Author Topic: (x) 96W10465 USA (Read 164 times)

scottonaharley · « **on:** May 04, 2015, 03:01:37 PM »

I rescued this bass from a damp smelly closet in someones basement. Unfortunately the case may be a lost cause. I'd like to find out any information you have about it. Thank you.

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #1 on:** May 06, 2015, 03:41:15 PM »

That's a nice Rescue you got there Scott!

Mica just did a bunch of these a while back but hasn't posted any lately. If you search these pages, you may very well find instruments made very close to yours and get a good idea of when it was made. (I actually found the one made right after mine, but the file on my bass is missing)

That said, the W code indicates your bass is an Epic, the 96 means it was in production in 1996. The standard electronics are Volume/Pan/Bass/Treble.

I'm only guessing at the wood (some club members here have a sharper eye) but I'd say the top is Bocate, the accent is Maple, and the core is Mahogany. Looks like an Ebony fingerboard on a Maple neck.

That's a nice find... be sure and post some pictures in the Showcase section.

If you contact Alembic, they can help you with a replacement case. It's often easiest to catch them by phone.

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #2 on:** May 06, 2015, 03:41:28 PM »

Oops, double-posted. And the Profile Gremlin got me again.

(Message edited by edwardofhuncote on May 06, 2015)

scottonaharley · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2015, 04:31:55 PM »

It looks like 96W9644 is pretty much a twin to mine which makes the top Bocate At this point the only unknown is the birthdate as the fretboard is indeed ebony and every thing else looks like standard issue for the Epic. It has the ability to stop most musicians visiting my home in their tracks and the first question is where did you get that? followed by can I play it? I saw Return to Forever on the Romantic Warrior promotion tour in the late 70's. Stanley Clarke, Al DiMeola, Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke and some one who I do not remember. But it was Stanley Clarke and his Alembic bass that made owning one a life long goal. As my friends and I say (not too often) That is the definition of an instrument.

mica · « **Reply #4 on:** September 16, 2015, 05:39:37 PM »

Hi Scott:

Here's the details from the instrument file:

serial: 96W10465
model: Epic WLB4
top: Bocate
accent: Maple
body: Mahogany
neck: 3-piece Maple
scale: 34 long
fingerboard: Ebony
pickups: Alembic MXY4
controls: Epic/Orion volume, pan, bass, treble, mono output
originally made for: Guitar Center, IL
birthday: Januar 3, 1996

You got the details correct