| Author | Message | ||
| claudio
Member Username: claudio Post Number: 77 Registered: 4-2005 |
http://cgi.ebay.com/ALEMBIC-series-1-short-scale-bass_W0QQitemZ190289874955QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item190289874955&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A10%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318 | ||
| kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 803 Registered: 8-2003 |
If the seller is a reasonable person, this one's mine, based on proximity alone. If no deal is reached, I'll be sure to speak up because this bass should be with a Club member. | ||
| artswork99
Senior Member Username: artswork99 Post Number: 578 Registered: 7-2007 |
That is beautiful! I have dealt with the seller on a Hyak guitar about 3 years ago. Harry takes a great picture doesn't he. | ||
| artswork99
Senior Member Username: artswork99 Post Number: 579 Registered: 7-2007 |
This historic Alembic is bound to go. Real good transaction three years ago. | ||
| mike1762
Advanced Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 271 Registered: 1-2008 |
I'd like to have a short scale Series instrument, so I'll be keeping an eye on this. We'll see how the bidding goes. | ||
| kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 804 Registered: 8-2003 |
OK, I'm out -- I was actually on the phone with Harry when the first bid was made. Considering that his opening bid is near the upper limit of what I could spend, I'm backing away from this one. Incidentally, this Harry is Bunnybass Harry, not some random companion of Tom and Dick. ;) | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2146 Registered: 2-2006 |
Is that the original nut on it? | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 2117 Registered: 6-2002 |
He also has a nice Oasis bass for sale. | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 2118 Registered: 6-2002 |
We've seen a couple of 70s Alembics with a scalloped nut appearing on the forum. | ||
| room037
Advanced Member Username: room037 Post Number: 258 Registered: 9-2003 |
Unfortunately, I lost the auction. I found this bass in non refinish state in my archives. It's serial No. 74 - 86.   Nice Bass ! Eiji | ||
| toddharris
New Username: toddharris Post Number: 3 Registered: 7-2008 |
Hi, I'm the fortunate auction winner and new to the forum - was doubly fortunate to get a blue series I case and working charger from Harry. Curious to know if anyone can help me identify the charger in terms of whether it is definitely Alembic and if so, what years this model was in production. Each 1- 1/4" jack only gives you one of the pickups - unlike the current DS-R5. Appears the left output is marked B and the right T. Not having a two input amp, I'm thinking of running the treble out into the effects return on my GK Fusion 550 or possibly getting a small mixer. Anyway, in love with the bass and hoping for some historical info on the power pack. Thanks, love the forum, Todd  (Message edited by davehouck on March 13, 2009) | ||
| artswork99
Senior Member Username: artswork99 Post Number: 600 Registered: 7-2007 |
Hi Todd, I also have dealt with Harry and had a fine experience. Nice bass! Congratulations! I have a Hyak bass with a power supply that is also single output for each pickup and built the gizmo detailed below that combines the signal to a mono output. Works real well. I can't tell you much about the power supply you have there but hope that this helps. Play it Healthy!   | ||
| toddharris
New Username: toddharris Post Number: 4 Registered: 7-2008 |
Thanks so much - that's very helpful. Harry is wonderful - integrity, creative and so nice... I expect I may see him again as we share interests in common. Still hoping to find out what the powerpack pictured above is (approx date of issue) as I've seen another exactly like it on-line for sale (sold) and believe it to be Alembic. Thanks again, Todd | ||
| artswork99
Senior Member Username: artswork99 Post Number: 601 Registered: 7-2007 |
Here's a recent thread from February on a very similar looking power supply. This may have been the one but it did not sell on eBay during this listing. Cheers! (Message edited by artswork99 on March 12, 2009) | ||
| kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 809 Registered: 8-2003 |
I was just about to point out that same thread. Todd, as a quick-and-dirty solution you could track down a passive splitter box, the kind of thing you would use to run one signal into two amps, and run it 'backwards' so you're feeding two signals into one 1/4" line. I think DOD made a box like that but I'm nowhere near sure. Congratulations on your new bass. I wanted that one badly but couldn't make it happen. You'll find this forum is a wonderful resource to answer the many questions you'll have as you explore what it can do. | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 550 Registered: 1-2005 |
