Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Swap Shop and Wish Lists => For Sale & Trade => Topic started by: j_gary on February 09, 2008, 07:37:21 PM

Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: j_gary on February 09, 2008, 07:37:21 PM: Hello all, I am working a deal where my 1977, (77-780),Series I shall be traded this week if all goes smooth. I thought I might offer her here at a fair price prior to a trade. I believe she is a Koa, 32 scale, Mica may be able to offer more with the supplied serial number. Was built with no truss rod cover back in 77. Has some finish checking and two small round chips on the back. Excellent condition, comes with power supply & cable, $3000. Can do paypal.

1984 Spoiler 4 string. Great sound & feel, nice straight neck. Players condition with finish checking, chips, and tarnished metal, hard shell case is rough but works, $1000.

Please email me for photo's. For the life of me I can't get my photo's small enough to post. I'm down to 50x30, still too big!
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: artswork99 on February 10, 2008, 06:52:42 AM: Morning Gary, If you email me those pictures I will size them appropriately with Photoshop and post for you. Regards, Art
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: David Houck on February 10, 2008, 08:08:31 AM: Gary; you should take Art up on his offer, you'll definitely attract more interest if you can get some photos up.
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: j_gary on February 10, 2008, 02:31:29 PM: Hello Art and Dave, just got home and read your kind offer. I shall send them your way, thanks!
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: artswork99 on February 10, 2008, 03:51:36 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/48478.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/48479.jpg)
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: artswork99 on February 10, 2008, 03:53:24 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/48483.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/48484.jpg)
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: artswork99 on February 10, 2008, 03:56:01 PM: Beautiful basses Gary!
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: room037 on February 10, 2008, 06:03:05 PM: Hi Gary,
I found this photo in my archives.
It's your bass isn't it ?
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/48487.jpg)

Eiji
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: j_gary on February 10, 2008, 06:04:21 PM: Nice work Art, thank you sir!
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: j_gary on February 10, 2008, 06:10:29 PM: Hi Eiji, sure looks like her. Where is that from?

Great shot of her.
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: artswork99 on February 10, 2008, 06:17:05 PM: You're welcome Gary. Glad to assist.
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: room037 on February 10, 2008, 06:24:33 PM: Sorry, I don't remember it.
I have always looking for sale, auction section, and stock the picture with/without S/N.
This pict was without S/N.

Eiji
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: David Houck on February 10, 2008, 07:00:52 PM: Interestingly, the knobs on the S1 are not stock.
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: j_gary on February 11, 2008, 09:38:53 AM: Good eye Dave. She came that way. I talked to Mica about this bass and she also pointed out the knob change. I was going to pick up some factory ones when I got caught up in a trade deal which shall result in her leaving me.

In my next life I'm taking up the flute. Surely they don't offer so many choices, and must cost less.
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: bassman10096 on February 11, 2008, 10:02:19 AM: Gary: What an intriguing trade it must be. Those are nice basses. On the flute idea, don't count your chickens before they hatch. See http://www.orpheusmusicalinstruments.com/products/flutes/flutemasterhm/flutemasterhm.html (http://www.orpheusmusicalinstruments.com/products/flutes/flutemasterhm/flutemasterhm.html). Looks like these flutes (maybe the Alembics of the woodwind world) start at $6,100 for silver and run up to $33K for platinum.
Bill (the other one)
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: j_gary on February 11, 2008, 10:51:20 PM: Thanks Bill, you have crushed a young mans dream!
Good Grief!

Cowbell! That's it! Everyone needs more cowbell!
How much are those Mr. Smarty Pants?

(Oh, shhh..59 P Bass, shhh, it's our secret)
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: bassman10096 on February 12, 2008, 04:15:23 AM: Depends on whether you want the platinum cowbell, I 'spose. Wow. (Shhhh...) Couldn't you negotiate for something a little newer?
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: j_gary on February 12, 2008, 03:29:39 PM: Jeez, these old used ones are tough enough. Newer ones are probably too expensive!
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: ghostyhead on May 20, 2008, 05:11:05 AM: hey mate! have you sold both basses?
cheers
Ben (NewZealand)
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: j_gary on May 20, 2008, 07:19:58 PM: Hello Ben,

Beautiful country you live in. Sorry my friend, traded the girls in for an old P Bass.

Great old basses, should have kept them.
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: kungfusheriff on May 20, 2008, 08:23:14 PM: Sorry my friend, traded the girls in for an old P Bass.
You did what?
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: 2400wattman on May 21, 2008, 05:07:21 PM: ya, he did WHAT!
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: keavin on May 22, 2008, 12:22:06 PM: Both???!!!!!!......
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: danny_bryant on May 22, 2008, 07:55:35 PM: I sure do wish I could trade my custom Orion and Mark King for an old P-Bass.
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: jacko on May 23, 2008, 04:42:02 AM: I have an old P Bass you can have Danny. Just send your basses over and once they arrive I'll pack mine off ;-)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/52107.jpg)

Graeme
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: LMiwa on May 23, 2008, 09:17:50 AM: Danny, how old of a P-bass are you looking for?
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: keith_h on May 23, 2008, 12:32:54 PM: Loch,
I believe Danny was being sarcastic when he implied he would trade his Orion and Mark King for a P-bass.

