| Author | Message | ||
| s_wood
Senior Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 416 Registered: 5-2002 |
 This is a 2001 Alembic Series II in near mint condition. I just don't play four 4 strings enough these days to justify holding on to it.  This bass deserves to be played! Trust me on this: it sounds even better than it looks! The burl rosewood top was part of a special batch the Alembic had reserved for their 25th Anniversary basses. It is an exceptionally beautiful tone wood with a tone that, to my ears, is similar to cocobolo.  The electronics are standard Alembic Series II electronics, with one twist - there is a pan control and a master volume instead of the usual pickup selector and individual volume for each pickup. The is in near-mint condition. There are no real scratches, dings or damage of any kind. The only thing I can find is a couple of light scratches on the back of the brass control cavity, but they are impossible to photograph.  The mahogany body was chambered to save a little weight, but really mostly for tone purposes. The chambers give the bass a special resonance. I'm asking $8,500 plus shipping. That's about 1/3 of what this bass would cost if purchased new today. This bass would have a list price of more than $22,000 if ordered today...and I don't know if burl rosewood is even available any more. Please note that the Alembic DS-5 power supply which can be used to power the active electronics is NOT included in this sale. The bass can be powered with 2 9 volt batteries, too. The power supply can be purchased directly from Alembic if you want one. I will happily consider international sales, but only if the buyer agrees to be responsible for all custom duties, fees, VAT, etc. Sorry, but I won't undervalue the bass for customs purposes or claim it to be a gift, either. That's a crime in the U.S. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions! Please feel free to contact me with any questions that you might have! | ||
| moongerm
Advanced Member Username: moongerm Post Number: 362 Registered: 8-2013 |
That is beautiful Steve! | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4944 Registered: 6-2002 |
Certainly is and can see from the pickup covers that the bass has hardly seen active duty at all. Looks like a superb bass and someone is gonna really enjoy this one. | ||
| pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 1300 Registered: 11-2006 |
too expensive for an hybrid not back plated ;-)anyway it's a wonderful wood bass ! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1879 Registered: 5-2006 |
Bass is so stunning I didn't notice that! :-) Backlams or no back lams... If I would find $8500 + shipping somewhere in my couch, I would have no hesitation at all to spend it on this bass. Good luck with the sale and wish me good luck gouging out my couch! :-) | ||
| pas
Advanced Member Username: pas Post Number: 319 Registered: 3-2003 |
Scale length? | ||
| s_wood
Senior Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 417 Registered: 5-2002 |
Scale length is 34". Sorry I omitted that important detail. | ||
| pas
Advanced Member Username: pas Post Number: 320 Registered: 3-2003 |
Whew...that was a close one! If it had been medium scale, I'd already have a check in the mail. | ||
| bforbeatles
New Username: bforbeatles Post Number: 9 Registered: 4-2012 |
Shall we regard it as series l or series ll? | ||
| enzo
Senior Member Username: enzo Post Number: 568 Registered: 4-2009 |
I'd say it's a Series II because of the 2 CVQ (and the 3 center laminations). The fact that it doesn't have a master volume, because of the different config, doesn't make it Series I. You can put a master volume on a Signature electronic but that doesn't make it a Series. | ||
| poor_nigel
Senior Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 420 Registered: 11-2009 |
I always wanted an SII with a pan. SII or S1.5, who cares with that top on it. Right now I am too broke and too Alembic enriched to have another. But that top is eating at me . . . | ||
| poor_nigel
Senior Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 421 Registered: 11-2009 |
I almost bought a 25th anniversary once, but I ended up talking the guy into keeping it. And yes, that top is still eating at me . . . | ||
| s_wood
Senior Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 419 Registered: 5-2002 |
It's a Series II. That's what Alembic says it is, and that's good enough for me. BTW, I ordered the bass without the back lam to keep the weight down. I've done that with most of my custom orders. I saved about a pound by doing so, and some money besides  | ||
| bforbeatles
New Username: bforbeatles Post Number: 10 Registered: 4-2012 |
Thanks for the infornation steve. Really nice bass indeed. | ||
| pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 1302 Registered: 11-2006 |
my God..... this bass... i love.... yes it's a series II with pan pot and master volumne... I have a SC sries I like that, good idea... less of pots ! | ||
| s_wood
Senior Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 420 Registered: 5-2002 |
