Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Showcase => Series I Basses and Guitars => Topic started by: edwardofhuncote on March 06, 2019, 02:56:36 PM
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Welcome, MBI4 #77-621...
Mica looked up the serial number this past week and found the following technical details in the instrument file:
•Walnut top and back.
•Mahogany body core.
•Maple, Purpleheart, and Beech neck.
•Zebrawood headstock veneers.
•Rosewood fingerboard, with mother-of-pearl oval inlays.
•Medium-scale. (32")
•Originally made for Rothchild.
•Birthday: February 8th, 1977.
I will add that it has:
•Single truss rod.
•Channel-type bridge.
•Old-style hand-cut silver logo.
•Chrome Schaller M-4 tuners.
•1/4" jack is wired for mono output.
•Two headstock de-laminations were repaired and touched up. There is no evidence of a crack at the scarf joint, or through the maple, but the outer veneers were definitely popping loose. Finish chips in the affected area were filled with some yellow-dyed CA glue, leveled, wet-sanded, and polished.
•There are plans to refret the entire bass soon; will update here.
On to the pictures...
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Also, if you were wondering- the brass truss rod cover is not original; in a fit of OCD, I made it to friction-fit into the rout with a piece of adhesive weatherstrip foam stuck to the back. There's also some felt glued to the back of the brass to keep it from scratching the finish or rattling... it's totally removable in less than a second, no screw holes underneath, I swear... just some of my creative craziness coming out.
Note how most of the play-wear is in one spot... right between the hum-canceller and bridge pickups. Someone played this bass a lot to do that. I love it!
Interesting that they used beech in the center beam of necks for a little while... I notice that seems commonplace in other instruments around this time. I can't help but think that it has a lot to do with the warmer tone. Beech is plenty hard... it was often used for upright necks in European basses, but I think maple is probably harder, or at least more rigid. Just a guess.
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I wanted to get the Showcase Thread established first, then tell the rest of the story...
Most of you that have read my rambling posts here know I've had more than a passing fascination with early Alembics. The right set of circumstances recently fell into place, and this wonderful old Series I is now in my care. A casual appraisal might lead some to believe this bass was nothing special, with plainer wood, checked finish typical of this time, and some minor veneer de-lamination, and while that may be clinically accurate, it couldn't be further from the whole truth. Though it may be far less flashy by today's standards at the Mothership, this bass is very special... I knew as soon as I picked it up.
Living where I do, there aren't a lot of other Alembics around, so my firsthand experience with Series basses is limited to a somewhat small handful of them, but I quickly realized how each one has its own individual voice. A couple I have played really spoke to me, and there was that instant connection to this one... the notes just seem to come effortlessly from it, and there's a mellowness that is difficult to describe. It's been with two Club Members here for most of, or possibly it's whole lifetime, and I'm really proud to be the next caretaker of this old dragon, but how it came to be mine is the really cool part.
It started with a visit from Alembic Club forum moderator, Dave Houck, who dropped in to see me last Fall after an operation had me housebound. After touring my upright bass shop that afternoon, Dave mentioned having a Series I that had a headstock needing repair. From pictures in an old thread, it looked like a relatively easy job, and I jumped at the chance just to work on one. Flash forward three months, and I was finally able to make trip down to Tennessee and Carolina to visit some family and friends, making a stop at Dave's place for an afternoon of music. I learned while talking to Dave, he hasn't played this one for a while now, much preferring the classic-taper neck, long-scale, and extended range his Custom Series II 6-string, "Karma"... <shortening the story a bit> so he'd decided to fix a couple issues with this one and part with it. The arrangement was made between us then and there, and after finishing up a whirlwind tour of east Tennessee, and western and central North Carolina the following Sunday, #77-621 came home to Virginia with me, in its original blue case, 42 years and one week after leaving Sebastopol, California. I could hardly wait to get home!
I wasted no time addressing a couple loose headstock laminates, and spent some time polishing up the brass parts, taking time to lubricate the bridge screws before setting it up with my favorite Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats. A couple little tweaks to the action and intonation and it was ready for business. After only a couple weeks, I've already bonded with this one. No question, this was the bass for me, just waiting for the right time. I have already had it out for a first gig, and it was quite an experience.
Many Thanks to Dave for helping me realize another dream. I'll take good care of your old Alembic... it'll be in good company up here in Virginia.
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Fine example of an early Alembic and great back-story, play it with love!
Excellent idea to put some felt on the back of the truss rod cover. When I remove the one from my 78 Series I have to be really careful since the holes for the screws can potentially scratch the finish when sliding it out from under the strings.
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So THAT'S the story!!! Very cool! Best of luck, congratulations, and enjoy!
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Very cool, and beautiful bass...play it well and often! :)
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It makes me happy to know that it's in such good hands. :)
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Would love to hear it, really. Would of never known it's rosewood...
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Will post some better pictures of the fingerboard when we do the refret job... definitely rosewood, but very darkened. It is most evident on the sides, showing reddish-purple under the finish. ;)
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February 8th, 1977... 43 years ago today, not too far away geographically, from where the new Alembic Headquarters is now, #77-621 left the workbench and began the journey.
She got an early birthday present this year; some new frets, Jescar EVO Gold, a very hard, durable alloy, 24 of them, expertly installed by my buddy and mentor Ward Elliott. Here's a link if you're interested- https://www.jescarguitar.com/jescar-fret-wire/
While he had the old frets out, Ward trued-up and polished the fingerboard too, revealing some absolutely beautiful rosewood. Jescar is tough stuff, so these frets should outlast me. The gold accents go really well with all the old brass hardware, and I think are befitting this fine instrument.
With all the geometry lined up and the action and intonation dialed-in, #77-621 plays like a brand-new bass now, and with a new set of T-I Jazz Rounds, it sounds incredible... there's just nothing quite like that Series bass sound. Can't wait to get out and play it again!
I took a few new pictures for this year. More natural light, automatic filters open, not quite so contrasted, less glare.
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Beautiful bass, the gold frets really blend well with the wood colors and brass!
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That's incredibly nice! (She's a lucky bass, to have you as her owner!!). Wishing you BOTH...many years of happiness.
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Looking good!
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Late reply, but congrats Greg!! Looks great
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Nice.
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Just taking a minute to celebrate this bass on its 'Birthday'... according to the map, Sebastopol is just a few minutes from the new Alembic Shop in Rohnert Park, but that's where this one left, 44 years ago today. Where will she be in 44 more years? Still inspiring someone, I hope.
Thanks Again to Dave for making it happen. Experiencing the range only a Series bass provides has been every bit as enlightening as my first Alembic was several years ago. I can hardly wait for you to play it again. :)
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Nice bass Greg. those vintage basses do have a certain charm don't they. :)
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Will be nice when we can get together and play some again.
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That is a nice one for sure! :)
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She's 45 today. I enjoy thinking about what a time it must have been around the Alembic shop back when Mica's folks boxed this one up and (probably) drove it to somewhere. How and when it got to North Carolina, maybe we'll never know, but I won't forget how it ended up with me.
I've had #77-621 set up with my favorite flats while her walnut sister #80-1684 has been away in California, but there's a brand-new set of TI Jazz Rounds in the old blue case going on soon. I plan to spend some quality plugged-in time this evening, just woodshedding, trying to stay sharp in the cold Winter months.
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What a beautiful bass. I need to come for a visit sometime.
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Forty-Six today. I was having a little jam here in the house to celebrate another year. This bass is just so perfect. Thank You Again, Dave... #77-621 longs to be back on a stage, as do I. It'll be ready when I am. :)
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You're welcome!
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Looking good!
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Forty-seven. That was about when the wheels fell off my wagon. Hope a little better year is ahead for Ol' 621 and me... if there's any gas left in the tank at all when I get back home tonight, I'll plug in and play a while. Here was our return to the stage this past Fall, after another fusion surgery last Summer.
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Well happy birthday Greg, from me and my '77 Series 12 String LSG! 47? You're just a kid! Best wishes for a happy and healthy year.
Bill, tgo
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🤣 Naah, not me Bill TGO... I'm staring down 55 this year, but Dave Houck's old Series I is 47 today. On top of just being a fantastic instrument, it's very special to me. 😊
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Staring down 55? You're still a kid, though you are getting closer to middle age which, IMHO, begins at 70. (I'll be there in 14 months, at which time I reserve the right to reassess and may push MA back to 75).
Bill, tgo
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That's a great picture of you and the bass!
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🍰
Another year has passed for Ol' 621... and glad to say I've logged a lot more time playing music with it this year than the past couple put together.
I did find a set of these fabulous Kluson vintage-style strap buttons, jumbo-sized and in nickel finish. I haven't installed them yet, just put them in the pocket of the big blue case. Maybe a present for the 50th...? Only a couple more trips around to get there. (48 today...)
Haven't done any updated pictures, haven't made any updates for that matter... happy for now to just go play. 😊
Here was a picture of the old Series I in the practice studio a couple weeks back.