While at Alembic, #80-1684 has received a new 'hypermatched' set of pickups, had all the modern RF upgrades performed, and had the Q-switches exchanged for CVQ's. A couple other very small details were tended to while there as well... the backplate now mounts to threaded inserts, and the bridge height adjustment screws are working correctly. She really didn't need anything else in my view. All the playing wear this bass bears is light, and honest. I always thought it would be disrespectful to remove it.
The only regret is that I'll never know what it was like to play this bass once restored to what it should be. But then if I did, I probably wouldn't be willing to let it go! Given my current situation and season of life, I thought it was best to move it on to someone else to appreciate. To that end, I have had a good conversation with a very interested party, and we are negotiating a way to redirect it from Alembic to them. I'd call that as happy an ending as can be generated.
