Author Topic: Unusual headstock on 1981 series bass. (Read 1115 times)

jazzyvee · « **on:** August 17, 2014, 03:34:45 AM »

http://www.gbase.com/gear/alembic-series-i-short-scale-1981-flame-koa# Never seen that design on alembic before.

pace · « **Reply #1 on:** August 17, 2014, 04:42:51 AM »

Perfect in every way.....

What's the catch?!?

Ps... I call that a mega-omega headstock!...

mtjam · « **Reply #2 on:** August 17, 2014, 04:52:04 AM »

To me, it looks like the headstock tips have been broken off. Strange to see an Alembic bridge that can be strung through the body. Price seems low, too.

Anyone know more about this mystery bass?

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** August 17, 2014, 05:18:19 AM »

I agree; looks like the tips were broken. It might be possible for the shop to repair. Needs a hard case. Figuring the cost of the repair (I have no idea), plus shipping to Santa Rosa, and the cost of a case, the price starts to look high. If you could talk them down a few hundred, and have them ship it to Santa Rosa for the repair, you could end up with a nice short scale.

There are a couple of screw holes on the back where the strap button was moved around that will need to be filled; and the truss rod cover is missing.

zomnius · « **Reply #4 on:** August 17, 2014, 05:55:53 AM »

why repair? bass is beautiful even with this headstock

zomnius · « **Reply #5 on:** August 17, 2014, 06:08:16 AM »

i contacted the dealer, but what worries a bit is the two litle holes in the back of the neck..

besides that, if it is a short scale, the body seems small than compared to a 'normal' series 1?

flpete1uw · « **Reply #6 on:** August 17, 2014, 06:34:41 AM »

That is some sweet looking Koa!
Very tempting, if I didn't have a couple of Alembic Basses.

Strangely it falls just short of what I may be interested in. Not by much. I'm sure this Bass won't last long.
Pete

bigredbass · « **Reply #7 on:** August 17, 2014, 08:12:28 AM »

Flame koa, what's not to like?

Bass NW has been around the block, so I'd guess the $2999 (which seems a little light for a S1) is the result of the miles / mods on this axe.

I'm guessing the 2 holes around the heel are the result of one more attempt to foil gravity when it comes to this body shape, and hey, why not have thru-the-body stringing (what a doofus idea) to get MORE sustain . . . . I mean, it's hard to get an S1 (or any Alembic) to keep the notes going ? ? ? The horn-frog headstock I have no idea.

I can understand getting out the S+S catalog and hotrodding Fenders (who cares?), but why would you mess with one of these?

J o e y

keith_h · « **Reply #8 on:** August 17, 2014, 08:16:36 AM »

The neck holes look like old strap button holes. I suspect it was moved a couple of times to try and change the balance point. Should be able to plug them fairly easily.

Keith

flpete1uw · « **Reply #9 on:** August 17, 2014, 08:35:18 AM »

Just reread the ad and it states it can be strung with short or long scale strings. This could explain the body through string holes? My short scale Series needing medium scale strings offer limited choices. That said there will be no holes drilled.
Pete

sonicus · « **Reply #10 on:** August 17, 2014, 09:15:08 AM »

I check out the inventory and new arrivals at Bass Northwest weekly.
I first saw this new arrival a few days ago and almost leaped out of my chair. The body shape seems to be a morphed Distillate variation with an Omega cut out at both the bottom and head stock to my eyes. It looks like it started out with a Distillate shape with a point at the bottom . I would have loved that to have stayed that way! IN addition I would have preferred the standard Alembic head stock shape as on a Standard point or a Distillate , Etc

... At this price and, ___ to my eyes and taste a Distillate shape with standard head stock and a POINT at the bottom in medium scale with Series electronics would have prompted a phone call to Bass Northwest to hold the bass for me for purchase .I have purchased a very clean older style F-2B from them a few years ago and was VERY pleased with their secure packing method.

zomnius · « **Reply #11 on:** August 17, 2014, 02:07:29 PM »

i already have a point

so ill see if they r willig to look oversees (grr)

JuancarlinBass · « **Reply #12 on:** August 17, 2014, 04:49:25 PM »

It seems to me the headstock?s VERY big for it to be a broken headstock tip issue, something tells me it was meant to be like that, or either a later mod from a big headstock.

Was it me, I?d send it to the Mothership, have the two neck holes filled in, and reshape the headstock to as close to crown shape as possible. Oh, and a decent hard case for it, too; it deserves it!.

jalevinemd · « **Reply #13 on:** August 17, 2014, 05:44:15 PM »

No way on God's green Earth this bass left Santa Rosa with the headstock looking like that.

sonicus · « **Reply #14 on:** August 17, 2014, 05:57:44 PM »

The headstock can double as a slingshot or a hand catapult !