Author Topic: '77 Series I (Read 765 times)

mike1762 · « **on:** May 08, 2008, 06:59:21 AM »

You guys may have seen this before (it's Rory's old bass). Pictures really do not do the Birdseye Maple justice. Rory had it refinished, the PUP selector switch moved, and the neck shaved a few years ago. Despite being 31 yrs old, it looks like it's off the showroom floor!!!

funkyjazzjunky · « **Reply #1 on:** May 08, 2008, 10:25:25 AM »

Very elegant bass.

I have never played a Maple topped Alembic. Does it sound cold?

keith_h · « **Reply #2 on:** May 08, 2008, 11:15:27 AM »

I would not say the maple sounds cold. I have both listened to and played moderator Dave's maple top and walnut topped Series 1's. To my ears the maple has a brighter tone but is still very smooth. The difference in tone, to me, is as pronounced as that between ash and mahogany bodies on a setneck.

Keith

mike1762 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 08, 2008, 03:27:51 PM »

The bass is actually very warm but with crisp highs. With my other (non-Alembic) basses, I play with an exagerrated midrange tone that I'm really not able to coax out of either of my maple-top Alembics. That has to do with the neck-through design if I understood correctly Mica's post on the subject.

David Houck · « **Reply #4 on:** May 08, 2008, 06:51:39 PM »

Great pics Mike!!

As Keith mentioned, my bass is very similar; and I absolutely love the tone!

mike1762 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 04, 2009, 07:02:16 AM »

77-920 LSB

top: Maple
body: Mahogany
back: Maple
through body neck: Maple and Purpleheart, 34 long scale
fingerboard: Ebony with mother of pearl inlays
peghead veneers: Walnut and Avodire
birthday December 13, 1977
originally made for: Rothschild

There was one previous registered owners in TN.

mike1762 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 28, 2011, 05:26:47 AM »

SOLD!!! As much as I wanted to love this bass (and I did love the looks and tone), I just could not play it. The ergonomics of the Standard Point body are... challenging (at least for me).

edwin · « **Reply #7 on:** June 04, 2011, 12:37:25 PM »

Mike, I have to agree with you. I loved my '78 SI long scale, but it was an ergonomic catastrophe for me, sending me to physical therapy with all kinds of problems. Luckily it was able to find a home where it is well played and loved.

However, the short scale works a charm!