OUCH.
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/Alembic-1990-Elan-4-string-Bass-Guitar_W0QQitemZ140099211525QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 
EffClef

That output jack doesn't quite look stock.  Yuk
 

For those allergic to eBay:
 
 
 

Looks like a tripped-on-cable-and-tumbled survivor.

Aha! I predict the next Alembic innovation, an output jack which is like the Apple MAGSAFE magnetic power adapter plug.  
 
I imagine you guys could fix the scarf joint with a new headstock but it's a shame that strat-o-jack can't be undone easily.
 
Effcled

Shame really cos apart from those two probs it looks in pretty good shape. The name Bobbit comes to mind :-)
 
Jazzyvee
 
(Message edited by jazzyvee on March 21, 2007)

Minor nicks to the headstock???   He must sell used cars for a living.  I bet it never left his smoke free studio either.

Yeah I saw this and was saddened too. Maybe the jack spot can have a piece of walnut inlayed like they do with some burls. Won't look perfect but maybe not TOO bad... And yeah definitely needs a new head. I guess the question is does the added cost make it worth it in the end?

Maybe a bit iffy on the minor nicks, but I wouldn't call it decapitated either.  Decapitated is usually reserved for the headstock severed around the nut...

Point taken, but I'm still stunned that kind of Frankenstein nonsense happened to something that wasn't a Fender or Gibson.

Yep, the point was taken.  Who knows where it is now, so we can't glue it back on.

I emailed the seller about the headstock and jack socket and here was his response.
 
My question was, What has happened to the headstock, it looks like the original Elan headstock has been broken and re-shaped.  
 
The jack socket looks no-standard too.  
Was this done at the factory by alembic or was it done afterwards?
 
======
Answer
The headstock is shaped like another model. The edges are factory. The jack socket is also factory. I bought the bass used at Guitar Center. The manager at that time is a friend. A recording studio owner had just brought the bass in for trade, and he gave me a call. We did the research on the bass, and I made the purchase. Every thing on the bass is original. For some reason this Elan does not look typical. I did find some matches with time. A year ago or so, an identical bass was on E-bay. So much so that I had to open my bass case to make sure it was not mine. It is not typical, but it sure is a beauty.
 
Jazyvee

The headstock has an uncanny resemblance to a Guild Pilot. And it does have nicks - to what is left of it ...
 
Originally, it would have had a brass logo fitted above the Alembic script, also sideways - I think you can still see one screwhole there.

And this car has some minor scratches to its paint!
 
http://www.wreckedexotics.com/newphotos/weird/weird852.shtml

How dare Alembic use a 4-inline set of tuners for a 3+1 headstock!  
 
LMAO..... thanks for the answers Jazyvee!!!