Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Introductions => Topic started by: ShortGuyLongBass on November 15, 2017, 02:51:48 PM

Title: Series I or II?
Post by: ShortGuyLongBass on November 15, 2017, 02:51:48 PM

Hi Folks,
I am new to the club, though I've owned an Alembic since 1976, Serial # 76-535. I used it constantly for 20 years touring and recording with my Toronto based afrolatinfunksalsaworldbeat  nonet Manteca.To be honest, I haven't played it since mid-90's. Most of my work is on upright and UEB nowadays.
I would like to put the Alembic in the hands of someone who would appreciate it.
However, the first item of business is that I don't remember whether it's a Series I or II, or how to distinguish them.

Who can answer that question for me, or tell me where to find the answer?
Thanks.

Title: Re: Series I or II?
Post by: StephenR on November 15, 2017, 03:01:56 PM

Welcome!

Here is a link to the FAQ thread about the Series basses. There are descriptions of the electronics that include pictures. Since you have a 70s model I am assuming that your pickup selector is going to be in a different place than on the more recent basses pictured in the FAQ but the control layout should be the same.

http://club.alembicguitars.com/index.php?board=23.0 (http://club.alembicguitars.com/index.php?board=23.0)

Since you are going to get requests.... please post pictures of your bass.

Title: Re: Series I or II?
Post by: lbpesq on November 15, 2017, 04:25:07 PM

Hi, Henry.  Series I instruments have 3-way mini toggle switches to adjust the "Q".  Series II instruments instead have rotary potentiometers, CVCs to adjust the "Q".  Furthermore, IIRC, Series II instruments have a master volume.  Series I's don't.

Bill, tgo

Title: Re: Series I or II?
Post by: elwoodblue on November 15, 2017, 07:07:04 PM

also ,IIRC Series ll have bookmatched headstock veneers as standard.
(and a standard minimum number of neck laminates?)


Welcome,
... looking forward to pics  ;)

Title: Re: Series I or II?
Post by: rv_bass on November 16, 2017, 03:34:34 AM

What does RC stand for in the above reference IIRC?

Title: Re: Series I or II?
Post by: elwoodblue on November 16, 2017, 04:09:44 AM

IIRC = "If I Recall Correctly"


(until Alembic makes a Remote Control series ll  ;D )

Title: Re: Series I or II?
Post by: rv_bass on November 16, 2017, 05:39:05 AM

Ah, thank you, I was not thinking in terms of cyber speak!  :)

Title: Re: Series I or II?
Post by: ShortGuyLongBass on November 16, 2017, 12:51:22 PM

Thanks for the links. I now know my '76 long scale is a series I.
I have only a blurry pic of it at present, will take a few good ones.
What I didn't mention before is that I had the frets removed in '78, played it that way for almost 20 years.

Title: Re: Series I or II?
Post by: hammer on November 16, 2017, 08:50:29 PM

Henry

I have been looking for a fretless Series Alembic bass for a while now and would be very interested in seeing photos of your bass and having a chance to chat with you about it.  If you are still interested in selling please PM me (abery001@umn.edu).

Title: Re: Series I or II?
Post by: jazzyvee on November 20, 2017, 11:33:57 AM

I don't know if you are after a 4 or 5 string fretless Hammer but this 5 string fretless on Reverb looks awesome.
https://reverb.com/item/7275089-alembic-serries-ii-five-string-fretless-active-bass

Title: Re: Series I or II?
Post by: hammer on November 20, 2017, 05:41:07 PM

I agree that the bass looks awesome. Unfortunately, so does the price (as in really big, large, and beyond my means).  I'm currently working to finalize the purchase of Henry's Series I that was originally a fretted model. Need to figure out shipping and import fees. As Henry indicates it's road worn, but has mojo.