Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Swap Shop and Wish Lists => Seen on craigslist, eBay, and elsewhere => Topic started by: gtrguy on August 24, 2019, 10:28:58 AM

Title: Nice Series I on EBay with broken truss rod
Post by: gtrguy on August 24, 2019, 10:28:58 AM
Nice Series I on EBay with broken truss rod


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Alembic-Series-1-I-Brown-Pickups-w-Original-Blue-Hard-Case-1975-Vintage/183928449922?hash=item2ad2fd6b82:g:8ikAAOSwHjxdXtPs
Title: Re: Nice Series I on EBay with broken truss rod
Post by: gtrguy on August 24, 2019, 10:34:35 AM
I think it is also this one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1975-Alembic-Series-1-Vintage-Bass-/293183949434?hash=item4443200a7a%3Ag%3AMp4AAOSwRgNdTxJ0&nma=true&si=wH8%252BTzbB1mkZSQYCKhpDVwpDpkM%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Title: Re: Nice Series I on EBay with broken truss rod
Post by: jwright9 on August 24, 2019, 02:00:58 PM
Now here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/202763744487

Changed to an auction format with best offer enabled.

Title: Re: Nice Series I on EBay with broken truss rod
Post by: edwin on August 25, 2019, 08:07:59 PM
I have to say it's pretty tempting. I'll be watching.
Title: Re: Nice Series I on EBay with broken truss rod
Post by: lbpesq on August 25, 2019, 08:34:17 PM
It’s already in Colorado ...!

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Nice Series I on EBay with broken truss rod
Post by: lembic76450 on August 26, 2019, 06:00:42 AM
Only 2 pics show the 5 pin connector.  Can anyone actually see the pins.
I am not sure that I have enough resolution.
Title: Re: Nice Series I on EBay with broken truss rod
Post by: rv_bass on August 26, 2019, 06:03:26 AM
Might want to look under the hood too.
Title: Re: Nice Series I on EBay with broken truss rod
Post by: StephenR on August 26, 2019, 08:54:54 AM
Only 2 pics show the 5 pin connector.  Can anyone actually see the pins.
I am not sure that I have enough resolution.

This sold a couple of weeks ago with a DS5 and two of the five-pin cords so the jack is probably fine. Now it seems to only come with a stereo 1/4" cord. Gigging without a DS5 means replacing the batteries every 20 hours so factor in the cost of a new DS5 and cord plus the repair to the truss rod.
Title: Re: Nice Series I on EBay with broken truss rod
Post by: jwright9 on August 26, 2019, 10:44:54 AM
Electronics are original. Confirmed by Mica with close up photos.
Title: Re: Nice Series I on EBay with broken truss rod
Post by: gtrguy on August 26, 2019, 12:21:32 PM
Such a nice bass. Without the nut on the truss rod is there any effect at all on the neck in terms of adjustment or are you stuck with whatever the neck itself is doing to counteract the string pull? I wonder if the person selling it snapped off the nut while trying to make an adjustment. That would ruin your day!
Title: Re: Nice Series I on EBay with broken truss rod
Post by: David Houck on August 26, 2019, 01:39:04 PM
... Without the nut on the truss rod is there any effect at all on the neck in terms of adjustment or are you stuck with whatever the neck itself is doing to counteract the string pull?

I'm not sure I understand what you're asking.  On a bass this old, it's usually the case that the neck has settled so much that frequent adjustments are unnecessary, assuming of course the action is where you want it.  The neck on my bass moves with every change in humidity, so I adjust it often.  So it seems to me that whoever purchases the bass should send it to Alembic and have a new truss rod put in.  And while it's there, perhaps a refinish.  :)

... I wonder if the person selling it snapped off the nut while trying to make an adjustment. That would ruin your day!

Probably, and definitely!
Title: Re: Nice Series I on EBay with broken truss rod
Post by: rv_bass on August 26, 2019, 02:18:51 PM
In the spirit of transparency...and they are original.



Title: Re: Nice Series I on EBay with broken truss rod
Post by: rv_bass on August 26, 2019, 03:16:37 PM
David, I wonder if it’s a function of where the bass has spent its life and the characteristics of its new environment.  I have pretty extreme seasonal fluctuations in temperature and humidity, and all of my basses except my ‘67 Starfire require seasonal neck adjustments.
Title: Re: Nice Series I on EBay with broken truss rod
Post by: David Houck on August 26, 2019, 06:44:41 PM
It's also because each neck is unique.  Going by what club members have posted over the years, it seems that most Alembics have very stable necks, which makes sense because they are all multi-laminate and because of the craftsmanship.  And yes, usually seasonal adjustments are all that are needed.  However, the universe felt that I needed a bass that would need constant truss rod adjustments, probably because the universe thought it would help me to pay closer attention to what I'm doing.  :)

My recollection is that the neck on the '78 that I had was very stable.  Of course my ability to recollect anything is somewhat less than stable.

But yes; perhaps the bass that needs a new truss rod was affected by a big environmental change.  I hope it gets a good home.  Love the look of those pickups.
Title: Re: Nice Series I on EBay with broken truss rod
Post by: edwardofhuncote on August 27, 2019, 04:07:22 PM
So, another chapter unfolds for #75-133... sold for the second time in as many weeks. Will this wounded old Dragon be restored to glory? We can only wait, and hope.