| Author | Message | ||
| harald_rost
Intermediate Member Username: harald_rost Post Number: 120 Registered: 6-2002 |
This seems to be an early one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290017355947 No Serial # so rumours can start what year it is. Harald | ||
| fc_spoiler
Advanced Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 229 Registered: 5-2006 |
Looks like an eighties to me... -truss rod cover, logo, the schallers (all 3) and the pick ups. Of course I could be wrong... My guess would be 1983-1984 (Message edited by fc_spoiler on August 09, 2006) | ||
| effclef
Senior Member Username: effclef Post Number: 410 Registered: 1-2004 |
Round battery cover might make it earlier than 80s...when was the switch? But it does have an adjustable nut. Someone should tell him where to look for the serials. EffClef (Message edited by effclef on August 09, 2006) | ||
| fc_spoiler
Advanced Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 230 Registered: 5-2006 |
I've emailed the seller a few hours ago... btw here are some links to series I basses from the early eighties : 1981 1980/1981 1980 1981 I can't see Alembic engraved in the pickups (except for the first one, but those look like much newer pickups(?)). Also I think the hole on the back of the bass in the ebay listing is the original location of the straplock. Cheers! F.C. (Message edited by fc_spoiler on August 09, 2006) | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 700 Registered: 6-2002 |
You guys are getting good! I would estimate as an 80 or 81. I also think that it could be Koa and not Schedua as the seller suggests. Michael | ||
| fc_spoiler
Advanced Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 232 Registered: 5-2006 |
I've got a spare Schaller. Tempting... | ||
| serialnumber12
Advanced Member Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 370 Registered: 12-2004 |
Yeah that couldn't possibly be an early 70's alembic or it would look older than mine (a 1972)..http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/22163.jpg | ||
| 57basstra
Advanced Member Username: 57basstra Post Number: 211 Registered: 4-2005 |
Barnes, is that a brass thumb rest on your bass? Thanks for the pics. | ||
| sarsicus
New Username: sarsicus Post Number: 4 Registered: 4-2006 |
That's an 80's. I live in Chicago and this bass is at one of my favorite local stores. Not only do they sell cool guitars but they also make awesome sandwiches. I was tempted to buy this one but I shyed away due to all the issues. Nice bass, definelty played, but nice. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Advanced Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 233 Registered: 5-2006 |
I got an email back from the seller saýing: Thank you, I do see something. I had read on the net if the headstock is blank its a 71'. I guess it was false info. thanks. (I suggested looking under the 24th fret for the serial number.) Sarsius: Can you tell us what kind of issues? Cheers! F.C. | ||
| easszy
New Username: easszy Post Number: 5 Registered: 6-2006 |
What issues are with this bass? | ||
| effclef
Senior Member Username: effclef Post Number: 412 Registered: 1-2004 |
fc_spoiler, I hope the Schaller is for the correct side. ;-) Wow, just noticed the beautiful flame to the headstock, front and back. EffClef | ||
| 57basstra
Advanced Member Username: 57basstra Post Number: 212 Registered: 4-2005 |
I certainly was not trying to hijack this thread by asking about the thumb rest on Barnes' bass. I am very interested in this Series on Ebay as well. (I checked out the seller and is legit) I fact I put a bid in on the bass.l I'd like to know the issues as well, serial number, etc. Thanks. (Message edited by 57basstra on August 09, 2006) | ||
| fc_spoiler
Advanced Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 234 Registered: 5-2006 |
I've installed a D-tuner on one of my Spoilers (ooh boy, that sounds good "Spoilers"...-LOL-) So I have one left wich will fit perfectly I guess. I'm afraid that it will get out of my financial reach soon and also am very curious about the "issues" | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 880 Registered: 12-2002 |
yeah that's a fender Brass thumb rest,I took it off my fender P-Bass back in early 1981 & it's been on Old#12 since then. | ||
| 57basstra
Advanced Member Username: 57basstra Post Number: 213 Registered: 4-2005 |
Hey, Keavin. I did not mean to earlier call you by your last name. Anyway, your bass is simply magnificent. Your bass, and the other early ones, are indeed where the Alembic legend began. .. This one on ebay now seems to have seen some action, and still appears to have lots of firepower left. | ||
| kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 542 Registered: 8-2003 |
Nice! I'd be willing to bet the facings came from the same tree as my koa '82 -- the grain is almost identical from what I can see. sarcicus, what's the store asking for the bass? | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 4206 Registered: 5-2002 |
Guessing at the "issues" Jim mentioned. I'm wondering how much of an issue the missing tuning machine is. As I recall, there are no direct replacements for the older Schaller tuners; but this is a newer style, so I'm wondering how easy it is to get a direct replacement and what it would cost. It looks like the thing that's on there now is using the same mounting screw hole, but I'm wondering if they had to do anything to the the shaft hole; hopefully not. My guess is that the bass will balance better when the strap button is moved back to its original position. That's going to leave a hole in the upper horn. The neck pickup looks worn, but that may be glare. The finish may be worn; hard to tell from the pics. I also think the top is Koa. Back may be Walnut. I wouldn't take the seller's word on the scale length, as he was pretty far off on the year. Someone should ask him to measure from the nut to the 12th fret. | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 701 Registered: 6-2002 |