Ideal solution - F-2B preamp! You can EQ each pickup separately and either run them separately or sum the two channels. I love the pickups on that bass - I just realized they match the body core! Congratulations! | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 945 Registered: 6-2002 |
To solve that problem on a power supply like that, I used the Alembic instructions on converting an instrument from stereo to mono. Except I carried out the modification inside the power supply instead of the bass. It works well! Good score! | ||
| room037
Advanced Member Username: room037 Post Number: 260 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi Todd, Congrats for your new bass, DS-5 and case. I found this silver DS-5 with 75' guitar. The guitar is one owner and dead mint condition. I think it is oliginal one.   | ||
| toddharris
New Username: toddharris Post Number: 5 Registered: 7-2008 |
I'm most grateful to everyone who has taken time to respond to my questions. As a "newbie" to Alembics, I am extremely appreciative of your support. Hieronymous' suggestion above is most intriguing and raises a question. My experience with "pre-amps" is limited to the ones in my BC Rich late 70s Koa Eagles and my recently acquired Series I. I always thought of preamps as ways to amplify instrument output levels and immediately get concerned about over-driving my amp (a new GK 550 Fusion w Tube EQ) and or speakers. Is the F-2B more equalizer than amp, or is that the wrong characterization? My rig consists of a GK 550 Fusion, an Ashly compressor, 2 15" GK SBX cabs and occasionally a Carl Martin Bass Chorus. | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 551 Registered: 1-2005 |
A preamp can both boost the volume and/or color and/or EQ the sound. One of the intereesting things about the F-2B is that the "flat" setting is 2-10-2 - in other words, you can boost the bass and treble, while the mids mostly get cut. Even setting it flat, with the volume set at a reasonable level, it will probably affect the sound - in a good way! RE: blowing up speakers/amp, between the volumes on your Series I and on the F-2B, I don't think you would have any problems - just don't crank them all at once! I love my F-2B - use it in the studio as well. If you do any recording then that makes it even more desirable, IMO. I usually go bass-->F-2B-->direct box, with great results (IMHO again). Of course, if you are going to use it live, you will need to rack mount it, and plug it in somewhere. (Sorry to go on and on about the F-2B, but it is one of my favorite ever pieces of gear - I actually own two! One on the west coast and one on the east coast for when I go back there) | ||
| toddharris
New Username: toddharris Post Number: 6 Registered: 7-2008 |
Thanks for your advice - just found a new F-2B in the box for $750 and am sending payment now! Your advice served as the catalyst for my happiness and diminution of my funds on account! I'm guessing if one used compression, it would go after the pre-amp, yes? | ||
| hydrargyrum
Senior Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 473 Registered: 3-2004 |
I guess it depends on what kind of a compressor you are using. If you are using a pedal, I would probably put it in the signal chain before the preamp (because it is probably designed to handle a signal level not much hotter than a guitar). If you are using a rack unit, or one that can handle the higher output level from the preamp, then after might be okay. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7707 Registered: 5-2002 |
I have an Ashly SC-50 compressor/limiter in my signal chain, somewhere between my F-2B and my power amp. In your case, if you are using both the F-2B and the GK550, then you may want to put the Ashly between the F-2B and the GK550. The Ashly's gain and output controls will help you control the signal levels. A bass amp head like the GK550 has both a tube preamp and a solid state power amp in one package. The F-2B is just the tube preamp section. Thus I have a separate solid state power amp in rig with my F-2B. You now have two tube preamps in your chain. You will want to be careful with your levels to make sure you're not overdriving the input stage of the GK. Perhaps an easy way to get the levels right would be to first plug the bass into the power supply and from there to the GK, set the GK levels, and get a feel for how loud that is. Next, plug the bass into the power supply and from there to the F-2B, and plug the F-2B into the Ashly. Adjust the Ashly's gain control until the LED meter is where you want it. The plug the Ashly into the GK. Use the Ashly's output control to adjust the signal going to the GK until it sounds about as loud as when you were plugging directly into the GK. If you turn up the volume on the F-2B, you'll then turn down the Ashly's gain control. That's my guess. It seems to be a bit much having two preamps; but the results might be interesting. Let us know how it goes. | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 553 Registered: 1-2005 |
