Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Owning an Alembic => Serial Number / History Requests => Topic started by: georgie_boy on December 08, 2008, 06:04:27 AM
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Hi Mica/Mary,
Hope all is well at the Mothership
I'm just trying to find out the history of my baby.
I have the wood card etc, that tells me it was finished on 31st March 1976 Serial no. AE 76--069
But was wondering where the factory was then, and who would have participated in the build??
Apparently it was sold to a company called Ronco or Renco
Can you help????
I'm so desparate to trace the history of this bass and find out where she has been.
I'd also like to make sure that she is registered to ME.here in Scotland just in case she is stolen!
I've tried the same request 2 or 3 times, but never got a reply
george
See my profile for details
Thanks Mica
George
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Hey George,
That is one fine looking specimen you have there, a vintage machine in great condition!
Be patient on your quest for it's pedigree, Alembic HQ is often a tornado of activity and I know the instrument files from that era were sometimes hand written cards. So, hang on.
To help you piece it together, read up on the main site here:
http://www.alembic.com/hp.html (http://www.alembic.com/hp.html)
Alembic's History >> the long story describes the state of the factory at the time your bass was born.
I once owned 76-418 but I can never remember if the numbering restarts every year...
Best of luck! Enjoy that fine instrument!
Jimmy J
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Now thats a full on response from one of the tastiest Alembicians ever to play a 5'er! If that doesn't hold you over til' the mothership responds, I don't know what will. ... Metal Fatigue!......(amazing album Jimmy, amazing)
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The builder's names were not recorded in 1976, and the employment records are not easily researched from that long ago. The wood card that you have will probably have more details than I have on the 3x5 index card.
HOWEVER
I don't see the index card or file for your bass. So it's either 1) lost, 2)pulled awaiting to reply to a previous request 3) misfiled.
I would appreciate if you could mail me a copy or photograph of the wood card, along with your current contact details, and I'll make a replacement file with this information. If the original card/file turns up, we'll combine the information.
Thanks for the help, Jimmy! He knows first hand as we recently dug through some really packed files together. BTW, the numbering isn't reset, but there were a few ideas early on with several tracks of numbers (A, AE, AC and no letter were all made at the same time). Later, these tracks were all fused into the main sequence of numbers.
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I think your card must be misfiled. I found a previous request of yours answered here (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=6414). Let me know if the details match what you show on your wood card.
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Thanks Mica
Yes the details are a perfect match!!
I'll send you the build card and my personal details to your e Mail address
Please let me know that you received them.
Thankyou again
george
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Thanks Danno
Yep you can't get better than to go online and get a Master talk about your bass!!
George
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Jimmy!!
Thank you so much for your kind words!!....and having the time to speak to an unknown like me!!
It gave me such a thrill to read that a Master such as yourself took the time to read my post, and actually commented on my bass, and helped me out!!
I believe that I have the only Series 1 in Scotland, so it's quite good knowing that these beasts are here!
Thankyou for the thread that leads me to the history of Alembic from 1976....if you know of any of the workers there, then please feel free to tell me.
Thanks for making my day Jimmy!!........and for being here for other Alembic owners.
George
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Just meant to say Jimmy.....
All I need to do now, is....learn to play her like you!!!!
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Hey Danno, George & Mica, thanks for the kind words...
There you go George, Mica uncovered some good details for you! Keep in mind that she was 6 years old when your bass was built and may not remember exact details. Ha!
Alembic owner-operators are a pretty unique club so it's nice to have this place to talk shop and discuss our favorite tools. What the heck did we do before the net??
best to all,
Jimmy J
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Would I be correct in thinking that 4 of the builders in question would have been:
Ron Wickersham
Rick Turner
Bruce Becvar
Doug Irwin
Hope so!
Now to find out the address of the factory in1976
George
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Doug left before 1976. Rick was still here in 1976. I'm not sure when Bruce left.
The factory was located in Cotati.
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Compelled to look through my Alembic files... I found a packing slip dated 5 Jan, 1976 for an input module (serial #21). The address stamped on the form is Cooper Road in Sebastopol, CA 95472. I believe this was the Wickersham's home at that time and the barn served as Alembic's central office and handmade pickup and electronics assembly plant. That's where the insides of your bass were soldered together.
