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superlow
New
Username: superlow

Post Number: 1
Registered: 4-2013
Posted on Friday, April 05, 2013 - 9:48 am:   Edit Post

hello,
And first of all, I wish to say all my love to alembic. I've played 600 gigs with my two basses, never had a problem, always have magic.
THE absolut best.
Now, do you think I can find the history of my basses?
I got the 905945 serie 1 I think and the 90MK5799 standard mark king signature maybe.
so? D'you got something for me?
peace to all
artswork99
Moderator
Username: artswork99

Post Number: 1836
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Friday, April 05, 2013 - 10:34 am:   Edit Post

Alex, Welcome to the forum! Please be patient as this free service is performed on a first come first serve basis when there is some time available to Mica in Santa Rosa. Once the look-up is done it will give the same information that would be supplied upon the build card that you may have received with the basses. In meantime please post some pictures of each so we can have a look. Regards, Art
superlow
New
Username: superlow

Post Number: 2
Registered: 4-2013
Posted on Saturday, April 06, 2013 - 7:00 am:   Edit Post

Hello, and thanx for answering. Don't worry I'm not in a rush!!Her's pictures. I play the serie 1 with 3 strings and a slide, and you'll se I miss the alembis logo on the mark King. An asshole has stolen it on stage before a gig in switzerland. They're bumped and scratched, but they have touring the world...
Thanx again for your services, and long live alembic.
Peace to all of you in Santa Rosa
serie1
mark king

[moderator's edit: align images]

(Message edited by artswork99 on April 08, 2013)
superlow
New
Username: superlow

Post Number: 3
Registered: 4-2013
Posted on Monday, April 08, 2013 - 3:40 am:   Edit Post

and here's to complete: I have a few missing part on the serie 1 one Knob and I've changed a broken switch. Is that possible to find originals parts? I've bought this bass brand new in 1992, I was 19....I've payed for it during 4 years!! I was in studio once for a cover of a gainsbourg's song with Kid Loco and Jarvis cocker, and I asked to record straight in the desk.The sound guy said "oh are you sure? We'll miss low ends blabla". Then I start to play, and he turned at me, mouth opened asking for less bass.... and say "OOOOH! Sorry!! Didn't saw it was an alembic!!"
serie1
serie 1 head
serie1 back
serie1 controls

[moderator's edit: align images]

(Message edited by artswork99 on April 08, 2013)
superlow
New
Username: superlow

Post Number: 4
Registered: 4-2013
Posted on Monday, April 08, 2013 - 3:54 am:   Edit Post

Then I found the mark King in a shop in Paris. It was in very bad condition. The varnish was dead due to water, the neck was curve, and the electonic was dusty to say the least. So a very good french luthier took it and did a great job on it.He really understood what IS an Alembic, and out of his shop, the bass was perfect. He told me thousand times the admiration he has for the level of work on this bass. He was more than respectfull for you guys....he was a little bit jealous!!
You can see I miss the logo. You can even see the scratch made by the guy who stole it....can we do something for it?
mk front
mk back
mk head
mk head back

[moderator's edit: align images]

(Message edited by artswork99 on April 08, 2013)
slawie
Senior Member
Username: slawie

Post Number: 505
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Monday, April 08, 2013 - 4:20 am:   Edit Post

All the parts you need are available from Alembic.
I have found it is better to call on the phone than email. The folks are ready and willing to help.
You so lucky to have two Alembics.
Welcome to the forum.
slawie
slawie
Senior Member
Username: slawie

Post Number: 506
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Monday, April 08, 2013 - 4:21 am:   Edit Post

All the parts you need are available from Alembic.
I have found it is better to call on the phone than email. The folks are ready and willing to help.
You are so lucky to have two Alembics.
Welcome to the forum.
slawie
superlow
New
Username: superlow

Post Number: 5
Registered: 4-2013
Posted on Monday, April 08, 2013 - 5:48 am:   Edit Post

Thanx slawie, I'm happy to be on this forum, sharing a real passion for those instruments. In fact, I don't play bass, I play alembic.and they are so different. The serie1 is an alien, so powerfull and versatile.you can hammer it with all strenght, it will still response. NO limits. The mark king is sweeter but there's every bass sound in it. I'm not in a hurry for the parts, but I'm thinking about restoring them.
What's your alembic?
slawie
Senior Member
Username: slawie

Post Number: 507
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Tuesday, April 09, 2013 - 7:28 pm:   Edit Post

I have a 1975 small standard body fretless 34" scale.
slawie
superlow
New
Username: superlow

Post Number: 6
Registered: 4-2013
Posted on Tuesday, April 09, 2013 - 11:29 pm:   Edit Post

wahou! 75!! it's so sober! that's a piece of art. This shape is eternal.
Only the jazz bass can be as classy. I had one, but there's also a jazz bass in my alembics...
cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member
Username: cozmik_cowboy

Post Number: 1446
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - 8:37 am:   Edit Post

Two lovely instruments, Alex - but we really need a sound clip of this 3-strings-and-a-slide stuff! I confess myself thoroughly intrigued.

