Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Showcase => Series I Basses and Guitars => Topic started by: FC Bass on April 30, 2015, 04:10:28 PM

Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on April 30, 2015, 04:10:28 PM
My first Series! :-)  Sorry, very poor pics, but there will be a pro shoot of all soon :-)  Spalted Walnut?
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/208972.jpg)
   Very nice plain back:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/208973.jpg)
  Polished silver logo:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/208974.jpg)
  Wasn't expecting this, old style Schallers on a '79 bass. I think I've seen older ones with the new Schaller style?
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/208975.jpg)
  Bass came with a brand new Original G&G case and old "previous blue" box. Also with Original (unmarked) cable and brand new Belden cable (old one with Switchcraft connectors, new one with Neutriks)  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/208976.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/208977.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/208978.jpg)
  This will be refurbished asap, you've got to have a blue box with a Series bass :-)
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on April 30, 2015, 04:12:20 PM
top and back: Walnut  
body: Mahogany  
neck: Maple and Purpleheart  
scale length: 34 long scale  
fingerboard: Ebony  
inlays: mother of pearl  
birthday: June 21, 1979  
originally made for: not recorded
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: StephenR on April 30, 2015, 04:51:09 PM
Nice score!
 
Looks like the power supply has been modded. The one that came with my 1978 Series I does not have a fuse, on and off switch or LED. To be honest I have had the bass and power supply for 30 years and it was just now that I noticed the power supplies have a serial number mine is 1014.
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: sonicus on April 30, 2015, 07:26:11 PM
All very beautiful . Congratulations .
 I am very happy for you as well .  
(To avoid any problems however the power supply could use a strain relief on the power cord.)
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: pierreyves on May 01, 2015, 01:27:43 AM
FC, if you want, I can send you for free a blue box power supply, I have two of them new and never use
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: flpete1uw on May 01, 2015, 05:14:28 AM
Flip,
Really digging this Bass!  
Play it with Power!!!!
Pete
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on May 01, 2015, 09:12:52 AM
Thanx!
 
Looks like I have to visit the lake area again Pierre-Yves! (you know I prefer personal delivery/pickup) :-)
 
Had the connectors on the cables mixed up, they're all Switchcraft except the female connector on the old cable. That one was replaced with a Neutrik and is a bit noisy (sounds like a loose wire)
 
Wolf: Currently, the strain relief is a knot in the powercable... That will be (must be) improved asap ;-)
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: sonicus on May 01, 2015, 11:11:35 AM
fc spoiler /Flip  
 
 Great . An easy fix might be one of these;
 
http://www.orbitelectric.com/electrical-fittings/cable-cord-connectors/nylon-strain-relief-cord-grip-connectors.html (http://www.orbitelectric.com/electrical-fittings/cable-cord-connectors/nylon-strain-relief-cord-grip-connectors.html)
 
http://www.grainger.com/product/GRAINGER-APPROVED-Cable-Cord-Connector-16D438?cm_sp=EN-_-L2-_-TopSellers&cm_vc=FFTS&pbi=
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on May 01, 2015, 02:29:48 PM
I have a couple of these:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/209022.jpg)
  Installed:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/209023.jpg)
  Also removed the on/off switch, it just didn't look right (safe) to me...
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: keith_h on May 01, 2015, 06:53:59 PM
The Heyco strain reliefs work well for this type of application.  
 
Keith
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: gtrguy on May 01, 2015, 08:20:09 PM
By gawd they do have serial numbers on the power supplies! I learn something new all the time on here!
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on May 03, 2015, 04:12:08 PM
:-)
 
Fixed the original cable, not fun at all (what were the engineers at Neutrik thinking?)
Lost about 2 feet of cable, but it isn't scratchy anymore. :-)
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: sonicus on May 03, 2015, 04:17:52 PM
Your strain relief's look great !
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on May 05, 2015, 02:10:24 PM
In her case:  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/209077.jpg)
  Case actually came with improvement:  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/209078.jpg)
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: serialnumber12 on May 06, 2015, 05:22:14 AM
Congrats that's a nice one!
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: Enzo on May 06, 2015, 07:23:02 AM
That's a beautiful classy music maker kit you have there
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on May 07, 2015, 02:27:11 PM
Thanx!
 
