Alembic Guitars Club
Connecting => Swap Shop and Wish Lists => For Sale & Trade => Topic started by: xlrogue6 on November 25, 2019, 01:46:45 PM
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Selling this for a friend. This bass was reportedly built by Jon Day(truss rod cover engraved by current owner), who worked in the setup shop at Alembic, at least during the time I worked there. It's a Series 1, with added mellow filters (that's my guess, based on the mellow filter install paperwork that's in the case), with a master volume added by former Alembic employee Michael Dolan. This was apparently built originally as a 6 string but was cut down to 4 strings by Dolan because it was very heavy in general and had neck dive issues. No provision for batteries on this one, the crown shaped cover on the back covers a cavity full of lead, added to further combat neck dive. Weight is about 11.5 lbs., according to my ancient UPS compression spring scale. Top and back are walnut, core is maple, ebony lams. One piece neck appears to be purpleheart--due to the oil finish back of the neck looks brown but you can see the hue of purpleheart at the body and between the headstock lams. Sounds great, but there's a slight hum (about like a Jazz bass pickup soloed) that the hum cancellers won't dial out, so it would require Ron's tender attentions to address that ( conveniently, the bass is currently located a few miles from the Mothership). DS5, 5 pin cable and Alembic hard case included. Asking $3500 plus shipping.
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Very nice! What's the scale?
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32" medium scale.
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Dig that body shape and the subtle scroll.
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(deleted)
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This is indeed a unique looking Series 1. What I'm wondering is what constitutes a 'mellow' filter. Other than the hum mentioned, I assume everything else works as it should? Any known significant modifications? Would a dedicated buff restore the color to the neck, or has the oil likely made the purple heart forever brown? I assume the clump of lead in the butt has addressed any neck dive, correct?
I'm very interested (can you tell?).
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That’s a cool bass, love the shape and scroll, medium scale too...nice!
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The mellow filter changes the filter rolloff from 12dB/octave to 3 dB/octave and was apparently intended for use in guitars, but I really like what it does in this bass. And yes, everything is fully functional. As far as the neck color goes, your guess is as good as mine. The combination of oil finish and finger oils may have worked its way into the wood but I don't think this bass has seen a ton of play time so it's distinctly possible that it could be scraped and refinished gloss and regain at least some of the purple hue.
The modifications seem to have removed all neck dive tendencies.
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I realized this morning that I had neglected to check the hum cancelling coil, so I rectified that oversight and found that sure enough, the hum canceller is open. According to Mica, the replacement coil is $185, Mothership labor to install it would run $125-$250. That should take care of the hum!
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Additional pertinent info...
Neck width at nut: 1.5", 12th fret 2", 24th fret 2.25".
Dolan shaved the neck to a very Jazz Bass like profile per the current owner's wishes. Great action and playability.
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Is the 1/4 jack wired mono or stereo?
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There is no 1/4" jack on the bass, and no provision for battery operation. Good thing it comes with a DS-5!
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There is no 1/4" jack on the bass, and no provision for battery operation. Good thing it comes with a DS-5!
Hmmmm... I see a 1/4 jack... Is it not wired?
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nice scroll
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If the 1/4" jack is connected you'd still have to plug in the DS5 to power it up. I'll investigate and report back.
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Potentially interested. PMed you.
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The lead weight is in a common location for batteries. I wonder if they were there when the bass was built and then removed to facilitate adding the lead.
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This lovely bass has found a new home! Mods, please add SOLD to thread title.
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Purchased this from Kent just before Christmas and still waiting to get it into my hands. Kent was nice enough drop it off at the mothership because it needed humcanceler work and I decided to get the electronics upgrade while it was there as the other two series basses I have are totally silent in some live situations but noisey in others. It's in line for work on it sometime in March after the shop is fully up and running again after the move. The anticipation is building to a slow burn.
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Nice! Are you going to have the 1/4” and batteries hooked up again? I have a 5-pin only Series bass and find the 1/4” would be useful in situations where I am not using my own amp (having to plug in and set up the DS-5 is a bit cumbersome in those situations).
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Adding a congratulatory nod, Brian. That's a pretty cool bass. 8)