| Author | Message | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1439 Registered: 6-2002 |
As the auction says : "I think this guitar was made by some one who worked for alembic bass company I was told , you have to investigate " So...Investigation initiated - Does the logo ring any bells? The scroll says Oasis to me , the bat wing headstock seems familiar. ?? Zebrawood mystery bass | ||
| longhorncat
Senior Member Username: longhorncat Post Number: 452 Registered: 8-2005 |
I emailed the seller a few days ago asking for larger pictures and a shot of the electronics cavity. He replied with "What you see is what you get". | ||
| wookie
Intermediate Member Username: wookie Post Number: 108 Registered: 8-2010 |
What a jerk! I'm going to email him too : ) lol! | ||
| longhorncat
Senior Member Username: longhorncat Post Number: 453 Registered: 8-2005 |
I'd love to see what's inside. I assume that the Alembic electronics are gone. | ||
| mtjam
Junior Username: mtjam Post Number: 45 Registered: 11-2011 |
Wow! What a motivated seller! LOL | ||
| hifiguy
Advanced Member Username: hifiguy Post Number: 350 Registered: 10-2006 |
To paraphrase an old Monty Python sketch, this is a bass with a message, and the message is Beware! | ||
| wookie
Intermediate Member Username: wookie Post Number: 109 Registered: 8-2010 |
I'm with hifiguy! I read his feedback... No bueno! If he's not being cool, he's hiding something, and I don't want to spend my money buying this guys lies and ambiguity. I don't care if Jesus made this bass. I will say that body is cool though maybe the next Alembic model?! The "mini me" if I could, I'd copy the pic and ruin some wood trying to make one! Lol! | ||
| hammer
Intermediate Member Username: hammer Post Number: 193 Registered: 9-2009 |
With that attitude the most pertinent questions are...(a) does he really want to sell it, and/or (b) what's he know that he doesn't want prospective buyers to know about? | ||
| hydrargyrum
Senior Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 1134 Registered: 3-2004 |
I wonder if this was a shop night instrument. That headstock also looks vaguely Irwinish, so I would guess that it would have been made sometime after Garcia made Irwin famous. Too bad the guy won't share a gut shot. | ||
| gtrguy
Senior Member Username: gtrguy Post Number: 483 Registered: 9-2004 |
Hmnn, in the sellors feedback there is a guitar they sold with a comment, "bent neck not disclosed', EBay made him give a refund". Shipping is also way too much. | ||
| wookie
Intermediate Member Username: wookie Post Number: 110 Registered: 8-2010 |
Yea, gtrguy, that's what I saw that made me think, "no way!" can anyone here save and print an outline of the body? If you can do it I'll give you $5 bucks and pay the shipping : ) I would actually bid on the bass but I have a real bad feeling about it. I still think the mini body and head are pretty cool! Let me know fellas! Thanks! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7829 Registered: 6-2000 |
Wasn't that peghead logo found on a Mark Johnson instrument before? | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7830 Registered: 6-2000 |
Here's an MJ peghead shot:  | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7831 Registered: 6-2000 |
I have no idea on the electronics. We certainly sold parts to Mark, but those pickups look like someone used a blow torch to disconnect them. There's no shots of what's under the hood, so it's anyone's guess as to what's is actually in there. | ||
| wookie
Intermediate Member Username: wookie Post Number: 111 Registered: 8-2010 |
Is that a led zep pic inlaid (forgive my ignorance, I'm not much of a fan, sorry)? It looks cool though... I love when Mica gets in on the posts! hey, before that Orion comes home can you sign the inside electronics cavity cover? And maybe you could print a full size pic of the mystery (probably all "jacked up") bass body and head? | ||
| elisha_wiesner
New Username: elisha_wiesner Post Number: 3 Registered: 8-2012 |
I did my research and then took the risk and bought this bass. It turns out to be exactly what I thought, a very early Mark Johnson! I spoke with Mark today and he is going to go through his archives and find his original records on it. It is one of the best playing basses I have ever played. The original Alembic pickups were obviously changed but were included with the bass. It actually sounds great as it is but I'm sure wit will sound better with the original pickups re-installed. Just amazing craftsmanship all around on this one. The ebay photos don't do it justice at all. Mark told me that the peghead logo is actually a winged Pete Townshend! I can't believe the deal I got on this amazing bass. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2608 Registered: 5-2009 |
Congratulations , It looks like the Universe wants you to have this instrument ! " The transitive nightfall of diamonds " for you ! That has happened to me as well with an Alembic bass . | ||
| elisha_wiesner
New Username: elisha_wiesner Post Number: 5 Registered: 8-2012 |
It get's better. I took off the large black pickup surrounds and to my surprise A) they were't glued down so they just came right up without leaving a mark and B) there was no routing done when the new pickups were installed. The originals fit right back in place and look like they were never removed! I'm going to re-install them soon. | ||
| funkyjazzjunky
Senior Member Username: funkyjazzjunky Post Number: 820 Registered: 5-2007 |
Photos please | ||
| elisha_wiesner
New Username: elisha_wiesner Post Number: 6 Registered: 8-2012 |
Here are a few that I took yesterday to send to Mark. Like I mentioned earlier, the ugly black pickup surrounds pop right out and the original pickups fit right in with no fuss. Now I just need to figure out about the wiring. If anyone can point me in the right direction as far as that goes it would be greatly appreciated. This bass plays like butter!        | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1447 Registered: 6-2002 |
Wow...coool !!!! | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 3244 Registered: 10-2002 |
That really is a superb looking instrument. Congrats Elisha Graeme | ||
| wfmandmusic
Junior Username: wfmandmusic Post Number: 37 Registered: 1-2012 |
Congrats on the bass. The pickups you took out look like DiMarzio's. If you want to sell them, please send me an email. | ||
| elisha_wiesner
New Username: elisha_wiesner Post Number: 7 Registered: 8-2012 |
wfmandmusic, I very well might decide to sell them. I'll let you know if I do. | ||
| elisha_wiesner
New Username: elisha_wiesner Post Number: 9 Registered: 8-2012 |
Original pickups are back in and sound really nice! | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1454 Registered: 6-2002 |
Yahooo!! joy  | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 1121 Registered: 6-2002 |
Can you post a pic or two with the original pickups?? Thanks, Michael | ||
| elisha_wiesner
New Username: elisha_wiesner Post Number: 10 Registered: 8-2012 |
I can post some but I was wondering if I should just start a new thread on this bass in the main section? I'm pretty new around here |