Two preamps does seem like a bit too much, but think of it this way: this is basically what you have with a regular active bass. I used to use a Fodera Model 2000 outboard preamp between my bass and an Eden Traveler bass amp - it was kind of like being able to make any of my passive basses active, if that makes sense. With the F-2B, he'll essentially have a tube mixer/EQ unit for his Series I, which can also be used with other basses and for recording. But Dave's advice sounds good to me as far as making sure not to overdrive the input stage of the amp too much. And Todd, if you really want to go nuts, get an SF-2 Super Filter! (I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself!) (Message edited by hieronymous on March 13, 2009) | ||
| toddharris
New Username: toddharris Post Number: 8 Registered: 7-2008 |
Ah... timing is everything - the seller that had the F-2B wound up not having it, so I'm left with my GK Fusion head for the moment and the Series 1 sounds killer through it. Amazed at how much variety the tone controls and filters on the Series 1 give - I had for years sworn by the early BC Rich Eagles and still love mine, but this is incredible. Thanks Dave - what you wrote was what I was concerned with intuitively - your explanation is much appreciated. Best regards, Todd Oh yes, and in answer to the post above, the way the color of the laminated neck matches the color of the pickups is dazzling - everyone who sees the bass comments. Very fortunate and can't put it down! | ||
| toddharris
New Username: toddharris Post Number: 9 Registered: 7-2008 |
Hieronymous - I detect a determination to bring me to financial ruin! A SF-2 indeed! | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 554 Registered: 1-2005 |
;) There are certainly other solutions than the F-2B. I usually run my stereo basses (Alembic, Rickenbacker) in mono myself. But the F-2B gives so much flexibility and is such a great fit for a Series instrument. You should be able to find one for cheaper anyway - they often go used for around $500. Oh, and if you ever decide to sell the bass, keep me in mind! | ||
| toddharris
New Username: toddharris Post Number: 10 Registered: 7-2008 |
Hieronymous - it will be a cold dark day in the my life before the Series I leaves my possesion, but you will be the first friend I turn to. I'm in the midst of a web order for new strings and they'll be my first Alembics, having long used flatwound D'Addarios for that 60s sound and half wounds when more punch was called for. To get stereo tonight I broke down, hauled an speaker cab from the basement and ran the T output to my GK 700RB connected to an old 4-10 GK blue and black cab (warm, round punchy highs with clarity I've never imagined) and the B output to my increasingly adored GK Fusion 550. I could go on for days about the Fusion - it's amazing. Still haveing found the perfect setting for my rack mounted Ashly CLX 52 - back to ordering strings. Todd | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7715 Registered: 5-2002 |
By the way, I think I forgot to say congratulations! It's a wonderful bass! | ||
| toddharris
Junior Username: toddharris Post Number: 11 Registered: 7-2008 |
Thanks Dave - I've enjoyed and learned a great deal reading your posts these last few months as I looked for my first series bass. I was not prepared for how light this bass is and how thin and fast the neck is. I have a near mint 59 P bass that I rarely play with a wide neck and each of my 3 70s BC Rich Koa Eagles (see picture) has a beefier neck. Getting used to the short scale neck rapidly - never was able to play chords so easily. I really would like to get a DS5 or rack mounted one so I can get the stereo outs into one amp. Tried a radio shack y 1 1/4" cable today, but it would not play more than one of the pickups - not sure why. Thinking about a small 4 channel mixer if I have to. Am I correct that the 1 1/4" jack on the bass would require a special stereo cable? Todd  | ||
| artswork99
Senior Member Username: artswork99 Post Number: 602 Registered: 7-2007 |
Todd, Years ago I had tried the Y cable as well without success and is why I went on the search and built the "monoing your low end" gizmo above. It was very low cost with only a project case, jacks and a few resistors. Much less than a mixer. Here are several posts from Mica with Alembic instructions on the stereo to mono wiring details. As Michael (dela217) mentioned he has done the mono wiring in the power supply instead of the bass. http://alembic.com/club/messages/16271/24370.html?1138068087 http://alembic.com/club/messages/16271/29811.html I prefered the small box solution that I built so as not to alter the equipment in any way. Art | ||
| toddharris
Junior Username: toddharris Post Number: 12 Registered: 7-2008 |
Art, that will be incredibly helpful. Thanks so much. Todd |
