Alembic Guitars Club
Connecting => Swap Shop and Wish Lists => For Sale & Trade => Topic started by: edwardofhuncote on November 05, 2025, 06:21:13 AM
-
I'm going to list a couple miscellaneous non-Alembic bass guitars here, one or two at a time... same as the other thread, please email me for information using the Club system and use something I'll recognize in the subject.
Here's a neat one; an earlier Michael Tobias Basic 4. Standard long (34") scale. Serial number 252 dates it to 1982, and I believe one of his first in California. I don't think it's from the Florida days. It is a bit unusual in its simplicity, but that's what drew me to it. As I understand it, the bass was ordered this way on purpose. The body wings are alder, the neck beam is maple, with purpleheart stringers. You can see evidence of this in the truss-rod pocket. Obviously since it's painted in opaque black... nothing shows through. The paint has some nice checking if you're into that. It has a single active Bartolini in a very sweet spot, and 9v battery to power it up. The controls are Volume/Tone/3-position switch. I have no idea how to describe what the switch does exactly... it does something to the overall tone curve and output. Kind of a boost/cut/scoop effect. (I just put it in the middle position and leave it alone) There's a picture of the electronics cavity, so maybe someone can figure out what all those little squiggly-looking things attached to it do. Very, very basic. Hence the Basic 4 designation.
Anyway, it's a great bass. I was playing it with the rock band while that lasted. It's currently strung with TI Jazz Rounds. The neck is super straight and very stable. I've yet to adjust the truss-rod since initial setup. Famously comfortable Tobias feel. A very modern 80's bass. Note the drawer-pull strap buttons and Schaller keys. It's in a decent newer hardshell case. I'll throw in a nice leather strap, in matching black.
$2400, shipped.
-
Very nice! Yes, it's one of the very early California production. (240 is the first California built. I own #239)
Good luck with your sale! very nice and historic piece.
Takeo