Alembic Guitars Club
Connecting => Swap Shop and Wish Lists => Wanted & Wishing => Topic started by: stenobass on September 12, 2011, 05:36:04 AM
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Ciao a tutti,
has been a while since I posted on here...
I have always been regretting having sold my MK Sig Deluxe a couple of years ago so now I am in the market for a Series I or II 4-string.
Here is my email address: righes@libero.it (http://mailto:righes@libero.it)
Let me know, cheers!
Stefano
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Welcome back , here is one on uk Ebay which should not cost you any duty.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alembic-Series-1997-Near-Mint-4-String-Bass-/200651349005?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2eb7c09c0d#ht_666wt_1141 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alembic-Series-1997-Near-Mint-4-String-Bass-/200651349005?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2eb7c09c0d#ht_666wt_1141)
It recently completed but not sold and now re-listed so you may be able to try a best offer price.
Jazzyvee
(Message edited by jazzyvee on September 12, 2011)
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Hi there,
bought the Series 1 last year in October, superb bass!
I emailed Mica to get a copy of the spec sheet, but no reply...do I need to insist? If so what do you suggest?
Thanks!
Stefano
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Hello, Mica ??? some replies for Italian Alembician people ??
Grazie mile
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Stefano -
If you haven't done so already, I would recommend that you go here:
and post the serial number of your bass there. In her spare time Mica updates these on a somewhat regular basis, providing all the build specs for your bass.
Paul TDO
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Thanks for the input guys!
Ciao,
Stefano
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After just missing out on a Series I Europa recently, I'm now on the look out for a pre-loved Series I or II bass preferably located in the UK or mainland Europe but elsewhere is also of interest if it is the right bass. I'm looking specifically for a 5 string Europa or Elan body shape in natural wood not bold paint. An alternative option is a Short Scale small standard body shape Series I in 4 string, darker woods only. Ideally with a master volume. I'm really looking for fairly recent models in spectacular condition, not vintage models. I'm not in a big hurry at all so can wait, years :-), for the right one to come along but when it does I sadly be off loading my black Europa and possibly my purple Elan with Europa Electronics if i get the short scale bass as I doubt if they would get much of a look in. Thanks in advance, I know you will keep your eyes open for me. :-) Ideal top woods would be. Coco bolo, Jarrah Burl, Burl walnut, Madagascar Ebony, Here are some woods Ive liked to kind of give you an idea. ( The one in the middle is the one I was just too slow off the mark for. )
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/143622.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/143623.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/143624.jpg)
(Message edited by jazzyvee on November 16, 2012)
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Curiously you do not speak of blackwood... strange...
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I have never heard of an alembic in blackwood except yours so I don't expect to find any used ones about.
But yes that would also be acceptable to me.
Thanks PierreYves
Jazzyvee
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for Christmas by example, good acceptable present LOL !!
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I was inspired by Pierre-Yves' beautiful blackwood bass, and am having a series baritone guitar made in blackwood. Hopefully we'll get some pictures going soon, whenever they get around to actually cutting wood
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Bump, still looking.
Jazzyvee
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Hey guys I saw this one up for sale:
http://www.musikmachen.de/Kleinanzeigen/Gebrauchtmarkt/Alembic-Serie-I-Shortscale-Graphit-Hals-stereo (http://www.musikmachen.de/Kleinanzeigen/Gebrauchtmarkt/Alembic-Serie-I-Shortscale-Graphit-Hals-stereo)
I dont know this seller, but looks to be a nice, rare alembic for a fair price over here in Europe. If you need any help with translation just let me know.
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Yeah it looks a nice bass and a rare graphite neck too. I tried google translation but from the wording it is confusion as to whether the pickups are series I or the humcancelling ones. For the age of the bass, the gold lettering looks too new so I wonder if the original pickups have been changed.
Jazzyvee
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Seems as if it has AXYs or Fatboys, but he says the original single coils are included in the sale too.
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Hmmm..... seems a bit risky makes me wonder what condition the single coils are in if they were swapped out for the other pickups and what kind of electronics is in there too. Would the series electronics and hum canceller system work successfully with those pickups?
