Zebra Series II Reverb

[rv_bass]

This one has been out there for a while, but it looks pretty nice...




https://reverb.com/item/16789468-alembic-series-ii-ssb-short-scale-bass-1980?bk=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJqdGkiOiJlY2U4NTA2Yi03N2YyLTRmNTItOThlZi00ZGRlMzQ0YzY1YmIiLCJpYXQiOjE1OTIwOTg3MDgsInVzZXJfaWQiOiIiLCJzZXNzaW9uX2lkIjoiMmEwNTRmZGUtZGZlYi00NzY4LWE4ZGUtM2FmZTY0OWRmZmZjIiwiY29va2llX2lkIjoiMjUzODk3M2UtNzgwYS00MTcxLThkNmMtMzdlMzI4ZjQ5M2JhIiwicHJvZHVjdF9pZCI6IjE2Nzg5NDY4In0.p2Vd9bRirU14CwISVqMi7-OBPngSzy8Kaz21Kaxqm9E

[Rondog]

What would lead to the crazing of the finish, because I've not seen it that bad before?
Is is an oil finish that has not been looked after properly?

[edwardofhuncote]

Polane. 


The storied Sherwin-Williams formula change-up. Some of them crazed worse than others.


I believe that was Malthumb's old bass... that guy's had that thing for sale for years. (he will have it a few more too, atp)

[Rondog]

OK, so there's no reason to think that it's been exposed to really bad environmental conditions that could have damaged the wood.
What's the general opinion on refinishing an old warhorse like this?
Is it considered best to leave it alone or get it refinished?
I like instruments that show some signs having had a life, but this seems a bit beyond that.

[StephenR]

My 78 Series bass has the same type of finish. When I mentioned possibly having it refinished Mica told me she didn't think it was necessary unless the finish is flaking and falling off. I can see getting it done for cosmetic reasons but can live with the checking and really like the color of the maple under the yellowed finish. With a new finish the maple is going to look white again and the Zebrawood will lose the yellow-orange glow. Not sure I would want an old instrument to look brand new, takes away a bit of the mojo.

I have been admiring that Zebra Series bass for quite a while, looks a little bit like Tulipwood which I like a lot. Price has always seemed high, though. Judging by how long it has been for sale I am guessing the seller is content waiting until the asking price is met so they have basically decided to just keep it..

[edwardofhuncote]

Here is the Showcase Thread on that bass so you can see it a few years ago. http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8321.0

FWIW, my '77 has a mildly checked/crazed Polane finish, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

[Rondog]

It's a shame about the price, because something about this bass says "buy me".

[rv_bass]

It’s a cool bass, I contacted the owner not too long ago and he is pretty set on that price.

I have a 78 bass that has some checking too and have no desire to refinish it.  As Stephen pointed out the yellowed tint is nice and the checking adds character and a sense of history. 

Also, extreme temperature changes can cause checking, that happened to an old Gibson ES335 I had (left it in a car one winter night at 14F...young and stupid!), but as Greg mentioned it may also be a characteristic of this particular finish as well under normal conditions.

[jazzyvee]

The same checking was on my 1980 SI,when the previous owner had it. He had it refinished in matt and i think it looks better for it. If i was intending to buy it, i would certainly have it refinished if i thought it looked tatty. But with the dramatic top wood its probsbly less noticeable.

[zomnius]

If it would have been a fender, such a finish crackle would have been a premium 

[edwin]

OK, so there's no reason to think that it's been exposed to really bad environmental conditions that could have damaged the wood.
What's the general opinion on refinishing an old warhorse like this?
Is it considered best to leave it alone or get it refinished?
I like instruments that show some signs having had a life, but this seems a bit beyond that.

I had my '78 LSB bass (1180) refinished. It was worse than this one. It came out very nicely. There are a bunch of pictures of it on the forum.

[Rondog]

Thanks Edwin, I found the photos and that refinish looked great.

OK, so there's no reason to think that it's been exposed to really bad environmental conditions that could have damaged the wood.
What's the general opinion on refinishing an old warhorse like this?
Is it considered best to leave it alone or get it refinished?
I like instruments that show some signs having had a life, but this seems a bit beyond that.

I had my '78 LSB bass (1180) refinished. It was worse than this one. It came out very nicely. There are a bunch of pictures of it on the forum.

[hammer]

If one wants to get an instantaneous aged, crackled finish just leave your bass (it was a Fender Jazz not an
Alembic thank God) out in your car on a Minnesota January night in which the temp. gets to -20 F. Then be foolish enough to have a gig the next day and open said case in a 75 degree room right after taking it out of the van. The bass aged as I lifted it out of the case.


And that Series 2 price is in CAD so it’s only $11,485 U.S. so plenty of cash for a refinish

[elwoodblue]

If one wants to get an instantaneous aged, crackled finish just leave your bass (it was a Fender Jazz not an
Alembic thank God) out in your car on a Minnesota January night in which the temp. gets to -20 F. Then be foolish enough to have a gig the next day and open said case in a 75 degree room right after taking it out of the van. The bass aged as I lifted it out of the case.
 

 I bought this LP from the guy in Tongue, he said he did the same thing in Wisconsin in the 70's...probably more than once.

There's a pic of it (early 70's) on this page:
https://amthenfm.wordpress.com/2009/08/26/wanted-old-wisconsin-hippies/



...and after the 70's: