Restoring Robert's Hyak

[mica]

First stage with the peghead:
 

 
I've got some before pictures, I'll post them when I go through all the April pictures for archiving.

[bassman10096]

Whoa!!! Please do!  Is that all purpleheart?  
 
Bill

[valvil]

A few days ago I happened by with my camera  as Mike had just taken off the old veneer from the peghead...the logo looks much nicer in Mica's picture already...

[bassman10096]

It sure does.  Do you have any pix of the whole instrument?

[dela217]

I would like to see more pics too.  I am particularly interested since I have a Hyak with a failing finish.  I really can't wait to see this one done!

[alemboid]

Will there be a truss rod installed? I understand that many if not most of the Hyak basses relied on graphite rods for neck reinforcement instead of truss rods.
 
They are unique and beautiful basses. Please show a full bass image if possible, thanks.
 
Bryant

[dela217]

I'll bet they are installing one!  In the pictures the fingerboard is off. I think it would be a good idea.  On my Hyak, I have to use low tension, or light gauge strings and low action.  Otherwise there is a definate bow to the neck.  The strings height plays a large role in how much bow the neck has.
 
If you look closely at the pics there are no graphite rods in the neck, but laminates.  The laminates run the full length of the neck and through the body.  You can see the dark laminates in the pictures.  It looks like that bass has 4 laminates.  It seemed that all the necks that they made were quite different, and used different woods and different numbers of laminates too.  I have had 3 Hyak basses, I find they are very unique indeed.  Even compared to each other.
 
Nothing beats Alembic basses though.  The Hyaks seemed to me just another Alembic knock off.  The Hyak's sound does not even come close.

[valvil]

By popular demand...Rob's Hyak
 

[valvil]

We are indeed installing a truss rod. We have been talking with Rob about where to place the truss rod access; as you can see in the previous picture, the neck pickup is right against the fretboard which creates a problem; we briefly considered putting it on the peghead, but discarded that idea as basically dangerous, if not unworkable.
 
Mike came up with this idea of accessing it from the fretboard, by cutting a slot between the frets at the 23rd fret (so Rob can have the inlay at the 24th fret restored).
 
 
Here'a picture of what Mike has in mind. The oval here was drawn at the 24th fret, before we decided on trying for the 23rd; just transpose it at the 23th and you get the idea. The oval would cut through the fingerboard and give access to the truss rod.
Rob, let me know what you think.
 

[bassilator]

ValVil,  
I'm leaning towards a coverplate.  Will sleep on it tonight and let you know.  Maybe other people can offer their two cents.  Also, concerning the sacrificial veneer-- now that I've seen the bass again, my first choice veneer is totally inappropriate.  If you haven't already cut it, please use California Walnut instead.
 
Thanks,
R

[adriaan]

Nice project! What was your other option for the sacrificial veneer?
 
The hole through the fingerboard makes perfect sense. One thing about using an oval shape for this is that it must be wide enough at both ends so the wrench can be inserted comfortably when you need to approach the nut a little off-center. You also need enough aperture so the wrench doesn't have to be reinserted after just a small turn.

[keavin]

Wow, how old is this baby?,it sorta resembles 72-14

[dela217]

I understand wanting to put the hole there so that the 24th fret marker can be retained, but I would just opt to loose the last fret.  Does anybody really use it anyway?  Maybe just notch out the ebony between the last fret and the pickup.  Would that give enough space?  I know on the old Alembics the space between the pickup and the fingerboard can be quite small.
 
 
Installing a truss rod makes sense.  My Hyak has eight graphite laminates, and is still not stiff enough to fight a neck bow.  This one looks to only have 4.  But maybe they used more or less laminates of graphite depending on the neck wood.  The neck in mine bubinga.  The neck on this one looks like purpleheart.  Is it?
 
 
Keavin - These basses were made in the late 70's.
 
Rob - I like what they are doing.  The bass is in good hands!

[David Houck]

I also like what they are doing; and this is an interesting project.  What is the top wood?  It looks nice.
 
What would the cover plate be made of?  I wouldn't think you would want to use brass or plastic as the vibrato would scratch it.  Would the cover be the Ebony that was cut out?  How would it be attached?  I guess you would have to use plate screws positioned between the strings.
 
I also share Adriaan's concern about the oval shape.  And I like Michael's idea too.
 
Like everyone else, I like pictures; and I often like seeing what's in the background of shots taken at the shop.  In the picture above there appears to be a very nice Quilted Maple Orion.  And behind that a Flame Maple Series I with a balance point body (?) and the pickup selector in the old position.  And behind that perhaps a Spalted Maple Orion.  And behind that something really mysterious; Ebony neck lams and an Ebony top wood?

[adriaan]

Those pictures are just too much for a poor sod like me. Looks like there's a bunch of people out there who ordered their own variations on EMW (East Meets West) and BB (Brown Bass) - and just for the sheer joy of having them around to make music with.
 
Stockings! Stockings! My kingdom for a pair of stockings!