#80-1684

[edwardofhuncote]

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.

[edwardofhuncote]

Hard to believe it's been 5 years since I started this thread. I picked this particular day because it's the "birthday"... and today makes 45.

[Artgeckko]

Wishing you could be reunited with your baby prior to the sale, you sure put a lot of love into that bass.
I'm sure the upgrades will make a profound impact.
Has it really been 5 years since you last had it, been at Alembic?!?
I am a little scared...my 76-412's electronics have been back at Alembic for electronic repair since May 2025 and I am impatient by nature.
So it sits on the wall strung up but gutless...Plays great without pickups, but not really ideal.
Probably make them crazy with emails and messages I leave...
5 years will find me in the fetal position. Lol.

[edwardofhuncote]

Not sure if I'll sell it or not, Ed... probably so, but not until I've had a chance to play it a while. I've not played a gig on that bass in nearly five years, and what I remember of it won't apply anymore. Well... it should feel the same I guess. It should be an altogether different experience with true single-coil pickups and CVQ's. It was pretty amazing with the surrogate AXY FatBoys. I gotta' think it only gets better. (once the gremlins are exorcised...)

I'm sure it will be fantastic and worth the wait too, but life has changed so much in the last five years that if I had it to do over, I'd have just kept it and played it like it was. The older I get these days, the more I kinda' want less. Somebody, somewhere, one day is going to love it. I'm not in a hot-hurry to offload it, but no... I probably won't keep it. If I do, then a few others will be moving on. Not ruling that out either.

*Forgot I had this picture with the new pickups. It's a beautiful mix of old and new.

[rv_bass]

Beautiful bass, Greg, I hope it gets finished up and you get it back soon, it will be an incredible bass!

[garyhead]

Is this the one I saw at the mothership Oct 2023?  I played it a bit and thought it was a Series II.  I really didn't know how series electronics worked at the time but comparing it to a new Series bass, I thought this one sounded more warm and mellow.  It could have been the settings but maybe its the vintage?  My 80-1662 sounds comparable.

[edwardofhuncote]

Is this the one I saw at the mothership Oct 2023?  I played it a bit and thought it was a Series II.... <snip> My 80-1662 sounds comparable.

I seem to remember that you messaged me about it, Gary. Yep, the same bass. No, it's always been a Series I, well in our clubspeak a 1.5, as it had the Master Volume already. So I thought; why not take it to the next level? Then some things happened. And I decided rather than get reattached to it, I'd sell it. A Club Member here bought it, but somehow, something happened to it in transit, and the bass was unplayably noisy when they got it, so back it went to the workshop. I tore up the check, sale was canceled and she was mine again. And I simply haven't had reason to press the issue. I ask about it every so often. I have no idea what it's condition or prognosis is. Hell, it might be a total loss. At this point, it would be a relief, as I still have insurance on it.

But yessir, that be the one. Purty, ain't it? 😊 It's pretty close to your doubleneck Series in sequence. Probably finished somewhat close.

[garyhead]

That will remain a mystery as 80-1662’s build card is lost.