| Author | Message | ||
| hammer
Intermediate Member Username: hammer Post Number: 165 Registered: 9-2009 |
Interesting 1979 Series 1 long scale just appeared on EBay with reasonable starting price ($2,000) and what the seller claims is a reasonable reserve. Too big for me and not my style (especially the large sticker that was applied to the front), but someone might get lucky here and get a nice instrument for a reasonable price. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alembic-Series-1-long-scale-4-string-bass-/320931399460?pt=Guitar&hash=item4ab9008724#ht_500wt_1353 | ||
| sjhoffma
Advanced Member Username: sjhoffma Post Number: 247 Registered: 5-2008 |
1975* I think its very pretty! I would be afraid to touch the sticker though, who knows how long its been on there. Forget about residue and gunk, I bet the finish underneath has faded at a different pace. Oh well, its all part of the history of the bass as far as im concerned. | ||
| yogalembic
Member Username: yogalembic Post Number: 88 Registered: 5-2012 |
Although my interest lies in shorter scales, I think that sticker is fairly badass! Throw some black pup covers an it (to match the knobs and the black part of the sticker) and, BAM! | ||
| sjhoffma
Advanced Member Username: sjhoffma Post Number: 248 Registered: 5-2008 |
aww see I love the brown pickup covers from the early series instruments. To me thats what makes the bass! To each his own I suppose  I wonder what the reserve price is, I'd honestly consider bidding if I could get it for somewhere between 2500 and 2750, but then again anyone who even bothers to quote the $14,000 price tag of a new Series I is obviously looking to get as much out of it as possible. | ||
| yogalembic
Member Username: yogalembic Post Number: 92 Registered: 5-2012 |
Well, if it didn't have the stickers, then I'd definately dig the brown pup covers. It is a good look. I wish you the best on your quest! $14,000 aside, I wonder if he has looked into the actual market. There is a gorgeous Series I long listed here for, I believe $4250, and it's been here for awhile. I negotiated him down, but after playing my Dis @ 32", the long scale will be too much for me. In fact, when I was looking for a Series I long, I was duly warned by a member here that, although I love my 35" Lakland, the 34" Series feels much longer. About a year ago, I botched my left shoulder while doing something stupid in regard to yard work. So, I can occasionally develope pain there when reaching to the side and up (like when playing). So, if and when I do go for a Series, she'll be a Med. Anyway, I ramble..... So, best wishes if you decide to go for it... | ||
| yogalembic
Member Username: yogalembic Post Number: 93 Registered: 5-2012 |
Well, if it didn't have the stickers, then I'd definately dig the brown pup covers. It is a good look. I wish you the best on your quest! $14,000 aside, I wonder if he has looked into the actual market. There is a gorgeous Series I long listed here for, I believe $4250, and it's been here for awhile. I negotiated him down, but after playing my Dis @ 32", the long scale will be too much for me. In fact, when I was looking for a Series I long, I was duly warned by a member here that, although I love my 35" Lakland, the 34" Series feels much longer. About a year ago, I botched my left shoulder while doing something stupid in regard to yard work. So, I can occasionally develope pain there when reaching to the side and up (like when playing). So, if and when I do go for a Series, she'll be a Med. Anyway, I ramble..... So, best wishes if you decide to go for it... | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10767 Registered: 5-2002 |
If it were me (and it's not, I'm selling, not buying), and if the price was right, I think I would send it to Santa Rosa and at the very least have the sticker removed, the rough spots smoothed over, full refinish, and the truss rod cover replaced. I think I would also consider having the brass polished and replated. And as long as it's there, if needed, the electronics upgrade. And I'm wondering if the bridge was at some point repositioned, perhaps to help with intonation; so maybe having them look at that as well. I say all that only because it's a very nice example of the early style pickups, and the top certainly looks very nice. Restored, it would be a beautiful example of an early Alembic. But that's just me talking off the top of my head. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2526 Registered: 5-2009 |
