Stripped Epic 5 on Reverb

[tbrannon]

The best thing it has going for it it is, it appears to be structurally sound. I would like to see one string on there to better judge the draft angle. Going by the bridge height, and just guessing it isn't that far off, I'd say it's okay. All the hardware is there on the husk of an Alembic. The electronics are shot. The pickups are a maybe. The wood is a mess, but if one were to refinish in an opaque or dark tint, it'll be okay. Frets don't look too bad.

I'm no good at this part, because I'm a sentimental fool, but you can occasionally buy a pretty decent used Epic for what he's asking. I don't like low-balling guys, but even if I do the work to this bass using Alembic components and my time, I might well have another $1000 in it, best-case scenario. That kinda' limits what I could offer and stay in the ballpark of what it's generally worth if I had to sell it. (I'm talking break-even sell, not flip-for-$)

That said- if I did take it on, when I got through, it'd be one sweet Epic. No reason not to do some wild custom tricks not usually seen on these.

Mica has a very sharp eye for detail, and will see something that I've missed, so I would definitely reach out to her.

I share your opinions on value.  I'm not a lowball offer kind of guy either, but I'm not paying 80-90% of the average used Epic sale price for an instrument that needs a total refinish and a completely new wiring harness.  we'll see how it goes.  I'll certainly update here whenever there is news. 

thanks for your thoughts on what you see in the pictures.  we'll see what Mica has to say.

[tbrannon]

Not to hijack the thread too much, but I have a bass that looks just like that.   My maple top is quite stained, and my pots are seized up too.   I have even tried to twist them with a vice grip, no luck.   My Q switches have oxidized to the point where they broke off.   The switches do nothing.

But the bass still works!   It is delaminated and I think it may be worse off than the Epic on Reverb.  The pickups still work and I still gig with this bass!   Just saying, as this Epic may not be a total loss.

Michael

is that the katrina damaged series bass, Michael?  I've always wondered what the outcome on that bass was.

[tbrannon]

I asked about the pickups' functionality at the same time Toby, and received the following reply;

"The tailpiece is included. I'll update the listing to clarify that. I just removed it to do some cleaning of the body. The pickups should be functional with no issues, but I'll double check that just to make 100% sure. If my memory serves me correctly they were working within the circuit when the pots were still there, but the pots were completely seized and corroded (basically welded shut with corrosion). There was just a lot of static in the circuit but tapping the pickups made signal come through. Let me know if I can help with anything else"
.

Thanks, Gregory!  wonder if the wiring harness is laying around still.   there might be functional parts, even if the circuit isn't functioning correctly.  I'll send an email

[dela217]

Tbrannon - You asked if it was the Katrina series bass.   No it was a different Alembic.  I had 5 that were soaked in the flood.   I was talking about this one: 

http://www.alembic.com/info/FC_mdretro.html

It has some serious staining, delaminating, and busted pots and switches.   But I still gig with it.    Even the side LED's still work.

[tbrannon]

Wow, Michael. I had no idea you had 5 damaged in the flood.  amazing that it's still playing after all that water damage.

One of the other 4 is the early series bass w the repair thread started years ago...  Were the other 3 damaged basses also early series basses?

[dela217]

I had a couple of early ones damaged.   The rest were Alembic-esque.   BecVar, Hyak, and Turner.

I brought 2 with me when I left town.   They were the ones that at the time I thought could not be replaced.   I brought my earliest Alembic, 72-16 and my graphite necked Series II.

Michael

[tbrannon]

i spoke w Mica this afternoon and decided to put in an offer.  it was below their 'low offer' threshold on Reverb, so got an auto reject.  i might give them a call tomorrow and see if I can talk 'em into it.

[tbrannon]

I had a couple of early ones damaged.   The rest were Alembic-esque.   BecVar, Hyak, and Turner.

I brought 2 with me when I left town.   They were the ones that at the time I thought could not be replaced.   I brought my earliest Alembic, 72-16 and my graphite necked Series II.

Michael

thanks, Michael.

glad you got the ones out that you got out.  hopefully the damaged ones are still as playable as the Alembic that still plays.

[tbrannon]

I grabbed this one.  Spent about $100 more than I intended to, but after speaking with Mica on Friday I realized I can piece together a wiring harness for considerably less than I first anticipated, so I didn't mind spending the extra $100 to get it.

I have some ideas on where I'm headed with this, but will wait until it arrives to see what I'm dealing with.  First order of business will be to send the pickups and existing circuitry to Santa Rosa for a health check.  I'll pick my way slowly through the body work and should have a pretty custom Epic for less than what used Epics normally sell fo. It'll take me a while, but looking forward to picking away at a project and being a perfectionist. 

[edwardofhuncote]

That's Awesome, Toby - I'm glad someone is going to save that bass. 

[jazzyvee]

Wow what conditions was your bass in to get corroded that much as the electronics in these basses are made of top notch components.
I do recall a youtube video of a forum member (who shall remain nameless) doing the water bucket challenge a few years back with their alembic bass on. Yes it got drenched and as far as i know the bass is fine.

[David Houck]

Congrats on getting the bass at a good price, and thanks for attempting a restoration.

[tbrannon]

I'll update with pictures when it arrives and will document repairs as they happen.