Now with blue box:
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/209165.jpg)
 
:-)
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on May 17, 2015, 06:41:55 PM
Fooling around with the stereo capabilities of this bass into a Roland VS2000: Youtube link (https://youtu.be/erQYRYkBrWE target=_blank)
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: carsbybigd on July 28, 2015, 04:36:14 PM
Nice !
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: mtjam on July 29, 2015, 08:37:01 AM
Sounds great! What strings are you using?
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on July 30, 2015, 04:50:40 AM
Thanx!
 
I'm not sure, but they're old strings.  
 
Either the strings that were on it when I got it (no idea what brand) or an old R.Cocco set that I put on later...
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on October 28, 2015, 04:35:58 PM
First time through the Wall of deaf :-)
Also tried the -converted to mono- 1/4 output with my wireless (Line 6 Relay G90) Works great! :-)
 
Sound is extremely impressive!
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/221437.jpg)
 
If Mica is reading: Only one problem with the hooded sweater.... I will need at least one of these each year :-)
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on November 15, 2015, 07:51:19 AM
Last night:
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/221846.jpg)
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: sonicus on November 15, 2015, 09:16:45 AM
Flip , That is awesome !  I played my 81-1940 Series I Standard point  at my gig on Friday  11/13/15 as well !  Everyone loves the sound , as I am sure is the case with you as well !   Donder En Bliksem !  
 
   Wolf
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on November 15, 2015, 09:38:11 AM
Donder and bliksem indeed! :-)
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: jazzyvee on November 15, 2015, 10:24:58 AM
Cooll pic Flip hope you enjoyed the gig how did the bass fit with your band's music compared to your ?lan 5?
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on November 15, 2015, 03:45:00 PM
The activator equipped Alembics have more mid presence, that makes them more easy to cut through the massive mid scooped guitar sounds.
 
The lows and highs on the Series I have more definition, especially the lows are extremely impressive. (without becoming too overwhelming)  
The highs are so aggressive, I turned down the filters more than 50% during the gig, about halfway the set I flicked the Q switch of the bridge pickup to the middle position.  
So a little more experience and experimenting is needed to make it blend in better in relation to the others, I have no doubt I will succeed. :-)
 
The Elan 5 comes closest, especially noticeable in the highs (though they are not as ferocious as the Series I)
 
I'm beginning to think that the earthquakes over here are not caused by gas winning, must be you guys hitting the low B on your Series basses! :-)
We'll see if there's an increase when Adriaan gets his Series bass. :-)
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: adriaan on November 15, 2015, 09:52:55 PM
Guess loudness makes a difference there, Flip. Nothing on the news after Jimmy Johnson's gig n Zoetermeer the other week, and he was noodling on the B string a lot.
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on November 15, 2015, 10:39:03 PM
:-) valid point there...  
 
I bought this bass in Zoetermeer :-)
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on November 17, 2015, 08:12:28 AM
Here's a vid of the gig: https://youtu.be/Zv84wlO9iD0 (https://youtu.be/Zv84wlO9iD0)
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: sonicus on November 17, 2015, 06:31:06 PM
HI Flip . Thanks for the vid. At about 40:30 I am hearing the Alembic Series sound more clearly . What is the effect that you use with the Series I @ 43:19 ?  Kool !  
 
   Wolf
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on November 17, 2015, 08:39:47 PM
Thanx! :-)
 
That's a Big Muff with a Morley classic wah :-)
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on November 25, 2015, 07:01:56 PM
Here's a short teaser for the new recordings with my other band,  (Basement (https://www.facebook.com/Basement-712236278869086 target=_blank))
Series I bass and if you listen closely you might recognize another member from the family :-)
 
Lost myself today teaser (https://youtu.be/y8MO8jR26eI target=_blank)
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: sonicus on November 25, 2015, 08:56:47 PM
Is a fretless singing a bit ?
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: edwardofhuncote on November 26, 2015, 03:51:07 AM
I'm with Wolf on this one... =)
 
Next time you've got some time, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the E-M-W controls with the fretless Orion, compared to say, your Spoilers. I'm guessing it's a radical departure from Blackened?  
 
