| Author | Message | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4637 Registered: 6-2002 |
Still at a low price and only a few days left on the auction.  http://www.ebay.com/itm/1976-Alembic-Series-1-Bass-Guitar-Very-Good-Condition-No-Reserve-/252073120882?hash=item3ab0ba9472 | ||
| hifiguy
Senior Member Username: hifiguy Post Number: 452 Registered: 10-2006 |
Oh my. Those knobs are ghastly but the bass is beautiful. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4445 Registered: 5-2009 |
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| edwardofhuncote
New Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 4 Registered: 6-2014 |
A birdseye maple standard point... where's Mica?! =) That is *precisely* the wood I'm hoping for on my custom... not too wild, not too plain - just right. That little bit of curl in with the birdseye... we now return to your regularly scheduled thread. | ||
| rockerdebassman
New Username: rockerdebassman Post Number: 6 Registered: 8-2015 |
Hey there knowledgeable folk! I'm actively looking for an Alembic bass. After posting my intro a few days ago I've been reading the forum threads and researching which best meets my needs. I see it is a series bass, but what model is it? Now, how do I know if this is a good deal? What value would be fair? As the seller posted it as no returns, isn't it a big risk purchase, since there are so few pics and who knows what electronics are under the hood? Did I miss the SR number or was it not posted? /interested and concerned, Matt | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 2266 Registered: 2-2005 |
It is what we would call a large body, Series 1 today. Back in 1976 they were just large or small body. The seller says a full scale neck which doesn't really mean anything. He also say it is 35 inches which would not be a correct measurement. I suspect it is a 34" scale based on the 35" measurement. If it is a 34 inch long scale bass it is not uncommon for folks to have problems reaching the 1st position. I know I do and I stand about 5'9". If I were interested I would go back to the seller asking them to measure from the nut to the 12th fret then double this to get the actual scale length. This will determine if it is a long scale, 34" or medium scale 32" neck. As far as the price goes. If everything is working and since they have the blue box and case I would say the price is pretty good. Based on the pictures is appears all of the original Alembic electronics are there. A 1976 might need an electronics upgrade to handle modern RF interference but the average cost of this would bring the bass value up to the typical market price so it would not be money wasted. Keith | ||
| ed_zeppelin
Member Username: ed_zeppelin Post Number: 74 Registered: 2-2010 |
>>> researching which best meets my needs. I see it is a series bass, but what model is it? <<< Either one you can get. It's the world's finest bass. Once you put one on and do the "God of Thunder" thing, you'll see what I mean. When you put that sucker on and it feels like you're behind the wheel of a Rolls Royce, see if YOU can find the words to describe it. Martin Mull said; "writing about music is like dancing about architecture." Trying to describe what it's like to play an Alembic with a band is like that. I have a Series 1, and it's perfect for me. I'm an old gig-whore from way back (yes, I played Disco, I confess. And yes, I've boogied down) and one of my biggest rules is to never twiddle with knobs during a song. You shouldn't have to, if you do your homework. So I make sure to have whatever sounds I'm going to need handy in front of me. Unfortunately, I studied string bass in school (hopefully nobody can tell) so it's my main priority, sound-wise. My Alembic isn't my main axe, but that's actually why I think it's perfect.  Allow me to introduce my sultry brunette Brunhilde, upon whose long, silky neck I have draped myself many an evening. I slap her around a lot. (Yeah, I said it.) And there's my Series 1 (who doesn't have a name because my wife, the Foghorn, forbid me from naming things after I wanted to call our Golden Retriever puppies "Timex" and "Rolex." You know, watch dogs!) the other basses were just their for the reunion (they misbehaved so they're on "time out.") The most remarkable thing about Alembic basses in general is how much EXPRESSION you get out of the instrument themselves, regardless of the electronics. The damned things sing in your hands. Mine's long scale, fortunately, nearly identical to Brunhilde's and I'm 6'1" so I just stick my left arm out straight and there's your "F." You get used to it. (I played for years with an incredible guitarist who was very small, and his guitar was neck-heavy. He just attached a thin strap a couple of feet long under the rear strap button, and stood on it. Makes sense, don't it?) A great thing about Alembic tailpieces are that they allow you to swap out sets of strings with ease. (The ball ends go into slots, rather than being fed through holes.) I cycle through different strings for different gigs, another Alembic exclusive. As far as I know. Where the electronics shine is with a band. With a Fender P-bass the sound itself is so ingrained, you can do no wrong as long as you play SOMETHING on the right dots. Alembics are another thing entirely. They test you, make you play better than you thought you could. Rather than merely cut through, they define the sound of the whole band. The Series 1 is perfect for me because the knobs and switches amount to presets, to put it simply. The "Q value" is continuously variable on Series 2s, and I don't need that. To be honest, I put an ungodly amount of faith in Schaller straplocks by being able to switch from upright to Alembic in less than two seconds, and back again. Very carefully, of course. No Townsend-style "around the world neck twirl" nonsense. I've got it down to a dance. I don't like surprises (except the ones about being surprised that people keep hiring me, or being surprised that people wade through long winded swill like this). So I always know what the next song is - if at all possible - and which bass I want to play it on, so I can just click something and be ready to go. For that, I defy you to name another