I also found a scribbled note with directions to Rick Turner's place off of Old Redwood Highway between Petaluma and Rohnert Park. It reads 1/2 mile on right, old chicken ranch, pukey yellow. I believe this was where the woodworking and maybe final assembly was done on your instrument.
I wish my memory was better but certainly Ron and Rick were builders. I may remember a Bruce too, and maybe Sam Fields at that time? Mica would need to confirm who was there...
OK, now you know the history, it's time to PLAY that thing! HA!
All the best,
Jimmy J
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Oops, simultaneous posts! I'd go with what she said!
Jimmy J
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Congrats George on communicating with one of my favourite bassists - the ever reliable and tasteful Jimmy Johnson!
I can verify two things right here and now;
Firstly as a personal friend of George I can honestly say he is one of the most generous and decent human beings I know...I wont go into detail but you know what I am talking about George, god bless you!
Secondly George probably owns the best sounding bass in Scotland...simple as that, amen hombres!
John.
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Well...........What can I say!!!
The one thing that springs to mind is the James Taylor song you've got a friend, and that remark by John shows just how true a friend he is.
Jimmy, did you play on that song as well???
What a great thred this has been.......thanks Jimmy for the added info.......nice to know my prized beauty was made in a barn and a chicken coup!!??
Where is Cotati?
I tried calling the Bass Centre in London yesterday.....where I bought the bass 8 years ago, but they have moved, and the records only go back 6 years.
The guy who sold me the bass (Alex) now works at the Bass Gallery in LOndon, so I'll give him a cxall today to see if I can find out more
Thankyou so much everyone for your help and enthusiasm..........especially Mica and Jimmy..........and thanks once again to John Hughes (White Cloud) for the kindest thing anyone has said to me in years!
Mica..did you get my E-Mail??
George
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Just found Cotati and Santa Rosa on Microsoft Autoroute!
Not too far apart..things are starting to take shape now
G
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George. Lee Sklar was JT's bass player until around 1990 ish. I don't think Jimmy played on James' albums until 1991's New Moonshine. If you come over sometime I can play you the whole catalogue. It's interesting to see how james' style has developed over the years.
I'll agree with John too. Your bass has a fantastic tone. It's amazing to hear the huge jump from signature to series 1 electronics.
When are we having another Scottish get together? Here's an idea - why not have it coincide with Jimmy's next visit (hopefully with Alan Holdsworth) and meet up with him;-)
Graeme
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Graeme, I will drink to that! As you know AH is my all time musical hero - to see him up here again with Jimmy would be special.
I tried to catch Ernest Tibbs at the last gig but he wasnt up for it. I totally understand that, it must become tiresome having to talk music all the time to fans etc.
Not sure if I will be welcome at any club get together now though as my Alembic recently had to make way to fund my two custom builds
I will return in style however once I purchase a series in the not too distant future. Georges Series blew me away with the sound quality - bass perfection!
George, you are welcome. It is praise well eaarnt and deserved!
John.
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Graeme...I'd love that....to meet and talk to a Master is always something special.
John.........thanks for being a true friend indeed!!
You will always be welcome at any club reunion if I am there!!
If you were not made welcome.....then I wouldn't be there either!
Let's get planning gentlemen!!
George
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Sorry George, I don't see an email from you. Please try again and I'll be on the lookout.
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E Mail sent
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Seems my bass MAY have been previously owned by a guy called Norman Watt-Roy.
Seems he was the guy in The Blockheads
I may be wrong, but I'm still researching.
G
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I don't know anything about this fellow but it seems he does, or did at one time own an Alembic. But the one in this shot (from his myspace page) is not yours. Wrong wood and a relocated pickup selector switch...
Your quest continues!
Jimmy J
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/59235.jpg)
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Thanks Jimmy...I'd never seen that pic before, so now I know it's not mine. Not to worry!
It was however, on sale at thebass Centre at the same time as mine, hence the confusion.
He was Ian Drury's bassist.....his big claim to fame was the lovely bass line in
Hit Me With Your Rythem Stick
Or
If you are Irish...
Hit Me With Your Shovel Mick LOL
I'll keep looking...don't know if Mica got the e-mail yet
George
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Seems he was the guy in The Blockheads
He still is George. The blockheads didn't stop touring after Ian Dury's death. I belive they have Steve Howe's (of YES) son on drums.
Norman is a fine player but he was always overshadowed by Ian Dury's character.
Graeme.
