My primary interest in the M80 was due to its Alembic electronics and hardware which are original. Most Moonstone basses use Bartolini PUs. I communicated with Mica before the purchase and she confirmed the quality of Steve Helgeson’s work and that they did in fact sell him the electronics for this custom. The bass has some interesting aspects beside its Alembic connection in both the inlay and the fact that the typical Moonstone logo on the top of the headstock was replaced with Moonstone “written in elfin.” Along with the guitar came a picture book of its construction and some notes that indicate that Steve went back and forth numerous times with the customer who wanted to make changes and add things to the instrument, at times, after work on a specific aspect of the build had been completed.
One unusual thing about this bass is its need for extremely long strings (it’s a 35). Long scale doesn’t come close and my favorite TI flats in extra long are too floppy even for me. Does anyone have recommendations for extra long scale flats that have some tension.
