Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Showcase => Series I Basses and Guitars => Topic started by: the_mule on June 05, 2004, 06:07:52 AM

Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: the_mule on June 05, 2004, 06:07:52 AM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/10533.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/10534.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/10535.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/10536.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/10537.jpg)
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: bassman10096 on June 05, 2004, 07:59:19 PM: I saw your other posts. You are unspeakably lucky! What a beauty. More so, with you rescuing her from a life of no appreciation (and at an incredible price). The instrument really looks like it's in terrific shape, too.

Congratulations!

Bill
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: the_mule on June 09, 2004, 12:39:58 PM: Thanks for your kind words Bill!
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: the_mule on June 27, 2004, 05:49:03 AM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/10860.jpg)
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: the_mule on October 16, 2004, 09:03:21 AM: This lovely but scarred 'oldtimer' isn't in my hands anymore. I partially traded her in for a Glockenklang combo amp and she sold VERY quickly via Edwin's store. Hope the new owner will enjoy her as much as I did in the short time she was living in my house...

Wilfred
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: bsee on October 16, 2004, 09:49:52 AM: How cruel of you! I bet there would have been a half dozen offers from group members on that one!
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: the_mule on October 17, 2004, 01:15:28 AM: Bob, unfortunately she was a bass with a story attached. With the help of Edwin van Huik I discovered that there was some damage from the past. It was actually one of Edwin's own basses which he sold around 1985, so he knew quite a few things about her! The damage was reasonably well repaired, and electronically it was perfect, but nevertheless this bass wasn't something I would feel comfortable with selling to an overseas Club member. The potential new owner would have to see the bass with his own eyes, and what better way than selling via Edwin's shop?

Wilfred
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: bsee on October 17, 2004, 08:43:18 AM: I'm sorry, Wilfred. I am just feeling a bit frustrated over here trying to find a bass like that one. It seems like demand for these things skyrocketed on the day I decided that I wanted one. There's always someone willing to bid higher on eBay, or the seller reconsiders and doesn't want to sell anymore. Everyone needs to conduct their own business as they see fit.
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: exploiterplayer on May 04, 2005, 10:52:51 AM: Bob, I understand your frustration on finding certain Alembics. I went thru hell when looking for a Distillate Exploiter. I ended up finding mine (with a 5-A Flame top in excellent condition) online at Bass Northwest in Seattle. (Their prices are very reasonable) If you get in touch with those guys they will eventually find what you want because they always seem to carry a good selection of used Alembics.
Good Luck,
Clay

(Message edited by exploiterplayer on May 05, 2005)
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: the_mule on October 25, 2007, 10:52:25 AM: Well, I've always regretted letting her go and it has taken a few years, but today I finally held the petite little blonde in my arms again. Manfred, my sincere thanks for the swap, and enjoy the Orion. In fact I'm sure you will, a fabulous and also very special bass. I'm delighted to be the owner of 'Blondie' again, she will be a definite keeper from now on.

Wilfred
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: artswork99 on October 25, 2007, 11:35:37 AM: Wilfred,
Congratulations on the re-acquisition!
Play it healthy!
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: Manfred on October 26, 2007, 12:11:48 AM: Wilfred,

I'm glad the bass is in good hands again and not far from my home ha ha.
I've always liked and loved the small bodies, still do. But my playing style has changed and I needed more space between the neck and the neck pickup. Anyway, after coming home yesterday I plugged in the Orion (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8796) and my sound was there in a second. I've always thought that an orion sounded much different and had a pretty large body. But I was wrong, I really love the shape and sound of the Orion so I'm more than pleased with the swap. I haven't tried it on my rig yet but like I told you, even a coffee machine sounds good through an Alembic superfilter. But even without the sf-2 I am very pleased with the sound already.
Don't swap that small Blondie again Wilfred, keep her. By the way, the Orion has straplocks on it.

Manfred
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: the_mule on July 25, 2009, 04:44:32 AM: Finally found the time to make new pictures of Blondie (83 2559 USA) with the TI Jazz flatwounds. I just love this bass, not difficult to see why I guess! Wilfred
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/67767.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/67768.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/67769.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/67770.jpg)
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: FC Bass on July 25, 2009, 06:19:15 AM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/67784.gif)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/67785.gif)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/67786.gif)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/67787.gif)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/67788.gif)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/67789.gif)
Nice pics, thanx!
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: sonicus on July 25, 2009, 11:54:57 AM: NIce Birds Eye!
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: David Houck on July 26, 2009, 03:52:17 AM: Nice to look in on this bass again!
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: georgie_boy on July 26, 2009, 04:06:42 AM: Is it just me..........or is there no pickup selector???
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: the_mule on July 26, 2009, 06:46:11 AM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/67832.jpg)

You're right. It's hiding in the body cavity. Was removed from the lower horn to take it out of the way when slappin' and poppin'. I might put it back where it belongs some day, just need a new brass plate and a pointer knob for that.

