| Author | Message | ||
| bassplayer420
New Username: bassplayer420 Post Number: 3 Registered: 10-2012 |
I just recently purchased a used 1977 Series 1 Bass (serial # 77 750) with a custom headstock. It's an awesome bass to play! Here are some pictures...       [edited for picture alignment] (Message edited by adriaan on November 06, 2012) | ||
| hammer
Advanced Member Username: hammer Post Number: 266 Registered: 9-2009 |
Beautiful bass with an unusual headstock. What's the wood recipe? Is it medium or long scale...and of course, where did you find this beauty? | ||
| 5a_quilt_top
Junior Username: 5a_quilt_top Post Number: 34 Registered: 6-2012 |
Wow - that's nice and it's in great shape. Headstock looks A LOT like a PRS, but predates it by about 10 years. Body shape is also unusual with symmetrical pointed horns. | ||
| bassplayer420
New Username: bassplayer420 Post Number: 4 Registered: 10-2012 |
Thanks guys, yeah it is definitely a beauty. The bass, according to the previous owner, was custom built for him in 77' with a custom headstock and the custom inlaid "R" for his name, Ron. Aside from that and the fact that he kept it in very good condition, I'm not sure of the rest of the history/stats on the bass. Im waiting on Mica to fill me in on the rest of the info such as the woods that were used, etc. And yeah I really like the unusual headstock, it really does look similar to a PRS. | ||
| hammer
Advanced Member Username: hammer Post Number: 267 Registered: 9-2009 |
Where did you find this beauty? I searched for 3-years for something like this and finally bit the bullet to have a build done. Couldn't afford a new series I though. All the Series basses of this vintage, at least those that I've come across, have had cracked headstocks or been long scale and I can't play anything longer than a 32. That's why I was so interested in the scale of the new member of your family. Looks like the standard Alembic maple neck with purpleheart laminates. As far as the body goes it could be walnut top and back with a mahogany core but it's hard to tell. I love the inlay. | ||
| bassplayer420
New Username: bassplayer420 Post Number: 5 Registered: 10-2012 |
I actually found it on Ebay surprisingly. Ebay sometimes has pretty quality instruments. I did pay a lot for it, but it was well worth it because its basically in the same shape as it was when it was built in 77'! I haven't even found a scratch on it except for a tiny crack on the top front layer (which i think is ebony) of the headstock under one of the tuning knobs. The crack is not that bad though, i think its just more cosmetic more than anything. The electronics work perfectly fine and are all original as far as i know. If i had to guess I'd say the scale is about 34 or 35. | ||
| charles_holmes
Advanced Member Username: charles_holmes Post Number: 203 Registered: 3-2009 |
That's an F'n great axe there! Live low and in the groove baby | ||
| willgunn
Member Username: willgunn Post Number: 62 Registered: 2-2007 |
And if all that wasn't cool enough, it features yet another early version of inlaid logo, as well as a very nifty 1st. fret position inlay! | ||
| gtrguy
Senior Member Username: gtrguy Post Number: 529 Registered: 9-2004 |
Now that's a pretty bass!! Is it my imagination, or is the neck heel a little more abrubt than some? It sure is in great shape! | ||
| brianclarkebert
Junior Username: brianclarkebert Post Number: 22 Registered: 7-2012 |
nice score, didn't see that on ebay, | ||
| afrobeat_fool
Senior Member Username: afrobeat_fool Post Number: 476 Registered: 7-2009 |
Will is right. It reminds me of mine, but with more detail.  Nick | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1326 Registered: 10-2006 |
"If i had to guess I'd say the scale is about 34 or 35." But you don't have to guess; measure from nut to 12th fret & double that, and you'll know. And then you can tell us, because we're nosy about instruments. Peter | ||
| garth4664
Intermediate Member Username: garth4664 Post Number: 159 Registered: 10-2008 |
Most of them from that era also only had one trussrod if I am not mistaken...very nice bass. Not sure that I have ever seen one without a trussrod cover and with twin rods. | ||
| bassplayer420
New Username: bassplayer420 Post Number: 6 Registered: 10-2012 |
Hell yeah it is very similar to your headstock afrobeat_fool, and your bass is a beauty as well. Whats the rest of it look like? I like the wood on the headstock and the unique part on the top. | ||
| bassplayer420
New Username: bassplayer420 Post Number: 7 Registered: 10-2012 |
