(u) Series 1 serial number request / history / Build info # 78 1151

[Billy Goddamn Willis]

Hello, I just purchased a series 1 Alembic 4 string bass ( serial number 78 1151 ). I assume, and was told that it a 1978 model. I would like to if possible gain as much info as I can on the instrument. I only want the info for my own sake as this is my first Alembic and have been wanting one for 20 years or better. The instrument in question I picked up for a really good deal. The reason that it was a very good deal was the price being reduced due to a repaired peghead break that the instrument sustained at one time. This was all clearly and honestly stated ( prior to me buying it ) by the seller. The repair must have a been a deal breaker for a lot of others with interest in it. I was told it was repaired in-house by one of your employees, which I do not doubt. And I too repair and set up and do instrument mods ect. on the side and have repaired a few broken headstocks on a particular brand of guitars that have a tendency to end up with same damage that can be inflicted rather easily, and could be made to not end up in that state as easily, very easily. But that said it was no deal breaker for me because I know that when repaired correctly the peghead will be or is now stronger than it ever was before the break despite what most others with no woodworking background believe. The instrument is stunning and appears to have maybe been refinished along the way given its finish and the fact that it has red LED neck side markers. The pickups look to be possibly newer style than original, but that is just going off of pictures I have seen, and the pickups on this instrument say Alembic and have no wear or fade to the markings. I also am curious as to the materials it is comprised of. The body has very nice book matched grain lines although I can not tell what kind of wood it is and would like to know that too for my own knowledge and conversations sake. It came with the older style blue box power supply, not the rackmount style. And the truss rod cover had been previously engraved ( with another past owner I assume ) name on the brass plate. Do you all sell blank replacement brass plate truss rod covers? If not I can likely machine one out myself but would like to have one with out another persons name on it. So basically any and all info that I can gain on the instrument would be great. I hope I am not asking too much or overstepping anything and I apologize in advance if so. I am new to the Alembic owners group and I do not have any intention of reselling the instrument either. I did register it as a used purchase and it is now registered under my name ( Andrew Billesbach ) and I purchased it from ( Craig Privett ) on 5/23/2020. Thank you kindly in advance for any and all help with info that you may or may not want to give. Either way thanks again, it plays damn nice too!

[edwardofhuncote]

Welcome to our hangout Andrew. I know both that bass, and Craig P.

The file was missing the last time #78-1151 was looked up- http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=23563.msg236068#msg236068

...but this older For Sale thread has some information and confirms that the work was done by Alembic- http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=13594.msg143698#msg143698

Alembic recently relocated their headquarters, so maybe the paperwork on your new-to-you Series I has resurfaced, but it's something to go on in the meantime. It's a sweet old bass in nice restored shape, should bring you some good times.

Congratulations & Compliments and Welcome.

[pauldo]

Welcome to the club Andrew.   

Gregory has a gift for locating archival information here.

Maybe instead of a new brass plate just call your bass Bro. Lamont Sherrell.  ;-)

[rv_bass]

Welcome and congratulations, that’s a beautiful bass!  I have one with a name engraved on the truss rod plate, and I just simply flipped it over and screwed it back on so that the name does not show.  So that might be an easy fix for you as well.

[Billy Goddamn Willis]

Welcome and congratulations, that’s a beautiful bass!  I have one with a name engraved on the truss rod plate, and I just simply flipped it over and screwed it back on so that the name does not show.  So that might be an easy fix for you as well.

Why Thank you, yes it is a very nice looking bass, and the tone is great. Just a slight buzz on the open E from first or second fret, nothing that cannot be worked out of it though. More noticeable on when playing E chord. Thanks for the info. as for the plate I did not know anything about them when I first posted but I already took it down past the engraving and re surfaced and polished it out to new. If it weren't for the countersinks on the mount holes I would have flipped it and polished that that side. I have a jewelry store in my family so I will have it re engraved there. Most likely to say "To The Root". If I read correctly it is topped with Schedua? I am not familiar with that. But thanks again for the info, it sounds like it has exchanged hands many times but short of me checking out it has found a permanent home among my collection. Adios...BGDW

[mica]

The file is still MIA, sorry!

