Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: aa229 on September 22, 2025, 03:13:11 PM

Title: Alembic Classico wiring
Post by: aa229 on September 22, 2025, 03:13:11 PM
Hello Alembic Forum,

I have A Classico once owned by John Giblin. He modified it a little and I am trying to restore it back to its original wiring etc.

I have all the old wiring but have no idea of what cavities were original (for batteries etc.) I assume that a tech would also need a wiring diagram to make sure it would all put back together as originally intended.  Can anyone help with that?

Thank you in advance for your help.
Title: Re: Alembic Classico wiring
Post by: pauldo on September 22, 2025, 03:21:41 PM
Hi Alfie
Welcome to the camp.   Someone (not this Amish guy) will help you out with your electronics concern(s) in short order.  This is a Great community. 

Post some pictures of the current setup.  There are file size limits and you might* have to post 5 (?) messages prior to have attachment access.


Paul


*server was recently updated, things may be different.
P.S. chances are good a Moderator will slide this over to the Troubleshooting section.
Title: Re: Alembic Classico wiring
Post by: mica on September 22, 2025, 07:25:14 PM
Probably would be best to see some images of what you have in the bass now. If you can post images here that would be great, but if you have trouble you can always email me as well.
Title: Re: Alembic Classico wiring
Post by: garyhead on September 23, 2025, 07:54:24 AM
How many Classico's did Giblin own?  I thought GeePee has his modified bass.
Title: Re: Alembic Classico wiring
Post by: jazzyvee on September 23, 2025, 05:03:09 PM
If I recall correctly George, thought it might have been John Giblin's bass. That said i'm sure I read somewhere, possibly on this forum, there were two classico's that were modified to have an extra pickup and controls. One for John and the other Pharoah Saunders bass player.
Title: Re: Alembic Classico wiring
Post by: aa229 on September 24, 2025, 02:46:36 PM
Hello,


I had just replied but i do not see it here. I uploaded photos. Perhaps they take a while to come through?


thank you all agin for your help with this.


I think John Giblin only owned one Classico.


Yes this Classico has Fishman Electrics. I do not know who modified the bass. If those photos i uploaded don’t appear I will try again later.
Title: Re: Alembic Classico wiring
Post by: pauldo on September 24, 2025, 02:54:03 PM
Alfie, no pictures are visible, try posting two more times. 
Maybe just add “post #4” and then “post #5”.
For post #6 see if the photo attachments feature works.

If that does not work then email to Mica by clicking on the small envelope underneath her picture.

Good luck!
Title: Re: Alembic Classico wiring
Post by: aa229 on September 24, 2025, 03:00:11 PM
Thank you Pauldo.


Yes i’ve just tried again with no luck.


I did email images to Mica earlier today. I don’t want to bombard with emails so I will assume that they have reached Mica.





I will try again… :)
Title: Re: Alembic Classico wiring
Post by: aa229 on September 24, 2025, 03:22:12 PM
images: Fishman electronics / Alembic electronics / pickup
Title: Re: Alembic Classico wiring
Post by: aa229 on September 24, 2025, 03:30:15 PM
finally… the photos were sent.


John Giblin modified the bass with Fishman electronics. He included the Alembic electrics in the sale. I do not know how the bass came originally so I'm not sure what is or is not original, or who modified it.

Given that i do not know what the bass would sound like with Fishman vs Alembic electronics. Or if alembic still use the same electronics on the Classico.


I do notice that the battery runs down very quickly.


thank you all again :)
Title: Re: Alembic Classico wiring
Post by: aa229 on September 24, 2025, 03:33:01 PM
I’m not having much luck. Half the text isn’t there… I guess editing isn’t a good idea. I wrote that i do not know what is or is not original on the bass. or who modified the bass. Nor do i know what the bass sounds like with Fishman electronics vs Alembic electronics. Do the new Classico come with the same electronics as that bass? Thank you again.
Title: Re: Alembic Classico wiring
Post by: pauldo on September 24, 2025, 03:52:46 PM
No worries Alfie, the formatting thing happens.  Mica certainly got the pics and we are now all moving forward!
Mica is very busy, but she always follows through.  Having the pics here will allow others to potentially provide feedback (pardon the pun) while you wait for the sages advice.

Progress is good.   :D
Title: Re: Alembic Classico wiring
Post by: aa229 on September 24, 2025, 04:18:31 PM
thank you again. No rush, no hurry.
Title: Re: Alembic Classico wiring
Post by: mica on September 24, 2025, 04:31:10 PM
Yay! We got you back in the club. I only received your emails about the club issues, none with photos that I saw. But they are here and that is well enough.

Electronics are the same save the RF upgrade chip board which you can change out.

How do you primarily play? Fingerstyle or bow?
Title: Re: Alembic Classico wiring
Post by: aa229 on September 24, 2025, 11:17:57 PM
Yes I’m back on here thanks to your help.  Thank you for getting me through.


Playing is debatable on an upright, I’m an electric bass player. Though I've had the bass for a long time I’ve only just began to finally apply myself, so though I’m learning how to bow, it’s finger style.



Title: Re: Alembic Classico wiring
Post by: matbard on September 25, 2025, 03:14:28 AM
OT: Mica, is your email changed?
Title: Re: Alembic Classico wiring
Post by: JimmyJ on September 25, 2025, 07:30:00 AM
OT: Mica, is your email changed?

I think the whole operation has changed to alembicguitars.com, including email addresses.

Jimmy J
Title: Re: Alembic Classico wiring
Post by: matbard on September 25, 2025, 11:59:26 AM
Yes, I guessed it so I wrote to the new domain, but I have same issue to reach them
Title: Re: Alembic Classico wiring
Post by: aa229 on September 26, 2025, 05:11:31 AM
forgot to ask, what is the cost of the RF upgrade chip board?

Also what is the way to stop draining the battery when not being played?

thank you :)
Title: Re: Alembic Classico wiring
Post by: jazzyvee on September 26, 2025, 06:02:54 AM
The only way I know of stopping battery drain is not to leave the jack plugged in. I think I have changed my battery about three  since buying it in 2018. Admittedly I don't play or gig with it every day.
Title: Re: Alembic Classico wiring
Post by: aa229 on September 27, 2025, 07:01:35 AM
Thank you Jazzyvee, that’ll be it,  I keep the jack plugged in!