Help on German Alien

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grimbart

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Dear all,
I was just very lucky to get hold of this awesome bass. Based the label inside as well as the Lalewood pre-Amp I assume this one must be one of the early ones maufactured in Germany - by Lakewood?

Strangly, it does not have any serial number on the top side of the headstock as I have seen on some pictures online. Instead, the wood on the backside of the headstock is of lighter color, but it very difficult to tell if this an inserted piece or just a strange discoloration??

The previous owner said he bought it from Musicstore in Cologne.

Is there someone who has more information, maybe even an old manual? Does anybody know for how much these were sold new?

IMG_4282.jpgIMG_4291.jpgIMG_4302.jpgIMG_4309.jpgIMG_4315.jpg

In addition, I noticed that the bridge is lifted some fraction of a millimeter from the top:
IMG_4296.jpg

Should I take action and bring it to some repair shop/luthier (immediately or later)? How much would it cost?

Thanks a lot!
 
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lucky you
this one of approx 100 made by Lakewood in 92
it is the original Alien with a solid top

The model was re-released in 2000 or so but made in Asia since then with a laminated top.

I remember that they did not sell so well in the early nineties I saw one after several price offs for 900 Dm new:)

However they are really rare and the price you paid is easily 1000 Eur less than what the instrument is worth nowadays.

The bridge is ok the new ones look the same:)

A little odd is the missing serial and it seems that the area where the serial was is the one where the piece of mahogany was inserted.

but I am not 100% sure
 
you mean, they are worth ~ 1500€ (depending on condition)? uh
 
approximately yes
but this is the one from Cologne for 330 isn't it ;) ?
 
condering that the recent version is made in china
with sorry (inferior craftmanship and features) lists for nearly 2k - it is worrh maybe even more
 
Hello, there. That´s a very nice and unique Alien. Great catch.

I would say those Lakewood Aliens usually sell for around 1000-1300€, so anything under that is a great buy.

Congrats.
 
Nachobassman said:
Hello, there. That´s a very nice and unique Alien. Great catch.

I would say those Lakewood Aliens usually sell for around 1000-1300€, so anything under that is a great buy.

Congrats.
Click to expand...

in the last two three years I have seen 2 that where put up for sale
both in the 2k range:) with 100 pieces in total there is no such thing as usually me thinks:)
 
I forgot to say I´m no price expert... as you can guess. ;)
 
well, thanks to you for the information and the gratulations ;)

I am more than happy with it and can't believe how lucky I was... actually, I have a query running on ebay Kleinanzeigen looking for amps for my electric bass, and then I could not believe what I saw in the notification email when discovering the metal bridge, thumb rest and Lakewood preamp ... and then apparently I was the first one willing to come over to Cologne yesterday morning :D
I really like the sound of this bass, and I am suprised how loud it sounds without amp when strongly plucked or when using a pick.

I guess I will try to send an email to lakewood to find out if they know more.

thanks a lot!
 
Been a while :)

This instrument is odd :) it should have a Wenge Stringer in the neck. Pic of the full neck pls :)

Other than that mine looks exactly the same - the serial is at the top of the headstock.
 
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