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Thanks for that Graeme......I thought that after Ian's death, they all went their separate ways.
I just love (still) that bass line in Hit Me With Your Shovel Mick
It was so smooth and fluid........was that his Alembic by any chance??
Or the one that could have been mine if I chose the other one that was on sale.
Still.It was pretty beat up, and both the pups were open circuit.so I suppose I got the best deal
George
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George-
Here is a video of the song- you can see the Alembic from the 25 second mark or so. Those fingerboard ovals are unmistakable (as is the tone).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOlKtB94VB4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOlKtB94VB4)
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Thanks Toby!
I just love that bass line.....so smooth and flowing.....and not so easy to play as it might sound.
Of course the Alembic tone was there in all its glory.
George
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George, I know for a fact that Norman Watt Roy bought not one but two Alembic Series ones used from a hard up player in Brazil back around 1980. There is a very definite chance that yours was not the one in the picture above but the second????
John.
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Hope so John!!
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Mica
Did you get my E-Mail???
If not, send me something at my address (see profile) and I can respond to that
G
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Well guys, I'm still no further forward on this search.
I think I may need to look to Brazil, but have no idea where to even start with that!!
G
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I'm from Brazil Georgie, if you have some more details about the previous owner I can try helping you find him.
I know 3 of them (more well-known players in major gigs, more difficult to keep touch) and 2 others that are personal friends (these last 2 are collectors and have more than one Alembic).
But I don't think there were many alembic owners around here in the 80's. If somebody have more tips about the guy, I'm shure I can help...
(Message edited by Mario Farufyno on December 28, 2008)
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Hi Mario,
Thanks for the help!
I know that a professional bass player had 2 Series 1 basses which he sold back about 1980 because he needed the money.
I am lead to believe that both were bought by Norman Watt Roy.
This would make the Brazilian guy about 50-60 years old now.
The serial number of mine is AE 76 069, and it is a Zebrawood model. You can see a picture of it in my profile.
Maybe one of your friends remembers someone at that time with 2 Alembics.
Thanks for your help
George
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Ok, I'll try to find him...
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Thanks Mario!!
G
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George, I made contact with Sergio Magrao who plays in a famous brazilian 70's prog/folk band named 14 Bis. He was one of the first cats I saw using an Alembic. To my regard, he answered my e-mail and expressed his wish in joining us here in the Club, but he wasn't the previous owner.
As he said he knew the 2 other guys that I mentioned having Alembics back then (Nando and Paulo Carvalho - who played with brazilian legend singer Milton Nascimento), I asked him to join us and to try helping you, too.
Hope he can, hope he join us (the guy plays a lot!).
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Thanks so much Mario!!
It's nice to see so many people around the world that help each other when they can!
Thanks again, and keep in touch
George
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I may have found another possibility!
I know that the bassist from Dexy's Midnight Runners used an Alembic on the live recording of Come On Eileen
It's possible that he sold the bass to the Bass Centre in London in the late 90's.
Unfortunately, I can't seem to contact the members of the band to try and find out
So............If anyone can help here...I'd be most grateful
George
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Still trying to find the history of my baby.
Anyone........Mario?? got any ideas?
If someone knows the history of Ian Dury and the Blockheads, I'd be interested, as there is a Series 1 on the live recording.
Thanks
George
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Sorry George, I tryed my best.
It seems Sergio couldn't find anything yet. I e-mailed the guys he mentioned but got no answer...
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Sorry George, I tryed my best.
It seems Sergio couldn't find anything yet. I've e-mailed the guys he mentioned but got no answer...
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Hey Mario!
Thanks for a tremendous effort.
I really apppreciate all you've done for me.
Keep in touch.
George
I'm starting to think that the bass might be the one on the Dexy's Midnight Runners live recording of Come on Eilleen
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Anyone know who this guy was (the guy in Dexy's Midnight Runners)....and how I can get in touch with him??
It's like trying to trace a lost child!
This could be the one!!???
(Message edited by georgie_boy on July 07, 2009)
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From what I can tell, it seems likely that the bassplayer for Dexys at that time was Giorgio Kilkenny. It also appears that he was in the band for a relatively short period of time, and I found no indication that he has been on any other recordings by Dexys or any other group.
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Thanks David!
The quest is long and hard, but This may be the nearest link .
If I could only figure out how to contact this guy??