Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Owning an Alembic => Serial Number / History Requests => Topic started by: rv_bass on February 27, 2016, 08:55:14 AM

Title: (x) 80-1540
Post by: rv_bass on February 27, 2016, 08:55:14 AM

Hi Mica,
 
I would appreciate any information you have on Series I bass 80-1540.
 
Thanks very much,
Rob

Title: 80-1540
Post by: rv_bass on March 10, 2016, 01:51:49 PM

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/226625.jpg)

Title: Re: 80-1540
Post by: mica on May 25, 2016, 03:11:03 PM

Hi Robert,

Here's the details about your bass:

model name: Series I
model number: MSBI-4
top: Nara
accent: none
body: Mahogany
neck: 5-piece Maple and Purpleheart
scale: 32" medium
fingerboard: Ebony
inlays: mother of pearl
peghead veneers: Bubinga
pickups: Alembic SC-1 and HX
controls: Series I
originally made for: Pro Sound, CO
birthday: February 21, 1980

The original owner was from Colorado. This bass was sent to us on April 5 of 1980 to fix a warp noted by the customer between the 9-12 frets described as "on 1st and 4th string sides" and while there is a notation that we "Finished 4-17-80" the person did not record what was done to effect the repair.

Title: Re: (x) 80-1540
Post by: rv_bass on May 25, 2016, 06:27:33 PM

Thanks, Mica, I appreciate the info!

Rob

Title: Re: (x) 80-1540
Post by: rv_bass on May 26, 2016, 06:14:33 AM

Hi Mica,


Would you happen to have any info on Nara: hardness, tonal quality, etc?  I checked the Alembic wood selection page, but did not see it listed.  It's interesting to see how body wood preferences appear to  have changed over the years:  70s & 80s mostly zebra wood, koa, vermilion, Nara; 90s maple, rose woods, walnut; 2000s coco bolo, burl woods, back to zebra wood, and a variety of custom combinations.

Thanks,
Rob

Title: Re: (x) 80-1540
Post by: edwardofhuncote on May 26, 2016, 08:00:59 AM

Rob, I think Nar(r)a is related to Vermillion and Padauk. (sp.?) Regional variation I'm guessing. I'm curious too, what saith the Wood Oracle. ;)

Cool bass, man... love those 70's Standard Points. It's just... iconic.

Title: Re: (x) 80-1540
Post by: rv_bass on May 26, 2016, 01:32:22 PM

Thanks, Gregory, and I look forward to seeing your new build.  Regardless of what you choose (satin or gloss) it will look fantastic!

Rob

Title: Re: (x) 80-1540
Post by: hammer on May 26, 2016, 02:32:41 PM

I believe that Narra is the same as padauk and when in burl form is referred to as Amboyna  (Pterocarpus indicus) which is from Southeast Asia.  Nice bass which from the photos appears to be in good condition.  What I've noticed as much as the wood species changing over the years is the increased use of more highly figured woods from the 1900's to present.
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Title: Re: (x) 80-1540
Post by: mica on May 26, 2016, 02:44:16 PM

Narra is from the Philippines and southeast Asia. It's the same genus (Pterocarpus) as Vermilion, but Vermilion is from Africa and is a different species. Amboyna is burl from any Pterocarpus, but usually it's Narra.

Title: Re: (x) 80-1540
Post by: rv_bass on May 26, 2016, 07:35:18 PM

Thanks, everyone, for the narra background info. And Hammer, I think your observation is a good one.

Title: Re: (x) 80-1540
Post by: edwin on May 26, 2016, 09:51:36 PM

Lovely bass! I didn't know that Pro Sound here in Colorado was a dealer. Interesting. I think they are a mere shadow of their former selves at this point, although they may be regrouping.

Title: Re: (x) 80-1540
Post by: rv_bass on May 28, 2016, 08:12:46 AM

Thanks, Edwin.  And true to its genus (Pterocarpus), Narra provides a little boost in the low end (nice and warm too), compared with my maple and zebra wood basses.

Title: Re: (x) 80-1540
Post by: rv_bass on November 06, 2016, 09:50:59 AM

Hi Mica,

For  the record, I no longer own this bass.  I sold it to a person in Evergreen, Colorado, who was very happy to be the new owner. It was tough to let this one go, really a fantastic bass!   :)