HI Dave, I agree 100% with your above post 10767. I was thinking the same thing . Wolf | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 867 Registered: 4-2004 |
My guitar is two numbers after this bass, and having done the whole refinish/electronics deal, I think this bass has TONS of potential if the sale price lands in even the mid threes. Truss rod covers didn't appear in Alembic builds until a couple of years after this guy was made, so perhaps routing a recess for a new one, along with a bridge block would be a good idea.... | ||
| hammer
Intermediate Member Username: hammer Post Number: 166 Registered: 9-2009 |
So how much does it cost for a refinish and electronics upgrade on a 70s Series I instrument? This one is obviously too big for me, but I've often wondered and not pulled the trigger on other possible deals that would need refurbishing because of a fear that with the cost of a refinish and upgrade I would be in the same situation as purchasing a new instrument and losing big dollars if I ever sold it. | ||
| pswanson
Junior Username: pswanson Post Number: 19 Registered: 12-2003 |
I had a 1981 series 1 refinished with the electronics upgrade two years ago and it costs me about $4,000. As part of the deal I also had the electronics upgraded to series 2, except for the LED's. The series 1 instruments are already series 2 upgradable, by adding a master volume and replacing the filter switches with variable pots. The electronics upgrade comes with new pickups however, so I do not know if they would preserve the brown pickups. I would suspect you would face a similar cost, even if you did not do the series 1 to 2 electronics upgrade, as the brass hardware needs some work. | ||
| hammer
Intermediate Member Username: hammer Post Number: 168 Registered: 9-2009 |
Pete: Thanks for the info. I'm not necessarily interested in this bass because it's a long-scale and the biggest I can handle is a medium. I have seen a good number of what appear to be potential good buys that would need restoration out there but never pulled the trigger because of a fear that I'd end up paying more than the bass was really worth. On the other hand, I'm seriously contemplating a build and after seeing the price for my dream bass that included an increase over what I expected of $1,000 just for the front and back laminates, doing a restoration on the right bass seems like it make a lot of sense. | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 869 Registered: 4-2004 |
From first hand knowledge, a refinish and upgrade along with a moderate sales price comes in at less than half of what a new build would cost. Yet, with that said, I haven't seen someone go though the process and flip a bass for a profit.... It's only something to consider if you stumble across a vintage Alembic that you consider to be your soul-mate. Stickers aside, this is a REALLY cool bass..... | ||
| pswanson
Junior Username: pswanson Post Number: 20 Registered: 12-2003 |
I decided to do it because I am left handed and finding any left hand series basses is next to impossible. I purchased this bass in 2006 for $3200 and spent $4k on the refinish/upgrade. I am happy knowing I will probably not break even, but to have this bass built now is $27,000!  | ||
| hammer
Intermediate Member Username: hammer Post Number: 170 Registered: 9-2009 |
That's a gorgeous bass that you have and the inlay is beautiful. For a total of $7,200 (2006 style) that would be a bargain. Unfortunately, it appears that just about a rare as left-handed Series basses are medium scale ones. All of the one's I've looked at over the last 2-years have been long scale. I actually saw a 1980 medium scale Series II earlier today at gBase (http://www.gbase.com/gear/alembic-series-ii-1980#) but when I contacted Guitars Unlimited to ask about it, they indicated that it's going for $7,500. Although it appears to be in quite good condition, that's still a lot of money and wouldn't give me much room for a refurbish if needed. | ||
| hammer
Intermediate Member Username: hammer Post Number: 171 Registered: 9-2009 |
Beautiful bass (especially the inlay) and would appear to be well worth the $$$ you spent to acquire and refurbish it. Just as rare as lefty Series basses appear to be medium scale versions. I've looked for 2-years and when I finally found a nice one this AM on GBase (Guitars unlimited) it turns out they want $7,500 for it leaving little $$$$ for a future refurbish if it is needed. It looks to be in excellent condition but we are still talking about a 30-plus year old instrument that I would probably want to upgrade. If the price was anywhere near what I've seen some the long scale versions go for I would grab it. | ||
