| Author | Message | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4180 Registered: 6-2002 |
http://www.gbase.com/gear/alembic-series-i-short-scale-1981-flame-koa# Never seen that design on alembic before.   | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 1053 Registered: 4-2004 |
Perfect in every way..... What's the catch?!? Ps... I call that a mega-omega headstock!... | ||
| mtjam
Intermediate Member Username: mtjam Post Number: 179 Registered: 11-2011 |
To me, it looks like the headstock tips have been broken off. Strange to see an Alembic bridge that can be strung through the body. Price seems low, too. Anyone know more about this mystery bass? | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 11458 Registered: 5-2002 |
I agree; looks like the tips were broken. It might be possible for the shop to repair. Needs a hard case. Figuring the cost of the repair (I have no idea), plus shipping to Santa Rosa, and the cost of a case, the price starts to look high. If you could talk them down a few hundred, and have them ship it to Santa Rosa for the repair, you could end up with a nice short scale. There are a couple of screw holes on the back where the strap button was moved around that will need to be filled; and the truss rod cover is missing. | ||
| zomnius
Junior Username: zomnius Post Number: 15 Registered: 9-2013 |
why repair? bass is beautiful even with this headstock | ||
| zomnius
Junior Username: zomnius Post Number: 16 Registered: 9-2013 |
i contacted the dealer, but what worries a bit is the two litle holes in the back of the neck.. besides that, if it is a short scale, the body seems small than compared to a 'normal' series 1? | ||
| flpete1uw
Advanced Member Username: flpete1uw Post Number: 350 Registered: 11-2011 |
That is some sweet looking Koa! Very tempting, if I didn't have a couple of Alembic Basses. ;) Strangely it falls just short of what I may be interested in. Not by much. I'm sure this Bass won't last long. Pete | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 2228 Registered: 9-2002 |
Flame koa, what's not to like? Bass NW has been around the block, so I'd guess the $2999 (which seems a little light for a S1) is the result of the miles / mods on this axe. I'm guessing the 2 holes around the heel are the result of one more attempt to foil gravity when it comes to this body shape, and hey, why not have thru-the-body stringing (what a doofus idea) to get MORE sustain . . . . I mean, it's hard to get an S1 (or any Alembic) to keep the notes going ? ? ? The horn-frog headstock I have no idea. I can understand getting out the S+S catalog and hotrodding Fenders (who cares?), but why would you mess with one of these? J o e y | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 2053 Registered: 2-2005 |
The neck holes look like old strap button holes. I suspect it was moved a couple of times to try and change the balance point. Should be able to plug them fairly easily. Keith | ||
| flpete1uw
Advanced Member Username: flpete1uw Post Number: 351 Registered: 11-2011 |
Just reread the ad and it states it can be strung with short or long scale strings. This could explain the body through string holes? My short scale Series needing medium scale strings offer limited choices. That said there will be no holes drilled.  Pete | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 3566 Registered: 5-2009 |
I check out the inventory and new arrivals at Bass Northwest weekly. I first saw this new arrival a few days ago and almost leaped out of my chair. The body shape seems to be a morphed Distillate variation with an Omega cut out at both the bottom and head stock to my eyes. It looks like it started out with a Distillate shape with a point at the bottom . I would have loved that to have stayed that way! IN addition I would have preferred the standard Alembic head stock shape as on a Standard point or a Distillate , Etc ... At this price and, ___ to my eyes and taste a Distillate shape with standard head stock and a POINT at the bottom in medium scale with Series electronics would have prompted a phone call to Bass Northwest to hold the bass for me for purchase .I have purchased a very clean older style F-2B from them a few years ago and was VERY pleased with their secure packing method. | ||
| zomnius
Junior Username: zomnius Post Number: 18 Registered: 9-2013 |
i already have a point ;) so ill see if they r willig to look oversees (grr) | ||
| jcdlc72
Advanced Member Username: jcdlc72 Post Number: 370 Registered: 11-2009 |
It seems to me the headstock´s VERY big for it to be a broken headstock tip issue, something tells me it was meant to be like that, or either a later mod from a big headstock. Was it me, I´d send it to the Mothership, have the two neck holes filled in, and reshape the headstock to as close to crown shape as possible. Oh, and a decent hard case for it, too; it deserves it!. | ||
| jalevinemd
Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 954 Registered: 12-2003 |
No way on God's green Earth this bass left Santa Rosa with the headstock looking like that. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 3567 Registered: 5-2009 |
The headstock can double as a slingshot or a hand catapult ! | ||
| hammer
Senior Member Username: hammer Post Number: 545 Registered: 9-2009 |
That Koa is absolutely stunning! | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 3568 Registered: 5-2009 |
Yes , The Koa is indeed exemplary . The Bass is a beautiful instrument . I have actually pondered acquiring it with just a phone call. However ____If I do not stop my self every time I see an Alembic Bass that is obtainable I would own a hundred Alembic's and would have to sleep in my basement ___ LOL ! I surely would ask Alembic to transform that headstock to a traditional crown style if I were to catch it . That perhaps might not even be such a big deal , I would think. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4182 Registered: 6-2002 |
As nice as it is, it doesn't jump off the page for me. However I'm kind of like you Sonicus, I have a difficult time convincing myself that every used alembic that appeals to me doesn't need to be owned by me. Fortunately....??? funds and reality checks prevent that from happening. | ||
| flpete1uw
Advanced Member Username: flpete1uw Post Number: 352 Registered: 11-2011 |
Jazzy and Wolf, Your statements align with mine making us 3 of a perfect pair! I can only hope that when a Bass shows up that does resonate with me, Dreams of basements and reality checks are still dancing in your heads! Hee Hee! It's all good guys . Peace, Pete | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 3569 Registered: 5-2009 |