bass that has "presets" in the first place, much less where they are of such superb quality that it puts the whole focus on your fingers, where it should be. Stanley Clarke says that Alembics "always tell the truth." And they do. Bass is a very assertive function of music. There's an old joke that goes: q: how do you get a guitarist to turn down their volume? A: put sheet music in front of them!" The bass version would be: "strap an Alembic on them." I honestly can't tell you the number of times I've done something like miss the A/B switch or forgot to hit the pickup selector, and discovered something new. It ALWAYS sounds great anyway. For instance, coming off a ballad where I use my neck pickup with the "Q" rolled way over to "bottom of the ocean" vibe, into something spry and poppy. On any other bass, the definition just wouldn't be there. With a Series 1, one quick click and you unleash this ungodly, muscular beast you didn't even know was there. I've been learning that kind of stuff for over two decades, and it never fails to surprise and delight me. I hope that helps you decide. As for the cost, Alan Watts said "you walk into a store with money, and you leave with wealth." So my answer to your question; "how much should I pay for a Series bass" is: whatever you have to. You'll see. Now I'm going to choreograph a dance about an office building. Wish me luck. | ||
| hifiguy
Senior Member Username: hifiguy Post Number: 453 Registered: 10-2006 |
You nailed it, ed. It's been said many times but it still remains true. You don't even begin to know how sloppy and lousy the technique you learned on a "regular" bass (Fender, Ric, whatever) is until you pick up an Alembic for the first time. Absolutely unforgiving becaue you hear EVERYTHING you do. You clean up your act or else. And that is a good thing | ||
| gtrguy
Senior Member Username: gtrguy Post Number: 920 Registered: 9-2004 |
I find them easy to play (except the long scale neck sticks out a mile) and don't think they are at all unforgiving. Just a nice big friendly bass. For gigging I much prefer the short scale series though. | ||
| ed_zeppelin
Member Username: ed_zeppelin Post Number: 75 Registered: 2-2010 |
I agree with both of you, which is unusual (for a married man), even though I think somebody misunderstood the context. But you're both right. Besides, nobody understands the meaning of "unforgiving" until you marry a Scot. Trust me. Hey, that reminds me. We toured the UK, and in this tiny Scottish town in the far north called "Forres" a very weird (but polite) man nearly went into convulsions over my Alembic. He was a bassist and had never actually seen one up close. So I let him put it on (with an Alembic, for some people it's more like "climb into it") and wang away to his heart's content. I was worried we were going to have to call an ambulance, he was so overwhelmed. He took pictures of it. I gave him my address and we said we'd communicate, yeah yeah, sure. About two years later I get this from him, out of the blue:  That's my Alembic atop Heinz beans (confirmed by other Brits) and toast. I think it's supposed to be complimentary. That's how I'm taking it, anyway. | ||
| rockerdebassman
New Username: rockerdebassman Post Number: 8 Registered: 8-2015 |
That Alembic actually looks quite tasty. | ||
| ed_zeppelin
Member Username: ed_zeppelin Post Number: 81 Registered: 2-2010 |
The series 1 bass went for $3,071.75 | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4453 Registered: 5-2009 |
It was not that far from me in location for a personal pick up at the time of the Auction close. I considered a " Dive Bomb Crow Bid ," at the end , but displayed restraint and self control instead . Who ever got it got a great deal and a great bass . Congratulations ! | ||
| edwardofhuncote
New Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 9 Registered: 6-2014 |
Yeah, I was surprised at that one too... hopefully whoever got that one will turn up here. At risk of saying it too many times, (what's one more?) I am spellbound by these early Alembics... every one so individual, yet so obviously related. I'm hoping when it comes time to pick out the wood for my Custom, Mrs. W. can find some maple boards close to that... the figuring is just so perfectly proportioned. | ||
| spose
Advanced Member Username: spose Post Number: 370 Registered: 5-2002 |
it was on TB for 4200 someone got a nice deal on a nice bass | ||
| flpete1uw
Senior Member Username: flpete1uw Post Number: 536 Registered: 11-2011 |
If it were 32" scale it would have been me. Or this person would have payed a lot more for it. ;-) | ||
| hammer
Senior Member Username: hammer Post Number: 743 Registered: 9-2009 |
Great deal for someone willing to take a bit of chance as to what work, if any, will need to be done to the bass. I've been looking at vintage Series basses for some time now (I could never justify the cost of a new or newer one) but am always reluctant to pull the trigger because I just know I would want to send it back to the factory for updated electronics and a refurbishing/rebirthing and have no idea what these cost. Has anyone out there gone through the process and is willing to share the approximate costs of the electronics upgrade and refinishing. | ||
| gtrguy
Senior Member Username: gtrguy Post Number: 923 Registered: 9-2004 |
Yep. Sellor had limited feedback and the items previously sold were inexpensive stuff. The description was limited as well. If a person was close enough to actually see the bass beforehand, that would be best. | ||
| rockerdebassman
Junior Username: rockerdebassman Post Number: 14 Registered: 8-2015 |
Looking for my first Alembic, I felt the same way, Hammer, especially since I'm such a NooB! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 8617 Registered: 6-2000 |
It's not a secret - the price is tiered, $750 if it's easy, $1500 if it's hard. If you have brass plates, it's likely to be hard, but it isn't always. | ||
| slawie
Senior Member Username: slawie Post Number: 820 Registered: 8-2002 |
That Alembic on the beans on toast will definitely give you GAS ;) | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4456 Registered: 5-2009 |
Indeed Slawie ! A severe case with enhanced sustain to boot ! |