Peter
superlow
New
Username: superlow

Post Number: 9
Registered: 4-2013
Posted on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - 10:34 am:   Edit Post

ok i'll try. I'm not very strong on internet, so how can I do that?
slawie
Senior Member
Username: slawie

Post Number: 508
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - 3:21 pm:   Edit Post

There are a few of us here who have accounts on soundcloud. It is a free service. Google soundcloud and create an account. Record your stuff save to a computer then upload your sound files
slawie
superlow
Junior
Username: superlow

Post Number: 11
Registered: 4-2013
Posted on Friday, April 12, 2013 - 12:16 am:   Edit Post

I got the account, thank you. I'll find time to put the sounds this week-end. Chears people
moonliner
Intermediate Member
Username: moonliner

Post Number: 131
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Saturday, April 13, 2013 - 2:16 am:   Edit Post

Welcome to the forum! Those are beautiful basses, thanks for sharing the pictures. I look forward to hearing them too!
superlow
New
Username: superlow

Post Number: 1
Registered: 9-2013
Posted on Monday, September 23, 2013 - 5:00 am:   Edit Post

Hi everybody.
Sorry I was out this board for sometimes.
You can hear the 3 strings slide Alembic on sound cloud. Search for SUPERLOW, I've put 5 songs. Maybe "I'm coming back home" is the more into it. Hope someone will read this post!!!!!!
chears
slawie
Senior Member
Username: slawie

Post Number: 549
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Monday, September 23, 2013 - 5:49 am:   Edit Post

I listened to your Soundcloud tracks and the slide bass you play sounds so unique! Great tone with the higher frequencies ringing a pleasant melodic line that suits the whole song incredibly. Excellent material and its good to hear a different way of playing the bass.
slawie
superlow
New
Username: superlow

Post Number: 2
Registered: 9-2013
Posted on Monday, September 23, 2013 - 9:34 am:   Edit Post

Well, thank you!! Mark Sandman from Morphine did it first, but I really like the sound it does. With the Alembics, the range of usable tones are amazing. I've try with other basses, but never find the magic back. Superlow is a bass project built on Alembic's instrument. That's how I breathe!!!
artswork99
Moderator
Username: artswork99

Post Number: 1902
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Monday, September 23, 2013 - 12:21 pm:   Edit Post

Welcome back Alex! Sounds good, heres the link to superlow's soundcloud.
superlow
New
Username: superlow

Post Number: 3
Registered: 9-2013
Posted on Tuesday, September 24, 2013 - 12:05 am:   Edit Post

Thanx for the link Art.It's the first time those demos are out my computer.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8752
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, December 18, 2015 - 8:23 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Alex,

Here's the details about the Series I bass:

serial number: 90-5945
model name: Series I
model number: LBI4
top: Bird's-Eye Maple
accent: none
back: Bird's-eye Maple
neck: 5-piece Maple and Purpleheart
scale: 34" long
fingerboard: Ebony
inlays: Mother of pearl
pickups: SC-1
electronics: Series I
originally made for: Mesa/Boogie, Germany
birthday: May 21, 1990

Your bass is soo beautiful. I love Bird's-eye Maple, and this is a very lovely example. You bass shares its birthday with me.

Sorry, I pulled the wrong records for your other bass, so that will have to wait until Monday.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8764
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Tuesday, December 22, 2015 - 2:11 am:   Edit Post

OK, so armed with the correct file, here's what I can tell you about your other bass:


serial number: 90MK5799
model name: Mark King Signature Deluxe
model number: MKMB4
top: Quatersawn Coco Bolo
accent: Maple
body: Mahogany
neck: 5-piece Maple and Purpleheart
scale: 32" medium
fingerboard: Ebony
inlays: Pearloid (plastic) ovals
pickups: AXY4
controls: Signature
originally made for: Mesa/Boogie, Germany
birthday: not recorded, but probably January or February 1990

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