm thinking this will go black with maybe a silverburst. The hardware is pretty rough so maybe it will be chromed.

The electronics are missing the several Molex bits and an entire pot is missing. I'd like to see this go back to proper Alembic electronics so we'll see.

It will play again.

...someday.

[edwardofhuncote]

That's great news. 

[David Houck]

I hope you and Mica are able to get this one as good as new.

[mikeyswood]

Well, "new" is definitely out of the question. "Restored" to Alembic quality is the goal here.

[mikeyswood]

Since the original owner and myself are here, let's make this a visible restoration.

There will be plenty of bumps along the way so let's see where this goes...

[David Houck]

Nice video!

[tbrannon]

That's a cool addition that can be archived in the history of this instrument.  Really good idea.