Author Topic: Unusual headstock on 1981 series bass. (Read 1127 times)

hammer · « **Reply #15 on:** August 17, 2014, 10:03:31 PM »

That Koa is absolutely stunning!

sonicus · « **Reply #16 on:** August 17, 2014, 11:10:48 PM »

Yes , The Koa is indeed exemplary . The Bass is a beautiful instrument . I have actually pondered acquiring it with just a phone call. However ____If I do not stop my self every time I see an Alembic Bass that is obtainable I would own a hundred Alembic's and would have to sleep in my basement ___ LOL !
I surely would ask Alembic to transform that headstock to a traditional crown style if I were to catch it . That perhaps might not even be such a big deal , I would think.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #17 on:** August 18, 2014, 12:38:56 AM »

As nice as it is, it doesn't jump off the page for me. However I'm kind of like you Sonicus, I have a difficult time convincing myself that every used alembic that appeals to me doesn't need to be owned by me. Fortunately....

funds and reality checks prevent that from happening.

flpete1uw · « **Reply #18 on:** August 18, 2014, 04:16:05 AM »

Jazzy and Wolf,
Your statements align with mine making us 3 of a perfect pair!
I can only hope that when a Bass shows up that does resonate with me, Dreams of basements and reality checks are still dancing in your heads! Hee Hee! It's all good guys .
Peace,
Pete

sonicus · « **Reply #19 on:** August 18, 2014, 09:01:09 AM »

Jazzyvee ,Yes ___ thats how it is . Perhaps it is to our benefit to have our internal regulators set on a similar cautionary threshold setting just like an audio limiter for a vocally boisterous radio guest on the air . We will both know when a instrument makes an appearance that turns on the red LED lights past 0 VU . At that time the deliberation mode is activated in our minds .

Pete, No worries friend ___. lately I have been deliberating far too long in my decisions and by the time that I decide to preceded to have my Raven fetch an item , your Raven may already be flying it into your hands .At such a time I will simply nod and smile and speak with words of praise for your nimble and crafty Raven. ___However , my Raven will still be demanding his San Francisco Sour Dough bread retaining fee, but It's worth it just to have him in my corner for various eBay transactions.

(Message edited by sonicus on August 18, 2014)

hammer · « **Reply #20 on:** August 18, 2014, 11:29:01 AM »

What keeps me from bidding on just about everything I see is the house rule (i.e., no more than 3 Alembics at any one time). That means every time I see something I want (as opposed to need) I must think about which of my current stable (Custom Signature in Superior Walnut, SC Standard Signature in Burl Maple; and the latest addition a Quilted Maple Europa 6-string) I would be willing to sell. It took some really long and hard thinking to pull the trigger on the Europa because I knew I needed to sell my Distillate which now has a nice new home in Michigan. My wife refers to this rule as as supporting me with my self-regulation.

sonicus · « **Reply #21 on:** August 18, 2014, 12:46:39 PM »

Just out of curiosity , ___I called Bass Northwest and mentioned that there was a discussion here at our Alembic forum regarding the headstock shape on this bass. The store representative concurred with our thoughts that the Bass quite likely did not leave Alembic when new like that and that it was possible and probable that the headstock had been damaged because the woodwork in the area in mention did not seem to be in par with Alembic craftsmanship ( a bit rough) . However,____ Someone was already checking it out in the store during our conversation and was told that the person playing showed much interest in it . I was asked if I wanted a call from the store if I would like to purchase it if the fellow checking it out did not buy it but I exercised self control and kept the Raven steady and perched, Not in flight and pursuit _______. Who claims this bass will have a swell unique instrument. Alembic Series I ___!!! for just under $3,000__It was a pleasant phone conversation .

flpete1uw · « **Reply #22 on:** August 18, 2014, 01:56:08 PM »

Yeah, 3K for a Series is quite a deal. And as stated that Koa is gorgeous. The question is what could be done to fix that slingshot? There is a lot of wood missing.

Wolf, my Raven is at rest as well on this one. However it's taking a lot of coaxing in keeping him calm.
I have a Series 1 Koa top bass and she's a keeper.
If the stars were aligned slightly different.

Pete

sonicus · « **Reply #23 on:** August 18, 2014, 02:48:13 PM »

Pete , Same here. I am already grateful to have my Series .

Wolf

sonicus · « **Reply #24 on:** August 18, 2014, 03:18:07 PM »

In respect for Alembic it just seems correct to ask if indeed this headstock might have been modified elsewhere then at the Mothership.

If Mica reads this perhaps she will chime in time allowing , so that we are clearly not just making an assumption regarding the headstock. Could it have been a special request from someone that fancied such a design ? Perhaps it has was only slightly damaged at the top inner edges of the headstock Omega __or ? ___ I am Just still wondering .

Wolf

hammer · « **Reply #25 on:** August 19, 2014, 02:49:28 PM »

The bass is gone. The person at Bass Northwest to whom I spoke nevertheless did take the time to discuss it with me an indicated that this headstock was not original. He suggested that one side might have broken off and the owner evened if off by removing the other side.

sonicus · « **Reply #26 on:** August 19, 2014, 04:09:01 PM »

That is similar to what that they told me when I called as per my post # 3570 yesterday . The new owner got an interesting bass .

Enzo · « **Reply #27 on:** August 19, 2014, 05:00:29 PM »

?and a cracking deal!

keith_h · « **Reply #28 on:** August 19, 2014, 06:29:24 PM »

Bada Boom.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #29 on:** August 19, 2014, 10:42:59 PM »

I did wonder what the significance of the photograph in front of the case as it would seem unusual to include an unrelated photo into a sale.
Is it a picture of the Wickershams?