Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: jazzyvee on April 18, 2021, 11:48:09 AM

Title: Enthusiastic Series I bass review by Johnny Long
Post by: jazzyvee on April 18, 2021, 11:48:09 AM
Title: Re: Enthusiastic Series I bass review by Johnny Long
Post by: edwardofhuncote on April 18, 2021, 12:03:32 PM
He's so great... what an entertaining player too.  :)


I've never seen a tailpiece like that before. I thought it was a moustache type, but not. The battery compartment cover is huge too. And the 5-pin is turned 90° from what I would expect. Maybe some mods? Awesome cool bass.



Title: Re: Enthusiastic Series I bass review by Johnny Long
Post by: rv_bass on April 18, 2021, 02:52:00 PM
Looks like a beautiful bass

https://www.facebook.com/pg/iwant2live777/photos/
Title: Re: Enthusiastic Series I bass review by Johnny Long
Post by: edwardofhuncote on April 18, 2021, 03:07:29 PM
It is a moustache. Must be pretty early '74.

That'll fall in the upper-40's lower-50's with those appointments. You seen this one before Michael?
Title: Re: Enthusiastic Series I bass review by Johnny Long
Post by: dela217 on April 18, 2021, 05:38:17 PM
I paused the video at 1:29.    That is definitely a moustache.    And the bass is not modified, other than those knobs don't look like standard Alembic issue.    The funny business going on with the 5-pin being turned is something that is done with the connector on the cable not the bass.   The Neutrik connector can be loosened and turned like that if you want the cable to fall in a different direction.    Also I noticed that the bass has PF5 electronics in it.   Based on other instruments I have owned and known,   if he says it is a 1974, then I believe this bass to be serial number 74-48.   No?   Maybe?   I don't think I'm familiar with this one.

Also he mentioned in the first video that he was on Bourbon St????   New Orleans???   That is where I am!

Michael
Title: Re: Enthusiastic Series I bass review by Johnny Long
Post by: rv_bass on April 18, 2021, 05:52:45 PM
I sent an email to see if it was for sale.  He said no and that he did some work on it for the owner.  From the Facebook photos looks like a refret and fixed the pickup selector.  I think he is located in Virginia.
Title: Re: Enthusiastic Series I bass review by Johnny Long
Post by: edwardofhuncote on April 19, 2021, 12:48:58 PM
Wow... if it is indeed #74-48, I think that would make it the first of that year. Yeah, it's much easier to see detail in the pictures than the video. Very, very cool old bass. 
Title: Re: Enthusiastic Series I bass review by Johnny Long
Post by: dela217 on April 19, 2021, 01:20:50 PM
Well I currently own 73-47 that was originally fitted with PF-5 electronics.     I also owned 74-49 that was fitted with PF6 electronics.    So, if Mr. Johnny Long says it is a 1974 and it show it having PF-5 electronics, it MUST be 74-48.

I guess 74-49 was the first bass with the newer PF-6 circuit.   

Michael
Title: Re: Enthusiastic Series I bass review by Johnny Long
Post by: fmm on April 19, 2021, 01:54:38 PM
scalloped nut as well?
Title: Re: Enthusiastic Series I bass review by Johnny Long
Post by: edwardofhuncote on April 19, 2021, 02:02:21 PM
scalloped nut as well?

Sure is!

Well I currently own 73-47 that was originally fitted with PF-5 electronics.     I also owned 74-49 that was fitted with PF6 electronics.    So, if Mr. Johnny Long says it is a 1974 and it show it having PF-5 electronics, it MUST be 74-48.

I guess 74-49 was the first bass with the newer PF-6 circuit.   

Michael


What I love about this place. The guy who either currently has, or has had the Alembics made side-by-side with any given one can say with a high degree of certainty. Yep. I'd call that pretty durn close. I reckon it could have one of those enigmatic 'o' numbers too. 
Title: Re: Enthusiastic Series I bass review by Johnny Long
Post by: fmm on April 19, 2021, 02:12:50 PM
Over 100 additional pictures here:
https://www.facebook.com/iwant2live777/
Title: Re: Enthusiastic Series I bass review by Johnny Long
Post by: dela217 on April 19, 2021, 02:30:17 PM
I looked at every picture and there was not one shot of the serial number.    Hopefully this bass has a serial number!   

On that Facebook page, I noticed a phone number of the bass shop.    The shop is closed today but will open tomorrow.    The voice on the other end of the line was Johnny Long.    I left him my number.    I told him of our conversation on this site regarding the serial number.    Maybe he will call me with that info!   

Michael
Title: Re: Enthusiastic Series I bass review by Johnny Long
Post by: dela217 on April 19, 2021, 03:27:04 PM
Well, now I am completely confused.   

Johnny Long called me back and told me what is stamped on the headstock.    74-643

??

Title: Re: Enthusiastic Series I bass review by Johnny Long
Post by: edwardofhuncote on April 19, 2021, 03:45:51 PM
I'll bet it's an o43.

*FWIW- Eiji-san at one point had #74-48 listed as a SSG which I took as short-scale guitar.
Title: Re: Enthusiastic Series I bass review by Johnny Long
Post by: cntrabssn on April 20, 2021, 07:42:12 PM
Hey Guys, take a look at this video:

You'll get to see the S/N in more detail.

And from the comments along with this one:

It looks like James Cammack owns that bass.

-nate.
Title: Re: Enthusiastic Series I bass review by Johnny Long
Post by: edwardofhuncote on April 20, 2021, 08:52:34 PM
Hmmm. What a puzzle. 643 is a 1977 number. That bass shares a few similar features with Tiran Porter's Alembic, which has NO NUMBER. Supposedly it was a '73. Bonus detail, note the black plastic battery cover hidden under the ramp.


Eiji's posts here are full of hints and clues. Anybody see the logo? https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8341.0


I've got a crazy guess... but it assumes waaay too much. And it's really late.  :P   Maybe someone else will CSI this one.
Title: Re: Enthusiastic Series I bass review by Johnny Long
Post by: cntrabssn on April 20, 2021, 09:36:21 PM
Well it doesn’t solve the S/N mystery, but might help confirm ownership:
https://www.jimcammack.com/ (https://www.jimcammack.com/)

Note the album cover photo.

-nate.
Title: Re: Enthusiastic Series I bass review by Johnny Long
Post by: room037 on May 04, 2021, 07:34:38 PM
Hi, I am back !

It's very interested !

I was wrote about 73' to 74' S/N.
The bass has mustache shaped tail, PF-5 pre. and gripped A logo.
So the bass S/N will fit late 73' (around 40) to early 74' (but 74'-48 has PF-6 !).
The Movie said 74'-643, but 643 is 77' range.
I think about S/N 643, it was miss stamped 64 or 63 or 43 (We know another 73'-43 on Showcase).
Another case, I only know S/N 78'-2001 by request. If the first owner wanted the No. 643 ?
And more, He may wanted PF-5 spec at 1974.

I can only said the bass is good looking, nice sound, great example bass !

Eiji
Title: Re: Enthusiastic Series I bass review by Johnny Long
Post by: edwardofhuncote on May 04, 2021, 08:24:04 PM
Welcome back, Eiji-san!


I have read so many of your posts, looking for clues and details trying to figure out this bass. Do you suppose it's possible this instrument could have simply remained unfinished for some reason until 1977, then received the number 74-643? Its construction and appointments seem to suggest it would not be newer than late-1973.


(I have #77-621, which was completed 2/8/1977.)