Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Introductions => Topic started by: John Fitsperfectly on March 23, 2022, 08:38:24 PM

Title: Old Timer
Post by: John Fitsperfectly on March 23, 2022, 08:38:24 PM

Hi all...

Jeff from Staten Island NY here,
I've been meaning to sign up for this forum for ages, and have finally gotten around to it.

I'm the proud owner of Two Alembic Basses - a 1987 Persuader,  and a 1988 Spoiler, both of which I purchased new from Manny's Music in NYC, in January of 1989. 

The Spoiler has been my main Bass since the day I bought it, and although I love the Persuader,  I've only used it to gig about a half a dozen times.

Both Basses are in excellent condition,  and I thought it was finally time to join the Club.

Pics are too large, I'll have to reduce them, and post later.

Title: Re: Old Timer
Post by: JimmyJ on March 23, 2022, 08:51:00 PM

Hey Jeff,

Welcome to the forum.  What took you so long?  Ha!  Glad you're enjoying those basses.  Post some pics when you can.  I sure miss Manny's...

Jimmy J

Title: Re: Old Timer
Post by: John Fitsperfectly on March 23, 2022, 09:12:07 PM

Thanks Jim

Finally figured out out pic reduction, but may have double posted a pic.

Yeah, Manny's was a great music store.

They had everything, plus you never knew which Rock Star you would see whenever you went there.

Title: Re: Old Timer
Post by: pauldo on March 24, 2022, 05:09:21 AM

Jeff, welcome to the camp.   
Are you using black tape wounds on those?  I recently migrated to flatwounds and am surprisingly happy with them.
The figuring on the Persuaders top wood is really nice.

Paul

Title: Re: Old Timer
Post by: keith_h on March 24, 2022, 06:54:58 AM

They are beautiful looking basses.

Paul, You noticed the tape wound strings too.

Title: Re: Old Timer
Post by: John Fitsperfectly on March 24, 2022, 09:20:05 AM

Thanks for the welcome !

I use D'Addario Black Round Wounds (.45 - .105) as I have a tendency to snap strings, and and got a great deal on 2 cases of them for about $7 a set from a local music store. I've always had a problem with Flatwounds, as they tend to burn my fingertips.   I do a lot of sliding up and down the neck, and I could never get really comfortable with the Flatwounds.

Thanks for the compliments on the Basses, they really are two beauties.

I had the original paperwork for both Basses, but put them in a safe place, and haven't seen them in 30 years.

I'm going to ask Mica about the build specs, as I'm curious as to the woods that were used.

Thanks again for the warm welcome !

I should have done this years ago...

Title: Re: Old Timer
Post by: edwardofhuncote on March 24, 2022, 02:50:08 PM

Welcome Jeff, nice pair of basses you have there. I will bet the Persuader is Bubinga-topped. It's really a beautiful wood sometimes...  my fretless Distillate is made of it.

Title: Re: Old Timer
Post by: rv_bass on March 24, 2022, 06:51:21 PM

I’ll add my welcome and compliments on your basses, very cool!  Wonder if the darker one is rosewood?  Manny’s was fun, used to go there as a kid and just check things out.

Title: Re: Old Timer
Post by: John Fitsperfectly on March 25, 2022, 01:33:31 PM

Hi Ed...

Thanks for the compliments on the Alembics !

And I must say, that is a Beautiful Distillate that you have there !

I think that you're correct about the wood being Bubinga, I kind of remember that from the original spec sheet.  Your Distillate is very similar in appearance,  so I'm guessing its the same type of wood / finish.

And I believe the wood on the Spoiler is Cocobolo, as thats what I remember from that spec sheet.

I really need to get in touch with Mica, to find out the complete history of these two beauties.

As soon as I find out the specs for both Basses I'll post them here...

Title: Re: Old Timer
Post by: John Fitsperfectly on March 25, 2022, 01:44:34 PM

Hi RV,

I saw your post about my Alembics,  thanks for the compliments !

I just mentioned to Ed that I think the Spoiler is made with a Cocobolo top.

I'm sure he's correct about the Persuader being made with Bubinga.

Can't remember what the reverse wood was on either Bass.

As soon as I find out, I'll post the info here.

Yeah, Manny's was a blast !

All the top end Guitars & equipment,  plus the random Rock Stars that always seemed to be shopping for Guitars.

They don't make them like that any more.

Title: Re: Old Timer
Post by: rv_bass on March 25, 2022, 03:57:29 PM

John, my second guess was cocobolo.  :)

You can post requests with the serial numbers here and Mica will look them up and provide the info from the files if the records exist.  They are a small group doing lots of things, so it might take a little while for the file info to post.

https://club.alembic.com/index.php?board=169.0

Title: Re: Old Timer
Post by: John Fitsperfectly on March 25, 2022, 07:19:21 PM

Thanks for the heads up !

Title: Re: Old Timer - Manny's Wall Of Fame
Post by: John Fitsperfectly on March 25, 2022, 07:52:41 PM

For those of us that were lucky enough to make it into Manny's Music Store in NYC, the walls were as famous as the store itself.

Showcasing Autographed Pictures of every Musician that was a patron there, you could spend hours alone just checking out the pics...

https://mannysmusic.ning.com/photo/photo/listForContributor?screenName=2r928lic39bsi

Title: Re: Old Timer
Post by: David Houck on March 26, 2022, 09:32:34 AM

Nice top on that Persuader; welcome!

Title: Re: Old Timer
Post by: John Fitsperfectly on March 26, 2022, 10:18:33 AM

Thanks David !

Title: Re: Old Timer
Post by: YamatoJJ on March 28, 2022, 07:04:21 AM

Hiya Jeff from another Jeff from NYC: Flushing Queens, now in Osaka Japan!

Mail me a slice, man! Lol

Title: Re: Old Timer
Post by: John Fitsperfectly on March 28, 2022, 08:16:34 AM

Wish I could !

Don't think it would make it through customs !

You should open up a NY style Pizzeria in Osaka, you'd be a millionaire...