At that price I'd expect to just plug and play.
Jazzyvee
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Hmmm..... seems a bit risky makes me wonder what condition the single coils are in if they were swapped out for the other non series pickups and what kind of electronics is in there too. Would the series electronics and hum canceller system work successfully with those pickups?
At that price I'd expect to just plug and play.
Jazzyvee
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As the seller wrote, the original Alembic Single Coils were changed, right now there are 2 original Alembic Humbucker in the bass, working with the series I electronic. All the specifications of the series I electronic seems to work in order. The original Humbucker will be delivered to. He changed them cause of the typical noises of Alembic Humbuckers. This bass is from 1981 has a few optical minor issues, nothing going into the wood, usual for this age.
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My Series has the embossed pickup covers. I wonder if the new pickups were part of an electronics upgrade? A question worth asking. The fact that they are calling the original pickups humbuckers tells me they don't really know what they have.
Keith
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My bad, he wrote the original Alembic Single Coils will be delivered too.....
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Hi Jazzy, i saw another one over here in Germany, but i dont know if its still for sale. Also its not really a steal, but maybe there is room for negotiating the price: http://www.bassmarkt.de/bassanzeige.asp?bn=y&object=/Alembic+Serie+1%2Dbass%2Dverkaufen-55194 (http://www.bassmarkt.de/bassanzeige.asp?bn=y&object=/Alembic+Serie+1%2Dbass%2Dverkaufen-55194)
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That looks like the same bass that I had posted in the photo above. One that I missed the boat on. It's not a steal either but I will contact the seller and see what the situation is with it. :-)
Thanks for posting that link.
Jazzyvee
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Just a heads up. I'll likely be putting my 96 Baby S2 Coco Bolo Alembic bass up for sale. I've never really played it.
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Any photos? of it around the forum?
Jazzyvee
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Hi Chris, I tried ringing the number today but got an answer machine in German so left a message. I can't understand German but if you do, can you tell me if the web site is amusic store or just a web site for people to list items they want to buy and sell. I wonder how I could verify that the seller is indeed the owner if it is not a proper store.
thanks
Jazzyvee
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Only one or two pictures I believe. I will post some later..
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Jazzy: this one is in Switzerland, you can have a good price, around 6500.- CHF
http://www.anibis.ch/fr/musique%20-instruments-guitares,accessoires-electrique--2354/alembic%20basseburl%20beautyserie%201--198724.aspx?fts=alembic&sf=ftw&so=d&ualf=True&scid=23 (http://www.anibis.ch/fr/musique%20-instruments-guitares%2Caccessoires-electrique--2354/alembic%20basseburl%20beautyserie%201--198724.aspx?fts=alembic&sf=ftw&so=d&ualf=True&scid=23)
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Wow that is a lovely bass. It was also a custom of the month.http://www.alembic.com/info/ken_bass.html (http://www.alembic.com/info/ken_bass.html)
Both of them are equally desirable however the Swiss one seems to have narrower string spacing and I do now prefer the standard spacing of the bass from Germany. But we shall see what happens when I can speak with both sellers.
PierreYves, where did you get the price of 6500CHF as it is showing 7'990 CHF on the web site?
Jazzyvee
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As said on FB, I begin some negociation for the price, I have said ok for 5500.- CHF and the guy said do a little more. This base is for sale on this shop from 4 years I think.
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The neck on the bass is Switzerland looks like a classic taper as opposed to the comfort taper. I believe these do have a closer string spacing. You also need to consider if you like the classic or not. For my 4-string short scale basses I prefer the classic taper but for my long scales it is the comfort taper.
Keith
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In terms of tapers I'm no sure what is what. All my bases except the black Europa/?lan 5 feel like he same string spacing. The black bass is narrower which is only a problem if I'm doing some double thumbing where he tighter string spacing makes it more challenging to keep the other strings quiet. But as to what the spacing is. I have no idea what alembics string spacing measurements are for each of the Classic, comfort or wide bridge. Custom is another thing too.
Anyone know?