[Billy Goddamn Willis]

That's oddly my luck that out of every request on here mine is the one file that disappeared.
I only say that because I am trying to get the instrument insured, and the insurance company
( Andersons Musical Instrument Ins.) wants pics, a bill of sale and proof of the work done on it.
What I have gathered from past owners of the instrument  and other people familiar with it throughout this site is that is certainly a Schedua top with maple and purple heart neck. It also has a Zebrawood peg head ( serial #  78 1151 ). The peghead did have a break before I took ownership, but it was repaired in house at your shop and cannot tell it was ever broken.
 But, I  figured in these other points to my quote that I received back. A complete, body and neck re finish., updated pickups  as the ones in bass have the Alembic logo in bottom right of pickup, It too had the red LED side markers installed in the fingerboard.
I can prove pics and bill of sale to Ins .company, but I dont have any thing to validate the additional work that was done. With the upgraded electronics, LED's, and a complete refinish I figured it
 worth $5,000.00 more in replaceable value than what I paid for it should it ever be stolen or damaged beyond repair. the quote they gave me was an "agreed" value  so they must feel it is worth what I want to insure it for as well. It was owned at one time by Bro. Lamonte Sherrell, as that was the name engraved in the brass truss rod cover plate. The most recent owner before myself was Craig Privett, and that is who I purchased it from, and I believe may be the one who had the refinish and LED's and the peghead repair done. I too have registered this instrument as being its current owner on Alembics registration records list file. Is there any way that the above is recognizable or rings enough of a bell that you or someone that had their hand in on the work done to be able to somehow validate or verify the work done by you guys in house, since my instruments file dissappeared. I am stating everything as 100% truly what I have been told about the instrument.
I just need to be able to provide a document of some sort to verify what has been done to it or thats
how I take what the Ins. company needs to insure it at the figure I thought it would be worth replaceable value. Any thing you can help me with I would greatly kindly appreciate. I just want to get the thing insured...as I mentioned I dont have the best luck, but I do have it a lot. Thank you kindly

[rv_bass]

I use Heritage, they were well recommended by musicians, and I have been very happy with them...


https://musicins.com/

[JimmyJ]

BGdW,

My insurance company allows me to STATE the replacement cost of my instruments, which I update now and then based on Alembic's currently published price list.  If I somehow lost any of my 5-string Series instruments I'd need to replace the loss with a new one.  So my stated replacement value for insurance purposes is the price of a new one.

Jimmy J

[rv_bass]

BGdW,

My insurance company allows me to STATE the replacement cost of my instruments, which I update now and then based on Alembic's currently published price list.  If I somehow lost any of my 5-string Series instruments I'd need to replace the loss with a new one.  So my stated replacement value for insurance purposes is the price of a new one.

Jimmy J

I do the something Jimmy does, insure for full replacement cost based on the currently published price listing for the standard build of the instrument model plus any upgrades and/or customizations. I own a couple of older Series instruments with no available file information and my insurance company is fine with that. 

[Billy Goddamn Willis]

Good enough that is all I need to know then. Never Insured an instrument before, apologize for sounding naive.

[JimmyJ]

Hey, no problem, that's why we're in here!  It may depend on your insurance company but what you want is "replacement value" if they'll do it.  If they wont, take your business elsewhere.  I know some folks who own classic cars and a typical insurance company might look at a 1965 Porsche 911 and say "well, the car only cost $6500 new and that was so many years ago that with depreciation ... if you wreck it you'll have to pay us".  But the companies that specifically insure classic cars not only understand the true values but they know that the owners of these vehicles will be taking great care of them so there will be very few claims.  Similar to insuring high-value musical instruments.

Now play that thing and enjoy it!

Jimmy J

[mica]

If you require a Replacement Value Statement from us, just email me your request including your mailing address. I don't need the file to perform that function

[Billy Goddamn Willis]

If you require a Replacement Value Statement from us, just email me your request including your mailing address. I don't need the file to perform that function

Yes maam, I would like the Replacement Value Request. Thank you kindly
is there an email address I can send my mailing address info to so Im not posting my address publicly? Thanks again

[StephenR]

If you require a Replacement Value Statement from us, just email me your request including your mailing address. I don't need the file to perform that function

Yes maam, I would like the Replacement Value Request. Thank you kindly
is there an email address I can send my mailing address info to so Im not posting my address publicly? Thanks again

If you click on the little envelope icon below Mica's avatar you can send her an email. This works for all members who have opted to include the visible email link in their profile.