Why Is This Man Crying?

[worldfamousandy]

My $0.02:  I've had this repair done on my bass.  They did a beautiful job, and you can only see the repair if you look up close.  They cut the neck diagonally from the middle of the second fret to the middle of the fourth fret, and installed the new corresponding part of the neck/ headstock.  The neck laminates match up well, but, of course, it's not perfect.  You can see it if you are looking for it, although you have to be quite close to the bass.  
 
I guess it's been 4 or 5 years since I had the work done, and my '76 Series 1 sounds better than it ever has.  Sure, it's got a scar from the surgery, but it adds character.  After all, scars are tattoos with stories.
 
I'm trying to get some pictures of this, but none so far really allow the repair to be seen.  I'll keep trying.
 
Andy Calder
www.andycalderbass.com

[bigredbass]

I know stands are a subjective thing.  I've used everything from the Hamilton 'Hanger' (yes, it did begin to put marks into the headstock) to most everything else out there.  I've finally settled on those little folding Fender stands where the center post has a padded 'T' that rests right in the middle of the back of the body.  Since it's so low to the floor, they are really pretty tip-proof and there's no contact with the neck at all.  And you can fold them up and put them in your gig bag.  $10-15 most places.
 
J o e y

[jlpicard]

I've got the ultimate guitar stand. I hired the biggest, meanest, ugliest looking biker I could find and on breaks I hand him my bass and he holds it tightly while scowling menacingly at anyone that comes within ten feet of the stage! LOL

[s_wood]

Well, I guess a real Alembician is, like everyone else on this board, open-minded and willing to listen to the opinions of others and try new things.
 
I'm not, though.  On this point I shall remain firm: guitar stands REALLY suck.

[s_wood]

After wrestling with the decision about how to fix this mess, my insurance company (Heritage Insurance) made it easy - they decided to total the bass, since the estimated repair cost plus expected depreciation (which is covered by my policy) was close to replacement value.  Plus, since the repair would have involved placing a new scarf joint - glue joint - between the nut and the bridge, the whole sonic point of the ebony neck  laminates would have been diminished, if not lost.
Since the insurance company offered to pay for me to have a new bass built (using the hardware and electronics from the old one) the decision was a no-brainer. So, here we go again! Quick Susan, the quilt!
 
I totally have to give mad props to Ellis Hershman at Heritage Insurance Co, my musical instrument insurance broker www.musicins.com   He specializes in musical instrument insurance, and was a pleasure to deal with.  
 
Listen: insurance on a 10K Series bass costs about $60 US a year.  The insurance covers accidental, shipping or travel damage (including depreciation!) and loss.  You have to be stone cold crazy not to insure your  Alembic! Know this: most standard homeowner's policies either don't cover your instrument (particularly if you ever use it at a paying gig) or are riddled with exemptions.
 
Pardon my shouting, but DON'T BE A BUTTHEAD.  INSURE YOUR ALEMBIC!

[David Houck]

Sounds great Steve!!

[bsee]

Is ungluing things and transplanting in a new neck not an option because of the bookmatch to center?  I have heard about doing neck transplants on non B-2-C instruments.

[dela217]

Steve - Thanks!  I found out the hard way that my basses were not covered by homeowners.    In fact, I have had lots of insurance lessons lately.  If a bass is used for income, it is not covered.  If it is used as a hobby, it is not covered!  My problem is that I had a flood.  So NOTHING was covered with homeowners.  It is a separate flood policy.  I had my home insured for flood, but not the contents.  I thought that the contents were under homeowners.  WRONG!  Come to find out, my policy was worthless.  So, this time, I will definately insure my basses.  Live and learn.
 
Michael

[lbpesq]

Michael:
 
I visited you bass today.  It was proudly on display in the Alembic showroom.  Mica seemed very jazzed about the restoration.  I have to tell you, your bass really oozes soul.  Call me a California sprouthead, but your axe really has good vibes.  I'm looking forward to following the restoration.
 
Bill, tgo

[keavin]

[bassplayer2106]

I bought a Jaydee Mark King bass a few years ago, it was 6 months before I realised that it had at some time, had a head break repair.
You could only see the repair when the lighting was right.
It had no detrimental effects on the sound or playability of the instrument at all.

[precarius]

Steve- I called Heritage Musical Instrument serv. and talked to Matt Hirshman. He said there was a minimum charge of $250 per year and that covered up to 250k insurance. Did I ask about the right type coverage? Thanks.
Mike

[precarius]

Please do not look at my previous Post Number as it may be offensive. DON'T LOOK AT IT!

[s_wood]

Hmmm. good question. That price seems high based on what I know, but it's his business and I am just a customer.  I have a couple of basses insured, so I never asked what the rate was for just one.  My understanding from Heritage was that the usual charge was somewhere around 60 cents per hundred dollars of insured value.

[lbpesq]

When I talked to them a couple of weeks ago, they quoted $.50 per $100 value.
 
Bill, tgo