Restore or Upgrade?

[rv_bass]

So, the first time I heard an Alembic bass was in 1975 when the Blues for Allah album came out. The first time I saw and heard an Alembic bass live was in 1976 at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, NJ, Osage Orange/Mission Control. At that point my quest was to some day own an Alembic.  Well, over the last two years that desire has come to fruition and I am lucky enough to now own two Alembics and an Alembic modification in progress.
 
However, the 1975 Alembic I recently purchased (75-174) brings it all full circle. The bass needs a little work, some of the electronics have been modified or disconnected, but cosmetically it is in fine shape.  A bass of that age and with it's history is part of the community, so I thought it best to inquire with the Alembic Club community as to whether I should restore or upgrade the bass.  The options I've come up with so are:
 
1.Restore currently working electronics only with the upgrade to eliminate unwanted noise (least amount of work option);
 
2.Restore to it's original 1975/76 NAMM show condition (Alembic history preservation option);
 
3. Restore to it's condition when owned by Andy West with synth pickup (music history preservation option);
 
4. Remove remnant electronics associated with the synth pickup, restoring the four-way pickup selector/mute feature with a black turning knob, upgrading to eliminate unwanted noise, and adding a master volume where the now non-functional synth XLR is located;
 
5. Remove all remnant synth electronics and upgrade to Series 2 with a master volume.
 
So, those are my thoughts. I would be interested to hear any thoughts and recommendations from the Alembic community as well.
 
Thanks,
 
Rob

[sonicus]

( double post correction )
 
(Message edited by sonicus on December 21, 2015)

[sonicus]

Hello Rob ,     To me an Alembic restoration means as  close to as her birth existence . Mica , Susan & Ron could be asked to restore the instrument to  their current specifications as new . A proprietary decision .  That makes the bass restored in my eyes . Extra requests like a master volume or an adjustable string nut are swell in this process as long as Alembic does the work in my opinion , That makes this Critter 100% Alembic . I like the Master Volume on a Series I mod . Series II with CVQ is even better.
 
 Wolf

[edwin]

I say option 5. Series II offers a lot more options tonally. Unless you really want to explore synth stuff, there's no reason to keep that mess in there. Restoring to original is cool, indeed, but it's a player and S II always wins out over S I for me.
 
I saw this bass in action many times and loved it!

[lbpesq]

Congrats on picking up a sweet axe, Rob.  Unlike old Fenders and Gibsons, an Alembic's value is not dependant on all original.  I would send it in to the Mothership and let them have a look at the electronics that are in there so you have a more accurate idea of what it will need.  I'm sure they will give you good advice on your options.  But I wouldn't try and re-create 1975 electronics.
 
Bill, tgo

[adriaan]

Didn't the entire neck get replaced? And didn't they add the inlay at the same time? So option #2 would mean reversing those changes. This bass has evolved over time, why stop now?

[rv_bass]

Thanks for the replies everyone.  
 
It seems consensus is to explore Series II with master volume.  I would not be modifying the neck (although putting that hunk of ebony back in the center would be nice, and the adjusting nut was installed when the neck was replaced), finger board (I love the Tree of Life inlay), or body wood (aside from filling holes as necessary where electronics used to be). I would just want to restore/modify the electronics. As Adriaan said, it's a work in progress so why stop now (nothing lasts...further)    
 
As Bill mentioned, the next step would be to send it in and see what the Mothership has to say and determine what they think is the best way to proceed. Thanks again for your thoughts!
 
Rob
 
(Message edited by RV_BASS on December 22, 2015)

[edwin]

Keep us updated!