| Author | Message | ||
| jix
New Username: jix Post Number: 10 Registered: 1-2009 |
Hi Mica. I'm looking at purchasing this bass second hand - it is being advertised as a Mark King Sig. Delux, and the electronics appear to be Series 1. Just keen to know that it is everything it claims to be. Serial No. is 012879 usa Very many thanks James | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8290 Registered: 5-2002 |
James; the serial number doesn't make sense. Please check it again. | ||
| jix
Junior Username: jix Post Number: 11 Registered: 1-2009 |
Thanks very much for coming back to me so quickly on that, Dave. I thought it didn't look correct as both the Persuader and SC Sig. that I currently own both have a mix of letters and numbers to show the type of bass. I've asked the seller to confirm and will let you know as soon as I hear back from them. Many thanks James | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8293 Registered: 5-2002 |
James; if it's a Series I, then there will not be any letters, but the number above still doesn't make sense. For instance, the first two numbers of any serial number are the year the instrument was made. In this case, if the first two numbers are 01 then the bass was made in 2001. If it's a non-Series bass (generally), next will be one or two letters denoting the model. No letters means a Series I or II. The remaining numbers are (generally) in chronological order for all instruments; ie the first Alembic made was 01, and an instrument made in 2008 might be 13xxx; in other words, serial number 13000 would have been (roughly) the 13,000th Alembic made. A 2001 instrument would have a 5 digit chronological number in the 12000's. So perhaps your number is 0112879. (Note, there are a few exceptions to these general rules.) | ||
| jix
Junior Username: jix Post Number: 12 Registered: 1-2009 |
Hi Dave. The seller has come back and advised that the complete number is - 0212879 usa (so I'm guessing that means it's built in 2002? I've put a couple of photos below - are you able to tell if the bass in the photos matches the description for the bass with that serial number? Thanks ever so much for the help. James      | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2575 Registered: 2-2006 |
Looks like a Series II to me not a Series I. Great looking bass that maple top is awesome. OO | ||
| sonicus
Intermediate Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 156 Registered: 5-2009 |
The book matched quilted maple is stunning! (Message edited by sonicus on July 02, 2009) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8308 Registered: 5-2002 |
Olie, I'm thinking it's a Series I with a master volume control. However, it could be a Series II with the modification of Q switches instead of CVQs. And yes, very nice Quilted Maple top and back! And yes James, the year is 2002. Serial number lookups can take a while, so I'll make a few guesses for you. In addition to the 5A Quilted Maple top and back body laminates, this bass has Quilted maple top and back headstock lams as well. The electronics are Series I with the addition of a master volume control. The neck is Maple and Purpleheart, the fretboard is Ebony, and the oval inlays appear to be Mother of Pearl. The bass has a continuous wood truss rod cover, and continuous wood cavity covers. The hardware appears to be brass. What very little I can make out of the body core suggests it may be Mahogany. The complete serial number confirms that it's a Series bass and not a Mark King model. The tailpiece appears to be positioned a little further away from the bridge than normal. Beautiful bass! | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2578 Registered: 2-2006 |
OOPs you are correct Dave, I didn't even notice the switchs instead of knobs, Series I w master volume does look correct. | ||
| chalie_holmes
Intermediate Member Username: chalie_holmes Post Number: 102 Registered: 3-2009 |
That is a gem of bass there! Good catch!!! Kudos! Chalie Holmes | ||
| artswork99
Senior Member Username: artswork99 Post Number: 707 Registered: 7-2007 |
Are you sure that is a 5 pin XLR plug. I remember a bass that was prepared for the series upgrade from over a year ago. I've enlarged the picture and it is questionable. I believe that this bass is prepped for Series II electronics shown in the thread below but is as advertised an MK Sig Dlx. Please be aware! All controls, continuous wood back plates and wood truss cover all match up with pictures in the thread shown. http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/2140.html?1117209090 (Message edited by artswork99 on July 02, 2009) | ||
| jix
Junior Username: jix Post Number: 13 Registered: 1-2009 |
