| Author | Message | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 905 Registered: 12-2002 |
 http://cgi.ebay.com/Alembic-4-String-Bass_W0QQitemZ160021713814QQihZ006QQcategoryZ16222QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem | ||
| lothartu
Intermediate Member Username: lothartu Post Number: 167 Registered: 8-2003 |
That's a strange one. -Jim | ||
| longhorncat
Member Username: longhorncat Post Number: 99 Registered: 8-2005 |
That bass is a set-neck. Are there many other Alembics with a string-through bridge? | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1008 Registered: 6-2002 |
Looks like a regular Alembic bridge to me ... The tail-piece is the standard "bar" style, perhaps more associated with the Rogue model, and 5 or 6 string basses. The body looks like an Orion with a rounded bottom - nice! and easier to put on a stand, I might add. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Advanced Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 265 Registered: 5-2006 |
Looks like STB to me... This is something I'd like to have on my dream custom, only with the 'classic' Bird tailpiece  Edit: STB = Strings Through Body (Message edited by fc_spoiler on August 21, 2006) | ||
| effclef
Senior Member Username: effclef Post Number: 419 Registered: 1-2004 |
Snagged a few more pictures before the auction goes away. Set neck? Well I see the joint on the back, but without seeing the bottom end, it still could be neck-thru. The top is bookmatch to center.     EffClef | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 628 Registered: 2-2006 |
The joint shown in the close up of the rear (second from the bottom above)looks like a set neck to me. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Advanced Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 267 Registered: 5-2006 |
Any ideas on the neck? Looks like Mahogany... The black truss rods cover and the lack of 'fancy' laminates on the back of the headstock suggests a set neck, though me is not shure... Also it looks like the serial number is on the back of the headstock Unique bass indeed. (but aren't all Alembics unique?...-LOL-) | ||
| bigideas
Member Username: bigideas Post Number: 84 Registered: 1-2004 |
the tailpiece isn't a standard bar. if you look at the second picture you can see that the strings pass through it into the body and have no place to hook into in the back of the tailpiece. the wood colour match for the back of the headstock is very poor for an Alembic. as well it looks to be a either a non-scarfed neck with no volute or a scarf joint with no back laminates. that's not just strange, Mica's reply in this article implies it's something they just would not do. it's a little suspicious, but that doesn't mean much. the page doesn't mention the serial # anywhere, does it? (Message edited by bigideas on August 21, 2006) | ||
| fc_spoiler
Advanced Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 268 Registered: 5-2006 |
Anyone with eagle eyes here?:  Looks like it starts with an 0 and I think I can see USA at the end... (Message edited by fc_spoiler on August 21, 2006) | ||
| fc_spoiler
Advanced Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 269 Registered: 5-2006 |
@ Bigideas: We're on the same wave length (is that proper english?) I've edited my post with the second picture to make it clearer... Cheers! | ||
| effclef
Senior Member Username: effclef Post Number: 420 Registered: 1-2004 |
Tuners are right, logo and script are right, brass adjustable nut, and hey, I just noticed the bridge has recessed hardware, doesn't it? Highly custom, highly odd! EffClef | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 629 Registered: 2-2006 |
I can see the "A" on the tuner  | ||
| fc_spoiler
Advanced Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 270 Registered: 5-2006 |
 | ||
| lothartu
Intermediate Member Username: lothartu Post Number: 168 Registered: 8-2003 |
"the wood colour match for the back of the headstock is very poor for an Alembic." I was thinking the same thing. Custom or not I don't see the folks at Alembic letting something like that get out of the shop with their name on it. Maybe it's another "employee project" that somehow ended up with an Alembic logo on it? - Jim | ||
| effclef
Senior Member Username: effclef Post Number: 421 Registered: 1-2004 |
Scary thought, Jim. Could the "Fake rub-on-letter Elan" guy be back? Note the zero feedback seller and location in SANTA ROSA, CA!!!! A lot of it does scream "employee project" but I would think an employee loyal enough to work there wouldn't scarf a logo out the door. Orion headstock, looks like maybe only one top headstock laminate, no back headstock laminate at all btw, note the stripe!, no scarf joint. One pickup and (probably) vol/tone or vol/filter are not unheard of; see the prototype Distillates. Almost no contour carving. Side mounted jack! It is funny...the most awesome Series 2 doesn't phase us because we've seen so many Point and Omega bodies...but throw a weird set neck custom out and we're all over it trying to figure it out.  (Message edited by effclef on August 21, 2006) | ||
| fc_spoiler
Advanced Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 272 Registered: 5-2006 |
...Maybe a message from Santa Rosa could clear this one up...?  (sorry I couldn't help it...it was there..)  | ||
| alembic_doctor
Junior Username: alembic_doctor Post Number: 30 Registered: 8-2002 |
I think I played this bass at a weekly gathering with friends from Alembic. Seriously. I think it was a prototype / idea for a new model. Mica had brought it for the musicians in the bunch to play. I am certain that Mica could clear it up. | ||
| pmoran
Intermediate Member Username: pmoran Post Number: 168 Registered: 12-2004 |
