| Author | Message | ||
| kalembik
New Username: kalembik Post Number: 1 Registered: 1-2006 |
Howdy, I just registered as a new member. I bought my Alembic used from Guitar Center in LA in 1980. I have always thought it was a Series-1, but have seen it referred to as a "brown bass." I'm just curious about it's history. I included a picture. Thanks kindly.  (Message edited by mica on February 06, 2006) | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 581 Registered: 6-2002 |
What you have is a Series 1. The Brown Bass came later. The Brown Bass line was named after the nickname that Stanley Clarke gave his Series 1. That is a VERY nice bass you have there. Michael | ||
| kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 461 Registered: 8-2003 |
With all deference to dela's knowledge -- he's been playing Alembics as long as I've been walking -- I've seen the term "Brown Bass" applied here and elsewhere to very early instruments, particularly those with caramel-colored pickups. The official "Brown Bass" model is a tweaked Stanley Clarke Signature Deluxe bass, which you can see examples of in the Alembic Store and Showcase sections on this site. Agreed, that's a gorgeous instrument that probably has a million great stories. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2994 Registered: 6-2000 |
Michael is right. Your bass is a Series I. It's also a duplicate serial number - the sister to it lives in Finland when we last heard from it. If you can send a side-view of your bass, I can confirm which one is yours, as from the front, the descriptions are identical. Is the core on your bass nearly the same color as the top or is it much lighter? Can you post a close-up of the body so I can see a little more detail? We will solve this mystery! Brown Bass started as a nickname Stanley Clarke gave his Walnut Series I bass (he called his Vermilion one the Red Bass"). We made a version of the Stanley Clarke Signature bass along the lines of the "Brown Bass" with the oil finish and wood choices. | ||
| kalembik
New Username: kalembik Post Number: 2 Registered: 1-2006 |
Howdy Mica. You are right about the core, it is nearly the same color as the top. I will try to post some better pictures soon. Though, closer photos might reveal how brutally I have treated it all these years. Thanks to all of you for your knowledge. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3049 Registered: 6-2000 |
The pictures will help me greatly. Right now it looks like the one with a Walnut core was recorded as being in Finland, but maybe it was recorded on the wrong #143 file. The other one has a Myrtle core. Anyway, I should be able to sort it out from photos. | ||
| kalembik
New Username: kalembik Post Number: 3 Registered: 1-2006 |
Howdy, I am posting some additional photos of my bass, I hope that will help you identify it. I probably should have polished it a little bit. Thanks again.    (Message edited by mica on February 06, 2006) | ||
| kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 474 Registered: 8-2003 |
Guess dirt does keep the funk, huh? Is she your only bass? That sure looks like a mahogany core to me...the neck is walnut, and the difference in the grain is pretty apparent, at least to a bumpkin like me. What's she weigh? Eight pounds or so? | ||
| kalembik
New Username: kalembik Post Number: 4 Registered: 1-2006 |
She is my only Alembic, weighing in at about 9 lbs. My other basses are a 5 string Rickenbacker, a Japanese Guild short scale (looks like an ebo) that I made into a fretless, and a fretless Applause acoustic electric.  (Message edited by davehouck on February 06, 2006) | ||
| kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 475 Registered: 8-2003 |
Fourteen, fifteen, sixteen...hey, do you think your wife would mind calling mine? I'm trying to add a fourth and fifth to the collection and getting the evil eye...cool stuff! | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 974 Registered: 11-2003 |
Maybe I just need to get out more but I don't recall seeing a five string Ric before. Very nice collection. Sam |
