Help with specs on Newsteds Elan

[blackelan]

Ok,
I have been dreaming of owning this alembic since I first saw Metallica in 91. I almost placed deposits on three seperate ocassions in the last three years but something unexpected always came up, I think this is a good thing as I am taking the time to really make sure I get what I want.
 
So I want to order an exact and I mean exact replica of the 89 era Jason Newsted Elan 5 string in the picture below. I know he had the electronics upgraded to Series II in the early 90's, basically what I want is the 89 version of this guitar. Here are the specs I got so far from Susan and a few others over the years at Alembic.
 
Electronics J-P-J standard Elan electronics.
See thru black finish on maple top.
Multilaminate purpleheart/maple neck.
First version Elan headstock with Alembic logo right by the nut.
I am confident in most of the specs and the spec sheets I got from Alembic but my big question is in this pic I posted.
 
Are there any controls for LED sidemarkers or were these done in the early 90's with the series II electronics also all the video I have reviewed of this bass I have not seen it with LEDs on they could have been off though?
 
What does the knob layout look like to you guys and what do the switches do. I can get some freez frames from the concert to get a close up of the knobs?

[blackelan]

[David Houck]

Hi Jason, welcome to the board!  I don't know anything about Newsted's basses, but several of the members here have posted about them in the past.  You may want to run a search (top right hand corner of this page) on his name; there should be a few past threads that talk about his basses.  Sounds like an interesting project!

[bsee]

Well, standard Elan electronics would be three knobs and one switch.  That's volume/pan/filter for the knobs and a Q switch.  I can't see much from this photo, but LEDs would mean an additional switch would be present.  If there are two switches, then there probably are LEDs.  If there's anything more than that, you don't have standard Elan electronics.
 
Actually, it sounds like you're saying it's a three pickup bass (J-P-J).  If that's the case, I don't see how the electronics could be standard.  An additional switch could be there for some sort of pickup select job.  Otherwise, a three-way pickup pan would be an impressive little knob.
 
-bob

[FC Bass]

Definately JPJ ;-)
I believe the knob layout looks something like this:

 
(the black dot is a switch)
I don't think there were leds on it and are you sure the Elan was converted to series? He also played Europa and Spoiler basses with series electronics.

[blackelan]

I count four knobs in the picture a toogle switch and input jack.
 
According to Alembic all Jason Newsted's basses including the Elan were brought back to the factory and all upgraded to series two electronics sometime in 91.
 
As in standard I mean non series I or II electronics did not mean to use wrong terminology.
 
Yes I have reveiwed videos and it is definatley JPJ configuration.
A link to the video good shot at 1:50 of the controls. Also at 3:47.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ysy4_Sx3iew

[blackelan]

Should I also request old style truss rod cover I read somewhere that Alembic is using a newer or different style truss rod cover that is a different shape. I am super nit picky about details.

[FC Bass]

You could be right 'bout the knobs
Edit:

 
So it's possible that the black Series 2 Spoiler is in fact the natural Persuader used during the Damaged Justice tour? The back veneer of the headstock looks the same.
 
The half round TR cover was standard on Elans en Persuaders with P and/or J pickups I think. Won't be a problem if you order a custom I guess ;-)

[bsee]

Alright, with four knobs, I would guess two pan pots, then.  One pan goes between the P and the pair of Js and the other pan selects which J to favor.  The rest would be vol/filter and a Q switch.  
 
It could also be three individual pickup volumes and no pan, but that's a tough rig to work live with in a genre that likes volume swells.  
 
Just guesses, but maybe you'll find someone that actually knows.  Is there a Newsted website out there that might have details or the ability to ask a question?