here is my old persuader vector now owned by jim pollicita in colorado. notice the similarity between headstocks, not only as to the general shape, but then take a look at the similarity between the persuader body coloration difference and the back of the "unknown alembic" headstock back. my old persuader vector was a neckthru; however, could this have been a discarded persuader vector model just as the vector body style was ultimately discontinued for persuaders?    (Message edited by davehouck on August 22, 2006) | ||
| fc_spoiler
Advanced Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 275 Registered: 5-2006 |
This Vector Headstock has the Elan headstock shape, the headstock on the "mystery" bass looks more like the Europa shape... | ||
| bigideas
Member Username: bigideas Post Number: 85 Registered: 1-2004 |
the prototype idea makes sense. | ||
| pmoran
Intermediate Member Username: pmoran Post Number: 169 Registered: 12-2004 |
i don't think you can say this headstock looks more like a europa headstock. i've got a europa and i see an evolution between that persuader headstock and the europa, w/this "thing" being maybe a little more europa than persuader; however, the way val explained my rather odd persuader vector, the headstock and body style were a work in progress. to me, w/the two control knobs together w/the headstock and the "offset" exposed wood on the top of my old bass and on the backside of the "thing" back headstock...........i don't know, but i see a commonality in design. am i the only one? it seems like a prototype persuader. or, it's a fake. don't know which.however, consider the two control knobs like on my old bass, which again, is now owned by jim pollicita in colorado. i wish i'd never sold that bass. never seen one like it. never played one like it. never head such a rich sound from such simple alembic controls and pups! | ||
| lothartu
Intermediate Member Username: lothartu Post Number: 169 Registered: 8-2003 |
Prototype is sounding right to me too. It has too many well done Alembic features to be a fake. If someone were to put that much effort into a fake then they would go for bigger $$$ and try for a series I or II. It does look like a "lets try this out and see what happens" bass. -Jim | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3479 Registered: 6-2000 |
The headstock on pmoran's Persuader picture is the "Inline" shape. The headstock on the listing at the start of this thread is very similar to the newest Europa shape. I think this is a personal project, I think I know who made it. A serial number might transform the thinking into knowing. It is not a protoype. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Advanced Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 277 Registered: 5-2006 |
According to the Alembic site:  Elan 4  Europa 4 Orion 4 (Found it here) I've emailed the seller... | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 907 Registered: 12-2002 |
85 Spoiler?crown peg head  http://cgi.ebay.com/Alembic-Vintage-1985-Spoiler-Bass-Guitar-XLNT_W0QQitemZ320019839301QQihZ011QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem | ||
| fc_spoiler
Advanced Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 278 Registered: 5-2006 |
That's a nice one (hasn't this one been on ebay before?) Click here I'm not sure.... This one is more likely to sell in the 1500-2000 range than the "mystery" Bass I think. (Message edited by fc_spoiler on August 22, 2006) | ||
| apdavis
Member Username: apdavis Post Number: 54 Registered: 5-2004 |
I think I played the custom. Great slapper. We were calling it the "scrappy bass" because we thought it was Alembic parts but built as a side project/experiment from scraps. Turned out really well. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 4312 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks for weighing in on this Mica! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Advanced Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 306 Registered: 5-2006 |
Still no word from the seller... | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3536 Registered: 6-2000 |
Adam, I think the bass you and Doc played was a Vermilion Orion with a really thin body that James primarily constructed - we still call that one the scrappy bass, and it's still here. I honestly have no recollection of bringing this bass anywhere, or of even seeing it before this ebay listing. Again, a serial number will reveal if my recollections are correct. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Advanced Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 307 Registered: 5-2006 |
Just got the serial number from the seller: 00MG12451 The seller claims he registered the bass when he purchased it. (Message edited by fc_spoiler on August 26, 2006) | ||
| apdavis
Member Username: apdavis Post Number: 56 Registered: 5-2004 |
Sorry Mica, I can't remember if the "Scrappy bass" had a single or double pick up. In my mind it looked less like an Orion and more like this creature. . . . But my mind comes up with all kinds of things of late, some of which are true. | ||
| 57basstra
Advanced Member Username: 57basstra Post Number: 263 Registered: 4-2005 |
Well, I am curious to hear the verdict on this one. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Advanced Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 308 Registered: 5-2006 |
The serial number doesn't make sense to me, where does MG stand for? "Maybe Genuine"...??? But we'll see, this is all the info the seller gave me... (Message edited by fc_spoiler on August 26, 2006) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 4342 Registered: 5-2002 |
Morris Garages | ||
| fc_spoiler
Advanced Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 310 Registered: 5-2006 |
(Clickable smiley) | ||
| 57basstra
Advanced Member Username: 57basstra Post Number: 265 Registered: 4-2005 |
Now that's a baaad little truck! | ||
| effclef
Senior Member Username: effclef Post Number: 423 Registered: 1-2004 |
Ended with no bids... EffClef |
