Alembic refinish recommendations?

[Alembic83]

Hello TB, I’d like to hear some recommendations for refinishing an ‘87 Alembic Persuader in all black (including headstock and neck). I’m looking for a poly finish as opposed to nitro. Also, if under the white finish there is an amazing wood grain, I’m open to just a natural finish. I kind of doubt it would be anything super nice since it’s already been covered up at least once!

I obtained the bass a few months back and it appears to have been refinished in white. It does not look like an original white finish judging by the quality, especially where the fretboard meets the neck.

In May 2024 I submitted a serial number request and a quote for a refinish from Alembic but have not heard back. Mainly I just want to know what the original finish was as I fully expect a refinish from the “mothership” to be well above what I want to spend!

I’m in Oregon, so it’d be preferable if I can find some around here or Washington to avoid shipping fees.

I have another bass being refinished by Sims in Tennessee but it’s been dragging for a long time so I’d rather give someone else a try, and again, maybe closer to the west coast.

Thanks in advance and here’s the bass in its current condition.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Hello TB, I’d like to hear some recommendations for refinishing an ‘87 Alembic Persuader in all black (including headstock and neck). I’m looking for a poly finish as opposed to nitro. Also, if under the white finish there is an amazing wood grain, I’m open to just a natural finish. I kind of doubt it would be anything super nice since it’s already been covered up at least once!

I obtained the bass a few months back and it appears to have been refinished in white. It does not look like an original white finish judging by the quality, especially where the fretboard meets the neck.

In May 2024 I submitted a serial number request and a quote for a refinish from Alembic but have not heard back. Mainly I just want to know what the original finish was as I fully expect a refinish from the “mothership” to be well above what I want to spend!

I’m in Oregon, so it’d be preferable if I can find some around here or Washington to avoid shipping fees.

I have another bass being refinished by Sims in Tennessee but it’s been dragging for a long time so I’d rather give someone else a try, and again, maybe closer to the west coast.

Thanks in advance and here’s the bass in its current condition.

I recommend that you send it to Pat Wilkins in Van Nuys, CA. He's arguably the best instrument painter in the US, And I know he has refinished multiple Alembics over the years. I helped him with some mechanical work on one a few years back. It had also been repainted white, and Pat had no problem restoring it to its original transparent wood laminate finish. I seem to recall that it was a $750 job. And it was beautiful, at least equal to the factory finish.

 

[J Wilson]

Alembic's standard finish process for colors is to seal the body first in several costs of clear, then the stain or solid color, then coats of clear on top, all wet/finish sanded. That way, no color ever leaches into the wood and makes refins in a different color a LOT easier.

When you build instruments that can easily last for decades, planning for a different color 30 or 37 years from now seems smart.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

It had also been repainted white...

Think I remember that one... the truss rod replacement? Seems like one of the body wings had been replaced with a disimilar board, painted over in white to hide. Pat was able to replicate the look of the darker wood with finish.

OP may check with @jazzyvee... he had his purple Elan selectively refinished in natural maple leaving the back of the headstock the original purple.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Think I remember that one... the truss rod replacement? Seems like one of the body wings had been replaced with a disimilar board, painted over in white to hide. Pat was able to replicate the look of the darker wood with finish.

OP may check with @jazzyvee... he had his purple Elan selectively refinished in natural maple leaving the back of the headstock the original purple.

Yes, that's the one. Yeah, I think it did have a replacement body wing. Keith Horne and I replaced the truss rod in it. We did that after Pat had painted it, and it was beautiful. As always. Pat knows what he's doing.

 

[MVE]

If you still want to get in touch with Alembic, try leaving a message on the Alembic Club website. Mica is usually pretty quick to respond there.
She should be able to give you the original color and build info.

 

[PennyroyalWe]

Joe Parker is the go-to finish work guy in Eugene. I’ve personally had some fretwork done by him, and have seen some of his own creations in his shop. Super cool dude, and he does good work. Might be worth taking a little drive down to road to check out for yourself.

 

[Alembic83]

If you still want to get in touch with Alembic, try leaving a message on the Alembic Club website. Mica is usually pretty quick to respond there.
She should be able to give you the original color and build info.

That’s the thing, I left messages in May and haven’t heard back! I am patiently waiting for the build info…

 

[jazzyvee]

This is my refinished elan. Originally in see through purple and had stripped back to the natural maple finish. I got some cream pickups from alembic and knobs from Maximum guitar works. The only thing i didn't expect was the change in tone. It's more mellow, so i have put flats on it hoping to make the most of the change. I vuess if Alembic do your bass, the tone should not change.