Wilfred
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: pauldo on July 26, 2009, 07:23:55 AM: Wilfred -
You have abeautiful bass and you took some great pictures of it.

I have a question (I hope it is not too imposing) - your posting name the mule what is the inspiration for it?
The Foundation series?
Gov't Mule?
? ? ?
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: the_mule on July 26, 2009, 09:47:38 AM: Hi Paul, thanks for your kind words.

My nickname The Mule isn't Asimov related, but indeed inspired by the band Gov't Mule, especially their The Deep End project/tribute. Those two albums, the 2CD/DVD concert registration and the documentary are a real inspiration and they gave me the final push towards switching to the bass, leaving my guitar playing days definitely behind me. Actually I am also a civil servant, and I can be quite stubborn (or so people say), what makes the Government Mule reference even more fitting than I'd like to admit!

Wilfred
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: pauldo on July 26, 2009, 02:44:59 PM: Wilfred - that's very cool. You can't be a fool if you listen to the Mule!!

Allen Woody obviously was a great bassist - given all the people that showed up on the Deep End projects - fer cripes sake even Joey Arkenstat was there!!!!
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: the_mule on September 29, 2009, 02:16:56 AM: Got Joey's (Mike's) album Bane a few weeks ago on the 'Bay, nice adventurous music, although sometimes lacking a bit in direction.

I've switched strings again. I just missed being able to dial in the extremities of the Alembic sound that roundwounds reveal and the Tomastics just cover up a bit too much. As a long time fan of Francis 'Rocco' Prestia I found a couple of sets of his signature strings (Dean Markley NPS Roundcore) on the 'Bay and after two weeks of testing I think they're absolutely fantastic.

I also solved a case of uh oh, I might need the electronics upgrade. The bidge pickup, with its volume + filter + q all the way up, produced a ear piercing and amp threathening high frequency noise ever since I bought Blondie back. I just chose to avoid those settings for quite a long time, but finally decided to try to do something about it. Fortunately adjusting the pickup height (closer to the strings, didn't expect that) and some minor tweaking of the trim pots for the bridge pickup, solved the problem completely. I dare to say that Blondie sounds better than ever, and also the volume balance between strings has drastically improved. Great stuff!

Wilfred
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: the_mule on May 06, 2011, 07:18:06 AM: This afternoon I received a long awaited and very welcome package from Alembic, and I decided to go ahead with the job instantly. It took a few years, for various reasons, but now the pickup selector switch is finally (back?) on the lower horn as I intended. Thanks to Mica for the help in making sure I got the parts. Blondie has been upgraded! Wilfred
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/103789.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/103790.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/103791.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/103792.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/103793.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/103794.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/103795.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/103796.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/103797.jpg)
(Message edited by the_mule on May 06, 2011)
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: sonicus on May 06, 2011, 08:01:55 AM: Excellent job!
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: lbpesq on May 06, 2011, 08:30:02 AM: Feels good, don't it!

Bill, tgo
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: the_mule on May 06, 2011, 08:36:48 AM: Thanks and yes, but it will take some time to get used to. I don't know better than to switch between pickups with the volume controls. But it looks great and also the mute position of the switch will come in handy.

Wilfred
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: rustyg61 on May 06, 2011, 03:33:56 PM: Beautiful bass Wilfred! What does the writing on the truss rod cover say?
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: the_mule on May 07, 2011, 01:14:36 AM: Thanks! The writing says Series I and imagine my exitement when I noticed that in the pawn shop I rescued this baby from. Went there following a lead from a fellow bass player on a Dutch internet forum who knew I was an Alembician. Managed to haggle the price down a few hundred euros more because the bridge pickup wasn't working. Digging up the pickup selector for the first time solved that problem!

Wilfred
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: rustyg61 on May 07, 2011, 01:24:51 AM: I've never seen an Alembic in a pawn shop! That has to be like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow or winning the Lottery! Congratulations!
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: dela217 on May 07, 2011, 05:27:23 AM: That's real nice. I also would have moved it back to the traditional position.

Im thinking of moving the switch on my custom Alembic made for me. The switch is grouped with the other controls. It REALLY bothers me. After having the bass for 11 years now, I still reach for the horn to put it on standby!
Title: The 'mysterious Series I' (my pawn shop prize)
Post by: keith_h on May 07, 2011, 08:58:12 AM: I also prefer the original switch position. If the pointer knob is an issue there are round knurled knobs that can be substituted.

Keith