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Stu Johnson (stu)
New
Username: stu

Post Number: 4
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Thursday, September 26, 2002 - 1:24 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Mica I recently bought a 20th Anniversary bass serial number 91 AM 105 and would like to know if you can give me some information about it. The types of wood used, the electronics and if similar electronics are used in other Basses. I have to say it plays like a dream I've always wanted an Alembic and I reckon I have the best ever built !! Thanks Stu Johnson
Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 292
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Thursday, September 26, 2002 - 2:47 pm:   Edit Post

20th Anniversary electronics are used in the 20th Anniversary basses and on custom orders only.

The control layout is very similar to a Series I - a volume, filter and Q switch for each pickup, plus a pickup selector switch. We also put a stereo/mono switch on the 20th Anniversary models. This has always been (and still is) an option for Series I and Series II, but it isn't standard.

If your bass is light then it's a Maple top, back and core with Purpleheart accent laminates. If it's dark, then you've got Walnut top, back and core with Vermilion accent laminates. Both styles had 5-piece Maple and Purpleheart necks.

Hope you enjoy that new-to-you bass.
Harald Rost (harald_rost)
New
Username: harald_rost

Post Number: 6
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, September 26, 2002 - 11:15 pm:   Edit Post

Mica,
while the control layout you described seems to be identical to the Series 1 electronic: Where's the difference except missing the external power supply? Do the 20th ann. Bass has one or two 9V batt.?

Best wishes from Germany

Harald
Michael Delacerda (dela217)
Junior
Username: dela217

Post Number: 36
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, September 27, 2002 - 6:27 am:   Edit Post

Harald, The 20th Anniversary basses did not have a provision for a power supply, and were powered by a single nine volt battery. There are lots of differences with this setup. The pickups are not single coil like the series basses. Also the "q" switches are 2 position and not three. The upper position gave way to traditional tone controls, while with the switch in the down position activated the filters....Michael
Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 296
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, September 27, 2002 - 9:01 am:   Edit Post

Harald, you're right. The "control layout" is exactly the same, and as Michael described, the electronics and pickups are comepletely different.

Michael's bass has 20th Anniversary electronics, although his has an added 5-pin connector as a custom feature.
Stu Johnson (stu)
New
Username: stu

Post Number: 5
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Saturday, September 28, 2002 - 3:58 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks for the quick reply Mica, I appreciate it. The bass is excellent quite honestly the best I've ever played, I've waited 27 years to get a bass as good as this one, I've played many different types but nothing comes close. Congratulations to everyone at Alembic.

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