I would move the strap button to it's original position. That hole on the upper horn would be a BIG issue for me. I hate when that happens. I also don't care for when folks move the pickup selector. But that's just me! It does look like a good one indeed. If there is no serial number, perhaps the fingerboard has been changed? Maybe there is a stamping in the control cavity? | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 4212 Registered: 5-2002 |
He updated his listing after someone pointed out where the serial number could be found; but what he has posted doesn't make much sense. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 4213 Registered: 5-2002 |
I'm guessing the serial number might be 84 30xx. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Advanced Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 235 Registered: 5-2006 |
I've emailed him again, trying to explain how the serial numbers work and what it should look like... My 87 Spoiler has been refretted at least 2 times (by previous owners) the Serial number can't be seen anymore... If you hold the bass in a certain angle, with the right light you can see a vague 87 and maybe a 4. I've emailed the mothership with very detailed pictures and Mica was hopefull in retrieving the serial number. If I get the number I will have it stamped in the fretboard again. Mica agreed that this bass is very likely made in '87 based on pictures of the electronics. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Advanced Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 239 Registered: 5-2006 |
Btw Dave: sorry I forgot to mention: Last time I checked the Schallers were $15;- My former Spoiler (83S2433) had a 'wrong side' Schaller installed for the D string (so it was upside down) That's why I checked. It was in January, so I guess it's a fairly accurate price for today. Edit, edit, edit... Major update, last time I checked: August 2006: Schaller M4 Sealed Bass Key Enclosed, Bass Side, Chrome, 12:1 Retail Price: $32.00 Found it on: allparts.com (Message edited by fc_spoiler on August 11, 2006) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 4254 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks FC! | ||
| sarsicus
New Username: sarsicus Post Number: 5 Registered: 4-2006 |
Sorry to spook everyone-I think the seller, Tommy's Guitars, has been pretty honest with their pics and descriptions. Originally they were asking around $1200 for it until they found out what it was. I think they have it priced around $2200? I'm not sure. I tend to shy away from vintage stuff with extra holes and missing parts which was why I stated I was concerned about the issues. I think it could use a really good setup and set of strings as well. I just hate to see extra holes in a handmade instrument-if you really think that the way the bass hangs off your shoulder affects your performance enough to drill holes in it than maybe you should practice more. My 2 cents. For what it's worth it looks more like a koa top and headstock veneer than schedua up close, but I could be wrong. These guys are good guys, I would buy with confidence-one of the cooler stores in Chicago because they're not loaded with new Fenders and Gibsons, plus they got good eats. (Message edited by sarsicus on August 12, 2006) | ||
| claudio
Junior Username: claudio Post Number: 34 Registered: 4-2005 |
Dave.... I asked about the measure from nut to the 12th and about the tuner replaced, because if you pay close attention to the pic, you can notice a little mark that is cover below the installed tuner. Here the answer: "aprox 15.5 inches I took the tunner almost all the way off it dont look like the hole was made larger. . it has a small mark on back where tuner was replaced not bad at all. Thanks TOM " | ||
| lothartu
Intermediate Member Username: lothartu Post Number: 165 Registered: 8-2003 |
I would've loved to have bumped into this at the $1200 price. -Jim | ||
| fc_spoiler
Advanced Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 247 Registered: 5-2006 |
I would have taken some time to decide.... about 0,7 seconds  (stole this joke from an Android) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 4262 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks Claudio! "Aprox 15.5" suggests that this bass is probably a short scale 30.75" and not a medium scale 32". | ||
| claudio
Junior Username: claudio Post Number: 35 Registered: 4-2005 |
OK Guys.... Now I will need your assistance!!! I won the Series 1, so now i need to ask you technical specifications on the Schaller tuner needed!!!  Considering that it is an 84, which one i need to buy to match the existing ones? Thanks in advance!!! Claudio | ||
| fc_spoiler
Advanced Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 253 Registered: 5-2006 |
From looking at the pictures I would say: Schaller M4 Sealed Bass Key Enclosed, Bass Side, Chrome, 12:1 Retail Price: $32.00 Found it on: allparts.com It's the tuning key on my 83 and 87 Spoiler Good luck with your new Bass! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 4271 Registered: 5-2002 |
Congrats Claudio!! | ||
| claudio
Junior Username: claudio Post Number: 36 Registered: 4-2005 |
Thanks Guys!! I cant wait to get it here... I'm hoping that everything will be ok with this oldtimer...Pictures are just that... The seller told me that he remove the "thing" that is in place of the E tuner and looks like no modifications was made to adapt the "thing" to the bass. I will call Val, to check with him how busy they are to make some adjustments and tune ups. I'll keep you posted... |
