Author Topic: 73 series one? (Read 1200 times)

gtrguy · « **on:** June 19, 2014, 08:09:09 PM »

Just found this ad and know nothing about it:

https://reverb.com/item/133359-alembic-series-i-bass-1973-natural?gclid=CLDr2b28h78CFQqIfgodqagAgA

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** June 19, 2014, 08:22:29 PM »

Same instrument as discussed here.

mtjam · « **Reply #2 on:** June 20, 2014, 04:10:07 AM »

I'm surprised this bass is still for sale. Someone should scoop it up!

keith_h · « **Reply #3 on:** June 20, 2014, 06:39:57 AM »

I think it is just priced too high. Plus it is missing the blue box/chord which would reduce the price even more.

Keith

tomhug · « **Reply #4 on:** June 20, 2014, 08:20:11 AM »

What does everyone think about the purported John Entwistle association? It can't be accurate, can it? JAE didn't even know about Alembic until 1974, and I don't recall ever seeing him with a bass with those caramel covered pickups.

keith_h · « **Reply #5 on:** June 20, 2014, 10:59:20 AM »

All I see in the posting is it was signed by John. I don't read anymore into it other than someone had him autograph the bass.

Keith

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #6 on:** January 15, 2015, 03:46:14 PM »

I notice the price on this one continues to drop... it's listed in another place for $3995 now. Although the ad says the bass may need additional work. I kinda' wish someone would restore this one... heck, she doesn't look too bad.

I believe this one must have been owned by a serious John Entwistle fan. Sounds like there's a cool back story.

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #7 on:** January 18, 2015, 10:58:51 AM »

Couple things strike me as odd about this bass, and I wonder if the voices of experience might chime in.

The brass truss rod cover on a '73.

Extra holes between each Volume & Filter knob.

Position of the switches. (maybe related to ^)

Logo looks odd too, quite detailed for such an early bass.

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #8 on:** January 18, 2015, 01:53:43 PM »

I think the extra holes' are the trimpots; that was the location on some of the earlier examples.

Peter

sonicus · « **Reply #9 on:** January 18, 2015, 02:18:16 PM »

Yes, I think Peter is spot on . On one of my old Alembic modified Starfire's those trimpots were present .

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #10 on:** January 19, 2015, 03:46:59 AM »

Ah. That makes sense, since there doesn't appear to be access on the back of the control cavity plate.

Truss rod cover could've been added afterward... doesn't look wrong, just not period-correct.

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #11 on:** January 19, 2015, 08:47:00 AM »

And as to the logo, there seems to be a great deal of variation among the early ones; that one wouldn't raise my eyebrow.
My main problem with this one (beyond the price, which is becoming more reasonable) is whether you could remove the sticker and the mall-engraving-shop plate without damaging the finish (though it is kind of clever how they used the set font on the machine to make the o in Who an Alembic logo of sorts)

Peter

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #12 on:** January 19, 2015, 01:09:22 PM »

I've never seen a sticker I couldn't remove with patience and a hairdryer.

Not as sure about the aforementioned brass plate. Actually, I'd make some effort at returning it to whoever put it on there in the first place, since it obviously meant more to them than me.

I see this as almost a total overhaul project. Having already taken on one restoration of an Alembic-in-distress, I'm a little hesitant, since this one could be quite expensive. Possibly enough so that it wouldn't be economically feasible. That said, this looks to be a legitimate very early Series bass, and hyper-cool for that reason alone. It deserves better, maybe better than I could afford to do.

I may email the seller and inquire about the electronics, just for curiosity's sake.

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #13 on:** January 28, 2015, 03:41:37 AM »

Haven't gotten any response from the seller... I guess there isn't much way to tell if the electronics work or not without the power supply box, particularly on these early Series instruments. (?)

mtjam · « **Reply #14 on:** January 28, 2015, 06:09:07 PM »

I e-mailed with the seller a while back, and it does seem like this one needs a lot of work. The seller sent me some info he discussed with Susan. I think the brass plate is affixed to the body in a way that is not easily removable. However, I think this is a really cool bass that someone needs to bring back to life! That person is not me however.

You know the Mothership could get this thing playing again...