Jazzyvee ,Yes ___ thats how it is . Perhaps it is to our benefit to have our "internal regulators" set on a similar cautionary threshold setting just like an audio limiter for a vocally boisterous radio guest on the air . We will both know when a instrument makes an appearance that turns on the red LED lights past 0 VU . At that time the deliberation mode is activated in our minds . Pete, No worries friend ___. lately I have been deliberating far too long in my decisions and by the time that I decide to preceded to have my Raven fetch an item , your Raven may already be flying it into your hands .At such a time I will simply nod and smile and speak with words of praise for your nimble and crafty Raven. ___However , my Raven will still be demanding his San Francisco Sour Dough bread retaining fee, but It's worth it just to have him in my corner for various eBay transactions. (Message edited by sonicus on August 18, 2014) | ||
| hammer
Senior Member Username: hammer Post Number: 546 Registered: 9-2009 |
What keeps me from bidding on just about everything I see is the house rule (i.e., no more than 3 Alembics at any one time). That means every time I see something I want (as opposed to need) I must think about which of my current stable (Custom Signature in Superior Walnut, SC Standard Signature in Burl Maple; and the latest addition a Quilted Maple Europa 6-string) I would be willing to sell. It took some really long and hard thinking to pull the trigger on the Europa because I knew I needed to sell my Distillate which now has a nice new home in Michigan. My wife refers to this rule as as "supporting me with my self-regulation." | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 3570 Registered: 5-2009 |
Just out of curiosity , ___I called Bass Northwest and mentioned that there was a discussion here at our Alembic forum regarding the headstock shape on this bass. The store representative concurred with our thoughts that the Bass quite likely did not leave Alembic when new like that and that it was possible and probable that the headstock had been damaged because the woodwork in the area in mention did not seem to be in par with Alembic craftsmanship ( a bit rough) . However,____ Someone was already checking it out in the store during our conversation and was told that the person playing showed much interest in it . I was asked if I wanted a call from the store if I would like to purchase it if the fellow checking it out did not buy it but I exercised self control and kept the Raven steady and perched, Not in flight and pursuit _______. Who claims this bass will have a swell unique instrument. Alembic Series I ___!!! for just under $3,000__It was a pleasant phone conversation . | ||
| flpete1uw
Advanced Member Username: flpete1uw Post Number: 353 Registered: 11-2011 |
Yeah, 3K for a Series is quite a deal. And as stated that Koa is gorgeous. The question is what could be done to fix that slingshot? There is a lot of wood missing. Wolf, my Raven is at rest as well on this one. However it's taking a lot of coaxing in keeping him calm. I have a Series 1 Koa top bass and she's a keeper. If the stars were aligned slightly different. ;) Pete | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 3571 Registered: 5-2009 |
Pete , Same here. I am already grateful to have my "Series ". Wolf | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 3572 Registered: 5-2009 |
In respect for Alembic it just seems correct to ask if indeed this headstock might have been modified elsewhere then at the Mothership. If Mica reads this perhaps she will chime in time allowing , so that we are clearly not just making an assumption regarding the headstock. Could it have been a special request from someone that fancied such a design ? Perhaps it has was only slightly damaged at the top inner edges of the headstock Omega __or ? ___ I am Just still wondering . Wolf | ||
| hammer
Senior Member Username: hammer Post Number: 547 Registered: 9-2009 |
The bass is gone. The person at Bass Northwest to whom I spoke nevertheless did take the time to discuss it with me an indicated that this headstock was not original. He suggested that one side might have broken off and the owner "evened if off" by removing the other side. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 3574 Registered: 5-2009 |
That is similar to what that they told me when I called as per my post # 3570 yesterday . The new owner got an interesting bass . | ||
| enzo
Senior Member Username: enzo Post Number: 405 Registered: 4-2009 |
…and a cracking deal! | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 2057 Registered: 2-2005 |
Bada Boom. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4185 Registered: 6-2002 |
I did wonder what the significance of the photograph in front of the case as it would seem unusual to include an unrelated photo into a sale. Is it a picture of the Wickershams? | ||
| enzo
Senior Member Username: enzo Post Number: 406 Registered: 4-2009 |
I think that was only advertisement for Alembic gadgets and accessories, I remember seeing that same picture on ebay long time ago, but I could be wrong... | ||
| gtrguy
Senior Member Username: gtrguy Post Number: 783 Registered: 9-2004 |
Yeah, it looks like the headstock was modified at a local bar by an overzealous player and then further modified in an attempt to even it up some. | ||
| musashi
Advanced Member Username: musashi Post Number: 217 Registered: 5-2004 |
Hello Alembic Family, As some of you may know, I have been without an Alembic axe for a very long time (read years). I have finally found what I hope will be My Alembic bass. It is this one that was recently made available on the Bass Northwest website. I put money down to hold it, and now I need to raise funds to complete the purchase. I am attempting to do so via the crowd funding website, Indiegogo.com https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/no-more-dreams-deferred-my-alembic-bass I think some here can relate to my situation, and I hope you might help spread the word, even if you are unable to contribute financially at this time. I have owned three Series basses over the course of my career, but each was sold in order to help finance the search for my children. There was, of course, no choice about that. But, as I note on the Indiegogo page, it is time to get back to my real work. And for that I need the proper tool. To paraphrase the line from the movie Risky Business: Alembic. There is no substitute. Thanks for reading. M  | ||
| susan
Moderator Username: susan Post Number: 114 Registered: 5-2002 |
Clearly that peg-head is not original to the bass and has been modified. I suspect it was damaged somehow and this is how they chose to repair it | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 3600 Registered: 5-2009 |
Susan, thank you for your confirmation to what some of us here suspected . Wolf |