Tom, you are correct in that the bass doesn't have a back laminate. While others may disagree, to me it doesn't make sense to spend $1,000 or more for a back laminate that I and others will rarely see, and which adds to the weight of the instrument. Plus, I think the back of the instrument which shows off the neck-through construction has its own beauty. Here's proof:  | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 2385 Registered: 2-2005 |
I agree about the about showing the through neck. On my Series 1 I went with bookmatched to center front and standard laminates on the back to show the flame maple in the neck. Keith | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 897 Registered: 6-2014 |
+1 more on the visible neck lams. I was just showing this thread to my Dad last night, pointing out the three purpleheart stringers of Series II. Those neck laminates are so unmistakably Alembic, that I just couldn't see not showing them off. I think maybe my favorite feature of Rusty's "Blue Orca" Custom is how the neck-thru section of the bass was masked off and remains natural, in contrast to the deep blue quilted maple wings. I went back and forth on my Custom trying to decide on matching or diverse back laminates, or just skipping them altogether... in the end I went with matching birdseye top and back, but the purpleheart lams will most definitely be seen, coming and going. Sorry for the derail Steve! Maybe we'll talk you outta' selling this one! | ||
| hammer
Senior Member Username: hammer Post Number: 865 Registered: 9-2009 |
Neck! Give me more neck! I just can't see covering up both sides of the beautiful multi-lam necks that Alembic makes. | ||
| poor_nigel
Senior Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 423 Registered: 11-2009 |
One of the things that make humans great beings is we be all different. I have a quirk in I MUST have symmetry in things, or it bugs me irrationally. So I have to have back lams. Your logic is flawless. I have rationalized my need for back lams by telling myself the front is for the crowd, but the back is all for myself, and for me it works. I am not much into book-matched-to-center on the backs of instruments (and generally true for front lams, too, with a couple of exceptions of outstanding woods so beautiful - go for it!), as I love seeing the neck lams from start to finish. Another quirk of mine. My first hippie sandwich fetish started with Webber skateboards back in the early sixties, and I have just love laminated woods ever since. So I agree how great Alembic backs are, with or without back lams - But I want it all, dammit. | ||
| gregduboc
Senior Member Username: gregduboc Post Number: 559 Registered: 11-2008 |
That is one beautiful bass... If only my Brazilian money was not so undervalued right now...  Steve is a great guy to deal with! He was very helpful when he sold me his Series I Europa. First class seller! Whoever gets this bass, will be one happy fella! | ||
| moongerm
Advanced Member Username: moongerm Post Number: 371 Registered: 8-2013 |
If only this was 32" or 30.75" I would consider. | ||
| poor_nigel
Senior Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 425 Registered: 11-2009 |
I will jump in anytime to second on how great it is to buy a bass from Steve. I have dealt with no one of higher integrity and knowledge of low-end instruments. You will get just what he states you will, if not better. I wish you all the best Steve, in all you do. | ||
| s_wood
Senior Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 421 Registered: 5-2002 |
Awww... thanks, folks! | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 1049 Registered: 11-2003 |
My Series II Custom has back laminates, but ... The neck laminates are visible. Mine is a replica of John Entwistle's Exploiter basses, so it's a bit different from your traditional Series II. It has a walnut core, and the birdseye maple lams sit on top of that, without covering the neck on the back or front of the instrument. And it has wood backplates, which are a must in my experience. For me, if it has Series II electronics and other standard elements, it's a Series II. Now, if you're doing a Custom, all bets are off. I don't have one master volume, I have two, with a switch to choose between them (like Entwistle's Alembics). I don't have a pickup selector switch, I have a pan pot (which I find more useful for me than a selector switch), and an on/off switch for the LEDs. I have continuously variable Qs, which I love. Anyway, this is a beautiful bass, Steve, and best of luck with the sale. | ||
| enzo
Senior Member Username: enzo Post Number: 572 Registered: 4-2009 |
If I had the money I would jump on this bass even if Steve had no integrity LOL. | ||
| s_wood
Senior Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 422 Registered: 5-2002 |
And...sold! Thanks! | ||
| poor_nigel
Senior Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 426 Registered: 11-2009 |
Someone is going to be a happy camper! Fantastic wood! Alan, the pan for the selector switch sounds great. I wish I had read your post when five-string was in being worked on. It is still something to consider, as I have another bass at the factory being worked on currently. Thank you. | ||
| bforbeatles
Junior Username: bforbeatles Post Number: 11 Registered: 4-2012 |
Yes sir. I am more than happy indeed | ||
| bforbeatles
Junior Username: bforbeatles Post Number: 12 Registered: 4-2012 |
Yes sir. I am more than happy indeed. Steve is such a nice guy. |
