1977 Series I headstock repair

[fivestringdan]

Hello all,

I was fortunate enough to find a 77 Series I bass. As you know it's an incredible instrument.

There is a crack in the head stock, pictured. The person I got the bass from has had it since 86 and told me it's been stable since then. So I'm not worried about it breaking off at a gig. I would like Alembic to do the repair and fortunately I am picking up a build later this year so I can drop the bass off.

Other things that came to mind, and please share any thoughts you have about having something done to the bass while it's back home, is to have some larger side dots installed. I can't see the tiny position markers so it would be a big help.

It needs a refret but that is something I can do. I keep stock of extra jumbo size EVO gold frets which I think would look really nice.

[adriaan]

The back of the neck could get changed to a satin feel (especially if it gets refinished anyway). A set of hypermatched pickups and humcanceller might be nice. Throw in the RFI upgrade while it's already there. Master volume, CVQs. Adjustable nut. Otherwise, I'd prefer to let it show its age.


On the other hand, you could get a spectacular top fitted.

[fivestringdan]

The back of the neck could get changed to a satin feel (especially if it gets refinished anyway). A set of hypermatched pickups and humcanceller might be nice. Throw in the RFI upgrade while it's already there. Master volume, CVQs. Adjustable nut. Otherwise, I'd prefer to let it show its age.


On the other hand, you could get a spectacular top fitted.

Tell me about the pickups and humcanceller. I thought they were the same design. Big yes to the adjustable nut!

[adriaan]

The back of the neck could get changed to a satin feel (especially if it gets refinished anyway). A set of hypermatched pickups and humcanceller might be nice. Throw in the RFI upgrade while it's already there. Master volume, CVQs. Adjustable nut. Otherwise, I'd prefer to let it show its age.


On the other hand, you could get a spectacular top fitted.

Tell me about the pickups and humcanceller. I thought they were the same design. Big yes to the adjustable nut!

With pickups, there is always some variation in the exact electronic properties. I'm not sure if they've found a way to make pickups with tighter tolerances, or that they select pairs of matching pickups to go together - either way, they're termed hypermatched.

Edited to add a link - https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=24095.0

[David Houck]

I'll second the satin feel neck.

[dela217]

I am one to have it just show it's age too.   Just fix what's broken.

I have an adjustable nut on my 1975 Series I.    I have never adjusted it.   Not even once.

[fivestringdan]

I am one to have it just show it's age too.   Just fix what's broken.

I have an adjustable nut on my 1975 Series I.    I have never adjusted it.   Not even once.

Nut has to be replaced anyway when I do the refret.

I really like the way it looks. I also like the Schedua top. I'm not planing on having it refinished unless Susan or Mica can talk me into it..lol

Satin on the neck would really feel great. May just see if there is enough finish left to sand it lightly then finish with a micro polish.

[gtrguy]

Alembic can put a whole new scarf joint in the neck if you wanted one. However, if the existing crack was glued up right, it may well not need it. Glue is stronger than wood. As far as new pickups etc. some vintage series basses just don't need it, especially if you live in an area without a ton of stuff in the airwaves. You could also search for a matching older pickup to replace the newer one in the bridge (just for looks and originality). It may or may not be as quiet as possible. However, I have had good luck in mix and match on older series basses. I think your bass may have a newer bridge BTW, but I am not the expert.

Does your pickup selector switch plate stand up off the body a bit or is it just the photo?

[fivestringdan]

Alembic can put a whole new scarf joint in the neck if you wanted one. However, if the existing crack was glued up right,
Does your pickup selector switch plate stand up off the body a bit or is it just the photo?

The plate is recessed.

I don't think it would need it. A simple repair would suit me. Wanted Alembic to look at it in case it needed more done. I haven't found anything with the pickups that I would want to change. It's an amazing electronic system.

[fivestringdan]

It happened! The bass fell from the stand to the floor and opened up the crack in the peghead. I sent Mica an email to get the process started of send the bass to the Mothership for repairs/upgrades. Sigh, I was hoping to get to play it a few more years before something like this happened.