Hey there -
Not sure where to post this so...
I've taken on project, S-1 serial 77-852 for a friend.
Unfortunately, because of some work issues, It appears he will need to sell after it is done.
There is a chance I will buy it ( wife will not be happy...), but I prefer medium scale to long scale (that said my 76-412 lsb) is pretty amazing.
I kinda talked him into the purchase with my glowing recommendation of Alembic basses, and I feel kinda bad that he reached beyond a comfort area to get it.
I purchased the DS-5 that came with it from him already, as mine will need some work.
With the bass, I just started on it, and I expect it will take few months before its available.
It has been around for a bit, had some damage to the headstock, been refretted, pickups replaced...but all seems to be in very good shape and repairs are well done and stable.
Will update as we go.
Eye of the tiger!
This will be fun to watch. BTW, only the bridge pickup was replaced. Neck is OG.
Just curious, what type of finish are you going to apply?
I have a very distressed series bass. I would love to try this some day.
Looks great already! 😊
Looking good, Ed. 8)
I gotta say, Ed - not often a word sends me to the dictionary, so thanks for "chatoyancy"; love learning a new one!
Peter (who will watching this one, for sure)
I'll confess to looking it up myself. I kinda' got what it meant but the use-of, but a word like that deserves a look-up.
LOL.
I had to look it up as well. Discovered it when looking for techniques for finishing Shedua wood.
My cheeky header seemed appropriate.
dela217, I am going back to natural danish oil and poly, I think...
Still doing some research.
Edwardofhuncote, have you used the Bright Tone poly product?
So far 77-852 is cleaning up well. Cannot say it enough...Alembics are so well put together.
Thankfully, it has been treated pretty well for its 50 yrs(rounded up).
Fivestringdan, thanks for the correction of the pickups.
I had Scotty plug it in when it first arrived, sounded great, unfortunately the five pin cable was missing a rubber bushing at coupling and causing a nasty pop / grounding sound, he looked concerned...
Thankfully, a quick temp repair with electrical tape totally solved issue, but ordered a Neutrik 5 pin connector to rehab the 30FT cable.
Not sure I'll get too much time with it for the next few weeks...Work is in the way.
In light of this bass' particular journey and future, I'm not complaining.
When I really want to boost light return/life on stuff like this, I've been using a violin ground varnish — I think it's boiled linseed and larch. Works better than anything I've found.
Re: Bright Tone, I haven't had any firsthand, but one of the other repair guys I swap work with swears by it.
I've used a product called Deft for years. I keep a quart can in the shop for bigger jobs that require spraying with the airbrush. In that case, I cut it about 50/50 with lacquer thinner to make it flow better. For a job like refinishing a neck or a touch-up job, I buy just a rattle-can. (except Deft ProLuxe doesn't have a stir ball, so no rattle...) It works great. Not sure why they changed the name, same stuff.
https://deftlacquer.com/
Quote from: Nova Constellatio on June 25, 2026, 10:39:33 PMWhen I really want to boost light return/life on stuff like this, I've been using a violin ground varnish — I think it's boiled linseed and larch. Works better than anything I've found.
I will look up the violin ground polish and the Deft (thanks for the link!).
After some sanding and cleaning with acetone, I can see how the grain is going to really stand out.
I was thinking of stripping mine, and applying several coats of some sort of urethane clear. Buff it out between coats. I just don't know what type yet.
Quote from: Artgeckko on June 27, 2026, 10:36:41 AMQuote from: Nova Constellatio on June 25, 2026, 10:39:33 PMWhen I really want to boost light return/life on stuff like this, I've been using a violin ground varnish — I think it's boiled linseed and larch. Works better than anything I've found.
I will look up the violin ground polish and the Deft (thanks for the link!).
After some sanding and cleaning with acetone, I can see how the grain is going to really stand out.
I've been getting mine from a guy named Jordan Hess in Salt Lake City — his stuff is the best that I've been able to find.