Thanks very much for all the information, everyone - I really appreciate it. Artswork99 - sorry for sounding a bit ignorant, but would I be right then in saying that, if this were the same bass, the electronics are normal Signature and the extra collet knob and XLR socket are not actually connected to anything? The bass is in a different country to the one I live in so it's rather hard for me to examine it in person (not ideal I know). Thanks very much for the help James | ||
| jix
Junior Username: jix Post Number: 14 Registered: 1-2009 |
P.s. Looking closely I can see what you mean - it doesn't look like an XLR socket but looks like there is a switch on the brass plate instead. | ||
| artswork99
Senior Member Username: artswork99 Post Number: 708 Registered: 7-2007 |
I don't know what the switch is for but the extra collet knob is most likely a master volume potentiometer as Dave suggested. I remember this bass from eBay when I was in the process of looking. Best, Art | ||
| jix
Junior Username: jix Post Number: 15 Registered: 1-2009 |
Thanks, Art. So - the other knobs would actually do something then? Any idea what it would cost to upgrade the electronics from this state to Series 1 or 2? Thanks again James | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8312 Registered: 5-2002 |
Good catch Art!!! James, if it's Signature electronics then it may be that the selector switch and master volume are not wired in; but if it's Anniversary electronics then the selector switch would be part of that package and the master volume may possibly be wired in as well. I don't know. You would need to call Mica for a quote on upgrading to Series I or II. I have no idea what the upgrade price would be; however the quote generator shows that the normal upgrade price to have Series I electronics installed in a MK Deluxe at time of build is $5,700. | ||
| jix
Junior Username: jix Post Number: 16 Registered: 1-2009 |
Thanks, Dave. So, although the serial no. suggests that it is a Series 1, it could be just an MK Sig. Delux with some extra knobs, in effect? (massively oversimplifing the situation, I know) I'm guessing this would be clear from the info. relating to the serial number? Thanks again for the help, and sorry for all the questions on this. James | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8314 Registered: 5-2002 |
Yes, the serial number lookup should answer all the questions; but there is a backlog of serial number lookups and it may take some time. You may want to try to contact the previous owner shown in the thread that Art linked to. | ||
| jix
Junior Username: jix Post Number: 17 Registered: 1-2009 |
Thanks very much, Dave. The current seller has come back to me and described the electronics as "the bass is a signature deluxe series 1 but the bass has all the circuits to put anothe pot and became a series 2." I'll certainly be interested to know what the serial no. lookup comes back with the verify this. Many thanks again James | ||
| enzo
Member Username: enzo Post Number: 77 Registered: 4-2009 |
What a stunning bass ! All I can say is good luck with this purchase but if for any reason the deal doesn't go thru let me know, I might be interested. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8319 Registered: 5-2002 |
James, my guess is that the current owner doesn't really understand the situation; and it would be guess that the original owner, who custom ordered the bass, probably has a better understanding. I think it would be worth the effort to try and get in touch with him; hopefully the email address is still current. | ||
| jix
Junior Username: jix Post Number: 18 Registered: 1-2009 |
Thanks very much, Dave. I e-mailed the original seller earlier today to see if he could better explain what the situation is with the electronics. I'll let you all know what he says if he replies. Thanks again James | ||
| tkotmk42
Member Username: tkotmk42 Post Number: 63 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hi. Testing to see if I can post from my iPhone yes, that's my photo, not the seller's photo. You might want to ask for new ones. Electronics are Anniv, with prep to install Series electronics later on. The switch on brass plate was a switch for stereo/mono. It is indeed NOT a series bass unless someone after me modified. Like I said, pictures are from my thread and I would be very cautious unless the seller can verify the ownership with recent pics with dated newspaper or something. Look in my post someone linked for other detail. Typing in jam-packed train heading into Tokyo is really a task. I'll post more info later, and will reply to your email also. Thanks!! Takeo Sonoi | ||
| tkotmk42
Member Username: tkotmk42 Post Number: 64 Registered: 5-2002 |
I stand corrected, those are NOT my pictures, looks like more recent photos. I don't recognize the background at all, something I didn't see on iPhone. Sorry for that, looks legit then. Takeo | ||
