Author Topic: Serial Number lookup 073-76 (Read 290 times)

mgbayes · « **on:** June 18, 2013, 08:12:32 PM »

Looking to restore the electronics in my SEriesI 6 string. Need pick-ups power and board and have found all I need but want to see if this guitar has any history behind it. Guitar plays nice with humbuckers installed (the way I got it) but want it to sound the way it was intended. s/n is 073 76 I belive 73 made in 1976

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #1 on:** June 19, 2013, 11:36:13 AM »

Welcome, Mark. It's the other way around; the year comes first, so that would indicate Alembic's 76th instrument, built in 1973 - except 47 was made in '73, & 49 was from '74, as were 67 & 78, which would make one think 76 is a '74 as well. Are you sure you have typed the numbers correctly? Give some pics & we can tell more about it (and we'll try not to grimace at the 'buckers ).

Peter

room037 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 19, 2013, 07:15:13 PM »

Hi,
I believe it's made in 1976.
Production year is indicated last 2 digit (for Ex. 76), so 073 is serial number.
But 073 was made in 1974.(048 to 130+ range)
I think there is additional AE, AC or Ao on the head, or rarely digit O with serial.(for Ex. 74' o13 Smithonian bass, 75' o18 Gtr in SN / History Requests archives)

Please show us the photo !

Eiji

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #3 on:** June 19, 2013, 09:15:04 PM »

No, the year is the first 2 digits, as stated in this quote from the Reference Page:

Serial Number Guide
The first two dgits of the serial number are the year the instrument was completed. The code letter tells you the model. The next group of numbers must be from two to five digits and is the number of the instrument. Thus 94H8692 is an Elan bass completed in 1994 and is the 8692nd instrument was made. We started with number 1 in 1972 and when an instrument is finished, it received the next number, regardless of model. Any A or B after number is on the rare occassion that we duplicate a number. Hey, even we make mistakes.

Peter

room037 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 20, 2013, 12:24:40 AM »

I said production year is last 2 digit of the year.(1976 indicated as 76)
There is no additional digit on it.

At 1974 to 1976, they stamped sometimes additional digit on first and last of the serial number.
AE means export, AC means export to Canada.(And there are A o)
These were numbered different series number.
(for EX. 72'-013 to 016 and 75'-AE013 to 016, 73'-025 and 75'-AC 025, 73'-033 and 75'-AC 033)
Mica answered here.
The serial number of 1970's are often confused.

In this case, AE-055 to AE-082 were made in 1976, so I think 76'-AE-073 is fitted for it.

Serial Number Guide is mainly effective after 1980 (after Distillate was released with model code D).

Eiji

(Message edited by room037 on June 20, 2013)

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #5 on:** June 20, 2013, 08:07:50 AM »

Ah - I see what you're saying, now. Are there letters between the numbers, Mark?

Peter

room037 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 21, 2013, 06:40:26 AM »

I think this is it.
It has AE stamped on the first, so AE 76 073 isn't it ?

Eiji

mgbayes · « **Reply #7 on:** June 27, 2013, 05:38:34 PM »

OK .. Sorry for delay. Did not expect such quick replies.. This is cool.. Thanks!! Here is the deal. The Headstock on the top if looking down the neck it is stamped on one side of the top curve with 76 and just past the point of top on other side of curve it is stamped 073. I am posting a pic as well so hope this works. I have found someone with alembic pups and someone else with the power supply. May cost around $800.00 to buy and install but not sure it is worth it. Saw same exact guitar sell on ebay a few years back in all original condition with case and power and cable. Sold for $2700.00 and calling Alembic they wanted approx $2500 to restore it and thought why spend that if thats all it would sell for.. Thoughts would be appreciated and any info on this serial number such as history would be cool to know who originally owned this beauty. THX!!!

gtrguy · « **Reply #8 on:** June 27, 2013, 05:42:26 PM »

Neat guitar! How are the original pickup holes? I am restoring a bass and it took me well over a year of looking to find original pickups and electronics but I was patient. Cost was around $800 for them. That looks like a nice Ibanez case?

mgbayes · « **Reply #9 on:** June 27, 2013, 05:47:06 PM »

PS. My guitar is not the one in the pic posted by room037. Thanks though it does look pretty close .

mgbayes · « **Reply #10 on:** June 27, 2013, 05:55:02 PM »

Just to clarify my subject line was typed in reverse. The first number is 76 and the second number is 073 but there are no other letters if the other one pictured is an export with same numbers.. Is that possible or is mine a fake which cant be cause this plays like a very expensive guitar and is the heaviest I have ever held.

room037 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 28, 2013, 03:24:48 AM »

Hi Mark,

Sorry for my mistake.
Another guitar has two humbuckers and serial No. 76- .

By the way, actual 73th products has 74'-73 that I think.
So your number is possibly o73.

I believe your gtr is real Alembic products.
It is nice example of early products with nice maple top !

Eiji

mgbayes · « **Reply #12 on:** June 28, 2013, 04:32:11 AM »

I have looked at this serial number from every angle and it is clearly a zero ie.. 073 it is not o73. I read the thread posted by room037 and the link he posted about Mica answered serial number issues and thought I read they have used duplicate numbers before by mistake. I am hoping Mica will be able to find the build card on this guitar. If it is a duplicate serial number then it already has some cool history but would still love to know who actually ordered this guitar or bought this guitar originally.

Thanks Room037
PS. to GTRGUY, yes this is an Ibanez bass case (Good eye)that I customized to fit the body with the point.