| pswanson
Junior Username: pswanson Post Number: 21 Registered: 12-2003 |
Funny, mine is a 1981. The bass you found today almost looks like the wood comes from a similar palette. It is expensive, but beautiful. The good news is that if you did pay the $7k for an instrument in good shape, you could hold off a few years for the refinish/upgrade. i waited three years to do mine. When I purchased mine in 2006 it was in excellent condition but it was an oil finish, and I wanted the polyurethane. That was a big driver for the upgrade. Good luck! | ||
| gtrguy
Senior Member Username: gtrguy Post Number: 476 Registered: 9-2004 |
Its interesting how an Alembic refinish adds to the value of an Alembic, but how any other vintage instrument it would devalue it. I personally like an older looking finish and hate new looking finishes, but that is just me. Of course, Alembic offers the option of adding some brown/yellow mix to the coating to make it look more old if you so desire. | ||
| hammer
Intermediate Member Username: hammer Post Number: 172 Registered: 9-2009 |
You've got a point there. It's all a matter of taste/preference and that might be quite different from instrument to instrument. I have a Gibson EB-3 in addition to my Alembic and would never even consider refinishing it (probably because I don't necessarily think the sound would be improved). On the other hand, from what I've heard the newer Series electronics are far superior to those of 25-30 years ago and as long as one is having that done, why not refinish (and in the case of the bass in question clean up the bridge and tailpiece which look pretty bad right now)? It will be interesting to see the final auction price of the Series bass on Ebay. It's up to $3,500 and has made the reserve from what I can tell. I'll bet the last minute vultures will drive it a lot higher before tomorrow ends. | ||
| hammer
Intermediate Member Username: hammer Post Number: 173 Registered: 9-2009 |
It sold for only $3,600. I wish it was medium scale. Even with a $4-5,000 do-over, that's a great price for a Series I Bass. I hope someone in the club got a hold of it. | ||
| room037
Senior Member Username: room037 Post Number: 452 Registered: 9-2003 |
The winner is join us on the history requests section. He is a lucky man ! Eiji | ||
| rcowart
New Username: rcowart Post Number: 5 Registered: 6-2012 |
I have 75-133 in my hands now. The only problem now is how to get rid of this sticker | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10799 Registered: 5-2002 |
Congrats! I think I've seen Mica or someone post in the past about what they would use to remove a sticker; however as mentioned above, if it's been on there a while, there will be a noticeable difference in the finish. My guess is that you're probably going to want to send it to Santa Rosa for a refinish, if it is within your budget to do so. But perhaps the best thing to do is to talk to Mica about it. | ||
| rcowart
New Username: rcowart Post Number: 6 Registered: 6-2012 |
Thanks Dave Just finished preliminary exam and workout. All of the electronics work fine and without any noise. The neck is straight and action also pretty good. There are a few dings and some buckle rash on the back. No cracking of the finish at all. The bass also sounds great. The only real issue I have is this god awfull sticker. A piece of it has come off and exposed the wood below as it also took the finish coat off with it. I need to get this sticker off. Richard | ||
| hammer
Intermediate Member Username: hammer Post Number: 179 Registered: 9-2009 |
Glad to here that the essentials are in good shape. As far as the cosmetics go... If you can afford it, I'd suggest sending it to the mothership for a do over. Although I have no problems with Pink Floyd, the person who applied the sticker should be required to do some hard time. | ||
| rcowart
New Username: rcowart Post Number: 9 Registered: 6-2012 |
Just updated before and after pics of 75-133 in the History request section. Just glad to get that sticker off. http://alembic.com/club/messages/394/134766.html?1342795325 | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10829 Registered: 5-2002 |
It looks great Richard! |