| tkotmk42
Member Username: tkotmk42 Post Number: 65 Registered: 5-2002 |
BTW, the serial number when I ordered it, came without the typical "MK" designation. I don't have any clue to why it didn't, perhaps since the bass was constructed (wood work wise) to same spec as Series Bass (hollow body, all routing done), maybe they chose to assign series serial number because of that... Donno. It's sad to see my baby in hands of others...if this bass is indeed in Europe, it's so funny to see it travel across the Atlantic pond and being in the hands of other players. Who knows, it may wind up in the hands of some famous (or famous to be) player someday! Takeo | ||
| tkotmk42
Member Username: tkotmk42 Post Number: 66 Registered: 5-2002 |
Oh, and here's a thread of my 'for sale' of this bass. http://alembic.com/club/messages/395/39542.html And this is when Wu was selling it. http://alembic.com/club/messages/395/45532.html Takeo | ||
| javier
New Username: javier Post Number: 4 Registered: 7-2009 |
Hi guys, finally I talked with the seller in Spain and we got an agreement outside eBay. I have the bass at home. It's a gorgeous instrument and maybe one day I will be able to afford the upgrade to a Series II, not at this point so I paid a good amount for it. Regards. | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 862 Registered: 8-2005 |
That is probably the most beautiful quilted maple top that I've ever seen!.........along with the "Unicorn" bass | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 863 Registered: 8-2005 |
That is probably the most beautiful quilted maple top that I've ever seen!.........along with the "Unicorn" bass | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 864 Registered: 8-2005 |
OOOOPS.double post.....Sorry! | ||
| jix
Junior Username: jix Post Number: 20 Registered: 1-2009 |
Many congrats, Javier. It really is a beautiful bass - I guess you were able to offer Paco more than I could for it! Definitely worth reading the posts that Sanoi-San has linked above to find out more about the history of the bass - he really did an amazing job in speccing it just right. Enjoy the upgrade when you're able to do it - Sonoi-San advised me that it was about $3k the last time he checked. Best wishes James | ||
| enzo
Member Username: enzo Post Number: 80 Registered: 4-2009 |
Congratulations Javier, this is one of the most beautiful Alembic I ever seen ! Can you post some nice pics ? | ||
| javier
New Username: javier Post Number: 5 Registered: 7-2009 |
Thank you very much for your nice words guys. I'm currently out of town for work but I will place some pictures as soon as comeback home. Best regards. | ||
| tkotmk42
Member Username: tkotmk42 Post Number: 67 Registered: 5-2002 |
Congrats Javier, and I am very happy to know my ex- is in the hands of Alembic club member. James asked me to find some more photos, I'm still digging, but if you would like to have pictures I took when I got the bass, shoot me an email and I'll send them your way. I have few pics of it arriving at my driveway (back when I lived in South Carolina) and opening the box for the first time... Anyways, Grats and enjoy the bass! P.S. Did you also receive the spare brass plates? I got them as spare to wooden ones thinking wood = fragile, only to find out how sturdy those wood covers are... they are like 5 piece laminates!! Alembic sure pays so much attention to details!! Takeo Sonoi | ||
| javier
New Username: javier Post Number: 7 Registered: 7-2009 |
Hi boys, at home finally. Takeo, thanks for your message. Sadly I don't have the spare brass plates but neither any single document(something that I would like) with the bass, only the case and the keys. I'm going to take some pictures for you. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 6513 Registered: 6-2000 |
Here's the details from the instrument file: top and back: 5A Quilted Maple accent: Purpleheart 1/8" laminate body: Mahogany neck: 7-piece Maple and Purpleheart scale: 32" medium fingerboard: Ebony inlays: mother of pearl ovals peghead: Bookmatched Crown body shape: Standard Point pickups: AXY with humcanceller (not connected) controls: "Anniversary" vol x2, filter x2, Q-switch x2, pickup selector switch, stereo/mono mode backplates: continuous wood truss rod cover: continuous wood straplocks: recessed option: Prepped for Series electronics option: string with .040-.100 option: tailpiece must be dead center birthday: October 16, 2002 originally made for: Bass NW custom order There's a note in the file with tracings of the backplates when Mary requested the complete set of 4 plates be made in brass. The work order called for a C serial number code, but it was left off in error. |
