Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Showcase => Series I Basses and Guitars => Topic started by: geepee on April 09, 2016, 09:29:05 AM

Title: Series 1 81-1926 in Bubinga 32"
Post by: geepee on April 09, 2016, 09:29:05 AM
New to me. It plays beautifully. It's not quite perfect yet though. 2 of the machine screws that hold the PCB to the back cavity plate are missing and 2 wood screws that hold the cavity plate on are also missing. It doesn't have threaded inserts in the body in this location.  Does anyone know offhand what size and thread the PCB screws should be? I'm thinking #4 or #6  Philips stainless csk  3/8 length.  I dont have anything that fits.  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/227812.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/227813.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/227814.jpg)
 And one with its younger sister.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/227815.jpg)
Title: Series 1 81-1926 in Bubinga 32"
Post by: rv_bass on April 09, 2016, 11:14:12 AM
Wow, that's very nice, what year is it?  You've got a nice collection started!  
Title: Series 1 81-1926 in Bubinga 32"
Post by: geepee on April 09, 2016, 11:44:38 AM
It's a 1981. Amazing that there is 33 years between these two instruments yet the quality of both is the same. Absolutely superb.
Title: Series 1 81-1926 in Bubinga 32"
Post by: StephenR on April 09, 2016, 12:38:33 PM
Two great looking basses, especially nice looking piece of bubinga. If you call Alembic they will send you the replacement screws you need.
Title: Series 1 81-1926 in Bubinga 32"
Post by: Enzo on April 09, 2016, 01:10:26 PM
Oh my! What a combo!
Title: Series 1 81-1926 in Bubinga 32"
Post by: geepee on April 09, 2016, 01:50:08 PM
It's a killer combo yes!  
The 1981 has a killer tone! I'll be using it for my Switzerland tour this summer. It's all very very exciting!!!
 
I hope you enjoy my new video done with the series 1! It's a Tower of Power funky tune!  
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEJQ5duc7Qs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEJQ5duc7Qs)
Title: Series 1 81-1926 in Bubinga 32"
Post by: jazzyvee on April 09, 2016, 04:01:25 PM
Great new bass you have there. I also bought a 1981 short scale series I bass recently.
Title: Series 1 81-1926 in Bubinga 32"
Post by: sonicus on April 09, 2016, 04:38:03 PM
A very nice bass . I have a 1981 Series I medium scale standard point that I love . She is also in Bubinga.
Title: Series 1 81-1926 in Bubinga 32"
Post by: mtjam on April 09, 2016, 04:42:03 PM
Great bass! Welcome to the class of 81. I also have a medium scale standard point Series 1 (with purpleheart top and back laminates). Enjoy!
Title: Series 1 81-1926 in Bubinga 32"
Post by: mtjam on April 09, 2016, 04:42:31 PM
Great bass! Welcome to the class of 81. I also have a medium scale standard point Series 1 (with purpleheart top and back laminates). Enjoy!
Title: Series 1 81-1926 in Bubinga 32"
Post by: FC Bass on April 09, 2016, 04:49:59 PM
Yep, extremely awesome duo!  
And also in the right hands, sounds great! :-)
Title: Series 1 81-1926 in Bubinga 32"
Post by: geepee on April 10, 2016, 07:12:29 AM
Thanks everybody, it really sounds great! Only problem is it suffers from 'neck dive' due to its small body. However, my father has a plan, he's going to add an arm that comes out to about the 12th fret. It will extend from the body. It's all a bit vague so I will upload a photo when done, it might be while though. This won't effect anything cosmetically on the bass so that's good! It will effectively work like a Balance K bass and sit perfectly on my body, meaning I'll be able to let go of the neck ahaha!  
 
Glad you enjoyed the video! More to come soon!  
 
Other than that though, it's absolutely perfect.
Title: Series 1 81-1926 in Bubinga 32"
Post by: geepee on April 10, 2016, 07:32:24 AM
Thanks everybody, it really sounds great! Only problem is it suffers from 'neck dive' due to its small body. However, my father has a plan, he's going to add an arm that comes out to about the 12th fret. It will extend from the body. It's all a bit vague so I will upload a photo when done, it might be while though. This won't effect anything cosmetically on the bass so that's good! It will effectively work like a Balance K bass and sit perfectly on my body, meaning I'll be able to let go of the neck ahaha!  
 
Glad you enjoyed the video! More to come soon!  
 
Other than that though, it's absolutely perfect.
Title: Series 1 81-1926 in Bubinga 32"
Post by: edwardofhuncote on April 10, 2016, 08:25:21 AM
I'll add my Congratulations & Compliments on your Series I George. That's a fine-looking instrument!
 
Regarding balance issues, there are a couple (illustrated) suggestions near the bottom of this thread: http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/221860.html?1447961168 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=10602)
Title: Series 1 81-1926 in Bubinga 32"
Post by: elwoodblue on April 10, 2016, 01:22:58 PM
on occasion I see the aftermarket strap extender for G&L basses
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/227899.jpg)
 
Can't wait to see what your dad comes up with.
 
 Your new bass looks soooo nice, congrats!
Title: Series 1 81-1926 in Bubinga 32"
Post by: cozmik_cowboy on April 11, 2016, 03:55:54 AM
Before altering that beauty, try a wide suede strap.
 
Peter
Title: Series 1 81-1926 in Bubinga 32"
Post by: geepee on April 11, 2016, 05:39:30 PM
George's dad here.
 
Dont panic! The bass wont be altered in any way. It's far too precious to ruin with ill considered mods.
 
It does neck dive and the way it hangs means the reach to the lower frets is long which puts his wrist at a slightly awkward angle.
 
I have a nice little design that will be fixed using standard straplocks to the existing buttons. It will be made of carbon fibre so will be strong and light. It will stop the neck dive and shorten the reach for George to reduce the likelihood of wrist problems. It has to be comfortable or it won't get played. That would be a shame.
 
Phil.
 
(Message edited by geepee on April 11, 2016)
Title: Series 1 81-1926 in Bubinga 32"
Post by: Enzo on April 11, 2016, 06:03:46 PM
Given the level of your previous mods on the power supply, can I say I'll be waiting anxiously?
Title: Series 1 81-1926 in Bubinga 32"
Post by: teo on April 16, 2016, 11:35:40 PM
Hi, i have exactly same 32' model from 81 who s get a copy?
Title: Series 1 81-1926 in Bubinga 32"
Post by: rv_bass on April 17, 2016, 05:19:07 AM
Brilliant idea having the extender connect directly to the existing strap button/lock!  You may consider making it adjustable with twist locks similar to hiking poles to allow for fine adjustment to the balance.
Title: Re: Series 1 81-1926 in Bubinga 32
Post by: geepee on April 19, 2017, 02:47:13 AM
Hi everybody, hopefully I haven't left this thread to long to become inactive...
Here's another video of my series 1, I hope you like!

For my Facebook friends, you may have already seen it but anyway, here you are!


It's a cover of Bali Run by Fourplay!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2KA1-YyFXI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2KA1-YyFXI)
Title: Re: Series 1 81-1926 in Bubinga 32
Post by: mtjam on November 11, 2017, 06:46:38 PM
Did you ever put that strap extender on your bass?
Title: Re: Series 1 81-1926 in Bubinga 32\
Post by: geepee on November 15, 2017, 03:19:26 PM
Hey there,


My dad has been so busy so he's not got round to it! He's got his own Series 1 now, same as mine and he did show his prototype and it's pretty damn cool! I'll him for an update and see what he says!


Cheers!