78 Series I w/ graphite neck Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Alembic Club » Showcase » Series I basses and guitars » 78 Series I w/ graphite neck « Previous Next »

Author Message
bbernard
New
Username: bbernard

Post Number: 2
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Friday, November 13, 2009 - 7:52 pm:   Edit Post

I have owned this bass since 1980. This bass was a gift from Rick Turner to Dennis Erokan (editor of BAM magazine at the time). Per Dennis, the sound of the bass was too live and present for his taste. The bass was on consignment at Spitzer's Music in Hayward when I went to work there in 1980. I just about fell out of my shoes the first time I heard this bass plugged in. It had to be mine!

series I full shot

Thats my dog Raina helping me out. Here is a body shot:

series I body

Sorry, not the best photographer!

Bob

(Message edited by bbernard on November 13, 2009)

(Message edited by bbernard on November 13, 2009)
bbernard
New
Username: bbernard

Post Number: 3
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Friday, November 13, 2009 - 8:03 pm:   Edit Post

A couple of more pictures. The pickups went microphonic (as I recall) and they were replaced at Alembic in the late 1980s. I also had the 1/4" jack changed to mono by Alembic. The lacquer started chipping off the neck and eventually the same happened to the body. It was stripped and refinished by Michael Dolan in Santa Rosa around 2000. The bridge and stringholder were plated at the same time...I was tired of polishing brass!

back of bass

I like things to match and one of the tuning pegs was bent from a fall in 1984 or so...replaced with gold schallers and had the Alembic logo plated as well.

peghead

(Message edited by bbernard on November 14, 2009)
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 503
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Friday, November 13, 2009 - 8:09 pm:   Edit Post

NICE !!!!!!!!!
enzo
Intermediate Member
Username: enzo

Post Number: 159
Registered: 4-2009
Posted on Friday, November 13, 2009 - 8:24 pm:   Edit Post

Gorgeous ! It looks 34" scale, am I right ?
What's the market value for graphite neck Alembic ? They're so hard to find...
artswork99
Senior Member
Username: artswork99

Post Number: 911
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Friday, November 13, 2009 - 8:55 pm:   Edit Post

Stunning!
bbernard
New
Username: bbernard

Post Number: 5
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Friday, November 13, 2009 - 9:03 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks guys. It is a 34" scale. No idea of the market value for this bass. In the past few years I have been buying and selling a bunch of basses to try them out. Haven't considered moving this one.

So I have been taking a trip down memory lane. My original sales receipt says the serial number is either 78-1118 or 78-1318. Where is it on the bass? Checked the battery compartment and the control cavity...what am I missing?
toddharris
Intermediate Member
Username: toddharris

Post Number: 119
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Friday, November 13, 2009 - 9:21 pm:   Edit Post

Did you check the very end of the fretboard after the highest fret? It may be stamped their. Stunning wood and finish -- gorgeous!!!
cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member
Username: cozmik_cowboy

Post Number: 593
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Saturday, November 14, 2009 - 7:06 am:   Edit Post

Just gorgeous! You should also check the top edge of the headstock; but since Flip's chart lists 1300 as a '79, my money would be on 1118.

Peter
bbernard
New
Username: bbernard

Post Number: 6
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Saturday, November 14, 2009 - 7:47 am:   Edit Post

Thanks Todd Harris - there it is! SN 78-1318. I'll go register it now.
dadabass2001
Senior Member
Username: dadabass2001

Post Number: 1309
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Saturday, November 14, 2009 - 8:12 am:   Edit Post

Congrats Bob,
That's a gorgeous instrument, and the graphite necks were a limited group that the mother ship doesn't do anymore.
Mike
kilowatt
Intermediate Member
Username: kilowatt

Post Number: 113
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Saturday, November 14, 2009 - 9:09 am:   Edit Post

Bob,

That is one beautiful bass you have there Bob. If you ever want to let it go to another good home, I would be more than happy to take this one off your hands. Great job on the clean-up, she looks fantastic.

Regards,
Pete
enzo
Intermediate Member
Username: enzo

Post Number: 160
Registered: 4-2009
Posted on Sunday, November 15, 2009 - 10:16 pm:   Edit Post

I'm also really curious to hear how the graphite sounds on Alembics.
Do you have any sound sample or YouTube video of it ?
bbernard
New
Username: bbernard

Post Number: 8
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Friday, June 25, 2010 - 8:36 pm:   Edit Post

If anyone is interested this is going to the "for sale" forum.
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 1093
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Saturday, June 26, 2010 - 12:58 am:   Edit Post

I might be perhaps ! You are local ? Me too! ( Alameda Co.) That would eliminate any "Transportation Shipping Damage Angst" ! If we did this in person . You may email me if you like .

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration