Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Showcase => Series I Basses and Guitars => Topic started by: sonicus on March 26, 2015, 02:10:01 PM

Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on March 26, 2015, 02:10:01 PM: Here is 73-32 ,
A picture is worth a thousand words . I will present these pictures first with words to follow.

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/207850.jpg)
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on March 26, 2015, 02:15:30 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/207853.jpg)
Title: 73-32
Post by: Enzo on March 26, 2015, 02:17:33 PM: Goodness gracious, almost edible! Graham cracker body with caramel center.
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on March 26, 2015, 02:21:15 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/207856.jpg)
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on March 26, 2015, 02:23:30 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/207859.jpg)
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on March 26, 2015, 02:29:11 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/207862.jpg)
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on March 26, 2015, 02:33:48 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/207865.jpg)
Title: 73-32
Post by: edwardofhuncote on March 26, 2015, 02:54:48 PM: That's a beauty Wolf! Interesting that the neck lams and headstock veneers closely resemble 73-39.
Title: 73-32
Post by: elwoodblue on March 26, 2015, 03:18:46 PM: Stunning !
You must be a happy man ;)

I knew I'd seen a similar tailpiece,
http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/84774.html?1282495288 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8986)

Congrats, she couldn't have a better home.

elwood
Title: 73-32
Post by: moongerm on March 26, 2015, 03:44:34 PM: Fantastic Wolf!:Congratulations! I love the Birdseye too.
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on March 26, 2015, 04:26:54 PM: Gregory , Thanks , I will try to find a pic of 73-39

Elwood , Thanks . Yes , the same tailpiece is also on my Starfire !
What a rare coincidence that another one would cross my path like that !

Brian , Thank you . The maple has a warm glow to it as well in person .
Title: 73-32
Post by: hieronymous on March 26, 2015, 04:43:14 PM: Wowie-zowie!! That's a beaut! Love the classic shape of the horns, the lighter colored pickups, and the unusual tailpiece! So interesting that it's like your Starfire!
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on March 26, 2015, 04:59:40 PM: Harry , Thanks . The Tailpiece incident indeed seems to have a certain Magical Alchemic Mystery to it. Perhaps it is in my destiny.
Just like Karma.
Title: 73-32
Post by: mtjam on March 26, 2015, 05:01:44 PM: Excellent! I really like the look of the neck. Those cabinets in the background are cool, too. They should also have a thread of their own!
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on March 26, 2015, 05:09:32 PM: Rob , The neck is different then any of my other Bass's but is wonderful . One of these day's I will have an equipment thread and include some of those note worthy cabinets.
Title: 73-32
Post by: slawie on March 26, 2015, 07:27:55 PM: Perfect match for you sir.
Is that CVQ?
Congrats Wolf.
Title: 73-32
Post by: dead_head on March 26, 2015, 07:31:09 PM: Wow, that's beautiful, Wolf. You keep it in really nice shape. Have you had it since new?
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on March 26, 2015, 08:28:52 PM: Slawie ,Thank you ! The CVQ type mod to the PF-5 electronics appears to be functional . The Bass sounds good in most environments except for heavy RF /EMI fields as seems to on par in some cases with PF-5 electronics regarding noise interference. I am planing to bring this Bass to Alembic soon for Mr. Wickersham to examine and advise and do what he thinks would be advantageous for the PF-5 circuit.

Rob /(dead head) I have recently received this instrument .

(Message edited by sonicus on March 26, 2015)
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on March 26, 2015, 08:47:33 PM: Thanks Enzo, indeed Molto Gustoso !
Title: 73-32
Post by: slawie on March 26, 2015, 08:58:00 PM: The headstock;
Is that an optical illusion or would the E string be better wound from the other direction?

Inspect the underneath of the pickups (they are the same shape as mine).
I doped the bottom up with some epoxy to strengthen the mounting tabs as they had cracked the casing because of over-tightening.

I hope the mothership visit proves fruitful.

slawie
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on March 26, 2015, 09:28:28 PM: Slawie, The E string on the other direction would be stick over the side because I am already just making it with my string choice which seems to work. Notice how far back the tail piece is , as a result my choice of Dean Markley Blue Steel # 2670 XL40-95 strings can fit .They actually intonate correctly ( but they are long scale on a short scale bass ! ) . It is playing in tune way all up and down the neck everywhere.

Thanks for the advice for the preservation of the pickups, I will check as you advise.

Wolf
Title: 73-32
Post by: edwardofhuncote on March 27, 2015, 07:32:51 AM: This was the thread on 73-39 Wolf:

http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/194059.html?1424665127 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=10748)

There's pictures within the old ad link (at the top of the thread), and some discussion of the wood combinations on down near the bottom.

I had my eye on this one for a restoration project but (thank goodness) another Club member bought it with that same purpose in mind. IIRC, they were planning on sending her back to Alembic for a proper restoration... so it may already be there when you visit.

I'm quite fascinated by these early Alembics... the subtle differences between each one especially the first couple hundred instruments, makes them so distinctly individual, yet so obviously related. Yours is yet another beautiful creation.

(Message edited by edwardofhuncote on March 27, 2015)
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on March 27, 2015, 08:44:29 AM: Gregory ,
Thank you very much for pointing my eyes to the 73-39 thread. Yes ,I remember this one !

I too am still fascinated by these early Alembics for several reasons ; for the reasons that you mention but also because I remember walking into Alembic when the location was at 60 Brady Street in San Francisco and seeing these then new instruments displayed in all their glory for public view. In 1973 when Alembic #73-32 was born I was 17 years old and just graduating from High School and I was full of questions for the nice folks at 60 Brady St. about these instruments. I had just purchased my Alembic modified Guild Starfire Bass's from a then musicians union bass player who played in some of theater pit orchestras in town and I my self already had a bit of the Alembic curiosity. Who knows, I may have seen my 73-32 on the wall at 60 Brady St in 1973 . Surely her previous owner protected her well over all these years and as soon as he presented her to me I had a Deja-Vu ! I felt that elation of pleasent past experiances , like those that make your heart smile .

(Message edited by sonicus on March 27, 2015)
Title: 73-32
Post by: lbpesq on March 27, 2015, 08:57:30 AM: I can report that 73-32 sounds great too! Wolf brought her over for a jam shortly after he recently acquired this lovely old bass. A really sweet instrument.

Bill, tgo
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on March 27, 2015, 09:34:30 AM: Bill, That was her first real jam with me playing her . I was really pleased about how she played. A swell time was had for sure !

Wolf
Title: 73-32
Post by: artswork99 on March 30, 2015, 07:30:51 AM: Ohhhh, what a bass! Wolf, Enjoy that beautiful creature!

art
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on March 30, 2015, 07:58:52 AM: Art , Thanks !
Title: 73-32
Post by: rv_bass on March 30, 2015, 08:37:47 AM: Hi Sonicus,

As others have noted, very beautiful bass, the color and shape are unique and wonderful! Can you explain the function of the two white dots?

Thanks,
Rob
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on March 30, 2015, 10:11:04 AM: Hello Rob,
The two white dots are where a technician had installed other controls for the previous owner. I intend to have a master volume and a stereo/mono switch installed in their place by Alembic soon as part of her Alembic Mothership Health Check Up.

Wolf
Title: 73-32
Post by: rv_bass on March 30, 2015, 06:17:31 PM: Thanks, Wolf, very nice!
Title: 73-32
Post by: toddharris on April 27, 2015, 04:22:27 PM: Oh, oh, oh... Just shoot me - it's stunning. Congratulations Wolf and know how terribly happy for you and jealous of you I am at the same time ; ) Todd
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on April 27, 2015, 09:38:58 PM: Hello Todd ,Thank you so very much. I dropped her of at the Mother Ship last week for some work . I will have an update with more pics at completion.

(Message edited by sonicus on April 27, 2015)
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on May 29, 2015, 08:00:49 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/209859.jpg)

Here is my promised update;
Where the upper hole cover was is now a master volume and where the lower hole cover was has become a stereo/mono switch.

I am immensely grateful to everyone at the Mother Ship for the energy and forthcomingness to facilitate the Rebirthing of 73-32. You are the BEST !
My sincere thanks to Mr. Ron Wickersham , Mica , Mary and everyone else that played a role . I love this instrument !

Wolf
Title: 73-32
Post by: elwoodblue on May 29, 2015, 08:42:39 PM: Brilliant ! Those are some very useful additions.
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on May 29, 2015, 09:38:21 PM: Elwoodblue , thanks I thought so as well . That seems to be just about right !
Title: 73-32
Post by: dela217 on May 30, 2015, 08:33:18 AM: I really like not having a brass plate under the pickup selector. Looks much cleaner to me.
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on May 30, 2015, 09:40:46 AM: Michael, Thanks .
The topic of a decision to use the brass plate under the pickup selector was discussed when I initially brought the Bass to Alembic for review. I went with the advice and suggestions given to me from her creators regarding that.

Wolf
Title: 73-32
Post by: edwardofhuncote on May 30, 2015, 09:43:28 AM: Looks great Wolf - Congratulations & Compliments!

The 2nd one is going to be a Custom order with a lot of vintage features, but if I ever have a 3rd Alembic, it's going to be a vintage Series bass... I was very seriously considering buying one (#73-39) for restoration a few months ago, but hesitated.

Again... Wow - what a bass!
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on May 30, 2015, 10:12:26 AM: Thanks Gregory.

I look forward to seeing the process of your custom with vintage features. I have thought of such a process for my self as well at some point perhaps.

Wolf
Title: 73-32
Post by: hieronymous on May 30, 2015, 09:47:43 PM: Glad to see the update! Congrats Wolf!
Title: 73-32
Post by: rv_bass on May 31, 2015, 06:20:45 AM: Wow, that is just a beautiful bass!
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on May 31, 2015, 12:31:19 PM: Thanks Harry & Robert !
Title: 73-32
Post by: moongerm on May 31, 2015, 12:36:36 PM: Most excellent Wolf! Love it!
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on May 31, 2015, 12:52:09 PM: Thank you Brian!
Title: 73-32
Post by: edwardofhuncote on June 11, 2015, 12:58:25 PM: Hey Wolf, next time you have the battery box open on ol' #32, would you mind posting a picture?

Every time I look at this thread, that Maple just blows me away... the color is just amazing.
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on June 12, 2015, 11:46:51 AM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/210159.jpg)
Title: 73-32
Post by: lbpesq on June 12, 2015, 12:27:48 PM: Ah yes, the early Alembic Dino option. The Mothership's version of put a tiger in your tank.

Bill, tgo
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on June 12, 2015, 12:47:17 PM: Bill , YES , that it is . The Dragon upgrade would be the current new option ! Part of the traditional history of options .

Wolf
Title: 73-32
Post by: edwardofhuncote on June 12, 2015, 01:17:50 PM: Thanks Wolf, you're too funny!
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on June 12, 2015, 01:55:51 PM: Gregory,
Thanks , I finally seem to be getting over the dire affliction of being humour challenged . Being Alembicised has been a great aid in achieving that emotion . !

If Mr. Spock would have had an Alembic Bass he too would have become humorous. I can see it !!!!____ Spock in a Jam with a Series II , with a BIG GRIN on his face !

Live Long And Prosper
Wolf
Title: 73-32
Post by: rustyg61 on June 12, 2015, 10:32:47 PM: WOW Wolf, how did I miss this thread? Congratulations on acquiring this gorgeous piece of Alembic history! Is this a Series bass? If so, where is the hum canceler? Do you know the history of the bass? If only Spock could do a mind meld with this bass, the stories it could tell!
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on June 13, 2015, 10:45:30 AM: Hello Rusty. Thanks!
Yes, this Bass was born as a PF-5 circuit type Series Bass.
The hum canceler in this early design is in the body cavity.

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/210173.jpg)
Title: 73-32
Post by: rustyg61 on June 13, 2015, 11:32:23 AM: Cool! Did they do any modifications when you sent it back to the Mothership?
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on June 13, 2015, 11:43:42 AM: Hi Rusty,
A master volume and a stereo/mono switch were recently installed at the Mothership.

Wolf
Title: 73-32
Post by: poor_nigel on June 14, 2015, 07:02:45 AM: Hey Wolf - As usual, day late and dollar short. It is light? Maple core, or birch? I love these small, older basses, so can see why you are so happy with it. I like to see these in the hands of those I know really appreciate what they have, so it will be well taken care of. I wish you all the best in your new union.

Note: A lot of the reason it took me so long to post on this is because I stupidly upgraded to Windows 8.1 which is the worst thing a sane man can do these days, except - Well, we'll leave politics for elsewhere . . .
Title: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on June 14, 2015, 08:48:21 AM: Hello & Thanks Thomas!

From what I recall when Mica inspected and viewed this Bass in person she said , Oak Core , Maple top and back.

( My Thanks to Mica , Mary, Susan & Ron on that day).

Wolf
Title: Re: 73-32
Post by: sonicus on April 27, 2018, 03:11:43 AM: :)