Led dimmer...pretty cool for a '76.
 
The controls are a bit different too, instead of two volumes there is a master and a blend with a centre notch. I like it a lot, but it does make the pickup selection switch redundant for a mono signal.

What a stunning bass!

That is a wondeful bass ! It would be a stunning piece for today production, I can only imagine what was at that time !

Great pictures of a beautiful bass. Congratulations!

Excuse me, basses! Lets make that plural.

Thanks Art,  
 
I was previously under the perception that instruments should never be refinished. Then I acquired AC070 and saw HOW Alembic do their refinish work.  I'll be sending back the 78 Cocobolo bass for a recondition when I get a chance - it will come up amazing, I am sure of that.

Garth, I think it's an excellent idea to have your bass refinished. In fact, I asked the question a few months back, as to what were some good tips for Senior basses, and this was the big question...
 
One of these days, I plan to re-finish Shorty.  
It would be like having a new bass with my custom stamp.  
 
I believe there should even be a section on Alembic.com called: Dream Re-Finishing and a associated Finishing FTC...showing the Before... then After.
 
Just my opinion.
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on December 09, 2009)

Stunning! And VERY custom indeed! What's with those body side cuts? They scream custom all the way.
 
Oh, and what's that? NECK BINDING?
 
A Lovely instrument, to be played on good health along with his Cocobolo cousin.  Which is also a beauty. I want one!

Hal, I'm with you now - AC070 looks new, feels new and plays new, it's a beautiful thing. So much for cool checked patina.  Weathered finishes probably only look so good on some other instruments because their original finish/wood was dull to begin with.

I tried to be nostalgic, but I can't do it no more. I believe in upgrading, I just think its part of the nature of things.  
 
Lets face it, the wood is already dead, and it going through a decaying life-cycle. Perhaps we can slow down the process with a re-finish, we can play the thing and not just be a piece of non-playable artifact. A new finish adds value, if the value is about playing your bass for as long as possible. I see no differences than people upgrading their soft brass (which are prone to break) screws with steel ones.
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on December 09, 2009)

They don't make them like they used to. There were a few original parts that came with the bass, the original string anchor and the original brass hum canceller surround.  The ones that were fabricated for the rebuild are so much better/higher quality/more accurate. Also all screws now have threaded inserts, and the upgraded electronics are silent (Not enough hiss to even tell that the amp/monitors are on).  
 
There is enough nostalga in the wood with all the notes that it remembers, doesn't need cracks in the finish

Exactly.
 
The finish on my 76 Shorty is natural, but I think it's time for a new finish job.

Is that Shedua?  What is this Tree of Life?

Hello Vann-Di,
 
I was referring to the fancy fingerboard as the tree of life inlay, but I notice that some of the others that are similar are a bit leafier than mine, so perhaps this is not right? I'm not sure who actually did the inlay work back in 1975-76. I'd love to find out what the official specs of the bass are.  I'm sure there is a file that is over a mile long at the factory with the upgrade work that was done. I agree on the top = Schedua
 
Here are some links to fancy fingerboard inlays:
 
http://www.alembicguitars.net/info/treeoflife.html
 
http://alembicguitars.net/club/messages/411/13228.html
 
http://alembicguitars.net/club/messages/393/64165.html

Thanks Garth