Cool, which nut do i measure it from to the 12th fret to find the scale? | ||
| bassplayer420
New Username: bassplayer420 Post Number: 8 Registered: 10-2012 |
Actually nevermind, I measured it and its a 32 for the scale. | ||
| afrobeat_fool
Senior Member Username: afrobeat_fool Post Number: 477 Registered: 7-2009 |
Hi Stuart. Here is the link to my showcase page. Mine has some unique history. It is a Zebrawood bass. The back is cut from the same piece of zebrawood as Greg Lakes guitar from the that year. It is also the first instrument that Will Gunn ever ordered(for himself). http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/108937.html?1323876154 Nick | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 1167 Registered: 1-2005 |
My '75 doubleneck has a somewhat similar logo too:  | ||
| bassplayer420
New Username: bassplayer420 Post Number: 9 Registered: 10-2012 |
Nice, hell yeah man. Yeah hieronymous your doubleneck is pretty awesome and looks like its in great shape! I saw it the other day and that things a monster!!! And at 15 pounds, that must make your back/shoulder ache pretty bad after a good jam session, even with a great strap. I think if it were me I'd havta sit down to play it after standing up for a bit playing it live hah. It sounds amazing too, nice jams! Thats really cool too if yours was the first doubleneck made by Alembic! | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 1168 Registered: 1-2005 |
Thanks! If I were to use it regularly I think I would have to start working out! I have actually imagined using it live, sitting for the fretless parts and standing for the 6-string - the low "frets" on the fretless are really hard to reach while standing... And I forgot to mention in my post - your Series I is really cool and interesting! I love the shape with the pointed horns! I'm really fascinated with the subtle variations in the horns on early Alembics. | ||
| gtrguy
Senior Member Username: gtrguy Post Number: 534 Registered: 9-2004 |
Cool! I do like the varitions in shape too in the early ones. Here is an older pic of my horney Alembic that I am slowly restoring: [moderator's edit - moved the picture to its own Showcase thread - must see, BTW] (Message edited by adriaan on November 17, 2012) | ||
| musashi
Intermediate Member Username: musashi Post Number: 173 Registered: 5-2004 |
Bee-u-tee-ful...... | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 842 Registered: 9-2008 |
Hey Stuart, what are these black strings on the '77 serie I? Are those Nylon tapewounds? If so, how do they sound on Alembic? Anyone could share thoughts about using flatwounds compared to regular rounds? | ||
| bassplayer420
Junior Username: bassplayer420 Post Number: 11 Registered: 10-2012 |
Ya'll should try out some black Nylons if you haven't yet, they are awesome! (Message edited by bassplayer420 on November 16, 2012) | ||
| bassplayer420
Junior Username: bassplayer420 Post Number: 12 Registered: 10-2012 |
Hey Mario, yes they are black Nylons and they sound awesome on my 77'!! The Nylon strings have a great tone to them and I'd like to order more!! I've also been using flatwounds over regular rounds for years now. I think that the flatwounds have always felt better on my fingers when I play and I just like the tone I get out of them more than I get from roundwounds. The tone that you get from flatwounds isn't so bright like regular rounds, which is how I like it. If you like a little brightness added as far as strings go and you want the best of both worlds from flats and rounds, you should try half wounds, although I've never tried them, but I've heard some good things about them. (Message edited by bassplayer420 on November 16, 2012) | ||
| adriaan
Moderator Username: adriaan Post Number: 2990 Registered: 6-2002 |
[Moved several people's posts relating to gtrguy's fretless over to its own Showcase thread.] | ||
| rjmsteel
Intermediate Member Username: rjmsteel Post Number: 196 Registered: 7-2008 |
I just ordered these: ETB92-5 Tapewound 5-String Bass, Medium, 50-135, Long Scale (D`Addario) for my 6 string Elan fretted. Trying to tone down all that Maple. Note: I have to use a nickel .025" string for the High C since they do not make a tapewound for that gauge. I`ll report back on how they sound. I got the idea from the bass I currently have tapewounds on which is a 1990 MIJ (Japan) hollowbody P Bass fretless that I`ve owned since then and a lot of listening to AJ lately and his muting techniques/ tone. | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 844 Registered: 9-2008 |
Thanks, Stuart. I should try them someday |