Keith
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: LMiwa on May 23, 2008, 01:23:12 PM: Sorry - a little slow today

I guess I figured that if Gary had traded his (a Spoiler AND a Series I?), there might actually be someone else who would trade an Alembic for a P-bass.

And I would be MORE than happy to assist him!
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: tommy on September 19, 2008, 05:43:46 PM: Gary, Your Alembic series 1 -serial 77 780 is being offered to me right now through guitar center. There asking 4430.00 What are the small holes on the back from? It was advertised as a short scale but i think its a medium. Can you tell me anything about it, damages modifications so I can get them to lower the price?
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: 2400wattman on September 19, 2008, 09:33:18 PM: Tell G.C. to shove that price up their........it's too much man.
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: David Houck on October 03, 2008, 06:15:38 PM: Hi Tom, welcome to the board! Where are there small holes in the back? I don't see them in the picture above. To determine scale length, measure from the nut to the 12th fret and then multiply that number times 2. As I'm assuming you've already figured out, in Alembic terminology, 32 would be medium scale. As mentioned above, you can reasonably state to GC that you would have to order new hat knobs.
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: adriaan on October 04, 2008, 12:10:54 PM: The small holes in the brass back plate are for making adjustments to signal level and humcancelling for each pickup individually.
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: j_gary on October 04, 2008, 12:22:17 PM: Hi Tom,

Sorry I took so long to respond. The old computer picked up a nasty virus which created havoc to my internet access. Had to dump all and start all over. AAARRRGGG!!!

She had those holes in the finish when I got her. The bass was untouched during the time I had her. I believe the only non stock items are the control knobs as Dave pointed out. She came without the truss rod cover which back during that time period was not uncommon.

She is a 32, or medium scale. It's a lovely bass, plays, sounds, and feels great. All the electronics were functioning like new, no noise or electronic interference. I supplied the power supply & case when I traded her in. She is a nice example of an early Series bass.

The price seems a bit high comparatively speaking, but I have not shopped in quite a while. My own opinion is that these early Series basses are a steal at what they sell for. I paid three times that for a 53 P Bass because number one, I'm an idiot, and I've long searched for a first generation plank P Bass due to it's historical significance as the grandfather of the modern electric bass.

While I'm ecstatic over finding an original old 53 P the same age as me, these Series basses are a whole different animal. The 53 is great fun on rockabilly & blues but has it's limits. The Series can do it all and more. I have way more basses than brains, but if I had to pick one it would be easy, an Alembic. Considering what a new custom bass build is today, these old gals are a good value.

It also gets you free admission to Alembic family & service. I have yet to purchase a new Alembic but have owned about 10 of various models. Every-time I call Alembic with questions or concerns I'm treated like I own the place.

Good luck Tom. Hope all of this wind may have helped.
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: tommy on October 16, 2008, 05:43:47 PM: Thanks Gary, That bass was fantastic. When I played it at the GC I was suddenly surrounded by a small crowd. One man said to me, A musician searches to find his instrument once in a lifetime and this is yours. Well, he was right! I never ever played a bass like that in my life. Both in terms of sound and playability. {Mrs. buttersworth} it was inspiring! but...to my disappointment, It was too huge and heavy for me. Then when I strapped it on it was ridiculous on me because of my short stature. When I sat with it, I had to cheat the instrument back so I could reach the F comfortably. So... I ordered a custom Alembic bass based on a variation of the 'little darlin' guitar 28' scale. :}!!
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: j_gary on October 18, 2008, 08:55:41 AM: Congrats Tom, one of the many advantages of Alembic world is the ability to custom order a bass to your specs. I like the basic concept you are working from. It should be a cool bass.

I believe I had the same epiphany upon discovering Alembic. I haven't been the same since my first SC short scale. I have ended up with a number of basses over the years, and yet every time I pick up my Alembic I wonder why I play anything else.

I understand the weight issue. Some models are fairly heavy, particularly the Series basses. Probably because of the way I play, I like a solid feeling, heavy bass. I have a tendancy to physically push hard on a bass in an attempt to make up for a lack of skill. As a result, many basses I can fret out during a song. Not an Alembic, solid & planted they are.

Good luck and enjoy your Alembic journey. Something tells me it will not be your last.
Title: 1977 Alembic Series I & 1984 Spoiler For Sale
Post by: otis on October 29, 2008, 11:07:45 PM: Gary, is the Spoiler still for sale?

Thanks;)

Frank