Author Topic: Series I 1976 bass (Read 375 times)

jazzyvee · « **on:** August 29, 2015, 08:40:55 PM »

Still at a low price and only a few days left on the auction.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1976-Alembic-Series-1-Bass-Guitar-Very-Good-Condition-No-Reserve-/252073120882?hash=item3ab0ba9472

hifiguy · « **Reply #1 on:** August 29, 2015, 11:18:43 PM »

Oh my. Those knobs are ghastly but the bass is beautiful.

sonicus · « **Reply #2 on:** August 29, 2015, 11:52:06 PM »

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2015, 04:49:56 AM »

A birdseye maple standard point... where's Mica?! =)

That is *precisely* the wood I'm hoping for on my custom... not too wild, not too plain - just right. That little bit of curl in with the birdseye... we now return to your regularly scheduled thread.

rockerdebassman · « **Reply #4 on:** August 30, 2015, 12:39:20 PM »

Hey there knowledgeable folk!

I'm actively looking for an Alembic bass. After posting my intro a few days ago I've been reading the forum threads and researching which best meets my needs. I see it is a series bass, but what model is it?

Now, how do I know if this is a good deal? What value would be fair? As the seller posted it as no returns, isn't it a big risk purchase, since there are so few pics and who knows what electronics are under the hood? Did I miss the SR number or was it not posted?

/interested and concerned,

Matt

keith_h · « **Reply #5 on:** August 30, 2015, 01:11:29 PM »

It is what we would call a large body, Series 1 today. Back in 1976 they were just large or small body.

The seller says a full scale neck which doesn't really mean anything. He also say it is 35 inches which would not be a correct measurement. I suspect it is a 34 scale based on the 35 measurement. If it is a 34 inch long scale bass it is not uncommon for folks to have problems reaching the 1st position. I know I do and I stand about 5'9. If I were interested I would go back to the seller asking them to measure from the nut to the 12th fret then double this to get the actual scale length. This will determine if it is a long scale, 34 or medium scale 32 neck.

As far as the price goes. If everything is working and since they have the blue box and case I would say the price is pretty good. Based on the pictures is appears all of the original Alembic electronics are there. A 1976 might need an electronics upgrade to handle modern RF interference but the average cost of this would bring the bass value up to the typical market price so it would not be money wasted.

Keith

ed_zeppelin · « **Reply #6 on:** August 30, 2015, 04:03:47 PM »

>>> researching which best meets my needs. I see it is a series bass, but what model is it?

hifiguy · « **Reply #7 on:** August 30, 2015, 04:18:13 PM »

You nailed it, ed. It's been said many times but it still remains true. You don't even begin to know how sloppy and lousy the technique you learned on a regular bass (Fender, Ric, whatever) is until you pick up an Alembic for the first time. Absolutely unforgiving becaue you hear EVERYTHING you do. You clean up your act or else.

And that is a good thing

gtrguy · « **Reply #8 on:** August 30, 2015, 04:24:58 PM »

I find them easy to play (except the long scale neck sticks out a mile) and don't think they are at all unforgiving. Just a nice big friendly bass.

For gigging I much prefer the short scale series though.

ed_zeppelin · « **Reply #9 on:** August 30, 2015, 07:35:19 PM »

I agree with both of you, which is unusual (for a married man), even though I think somebody misunderstood the context. But you're both right.

Besides, nobody understands the meaning of unforgiving until you marry a Scot. Trust me.

Hey, that reminds me. We toured the UK, and in this tiny Scottish town in the far north called Forres a very weird (but polite) man nearly went into convulsions over my Alembic. He was a bassist and had never actually seen one up close.

So I let him put it on (with an Alembic, for some people it's more like climb into it) and wang away to his heart's content. I was worried we were going to have to call an ambulance, he was so overwhelmed. He took pictures of it.

I gave him my address and we said we'd communicate, yeah yeah, sure. About two years later I get this from him, out of the blue:

That's my Alembic atop Heinz beans (confirmed by other Brits) and toast. I think it's supposed to be complimentary. That's how I'm taking it, anyway.

rockerdebassman · « **Reply #10 on:** August 30, 2015, 09:13:12 PM »

That Alembic actually looks quite tasty.

ed_zeppelin · « **Reply #11 on:** September 03, 2015, 12:17:45 AM »

The series 1 bass went for $3,071.75

sonicus · « **Reply #12 on:** September 03, 2015, 04:39:58 AM »

It was not that far from me in location for a personal pick up at the time of the Auction close. I considered a Dive Bomb Crow Bid , at the end , but displayed restraint and self control instead . Who ever got it got a great deal and a great bass . Congratulations !

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #13 on:** September 03, 2015, 05:57:16 AM »

Yeah, I was surprised at that one too... hopefully whoever got that one will turn up here.

At risk of saying it too many times, (what's one more?) I am spellbound by these early Alembics... every one so individual, yet so obviously related. I'm hoping when it comes time to pick out the wood for my Custom, Mrs. W. can find some maple boards close to that... the figuring is just so perfectly proportioned.

spose · « **Reply #14 on:** September 03, 2015, 07:53:16 AM »

it was on TB for 4200

someone got a nice deal on a nice bass