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Alembic Club » Miscellaneous » Archive: 2005 » Archive through October 17, 2005 » Archive - 2004 » Archive through February 12, 2004 » Alembic Oasis?? « Previous Next »

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bassman10096
Member
Username: bassman10096

Post Number: 97
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Friday, February 06, 2004 - 7:53 pm:   Edit Post

Does anyone have any knowledge of a guitar/bass line called Oasis or Alembic Oasis? Ebay has a 1978 Rothchild Music catalogue listed at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3702727622&category=621.

The seller posted some pictures from the catalogue and says (correctly) it shows Alembics, but also that it includes "Alembic Oasis" guitars and basses. The catalogue pages showing these instruments don't feature the Alembic logo, just a palm tree Oasis logo.

Does anyone know whether these have any connection with Alembic. If so, I'd be curious to know more. The one association I had was that the pointed headstock tops looked reminiscent of Modulus? Turner?

I've asked the seller to explain more, but if anyone out here has any info, I'd be curious to know.

Wonderingly yours,

Bill
valvil
Moderator
Username: valvil

Post Number: 329
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Friday, February 06, 2004 - 8:11 pm:   Edit Post

Mica will know about this, until then, however, if I remember correctly, I believe Oasis was a company started by a former Alembic employee...I think he had a limited run of instruments before folding...although that might also have been another former Alembic employee who started his instrument company...there's a few of them around and I have trouble telling them apart at times... :-)

Still, I don't believe Alembic had anyting to do with Oasis, production-wise.

Valentino
dela217
Advanced Member
Username: dela217

Post Number: 278
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, February 06, 2004 - 8:25 pm:   Edit Post

Oasis was a company started by a former Alembic employee. His name was Gary Cooper. Yes there are a few of these Alembic inspired companies. I like em all! Not the instruments per se, but what they represent. That magical era of bassdom. I may say that a BecVar or a Hyak is a great bass, but I mean as a piece. Not in the same league or competing with the masters. Know what I mean?

Anyway there are a couple of Oasis basses for sale at this site. Attractive prices too. www.lowdbass.com. If anyone is interested in the koa Oasis on that site, drop me a line. I know a bit of it's history.

The Oasis instrumnets are set up with passive electronics. The pickups are Bartolini, (Hi-A) with no label on them.

Michael
bassman10096
Member
Username: bassman10096

Post Number: 99
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Friday, February 06, 2004 - 9:31 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks for the info, guys (and so quick, too!). I didn't think there would be much more connection than that without more history commonly known about it. My hat's off to your knowledge of the instrument industry.

Thanks

Bill
dela217
Advanced Member
Username: dela217

Post Number: 280
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, February 06, 2004 - 9:42 pm:   Edit Post

I have a strong interest of that era and try to find out anything 'Alembic'. So that means all of the folks that made their own instruments that used to work there. Sick, huh? I live and breathe Alembic, Oaisis, Turner, Hyak, Becvar, Irwin, Stars, Excalibur, Modulus, Furman, etc, etc.... and their connection to Alembic.

(Message edited by dela217 on February 06, 2004)
bassman10096
Member
Username: bassman10096

Post Number: 100
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2004 - 4:52 am:   Edit Post

Michael: You have obviously made a study of the evolution, derivation, etc. of these other lines - beginning in many cases with their connection to Alembic. That interest was precisely what motivated my question in the first place. As the therapist once said: "Please feel free to share your thoughts and feelings..." At least your (our) interest beats something centered on a line that doesn't represent or still produce incredibly high quality, sophisticated instruments and thinking. I think for me, when I look at Alembic's many accomplishments (instruments and sound), it's only logical to have an interest in the people who contributed, where they went and what they contributed in other venues.

Sick, huh? Maybe, but tough toads!!

Bill
bkbass
New
Username: bkbass

Post Number: 6
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2004 - 6:01 pm:   Edit Post

to dela217 I'd like to hear the history of the Oasis koa bass.Why is the tail piece larger on this than on the maple one?
dela217
Advanced Member
Username: dela217

Post Number: 283
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2004 - 8:41 pm:   Edit Post

It is just that I talked to the original owner of that bass and I know it's origins. He is French and that bass has been all over the world.

As far as the tailpiece - It is one of the Oasis options. There are fine tuners incorporated in the bridge for micro adjustments of the tuning.
adriaan
Intermediate Member
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 120
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 - 3:32 am:   Edit Post

These Oasis pickups sure look a lot like the ones on the Rick Turner "Model 1" - the one that Lindsay Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac used to play. And I think I saw the bass player of Kool & The Gang with an Oasis bass in one of their late 70s videos.

(Message edited by Adriaan on February 10, 2004)
senmen
Advanced Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 219
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 - 4:03 am:   Edit Post

Adriaan,
yes you´re right. The KatG bass player used an Oasis bass.

Oliver (Spyderman)
dela217
Advanced Member
Username: dela217

Post Number: 285
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 - 5:31 am:   Edit Post

Adriaan - You are right on the pickups too. Those pickups were custom made by Bartolini.
gbarchus
Junior
Username: gbarchus

Post Number: 37
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 - 11:39 am:   Edit Post

Rick Turner YEAH! What's the official story of why he left Alembic. He's making some great stuff.

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