| Author | Message | ||
| poor_nigel
Junior Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 25 Registered: 7-2003 |
This is my favorite bass, the Goldielocks < type > bass. 'Not too fancy, not too plain, just right.' It sounds wonderful and plays the same. Walnut always has been my favorite wood, since I was a child. Regardless of any other basses I acquire, this will stay my favorite.  (How was I supposed to know there actually was a Goldielocks bass in the archives????) (Message edited by poor_nigel on March 12, 2004) | ||
| poor_nigel
Junior Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 26 Registered: 7-2003 |
 I have little idea of exactly what kind of walnut was used to make this bass, but it has a red tone in places you seldom see. It is striking in person, especially in sunlight. | ||
| poor_nigel
Junior Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 27 Registered: 7-2003 |
 The bodies and necks of the older Alembics are thicker than the new ones. I believe this is why there are two electronics cavities on the newer ones, as they are too thin to put all the electonics in the main cavity. The necks are closer to Gibson necks, in their feel. I prefer the newer necks, but this one is fine as is. It still plays great and has been buffed to a matte finish so it plays with a 'silky' feel to it. | ||
| poor_nigel
Junior Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 28 Registered: 7-2003 |
 I have two irritations on this bass. One will go away when I have the parts gold plated (It came in chrome plated, which I am not fond of). The other is that the headstock was done in flamed koa. I would have it redone in walnut, but it is perfect wood, just where it is. The symetry in which it frames the head is typical of attention to detail in most Alembic instruments. I am sure this will stay as is. This picture does the wood no justice at all. | ||
| poor_nigel
Junior Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 29 Registered: 7-2003 |
 A quick way to tell the condition of a crown-head Alembic is to check the point of the crown. This bass is about as close to mint as you can get and still be played regularly. As with old Jaguar E-Types, this bass could be considered a Series one and a half. It has a combination of the old and new mixed. Schallers are of the new type, so replacing the chrome was a phone call away. It has the serial number on the fretboard, but also has a brass truss rod cover. I ran out of gold screws and have not ordered more yet, for the machine heads. | ||
| poor_nigel
Junior Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 30 Registered: 7-2003 |
 This is actually the case for my 20th Anniversary bass. The body shapes are identical. However, on newer basses (I am assuming all here), the bridge is about 1/2 to 3/4" forward, making the newer basses longer and a bit more access to the higher notes, as the whole neck is moved forward. Also making the newer ones a touch more neck heavy. You can kind of see how cramped the headstock is in the case. Bare fit, where the 20th sits in the case perfectly. Ah, one more item that needs to be ordered. I highly suggest going directly through Calzone for these weigh-a-ton cases, and saving yourself $100 over buying them through Cases-2-Go and others. Do the template gig, and it comes perfect for that particular bass. | ||
| poor_nigel
Junior Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 31 Registered: 7-2003 |
Correction: The body of my 84 Series II is actually a bit wider than that of my 20th Anniversary model. The Series II still fits in the case, but not easily, like the bass it was manufactured for. Summary of diiferences is then: Older basses 'assumed' to be thicker and wider in the body and have thicker necks and are shorter in overall length. I wish I had a newer Series II here to compare it to, so I don't have to assume my 20th Anniversary has the body of a newer Series II. If anyone would like to ship me theirs, please feel free to do so. I doubt you will get it back, but know it went to a good home . . . BTW - Ain't the star inlays cool! Again, not too fancy, not too plain - Perfect! | ||
| dela217
Advanced Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 295 Registered: 6-2002 |
That is one fine bass! I have been told that Alembic's bodies are now thinner to try to make them lighter. In doing so, the electronics are moved to the upper cavity of the bass. I personally like the thickness of the older ones. It's what I am used to. I do not know if the 20'th Anniversary is the same thickness as the new Series basses, but I think it is. It would make sense anyway. I think those inlays are great. I have seen another with those same inlays. It was a short scale series II that was up for sale a couple of years ago. I tried to acquire it, but someone in Germany beat me to it. There is another set of inlays I like a lot too. I remember them being called California Gothic. I could be wrong about what it is called though. It consisted of palm trees, crabs, and that sort of stuff. I like that inlay most. Anyone know if it is called California Gothic or not? I wouldn't mind that on my next bass. Something about those crabs I love. Maybe neck inlays with just crabs! Hmmm... | ||
| malthumb
Intermediate Member Username: malthumb Post Number: 164 Registered: 5-2002 |
Poor Nigel, Beautiful instrument. I could swear that I've seen it somewhere before, but it could've been the one dela217 was referring to. I love the way the moega looks on four string basses. More round, and not as stretched as on the 5 and 6 stringers, though those are nice, too. Peace, James | ||
| malthumb
Intermediate Member Username: malthumb Post Number: 165 Registered: 5-2002 |
Poor Nigel, Beautiful instrument. I could swear that I've seen it somewhere before, but it could've been the one dela217 was referring to. I love the way the omega looks on four string basses. More round, and not as stretched as on the 5 and 6 stringers, though those are nice, too. Peace, James | ||
| bassman10096
Intermediate Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 110 Registered: 7-2003 |
Poor Nigel: What a great looking bass? Definitely in great shape, well kept, etc. I love the stars inlays. It's cool seeing them used as the basic inlay shape. Before this, my favorite neck inlays had been on Starry Night http://alembic.com/info/fc_dm.html. But yours have more impact by not mixing in ovals with star and moon shapes. Very Nice! Bill | ||
| poor_nigel
Junior Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 33 Registered: 7-2003 |
What I love best about this bass is it's simple elegance. It is a factory Series II all the way, with stars instead of ovals, in my favorite wood. Back when I ordered my first bass @ 1980, I asked if they had anything besides ovals and Susan offered me stars. I opted for the ovals and regretted it. Well, you are never too old to have a happy childhood. (Message edited by valvil on September 08, 2004) | ||
| goatfoot
Junior Username: goatfoot Post Number: 17 Registered: 12-2003 |
Hey Nigel, Way back in this thread you said "A quick way to tell the condition of a crown-head Alembic is to check the point of the crown." Could you explain this statement, please. Do you mean to check if the headstock has been banged into something (and thus damaging the point) or did you mean you could somehow examine the condition of the neck or wood? Also, why would this be different from other headstock Alembics? Thanks. Kevin | ||
| poor_nigel
Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 75 Registered: 7-2003 |
Hey Kevin: I meant simply that if it belonged to someone who was not always careful when handling it, it is bound to have damage to the point from bumps, etc. A crown point would be a bit different, as the point is quite easily damaged. There is little surface area to absorb a knock to it, like on a flat surface. So the point can get nicked or flattened by just a bump that would not do much to say an Elan peghead taking the same hit. The point on this particular bass is in mint condition. The bass on a whole is in very-fine to near-mint condition, depending on how serious you take two pin-head sized dents, one caused by a poor chrome job done to the bird tailpiece, so it gouged into the finish when installed (reinstalled), but not the wood. You can see the second in the pictures. It is to the left of the neck pickup. Again, just in the finish, not in the wood. There would be almost no gain in a refin, and I like the yellowed finish on the maple. You can see it is 20 years old, but was always handled carefully. OK, except for on two occasions . . . | ||
| skokiaan
New Username: skokiaan Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2002 |
I know where I've seen that bass before.... in my living room! I gigged with that bass every weekend for four years. My band dubbed her The Lamborgini." I hated letting her go, and seeing these pictures makes me want her back. {sniff} I'm glad to see she's in loving hands. | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 185 Registered: 7-2003 |
Hey John! Welcome. I love this bass like I have loved no other. I doubt any one dolts on her like I do. Your loss was definitely my gain. However, as Paul the Bad One often says, there is always another. Good luck with your SC Deluxe auction. | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 398 Registered: 7-2003 |
A couple of pix of John, the second owner of this bass, havin fun.    | ||
| poor_nigel
Senior Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 401 Registered: 7-2003 |
 | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 158 Registered: 11-2009 |
 Went back to all chrome parts on this bass. Shiny! Added a set of amazing David King knobs made of gabon ebony and gold wire. They are miniture works of art, seriously. Put in a new set of etched pickups. The previous set were replacements, also, but I prefer these over the gold embossed ones where the gold wears off so easily in spots. I also replaced the pick-up screws with some I liked better. Why? Why not? | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 159 Registered: 11-2009 |
 For being similar in many ways, these two can sound very different. Walnut versus Macassar ebony, mahongany core versus walnut core, and straight maple & purpleheart neck versus one with graphite rods inlaid in it. Less fiddling with the electronics on the Series I, but less tone variations, also. | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 160 Registered: 11-2009 |
 Bottom line - These are classic Alembics from the 80's, just different enough from others to make them mine, mine, mine! | ||
| oddmetersam
Intermediate Member Username: oddmetersam Post Number: 144 Registered: 7-2008 |
Simply, utterly gorgeous. There's just something about the classic body shape that brings back memories of the first Alembic I ever saw in the early 70's. | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 869 Registered: 1-2008 |
I would have guessed Cocobolo on the top. I've never seen Walnut look that red... really nice!!! | ||
| charles_holmes
Intermediate Member Username: charles_holmes Post Number: 140 Registered: 3-2009 |
Damn! They are some sexy assed basses! Excuse the cursing! | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 187 Registered: 11-2009 |
It ain't superb walnut, but it is beautiful, none-the-less. I really love that bass. Hmmm, I really love both of them. What if I could only have one? I guess I'd just have to find a two-bass nursing home, I suppose, because as long as I have a buck in my pocket, I ain't selling this pair. There is just something great about the large, standard bodies. The Alembic icon. The walnut one is already spoken for, come the time they need to move on. | ||
| gtrguy
Advanced Member Username: gtrguy Post Number: 377 Registered: 9-2004 |
Poor-Nigel, I have a series one and a half I am restoring. You must know something about them! | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 191 Registered: 11-2009 |
What would you like to know? | ||
| gtrguy
Advanced Member Username: gtrguy Post Number: 379 Registered: 9-2004 |
Curious if you own one. I have a '68 OTS. | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 197 Registered: 11-2009 |
My 1980 Series I is kind of a Series I & a Half. Sorry I have generally been insanely distracted in other matters, but I would be happy to answer any questions you may still have pending. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2832 Registered: 6-2002 |
Bump. Just being nosey and checking out series II basses Jazzyvee | ||
| eligilam
Advanced Member Username: eligilam Post Number: 362 Registered: 2-2006 |
This is one of my all-time favorite Alembics. The shape, electronics, inlays, woods, everything---absolutely ideal. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2420 Registered: 5-2009 |
Yes, I like it too_ I like it alot _____If I were BORG I would assimilate it _ resistance is futile _________! LOL )______________!_!_!_!_!_!_!_! ( A Beautiful BASS . | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3034 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi Nigel, how's the restoration project going? Jazzyvee | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 247 Registered: 11-2009 |
I had a bunch of stuff typed in here, but since it is the ebony bass being yakked about, primarily, I cut it out and will paste it there. http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/99963.html?1306116259 | ||
| pasewark
Advanced Member Username: pasewark Post Number: 233 Registered: 4-2003 |
Very nice instrument. What's the scale length and asking price? | ||
| nahman65
New Username: nahman65 Post Number: 2 Registered: 12-2013 |
this is going to be mine. that simple | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 276 Registered: 11-2009 |
Deposit was put into my account last night, so done deal is called on the transfer of custodianship of this wonderful classic bass from myself to Major Tom - Wow, how fitting! She was a bit dirty after sitting in her case for almost two years, so I polished/waxed it up yesterday, and it is still a truly beautiful, fine specimen of an Alembic S II. It is time for it to move on to someone who can play it regularly and appreciate it more than just as eye candy. No picture of this bass has ever captured its beauty of such beautiful reds in its wavy flamed walnut lams and deeply darkened maple from its thirty years of playing in smoky bars and stages all over the country. I will miss this bass immensely, but I do feel good about it going to a good home. Gig the crap out of this bass, Tom, and I know she will not let ya down. Packing will start up at the end of this week. So long to yet another great love of my life. | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1622 Registered: 11-2004 |
Thomas, Your post resonates pretty deeply with me- beautiful sentiment for a beautiful bass. All the best to Major Tom and Thomas and I hope the future brings great things for all three individuals (Tom, Thomas and the bass). | ||
| nahman65
New Username: nahman65 Post Number: 3 Registered: 12-2013 |
This bass will have the love and care for the rest of my life. I will post pics of her in action onstage once I get this gorgeous instrument in my hand, and just think I am only one payment behind in my mortgage. | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 283 Registered: 11-2009 |
Not a problem. I am excited about seeing it on stage again. Take your time. It is sitting here safely awaiting its trip to Florida. Yes, Christmas will come, mortgage or not . . . | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 351 Registered: 11-2009 |
Final payment has been sent, so I will be packing Goldielocks up this weekend and sending her off real soon. Bummer . . . . . | ||
| lembic76450
Advanced Member Username: lembic76450 Post Number: 386 Registered: 5-2002 |
Two basses that have a place in my heart over all the years here have been "Bonnie and "Goldielocks". Thomas, I should have pulled that trigger years ago... May she be well in her new life. Kenn | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 396 Registered: 11-2009 |
I miss this bass. Such a class act when she was setup properly, nice tone on everything. A classic of a classic. I hope you are gigging her ass off. |
