| Author | Message | ||
| fthec
New Username: fthec Post Number: 1 Registered: 5-2005 |
Dear all, Iīve the offer to buy a series II with the following specifications: Omega Shape Top&Back: Birdseye Maple Core: Mahagony Neck: Maple with Purple Heart Fingerboard: Ebony Veneers: Birdseye Maple Hardware Tuners: Schaller Inlays: Mother of Pearl Strings: DīAddario Scale: 32" Alembic Electronics: PFLoB Please can you give me some information about the instrument and original buyer. It should be a custom build, ordered by guy from Germany. Build in 7th July 1982. This is the information seller gave me. Iīve read that it is necessary to upgrate the electronics. Is this always the case? Or do I have the chance to become happy with the SeriesII as it is? I will be pleased about any information about the instrument. yours Hilmar I     (Message edited by davehouck on May 24, 2005) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 1793 Registered: 5-2002 |
Very nice bass, and looks to be in good condition! If Mica or Val notices your post, they will look up the serial number and post the build info; but it does look like you already have all the build info. However, out of respect for the privacy of its customers, Alembic will only divulge the name of the dealer through which the instrument was originally purchased. As regards the upgrade; I believe it is the case that not all Series instruments need an upgrade. I believe it varies from bass to bass; and also of course on where you play your bass. My guess would be that if you plan to take this bass to a variety of clubs and venues, you will invariably end up in an environment where noise is going to be a problem. I have an '88 that has not had the upgrade, and it hasn't been a problem yet; but I haven't taken it too many clubs yet. I also have a bass that has had the upgrade, and there is indeed a noticeable difference. So I believe the answer is yes, there is a chance you will be happy with the bass as it. But my experience is limited; hopefully others may notice this thread and post their experiences. | ||
| fthec
New Username: fthec Post Number: 2 Registered: 5-2005 |
dave, thanks for your fast post. yes itīsīa very decent beauty. thatīs the reason why I ask for the owner and the electronics. I donīt want to follow only my stomach. So I donīt need the name of the buyer. If I get the information that this was really custom build by order of a german guy itīs ok and I take it after testing it. hilmar | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 708 Registered: 7-2002 |
All the above information is correct. We do not give out the names of previous owners, but I can tell you that the bass was ordered by Marshall Music in Michigan and purchased & registered right away by a German customer, so it's likely that it was a custom order through the store. Above, where you list "Alembic Electronics: PFLoB " that should read "PF6B", which is the card. Dave's reply in regards to the upgrade question is spot on. Regards Valentino | ||
| fthec
New Username: fthec Post Number: 3 Registered: 5-2005 |
thanks a lot, I go ahead to get it and tell you more about it. regards hilmar | ||
| fthec
New Username: fthec Post Number: 4 Registered: 5-2005 |
Hi again, I now have the chance to get the series II. The seller told me that there is only one problem: when he uses the power supply, the bass startes to hum. Does anybody know if this is a serious problem? i.e. a problem of the series II itself or a problem of the power supply? and how can I fix this? the price should be 2000 Euro, which is about 2600 $. regarding to the problem, is this ok? thanks for all help and kind regards hilmar | ||
| kungfusheriff
Advanced Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 323 Registered: 8-2003 |
The hum could be from electronic interference, or it could be a loose connection or failing component in the power supply--does the hum occur when he uses battery power? If not, try using the power supply in a darkened room--lights, television, radios, alarm clocks, cellular phones, pagers etc. turned off--then turn in a full circle and see if the hum is still there or if it disappears while you turn. If it remains, it's probably the power supply and can be repaired or replaced with a newer power supply, but the bass sounds like a candidate for the electronics upgrade. The upgrade costs $1000 to $1500 US depending on the age of the bass, which will have to spend a few months at Alembic's shop, but is said to screen out almost all forms of interference and make the bass absolutely silent. In any case, 2000 Euros for that bass sounds like a deal. I'd say go for it. | ||
| fthec
New Username: fthec Post Number: 6 Registered: 5-2005 |
The series II is mine. Itīs a beauty. I couldnīt resist allthough the electronics tend to hum when Iīm close to my amp but seems to be quite when Iīm a bit far away. I will do some further testings and then decide if itīneccessary to put a hand on it. The bass is in very good condition. no dings and dongs and the finishing is like new. At the moment Iīm just playing and hope that my p-bass doesnīt become jealous of the Alembic. But they are so different in feel and sound that I think there is no reason for. Itīs like having both ends of a world. When I get the time I will post some better pictures. Mica, how can I become a registered owner? And regarding to the electronics is there anybody in Germany who can fix them? kind regards hilmar | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 1837 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hilmar; First, go to the FAQ & Must Reads section. Choose FAQ and then Series I & II, then choose Humcancelling Procedure. Following this procedure you will be able to minimize the hum. Note while you're there that the FAQ & Must Reads section has a lot of very useful information about setting up your bass (and as time and inspiration allow, more gets added; so check back often). Go here to register your bass. If the hum you're experiencing is RF interference, and adjusting the trim pots doesn't reduce it satisfactorily, then the bass will need to be sent to Alembic for the upgrade (if you decide that's what you want to do). If you are having a problem with the power supply, then I would suspect that a good electronics person locally could fix it (say at a guitar amp repair shop). Keep in mind that Alembic uses military spec parts, so you would want to have equal quality replacements made if needed. I can't recall who off the top of my head, but I do believe there are some club members here who live in Germany. Of course, I realize that it's a large country, so perhaps there's no one close by. But if there is, then perhaps a fellow club member could check out what you have and help determine what the problem is. If some one was close enough to let you try their power supply, that could tell you something pretty quick. But do the humcancelling procedure first. | ||
| harald_rost
Member Username: harald_rost Post Number: 90 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hilmar, if the problem remains you might get in contact with station-music.de. They distribute Alembics here in Germany. I'm located in Bamberg. If this Area is on your way you could of course check out my power supply with your bass. Harald | ||
| fthec
New Username: fthec Post Number: 7 Registered: 5-2005 |
Harald, thanks for the offer. At the moment Iīm trying to find out where the problems come from. I went through the humcancelling procedure when I bought the Series and it helps a bit. Maybe Iīve to repeat it. When I connected the bass with my amp (Glockenklang Heartcore) the huming occures only when Iīm very close to the amp (< 1 Meter) and is directional. Itīs very simmilar to single coil humming. When Iīm a bit more far away there was no noise. The quality of the huming seems to be not dependent on using the power supply as it also occures when I go directly into the amp. Tomorrow I play with my band and will see what happens when there are more amps and electronics alive. Beside the humming problem that have a fair chance to disappear or to be not too serious: I havenīt played as much as the last days for a long time. Hilmar | ||
| speicky
New Username: speicky Post Number: 5 Registered: 3-2005 |
Hello, Hilmar, welcome as an Alembician in Rhein-Main-Area in Germany. I first saw your thread on Wednesday, and I just had to drop this note. But I am no technician, so I cannot help you with buzzes, hums or beeps. Your bass is stunning, breathtaking, it's a dream come true. Congrats, Speicky | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2480 Registered: 6-2000 |
It is perfectly normal when you are extremely close to the amp for the magnetic field of the transformer to become very friendly and quite audible. From your description, your basses seems healthy since this goes away when you are a reasonable distance from your amp. But, to make the hum canacelling as good as possible, orient your bass in the worst possible position for the hum, then repeat the procedure as outlined in the FAQ. I love the wood on your bass - Bird's-eye Maple is one of my all-time favorites, especially when it's as nice as yours. | ||
| fthec
New Username: fthec Post Number: 8 Registered: 5-2005 |
Thanks a lot! Thatīs the same my drummer said. He is electrician. We played together yesterday without any humming but with a big whoouuww about the sound and the looking of the instrument. I love the wood too and Iīm happy when I open the case. I will give the seller the information that the bass seems to be healthy because we made a special deal which allows me to test the instrument without a high financial risks. He is a cool guy and now I have to give him the money he deserves. And Iīm happy that I can do so. take care and play |
