Author Topic: (?) 85B8788 (Read 433 times)

nrg_svr · « **on:** February 02, 2015, 08:41:42 PM »

Serial # 85B8788 See further down for pictures of the bass! Seems a bit odd after some searching.... Neck and control cavity numbers match though (see resized pictures) Would like to know a bit about this one, and why the serial # and model designation are unusual... If it were 85?3788, it would seem about right, no? Both the 'B' and the '8788' seem odd.

(Message edited by nrg_svr on February 02, 2015)

nrg_svr · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2015, 08:44:58 PM »

Here's the neck serial.

What does the B for the model mean?

(Message edited by nrg_svr on February 02, 2015)

nrg_svr · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2015, 08:54:56 PM »

Here's the bass A single P style pickup with just two controls (volume and filter) Just restrung it with RS Swing 66, but I think they are a bit bright for this particular bass... Pictured along side an obvious Alembic influenced Mike Kinal (quite an unreal instrument actually!!!! I got really lucky on this one) Both of these were just recently acquired - the Kinal I bought last Thursday, and the Alembic I traded for just yesterday!

(Message edited by nrg_svr on February 02, 2015)

nrg_svr · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2015, 09:08:52 PM »

Here's a couple photos of the back and the headstock. I've got some new strings coming - an assortment - but would dearly like to hear from anyone with a recommendation for the Alembic PS - I assume this is a version of the Persuader?

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #4 on:** February 03, 2015, 05:22:14 AM »

I like Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats on my Persuader, which has a P/J setup. I tend to favor the P over the J, panning about 60/40.

I'll be curious to see what the voices of experience on here come up with on your bass. It does appear to be some variation on a Persuader/Spoiler, but that serial number is quite mysterious. I'm thinking a B letter code was for Brown bass, which this certainly isn't.

Very interesting.

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #5 on:** February 04, 2015, 07:49:03 AM »

Looking at this some more, (*could be just the picture) but to my eye, both the B and the first 8 in the sequence number look like they've been altered. In both the fingerboard stamp and the cavity, the B looks like it was a P. The second 8 is also suspect... note the clarity of the first 8 in 85 that's stamped into the fingerboard, and compare it to the others.

Based on the serial numbers of other Alembics from 1985, I would *guess* the serial number is actually 85P3788 or another similar combination thereof. As I said, could totally be a trick of the camera, or maybe there's another logical yet ambiguous explanation.

nrg_svr · « **Reply #6 on:** February 04, 2015, 09:34:34 PM »

Interesting theory, except I've looked long and hard at the fingerboard, and all the 8's seem the same to me, under a flashlight.

'3788' would certainly be about the right number though. It's possible they did the number wrong... but then it begs what is the B for?

It seems logical that it is a Persuader as opposed to a Spoiler - I have seen pics of a Spoiler with a single pickup. I guess a few Persuaders were made that way too. The P style pickup and (only the) filter suggest a Persuader I think?

It's my best playing bass right now, and as for sound, it's very close to what I would dial in on any given two single coil pickup bass. I like my Ric 4003 in Maple Glo too, but somehow this Alembic has it nailed even better.

I'll look at the cavity again sometime soon.

If anyone has anything else to offer re: 'B'...

Cheers!

(Message edited by nrg_svr on February 04, 2015)

nrg_svr · « **Reply #7 on:** February 04, 2015, 09:43:43 PM »

Interesting side note - I got this bass from a guy who was Chris Squire's tech in Vancouver during the recording of 'The Ladder'.

nrg_svr · « **Reply #8 on:** February 05, 2015, 12:37:47 AM »

One point about this simple wiring set up - is that when I rotate the filter quickly with notes sustaining, it really does sound like a 'wah wah'... I thought that was more what you would expect with Q Sound enabled? Anyway, just love the tone overall.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #9 on:** February 05, 2015, 02:19:24 AM »

If I'm not mistaken basses with just a single filter and no Q-switch. Have some Q-added anyway so that there is a boost at the cutoff frequency you set the filter to. This would explain the wah-wah sound you are getting. Again I'm sure there is a mention on the forum somewhere of a modification you can get from alembic to make the q-switchable if you would like to do that..

mica · « **Reply #10 on:** February 06, 2015, 06:53:25 PM »

I looked up a bunch of serial numbers trying to figure this one out. I don't think it's a fake, and I am in love with the Bird's-eye Maple top laminate (swoon!).

For a while, there was a guy in the setup room stamping the serial number on the cavity bottom instead of on the ledge, so that alone isn't too much of a concern (and the time frame is correct).

I have a guess that the bass might have been stamped S in error and then overstamped P but that still doesn't explain the strange number sequence.

Email the large photos you have of the numbers to me and let me see if I can't coax something out of them.

nrg_svr · « **Reply #11 on:** February 18, 2015, 08:07:23 PM »

I took a few extra photos a week or so previous, and they have been sent. Thanks for your help thus far.

I put some Roto 77 flats on, and it did not immediately appeal, but as I began adjusting the filter more, the tone grew on me quite a bit. My Ric and Kinal 'Series 1' inspired basses could actually be surplus, or one for sure! I love the Ric with a pic - what can I say, the Chris Squire influence.

Anyway, I'm actively looking for a second Alembic - hopefully another trade will work out. I gave up a mint Gibson Explorer Robot for this Persuader. It was a fair swap, but I got the better instrument!

Seems I had to re-register on the site today. Third times a charm hopefully! Super helpful resources here.