Fernandes MHB110 & Fab 180 -Alembic like electronics

[Deltaphoenix]

So these basses were built from 79-81 in Japan. They have noise canceling pickup between 2 pickups, a filter based preamp, a special stereo output that needs a converter box. Does anyone have any experience with these and if so, what did you think?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=175&v=H0exvON1fVg

I need to learn how to post videos, this guy didn’t showcase the bass very well IMO but a few minutes in you can hear the filter sweep. I think he incorrectly called the Q a miss control.

[Deltaphoenix]

So I am guessing these basses were upsetting to Alembic and are persona non grata around here

Alembic noob faux pas

[gtrguy]

Oh no, I find them very interesting myself. They are very rare, so I have never seen one. That might explain some lack of response.

[lbpesq]

The MH series basses and guitars were not direct copies of any Alembic body style.   These were called “Masterhand”.   The 180’s however were copies.  The woodwork was quite good, but the electronics weren’t up to Alembic standards.  Occasionally one sees the Fernandes passed off as an Alembic.  That is definitely frowned upon around here.   I have an extensively modded MH-110 Masterhand guitar for which Alembic provided the PUs and electronics.  You can see it here:

http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=20043.msg205426#msg205426

And there is currently a Masterhand bass on reverb at a good price.

Bill, tgo

[edwardofhuncote]

There are actually quite a few threads here with Fernandes basses/guitars as the subject. Most that pop up in a search were in the ebay/Craigslist section of the swapshop and long gone now, but there is more information if you dig a little. I remember a post somewhere way back on the old Club that Mica had played one and thought it was okay, though nothing special. She confirmed elsewhere there never was a legal case either, that merely asking them to stop with the overt copying of their trademarks was enough.

I remember one that actually made it into the serial number lookup threads once, with a logo. That was kinda' un-cool, especially if someone got doinked on the deal.

[peoplechipper]

I have one of the 180's (series 1 copy), though the active electronics were taken out before I got it; a good bass but not the real thing...made me wanna get my Distillate, so that's good...Tony.

[lbpesq]

I played mine in the video of last Friday’s live stream that I posted in the gig section.   Fast forward to 1:59:15.

As for the guitar, I love the neck.  The shape of the body is closer to a Strat than any Alembic, but the construction is 100% Hippie Sandwich.  Lighter than my Series I MSG.  The electronics were lunched when I got it.  I had the hum canceller routed to the same size as the pickups and installed three Alembic pickups, volume, filter, and a 3-way Q.  It also has RMC bridge saddle pickups and a 13 pin out for a guitar synth.  It can pan between the magnetic pickups and the bridge piezos (which sound like an acoustic).  Of course the wood is quite plain compared to most Alembics, but it’s a great playing, great sounding guitar.  I have another one with a Zebra Wood top that I intend to restore.

Bill, tgo