Author Topic: Vintage 1984 Alembic Series 1 Long Scale Bass Guitar I (Read 240 times)

fish · « **on:** February 13, 2009, 12:26:28 PM »

Hello All

Long time lurker, some times poster here.

I am thinking about this one. Any red flags that you see?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=110349084324

Thanks

Dave

57basstra · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2009, 04:11:51 PM »

looks like a nice bass. Some will say the asking price is too high. Looks like there have already been some offers.

Are you near the seller? Can you go and try it out?

David Houck · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2009, 04:55:53 PM »

It's missing the power supply; so you need to factor that into the cost.

It looks to be in great condition; however, my guess would be that it doesn't actually look as red as it does in the pictures. I think the camera flash has probably distorted the true color.

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2009, 05:12:43 PM »

I've played around with the picture some. What I've come up with isn't right; the Maple neck lams don't look right. But I think this looks more like Walnut. An outdoor picture in natural light would be helpful.

I think it's a great looking bass, and Walnut S1's sound very nice.

fish · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2009, 08:59:40 AM »

Thanks for the input guys. The seller is in Texas and I am in PA; so trying it out is not an option.

Are there any options missing (other than the needed power supply) that would make this an undesirable example of a series one? Are some years better than others?

(Message edited by fish on February 14, 2009)

glocke · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2009, 10:08:00 AM »

A little too high without the power supply. I paid $4000.00 4 years or so ago for my quilted maple 1998 SI with the DS5R.

Also, as an older bass it may need some TLC at first (frets, electronics upgrade)....

That said, it looks great. Im really starting to like the the older basses look more and more.

By the way, Im in Bucks County also...

(Message edited by glocke on February 14, 2009)

lbpesq · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2009, 11:45:10 AM »

Dave:

Alembic's production numbers are so low, and the number of people who put their hands on an instrument during its build are so small that, unlike a large company like Fender, Gibson, Martin, etc., the year of construction really doesn't make much difference, IMHO.

Bill, tgo

pas · « **Reply #7 on:** February 14, 2009, 03:07:44 PM »

If I was a betting man, I'd wager that the top on that bass is bubinga, not walnut. It looks VERY similar to the top on my '85 Spoiler.

David Houck · « **Reply #8 on:** February 15, 2009, 12:02:52 PM »

Paul's is an interesting suggestion, which might explain some of the apparent redness, in which case my rendering may be a bit too brown.

In reading all of the posts on this site, I've never noticed anything that would suggest any deviation from the highest of quality year to year.

fish · « **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2009, 03:26:18 PM »

Quality year to year is not a question. I guess I should clarify a bit.

Did the Series I Electronics evolve over time? Thus making some later years more preferable?

Thanks

David Houck · « **Reply #10 on:** February 15, 2009, 04:27:54 PM »

Over time, the amount of RF noise in the air that the electronics are subject to has grown. Thus, to keep the electronics quiet, the circuitry has been modified over the years. The older the instrument is, the more susceptible it is to this RF noise; but it depends on the instrument, and it depends on the environment. Alembic offers an electronics upgrade for older Series instruments that addresses this noise issue. The upgrade is not inexpensive. However, most older instruments have not had the upgrade and their owners seem very happy with them. As far as the tone shaping circuitry, the electronics are essentially unchanged over time. My '86 S1 is a little susceptible to RF noise, but I never thought it to be a problem; and if I hadn't switched to six string, it would still be my primary instrument.

fish · « **Reply #11 on:** February 16, 2009, 05:06:04 AM »

Thanks Dave!

lbpesq · « **Reply #12 on:** February 16, 2009, 09:11:12 AM »

Both my '76 Series I MSG and my '77 Series I 12 string LSG haven't had the electronics upgrade and I've never had an RF interference problem with either one. And I live in a fairy populated and congested area: San Francisco Bay Area.

Bill, tgo

olieoliver · « **Reply #13 on:** February 16, 2009, 09:19:41 AM »

My 89 S-2 gets a little RF noise but not always. And when it does it's not loud enough to create any problem.

OO

edwin · « **Reply #14 on:** February 16, 2009, 05:38:19 PM »

My '78 Series I has original electronics and have never had a problem with noise.

Bill, you aren't making a comment about the social reputation of SF, are you?

NTTAWWT (tm Seinfeld).

:-)

Edwin