| Author | Message | ||
| pswanson
New Username: pswanson Post Number: 5 Registered: 12-2003 |
Hi all, just thought I would share what for me, and I hope many Alembic fans, is a true "coming home" kind of story. In 1981 I decided to order a left handed Series 1 from Washington Music. I had it made with a beautiful bocate top, gold hardware, etc. It took about 7 months to arrive, but I loved every minute I had that bass. When I bought the Series 1, I had to trade in a custom BC Rich Mockingbird bass (unlike anything they have ever produced, I can assure you). When I ordered my Alembic in July of 81, I asked the sales staff if they had any other series 1 basses on hand. Surprisingly, they did -- I was taken down to the "vault" and shown a beautiful left handed series 1 with a dragon inlay on the neck, an omega cut, and a beautiful flame maple top. I was absolutely in love with it, although I knew I could never afford such an instrument. The staff told me it had been ordered by another customer and would soon be delivered. Fast forward to 1985, and I had to sell my bocate Series 1 because I was traveling overseas. Boy, did I ever regret doing that. To this day I have been looking for the bass I sold, and the last I heard a subsequent owner had had an accident with the bass and the headstock had been sheered off. Ouch...I knew I could never afford another new series 1 again, so was kicking myself in the butt for ever having sold mine. As an aside, in 1987 I went to Washington mUsic and found my old BC Rich Mockingbird in the window. It turns out that when I traded it in in 1982, they had out it away and forgotten about it, so I bought it back from them. I still have that bass and am happy to say I am still the original owner. Anyway, I digress. Fast forward to 2005 and I read in the Alembic club about a mysterious left handed dragon bass possibly for sale. Remember that listing? I contactedthe owner, and he happened to live only a few hours away. To make a long story short, we talked on and off for about a year. Finally, I went out yesterday to take a look at the bass and remembered that it was the one I had seen over 25 years earlier. He was the original owner (an absolutely great guy), and we struck a deal for a fair sale. Finally, after 21 years without my series 1, I am again the proud owner of this magnificient, mint condition bass. It is absolutely stunning and works beautifully. I believe it was featured in the Alembic catalogs of the early 80's, anyone remember those? | ||
| olieoliver
Advanced Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 343 Registered: 2-2006 |
That is a cool story. A series bass for me is hopfuly in the near future. | ||
| tom_z
Advanced Member Username: tom_z Post Number: 399 Registered: 7-2004 |
That's a great story, Pete. I'm sure everyone would love to see some pictures of your bass. Peace Tom | ||
| 2400wattman
Intermediate Member Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 158 Registered: 11-2005 |
Olie, The Low End still has that '77 Series 1. They're asking $3300.00 and it comes w/ the old blue power supply! Check it out www.thelowend.net and look in the used category. Take care. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1321 Registered: 7-2004 |
Pete: Great story. Howzabout some pictures? Bill, the guitar one | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 792 Registered: 9-2002 |
24w Yes indeed he still has that 77 Series One (look in the Swap Shop listings for a Series One thread with One spelled out like that). I've held it, played it through the little blue box power supply and it's in wonderful shape for its age. Really only needs some serious brass polishing (or possible replacement of the bridge and bird if you like) to be a terrific representative from that time frame. At that price with some hardware replacement (NO problems with the electronics I could find, but I'm no Series expert) you'd save a fortune and have a piece of early ALEMBIC history. J o e y | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 889 Registered: 7-2002 |
Here's a shot...  | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 890 Registered: 7-2002 |
And the fingerboard inlay close-up...  | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 891 Registered: 7-2002 |
The back...  | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 892 Registered: 7-2002 |
One more front shot...  | ||
| kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 529 Registered: 8-2003 |
Wow! Betcha she's a featherweight, too. ;) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 3886 Registered: 5-2002 |
Nice story and nice bass!! Love the inlay! | ||
| gtrguy
Member Username: gtrguy Post Number: 56 Registered: 9-2004 |
Nice bass! I still have a koa BC Rich Mockingbird bass I bought new in 1979. What was unique about yours, it sounds interesting? | ||
| pswanson
New Username: pswanson Post Number: 6 Registered: 12-2003 |
(edit: resized and reposted immediately below) (Message edited by davehouck on July 23, 2006) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 4135 Registered: 5-2002 |
 | ||
| pswanson
New Username: pswanson Post Number: 7 Registered: 12-2003 |
Here is the BC Rich. I had it made in 1980/81 as a fully customized stereo left handed Mockingbird. The bass consists of two of everything -- two volumes, two tones, two preamps, two six way selectors, and the full compliment of phase/coil tap switches. Of course, the preamps and 6 way selectors amounted to squat -- the electronics of those guitars was horrible. Since then I have had it defretted so it is now a lined fretless. I have had all the electronics replaced with EMG eq's (2xBQC controls, 2 EMG preamps) and the DiMarzio's replaced with Bartolinis. It sounds fantastic. | ||
| gtrguy
Member Username: gtrguy Post Number: 57 Registered: 9-2004 |
Wow, that certainly wins the 'I've got more knobs than you' award! Yes, I run mine in passive mode. I also have an early 76 Eagle bass with odd factory humbuckers and a 77 Eagle guitar. I might hit the active switch on the guitar if I need a really hot solo, but on the basses it just seems to only add volume.  | ||
| palmann
Junior Username: palmann Post Number: 42 Registered: 6-2005 |
Oh, this picture is really biiig and makes it _very_ hard to read this thread... Gruesse, Pablo | ||
| pswanson
New Username: pswanson Post Number: 8 Registered: 12-2003 |
Ya, I am sorry about that. First time posting.... | ||
| jlpicard
Senior Member Username: jlpicard Post Number: 443 Registered: 7-2002 |
Hey Pete, beautiful bass!! It thrills me to see old lefty Alembics like yours. I have searched for years hoping to find one, eventually reaching the conclusion that very few were ever made. I'd only heard about two others in existance so, I finally broke down and ordered a new custom which I received back in May and wouldn't you know it?.....shortly after I put in my deposit, this lefty 80'graphite neck series 2 shows up on Ebay!  Of course, I had to have it,(very bad case of G.A.S.)and so now I am the proud owner of two Series 2 lefties! It's like being in a perpetual dream! I still can't believe my good fortune. Best of luck and take good care of that bass and of course, I'd be remiss in my duties if I did not close by saying, if you ever want to sell...PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO EMAIL ME. Mike (Message edited by davehouck on July 23, 2006) | ||
| pswanson
New Username: pswanson Post Number: 9 Registered: 12-2003 |
Michael, how funny you would weigh in on this for a couple reasons. First, the series 2 graphite bass you bought was the same I was trying to buy last year. I had a few e-mail exchanges with the owner but he wanted too much and I was not really interested in one with a graphite neck. I just figured I would never get a series 1 until the dragon bass came along. As I said, that took well over a year to negotiate... Secondly, when I looked you up I saw your picture. I have an alembic file folder on my computer that has photos of high end basses that I use as a screen saver, and the picture of you and your son (I think, I remember there is a child next to you), appears ocassionally, so I felt as though I was getting an e-mail from an old friend. I love your collection and am glad you got your series 2. Can you post a picture? Thanks for your interest in the bass. I may will it to you...otherwise it is a keeper  | ||
| southpaw
Member Username: southpaw Post Number: 71 Registered: 12-2004 |
Now if my fellow lefty brothers could help me find a Series bass, we would ALL be happy! Actually I'm thrilled to have Michael's old lefty Distillate. Great basses guys, enjoy! Michael, we need some pictures of your new baby in action! | ||
| pswanson
New Username: pswanson Post Number: 10 Registered: 12-2003 |
Guys, I have some left handed basses for sale if anyone is interested-- no Alembics, but I do have: 1. A series K body style 5 string with a beautiful redwood burl top and striped maple body. It has emg TW40 dual humbuckers and an emg parametric BQC EQ system with a warmoth birdseye mapleneck, ebony fingerboard. It was listed on Ebay and sold, but the buyer decided to withdraw. of course, this happened after he won...the listing can be found at: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7418235692&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESO%3AIT&rd=1 The second bass is a georgeous 4 string flame maple jazz with seymour duncan active pickups, a warmoth bidseye maple and ziricote fretboard. Both are in mint condition. I need to sell them to get the dragon bass...I will post pictures if anyone is interested. |
