Replacing top body wood with another type

[Mlazarus]

I'm just curious, but I'm tempted to do this. I like the zebra wood top. I used to have an 80's
Zebra wood distillate. Very nice to look at. My current series 1 bass has the Figured
Ovangkol top. How much would it cost to cut and swap the original top with the Zebra wood?

Here is a picture of me playing my Zebra wood Alembic Distillate.

[JimmyJ]

Michael,

That was a nice looking axe for sure.  I'm afraid replacing only the top wood might cost as much as buying an entirely new bass with your preferred wood.  Because the bodies are shaped after the top, core, and back have been glued together.  That "sandwich" is then tooled as one solid piece of wood.  So if it's even possible to remove the top wood without destroying it (I'm not sure it is) replacing that would essentially be like building a whole new instrument. 

It might be easier to keep an eye out for another nice Zebrawood model.

Jimmy J

[Mlazarus]

I guess it would be a bit messy. I still think it can be done, because the core won't be seen anyway. It's as you know
covered by the top. Alembic is so badass, i would be surprised if they can pull it off. It would be expensive though.
MAAAN, I miss my Zebra Distillate. I don't know why i sold it back in 98!!

[jazzyvee]

Interesting, thought. I doubt what i'm about to suggest is what Alembic would do, however have you considered a thin veneer as an alternative to replacing the whole top? That should certainly give you the look that you are seeking, have negligible impact on the existing sound of the bass and much less woodworking cost. A side view would give the game away for sure, but if what you seek is only visual then.........


I hope you find a solution, sellers remorse is real. 👍🏾

[edwardofhuncote]

80's Zebrawood Distillate- https://ebay.us/m/3Z5JH6


Expen$ive, but guaranteed to be cheaper than modding your Series bass.

[Mlazarus]

That looks very close to the Distillate I had, but mine had the longer top horn as you see in my picture. It's tempting.

[edwardofhuncote]

I was half-kidding you if only to make a point, Michael. That one is so rough that the price is silly. I'd lowball it if I was just dying for one again. It looks like most of the main things are there, but the body core is split in two places, it's missing a buncha' screws. It has the hallmarks of a mistreated instrument. I might pitch an offer for half of that. Just for curiosities sake, I searched 80's Alembic Distillate, and it came up immediately. The point is, there must be dozens, if not hundreds of these out there. I might be overselling what it would cost to modify your Series bass too, and of course Alembic could do it. Here's (in part) what that entails;

Removing all the hardware and electronics, sawing the body wings off the neck beam, feeding the wings through a thickness sander or planer to strip off the top laminate, glue-up for a new top laminate, probably adding a layer for thickness, also a framing layer to join back to the neck beam, routing, drilling for pickups and wires, rounding over, refinishing... it's a total overhaul. Why stop there? How about the frets? The electronics are 40-some years old too. But sure, it's totally do-able. Cost and turnaround time? Call or email and see. You really don't want to do it. You want your old bass back.

I get the remorse. I sold a Martin D-16H in a divorce almost 30 years ago. I look for it almost daily, and I would buy it back in pieces at the original sale price if I could find it. But I don't want just any D-16H... I want that one. #518842

If you're in that boat, grab an oar and start rowing.

[Mlazarus]

HA HA, We ALL have at least one bass or guitar that we regret getting rid of. I wouldn't be surprised if my Distillate pops up online one day. I don't have the serial number though and I can't see it in the picture. I'm sure its wort at least $5000 now. I bought it used in Honolulu back in 1991 for $872.00 in mint condition.  As for
modding my Series one, that would be foolish. I guess I was really asking if Alembic would and can do that type of work. They are great and can do anything.