Jazzyvee
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Here you go: http://www.alembic.com/support/reference.html#necks (http://www.alembic.com/support/reference.html#necks)
Classic = narrow bridge wide nut (almost straight taper)
Comfort = wide bridge narrow nut (more like traditional/Fender taper)
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Another special feature is that while on most instruments string spacing is center-to-center, on an Alembic it is side-to-side. Unless you order it differently, of course.
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My existing Series II has a quilt maple top & back and both of these basses up for sale have a burl maple top & back and I guess same body wood recipes except mine has ebony lams instead of purple heart in the neck.
Accepting there will always be some variances between one bit of wood and another is there likely to be noticeable differences in basses made from different samples of the same type of wood.
Jazzyvee
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I think the difference in the neck woods will have the largest effect on the sound. If all of the other body woods are the of the same type I would expect them to be similar even though they are different cuts.
Keith
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In principle a deal has been done, sorting out the logistics of getting the bass over here. I think I will take a flight to Germany to collect the bass in a couple of weeks.
I had a good long chat with the seller yesterday. He told me that the bass has been owned by a collector since new in 1995 and has never been played so still has the original alembic strings that were fitted when it was originally shipped. He bought it from another collector in 2004, and it has been stored in the case in a strong room with all his other collectable basses. Many Ken Smith's and some other high end high specified Series II including one of the limited edition large body Anniversary Series II models 5 string basses with omega and stinger.
Anyway we had a great chat and I got an insight a little of how the collectors market works. Most of these guys are non players and buy them for their appreciation of the quality of manufacture.
I do wonder though what Ron/Mica think of non playing collectors owning their instruments when they could be in the hands of musicians making the music they were designed for.
I will let you know how things progress.
jazzyvee
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Jazzy, is the German bass indeed the same one you previously sought to acquire? It certainly is a beautiful example.
Jon
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Yes Jon, it's the same one. The seller emailed me this afternoon so things are in process and hopefully it won't be long before I have it at home.
Jazzyvee
(Message edited by jazzyvee on January 30, 2013)
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Now if I could just find a 4 string version to match it... ; )
Jon
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I've had an email from the seller this afternoon and it's en-route. A lot cheaper than me flying to get it so hopefully it gets here ok just like my other two that came from Germany.
:-)
Jazzyvee
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Congratulations man!
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Thanks are due to you Chris for finding it and posting it on the forum.
Respect
Jazzyvee
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Bump, I'm still on the look out for a short scale series I or II small body Stanley Clarke style bass as new as possible, darker highly figured top and back woods preferably but will consider anything on offer except beaten up basses.
Willing to trade any or all of the following or cash.
5 string Europa: http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/3658.html?1170593034 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=9143)
4 string Elan with europa electronics for the right instrument: http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/35750.html?1326918247 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8524)
I have a custom built Rob Williams Strat that I would be willing to trade also:
http://www.robwilliamsguitars.co.uk/Robwilliamsguitars/About_Rob.html (http://www.robwilliamsguitars.co.uk/Robwilliamsguitars/About_Rob.html)
Body and neck are mahogany, rosewood fingerboard with a chess piece inlay at the first fret, book match to centre thick quilted maple top with a red tint.
It originally came with seymour duncan pickups which I found too cold sounding so had some custom wound pickups made which have a much more cleaner sound. But I will include the seymour duncans in case you want to bring it back to original spec.
Jazzyvee
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Still looking but on the European side of the pond as I want to avoid import duty and tax unless it's a cheap price.
Bump.
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Bump. Still on the look out for a series shorty. :-)
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Just a thought. There is a chance I could be in the states on tour later this year, subject to all the official stuff going through OK. So if anyone here is looking to offload a series II short scale bass there may be a deal to be made before I head back home.
If you are interested in a trade, I have an europa 5 string bass that I could bring with me and if that is of interest, then there may be a deal to be done.
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I was inspired by Pierre-Yves' beautiful blackwood bass, and am having a series baritone guitar made in blackwood. Hopefully we'll get some pictures going soon, whenever they get around to actually cutting wood
Did you get the guitar made?