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scottonaharley
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Username: scottonaharley

Post Number: 1
Registered: 5-2015
Posted on Monday, May 04, 2015 - 3:01 pm:   Edit Post

I rescued this bass from a damp smelly closet in someones basement. Unfortunately the case may be a lost cause. I'd like to find out any information you have about it. Thank you.Front ViewBack View
edwardofhuncote
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Username: edwardofhuncote

Post Number: 1
Registered: 6-2014
Posted on Wednesday, May 06, 2015 - 3:41 pm:   Edit Post

That's a nice Rescue you got there Scott!

Mica just did a bunch of these a while back but hasn't posted any lately. If you search these pages, you may very well find instruments made very close to yours and get a good idea of when it was made. (I actually found the one made right after mine, but the file on my bass is missing)

That said, the "W" code indicates your bass is an Epic, the 96 means it was in production in 1996. The standard electronics are Volume/Pan/Bass/Treble.

I'm only guessing at the wood (some club members here have a sharper eye) but I'd say the top is Bocate, the accent is Maple, and the core is Mahogany. Looks like an Ebony fingerboard on a Maple neck.

That's a nice find... be sure and post some pictures in the Showcase section.

If you contact Alembic, they can help you with a replacement case. It's often easiest to catch them by phone.
edwardofhuncote
New
Username: edwardofhuncote

Post Number: 2
Registered: 6-2014
Posted on Wednesday, May 06, 2015 - 3:41 pm:   Edit Post

Oops, double-posted. And the Profile Gremlin got me again.

(Message edited by edwardofhuncote on May 06, 2015)
scottonaharley
New
Username: scottonaharley

Post Number: 2
Registered: 5-2015
Posted on Saturday, May 09, 2015 - 4:31 pm:   Edit Post

It looks like 96W9644 is pretty much a twin to mine which makes the top Bocate At this point the only unknown is the birthdate as the fretboard is indeed ebony and every thing else looks like standard issue for the Epic. It has the ability to stop most musicians visiting my home in their tracks and the first question is "where did you get that?" followed by "can I play it?" I saw Return to Forever on the Romantic Warrior promotion tour in the late 70's. Stanley Clarke, Al DiMeola, Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke and some one who I do not remember. But it was Stanley Clarke and his Alembic bass that made owning one a life long goal. As my friends and I say (not too often) That is the definition of an instrument.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8628
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 - 5:39 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Scott:

Here's the details from the instrument file:

serial: 96W10465
model: Epic WLB4
top: Bocate
accent: Maple
body: Mahogany
neck: 3-piece Maple
scale: 34" long
fingerboard: Ebony
pickups: Alembic MXY4
controls: "Epic/Orion" volume, pan, bass, treble, mono output
originally made for: Guitar Center, IL
birthday: Januar 3, 1996

You got the details correct :-)

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