Author Topic: deja vu  (Read 268 times)

Artgeckko

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deja vu
« on: June 20, 2025, 05:47:55 PM »
Headstock repair on the Omega...
The rest of the bass looks good, one small separation crack at access panel ( filled), lots of oxydation cracks, but cleaning up well.
Testament to how well these are built, the thing looked a bit rough.


edwardofhuncote

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Re: deja vu
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2025, 05:33:11 AM »
Nothing you don't already know Ed... flood that separation with glue, and clamp firmly between two cauls. It'll go right back. Lately I've been using Titebond 'Extend' formula. It's the same PVA type glue as regular Titebond, but formulated to set slower. My thought is; it has more time to 'creep' into the wood grain fibers and make a better bond. Might be over-analyzing... or just plain old bull-squeeze. I got a lotta' time for that anymore.

Artgeckko

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Re: screws in back panel
« Reply #2 on: June 25, 2025, 05:00:31 PM »
Agreed! Then let it sit for a few days left alone!
Updated pictures of neck and final sanding.  Then 1 coat shellac( I'm getting better on using this stuff) probably be a total of three coats before topcoat.
Projects S-1 76-412, and 1980 S-1 Omega...
Need to get more playing in, but its a fun process...

Question, are the back panel screws of this era of series wood screws directly into wood?  or has the inserts gone missing.  Looks like the 1980 haas had some work, not terrible, the 1976 was better but both have back panel screw issues.  same kind of screws that hold the small brass truss rod cover on 1980.  I believe the battery cover is a non-original part, going to use it, but it is slightly thicker.
Any thoughts on getting rid of oxydation stains?  dont want to sand away too much wood, but theres a bad one by battery compartment( covered pretty well by cover, but asking anyway!)
Also, Called Alembic, and talked to Mica(on the phone!!!) she says they are way behind on repairs...nice to actually talk to the Alembic folks.  They are so accommodating, just have to be patient!
Hope all is well
E

mica

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Re: deja vu
« Reply #3 on: June 25, 2025, 07:29:00 PM »
Yo, Ed! Was nice to chat today. Yes, instruments with the single electronics backplate until I think at least 1979 or 1980 had wood screws for the large plate since there's "no user serviceable parts" there, but threaded inserts for the battery plate.

For the glue yes, use enough, and the clamping pressure is key - not enough and you get a nasty glue line. Too much and you can squish too much glue out.

I'm watching for tips to get rid of oxidization lines. They can go deep if those cracks were there for decades.

FC Bass

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Re: deja vu
« Reply #4 on: June 25, 2025, 07:46:20 PM »
79-1373 has the brass inserts for the large plate (birthday: June 21, 1979)
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Artgeckko

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Re: deja vu
« Reply #5 on: June 25, 2025, 10:05:58 PM »
Hey!

Awesome help thank you Mica and FC!
Will start getting a game plan on how to proceed.
At the very least, I will have to remedy the holes currently there.
Might venture to inserts, or chicken out and put new wood screws in.

edwardofhuncote

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Re: deja vu
« Reply #6 on: June 26, 2025, 01:59:45 AM »
The threaded inserts are really nice if you have time and inclination. Interestingly, 80-1684 did not have them as of September 18th, 1980. But it does now as part of recent work. I had an '81 Distillate that also did not have them. I just never got around to installing them in it. I mean... how often do you really need to access the stuff in there? Alembics are just so overwhelmingly overbuiilt that it somehow just seems right that the backplates be secured by machine screws.
« Last Edit: June 26, 2025, 02:06:47 AM by edwardofhuncote »

rv_bass

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Re: deja vu
« Reply #7 on: June 26, 2025, 05:41:08 AM »
Two beautiful basses, nice work 😊

Artgeckko

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Re: deja vu
« Reply #8 on: June 26, 2025, 10:50:59 AM »
Hello!

Completely agree with you Edofhuncote.  They are way overbuilt, and well executed, so never really have to get in there, so I debate putting in the inserts for practical usage vs possible snafus!
Btw, nice work on battery cover with purpleheart and brass.  very unique!
going to do some polishing today of old brass on both, and sand, and coat and sand and coat...

Artgeckko

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Kinda done...a before and after
« Reply #9 on: July 29, 2025, 09:59:42 AM »
My 1980 Omega restoration is somewhat done.  Some back plate inserts still to do, and possibly swap out some wood screws for 2-56 inserts on truss access.
Probably do another disassemble, and polish, but thats for future me...
Apparently, I never took decent photos of before, so this is from a screen shot.  Headstock repair appears good and strong,  though the crack is still evident (oxidation and previous repair?).  Other oxidation by the battery cover was pretty deep, so I got as much as I could, and left it alone.  Gotta keep some history, right?!? 
 I put on some short scale Daddario strings for tension and sound check, but the taper ends before the nut so the action and string height is a little wacked out??
Weird design for a specifically short scale bass string length?!? 
I usually use DR or fodera strings, but I had the short scale ones so I thought I would try them...those will come off or I would have to change the nut depth (not happening)? 
Weird.
These basses are so well made the neck is still amazingly straight, intonation fairly easy.  the bridge height is a little iffy, as the retaining nut moves as I adjust height, so that took a bit of learning.
Outside of that, its added to the stable.
Love the wood.  Still not sure what it is?  I'm a fan of beautiful woods, so Alembic never disappoints.  I do understand the appeal of a vintage finish, cracked and yellowed (browned),  and if I owned this bass from beginning, I may have enjoyed that history, but considering the neck repair was crucial, and a veneer split crack from electronics panel needed to be addressed, refinishing was the only option.
Plays and sounds great.  Series 1 electronics are crazy expressive, so many different tones!

fivestringdan

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Re: deja vu
« Reply #10 on: August 05, 2025, 10:18:49 AM »
Nice work with the repair!!! Looks fantastic!