Nice side gig you have there!
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on November 27, 2015, 06:55:30 PM
Yep, the Orion 5 is singing a bit :-)
 
There will  be some reviews on all basses asap, EMW is a pretty awesome package.:-)
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on January 05, 2016, 01:05:48 PM
Just (think I) finished the mix of our new song: Wav download, click here (http://www.fcbass.nl/LostMyselfToday2016MasterV6.wav target=_blank)
 
Vocals maybe a bit loud, but it's difficult to find the right proportions... I think I'll leave at as this :-)
 
Main bass: this Series I + Low B accent and slide on the fretless Orion. (Orion with chorus and delay)
Brand new R.Cocco strings on the Series I, no Eq and slightly compressed. About 100% Bridge pickup and 75% neck pickup (recorded on separate tracks)
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: edwardofhuncote on January 05, 2016, 02:45:53 PM
Nice job Flip, I especially like the thematic riff beginning at :32 in... the added extended range B's are nice too. I've been considering adding bass guitar tracks underneath upright parts, as a counterpoint... haven't sold the other guys on the idea yet. You may have just helped make my case it can be done!
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on January 05, 2016, 06:01:27 PM
Thanx Gregory! :-)
 
Here's the song on Youtube: Youtube link (https://youtu.be/l51jJo4dMPA target=_blank)
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: edwardofhuncote on January 06, 2016, 03:44:10 AM
Nice production, man... Drums & Understanding in the credits gave me a snicker. Gotta' have those guys in the band!
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on January 12, 2016, 02:06:57 PM
Richard has a tough job :-)
 
Thanx!
 
We have a new YouTube account, so here's the new url: New YouTube link (https://youtu.be/TNzM9acte_g target=_blank) (always a great opportunity)
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on March 13, 2016, 03:37:51 PM
With the "Stereo" rig, SWR Bassic Black for the bass pickup and Orion, Laney powered monitor for the treble pickup. (which sounds surprisingly decent) I plan on adding another Bassic Black to replace the Laney, but for now this works fine :-)  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/226794.jpg)
  (slightly) Better pic, but not including my Dad's fine Taylor guitar :-)  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/226795.jpg)
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: edwardofhuncote on March 13, 2016, 09:10:38 PM
Hard to believe both those basses have walnut tops FC... nice pics. Like Button also pressed for your Dad's Taylor. The California connection must run in your family. =)
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on March 26, 2016, 05:50:03 PM
Hey, hey, Jerry Only (Misfits) with a Series I? :-)  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/227204.jpg)
  Next to the Devastator basses (number 1 and number 2) :-)  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/227205.jpg)
Title: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: the_mule on March 27, 2016, 06:31:55 AM
Cool man!
Title: Re: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on May 13, 2016, 07:11:26 AM
Thanx Gregory and Wilfred :-)

The connection runs deep indeed, he also absolutely loves (obviously) the Alembics :-)

Here's a rare shot of me with a non Alembic bass, Jerry Only's Devastator made by Bernie Rico Jr.

(http://www.fcbass.nl/DSC02292.JPG)

And a group shot with the Misfits:

(http://www.fcbass.nl/damagedmisfits.jpg)

Now anxiously awaiting the "new" lineup (Jerry teamed up with Doyle and Glenn again) :-)
Title: Re: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: FC Bass on December 12, 2021, 05:13:51 AM
I hope Series electronics calibration will be easy on the new ones, for I am Seriesless now.
Just delivered this beauty to a young enthousiast with no previous Alembic experience.
Way to go on your first one! :-)

Hope he signs up here  and take over this thread.
Title: Re: 1979 Series I crazy Walnut top 79 1373
Post by: rv_bass on December 12, 2021, 05:42:26 AM
Beautiful bass, I’m sure the new owner will be thrilled!  Remain calm and breathe deep during your Seriesless interim period!  :)