Restoring Robert's Hyak

[bassilator]

My first choice veneer was Ziricote-- I thought it looked great with the Purple Heart.  I didn't like it with the body.  The top and bottom laminates are Vermillion, the body core is Mahogany (I think), and the the neck is Purple Heart.  There are some addional laminates and I had them written down, but it sure is easy to lose stuff.  
 
Yes, I would like to use an Ebony cover plate.  Check out my drawing.  It is basically to scale and represents where the strings will be in relation to the cover plate. I was thinking two 3/32 screws would hold it down nicely.  There are two reasons for not giving up access to the 24th fret: First I use it.  Second, there are two abalone inlays that are in that position.
 
Thanks for all your advice!  Very helpful and way cool that everyone is involved in this project!!!

[kmh364]

Adriaan:
 
As the proud owner of this particular take on EMW (EMWII or Daughter/Son of EMW?), I'll take that as a compliment!
 
Val: Thanks for unknowingly giving me another shot of my bass. I've been trying to get Mica to post pix of the headstock and the body/neck (back). This is as close as I've gotten.
 
Rob: Nice project. Never heard of a Hyak before, but I'm interested in the outcome just the same.
 
Kevin

[mica]

I've got some updated pictures for you.  

 

 Mike did a very nice job on these inlays - the shell he selected looks great.  

 Hey, it's really coming together with the hardest parts done.  

 The color difference is because the board isn't levelled yet and they pieces are at slighltly different angles. This part also turned are great!  

 This is your last look at the cracked finish. It actually looks pretty cool, but Some of the cracking has advanced to the point that I think it would have started falling off in chunks sooner or later.   Tony started the long process of stripping off the original paint. It's a project we spread over several days since it takes so many hours to sand the paint off. More shots to come as interesting things happen.  

[dela217]

It is coming along nicely!  I can't wait to see the re-fin.  Thanks Mica!!!!!

[mica]

I'll try to get a shot before the prep sanding sometime next week so you can see the color better, but here's your bass after the sealer coats and ready for the next coat of paint:
 

I don't think it's quite as bright purple as the Purple Princess, but it's still much more purple than under the yellowed paint.

[alemboid]

Wonderful Hyak!
 
I remember these basses from when I was in high school. A lot of Hyaks were sold in the Seattle area, including a beautiful rosewood top and back Hyak guitar built for Nancy Wilson of the band Heart. It had chrome hardware, L.E.D.s and of all things, heart inlays as seen on this bass now.  
 
I think they sound great. There is the obvious Alembic influence. I don't think I've played a better almost Alembic by any other company. I hope to own one someday.
 
Bryant

[bassilator]

Wow, Mica!  Thanks for the pictures!  The bass is absolutely stunning.  The heart inlays are absolutely beautiful.  For those of you interested, this bass was built for Steve Fossen who played in Heart.  Can't wait for the next pictures.  Mike is doing a great job! Rob

[David Houck]

That is indeed interesting.  Were Steve and Nancy's Hyaks similar?  I briefly went out on the net to see if I could find any pictures of the old band, hoping to see the Hyaks; but I was unsuccessful.  The inlays shown above look very nice and the body is coming along nicely too!

[dela217]

I too have tried to search the web for Heart using these instruments.  No luck.  I did see a picture of the guitarist for War using one though, but I don't remember where.  I am really looking forward to seeing the bass refinished.  I find the Hyak finishes to be cloudy.  The new finish will make this bass look great.
 
 
Just an FYI - It is hard to tell from the pictures, but Hyak did not bookmatch the tops and backs of their instruments as Alembic does.  What they do, is use consecutive slices for the top and back.  So the back of the instrument, has the same pattern as the front.  Strange

[squirefan]

SO? Where's the final product?  Let's see a pic, Rob.

[mica]

Not quite done, but awfully close. Here's the bass, taking the final cure in the rubout room:
 

[dela217]

Nice.  Thanks Mica!  
 
I need more.  I can't wait to see it assembled.  
 
I would love to have mine redone someday.  If Paul ever finds his stockings, maybe he will let me use them.
 
FYI - When these basses were sold new, the upper strap button did not come installed by the factory.  The strap button was in the case with a sheet giving instructions on it's installation, and suggested locations.
 
Michael

[palembic]

Brother MIchael,
 
I have a pair of nice RED stockings so ...oh ...huhuh...maybe we can make a deal.
I'll wash them first ...of course.
 
Paul TBO

[squirefan]

The two tones in that wood are absolutely beautiful.  You are a master, MICA. Thanks for the picture.

[mica]

Had a rub through the first time we tried to rubout, so it was back to spray and cure. Well, last week, the rubout went great:
 

 
and we'll get it buffed and reassembled.