Author Topic: Series I Long Scale (Read 539 times)

hammer · « **on:** June 22, 2012, 09:07:18 AM »

Interesting 1979 Series 1 long scale just appeared on EBay with reasonable starting price ($2,000) and what the seller claims is a reasonable reserve. Too big for me and not my style (especially the large sticker that was applied to the front), but someone might get lucky here and get a nice instrument for a reasonable price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alembic-Series-1-long-scale-4-string-bass-/320931399460?pt=Guitar&hash=item4ab9008724#ht_500wt_1353

sjhoffma · « **Reply #1 on:** June 22, 2012, 12:30:11 PM »

1975*

I think its very pretty! I would be afraid to touch the sticker though, who knows how long its been on there. Forget about residue and gunk, I bet the finish underneath has faded at a different pace. Oh well, its all part of the history of the bass as far as im concerned.

yogalembic · « **Reply #2 on:** June 22, 2012, 01:12:34 PM »

Although my interest lies in shorter scales, I think that sticker is fairly badass!

Throw some black pup covers an it (to match the knobs and the black part of the sticker) and, BAM!

sjhoffma · « **Reply #3 on:** June 22, 2012, 05:19:36 PM »

aww see I love the brown pickup covers from the early series instruments. To me thats what makes the bass! To each his own I suppose I wonder what the reserve price is, I'd honestly consider bidding if I could get it for somewhere between 2500 and 2750, but then again anyone who even bothers to quote the $14,000 price tag of a new Series I is obviously looking to get as much out of it as possible.

yogalembic · « **Reply #4 on:** June 22, 2012, 06:25:52 PM »

Well, if it didn't have the stickers, then I'd definately dig the brown pup covers. It is a good look.

I wish you the best on your quest! $14,000 aside, I wonder if he has looked into the actual market. There is a gorgeous Series I long listed here for, I believe $4250, and it's been here for awhile.
I negotiated him down, but after playing my Dis @ 32, the long scale will be too much for me. In fact, when I was looking for a Series I long, I was duly warned by a member here that, although I love my 35 Lakland, the 34 Series feels much longer.
About a year ago, I botched my left shoulder while doing something stupid in regard to yard work. So, I can occasionally develope pain there when reaching to the side and up (like when playing). So, if and when I do go for a Series, she'll be a Med. Anyway, I ramble.....

So, best wishes if you decide to go for it...

yogalembic · « **Reply #5 on:** June 22, 2012, 06:25:58 PM »

Well, if it didn't have the stickers, then I'd definately dig the brown pup covers. It is a good look.

I wish you the best on your quest! $14,000 aside, I wonder if he has looked into the actual market. There is a gorgeous Series I long listed here for, I believe $4250, and it's been here for awhile.
I negotiated him down, but after playing my Dis @ 32, the long scale will be too much for me. In fact, when I was looking for a Series I long, I was duly warned by a member here that, although I love my 35 Lakland, the 34 Series feels much longer.
About a year ago, I botched my left shoulder while doing something stupid in regard to yard work. So, I can occasionally develope pain there when reaching to the side and up (like when playing). So, if and when I do go for a Series, she'll be a Med. Anyway, I ramble.....

So, best wishes if you decide to go for it...

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** June 23, 2012, 09:00:14 AM »

If it were me (and it's not, I'm selling, not buying), and if the price was right, I think I would send it to Santa Rosa and at the very least have the sticker removed, the rough spots smoothed over, full refinish, and the truss rod cover replaced. I think I would also consider having the brass polished and replated. And as long as it's there, if needed, the electronics upgrade. And I'm wondering if the bridge was at some point repositioned, perhaps to help with intonation; so maybe having them look at that as well. I say all that only because it's a very nice example of the early style pickups, and the top certainly looks very nice. Restored, it would be a beautiful example of an early Alembic. But that's just me talking off the top of my head.

sonicus · « **Reply #7 on:** June 23, 2012, 09:06:03 AM »

HI Dave,
I agree 100% with your above post 10767. I was thinking the same thing .

Wolf

pace · « **Reply #8 on:** June 23, 2012, 10:52:46 AM »

My guitar is two numbers after this bass, and having done the whole refinish/electronics deal, I think this bass has TONS of potential if the sale price lands in even the mid threes. Truss rod covers didn't appear in Alembic builds until a couple of years after this guy was made, so perhaps routing a recess for a new one, along with a bridge block would be a good idea....

hammer · « **Reply #9 on:** June 24, 2012, 08:45:57 AM »

So how much does it cost for a refinish and electronics upgrade on a 70s Series I instrument? This one is obviously too big for me, but I've often wondered and not pulled the trigger on other possible deals that would need refurbishing because of a fear that with the cost of a refinish and upgrade I would be in the same situation as purchasing a new instrument and losing big dollars if I ever sold it.

pswanson · « **Reply #10 on:** June 24, 2012, 12:51:38 PM »

I had a 1981 series 1 refinished with the electronics upgrade two years ago and it costs me about $4,000. As part of the deal I also had the electronics upgraded to series 2, except for the LED's. The series 1 instruments are already series 2 upgradable, by adding a master volume and replacing the filter switches with variable pots. The electronics upgrade comes with new pickups however, so I do not know if they would preserve the brown pickups. I would suspect you would face a similar cost, even if you did not do the series 1 to 2 electronics upgrade, as the brass hardware needs some work.

hammer · « **Reply #11 on:** June 24, 2012, 05:08:20 PM »

Pete:

Thanks for the info. I'm not necessarily interested in this bass because it's a long-scale and the biggest I can handle is a medium. I have seen a good number of what appear to be potential good buys that would need restoration out there but never pulled the trigger because of a fear that I'd end up paying more than the bass was really worth. On the other hand, I'm seriously contemplating a build and after seeing the price for my dream bass that included an increase over what I expected of $1,000 just for the front and back laminates, doing a restoration on the right bass seems like it make a lot of sense.

pace · « **Reply #12 on:** June 24, 2012, 07:43:59 PM »

From first hand knowledge, a refinish and upgrade along with a moderate sales price comes in at less than half of what a new build would cost. Yet, with that said, I haven't seen someone go though the process and flip a bass for a profit.... It's only something to consider if you stumble across a vintage Alembic that you consider to be your soul-mate.

Stickers aside, this is a REALLY cool bass.....

pswanson · « **Reply #13 on:** June 26, 2012, 07:02:19 PM »

I decided to do it because I am left handed and finding any left hand series basses is next to impossible. I purchased this bass in 2006 for $3200 and spent $4k on the refinish/upgrade. I am happy knowing I will probably not break even, but to have this bass built now is $27,000!

hammer · « **Reply #14 on:** June 27, 2012, 01:04:45 PM »

That's a gorgeous bass that you have and the inlay is beautiful. For a total of $7,200 (2006 style) that would be a bargain. Unfortunately, it appears that just about a rare as left-handed Series basses are medium scale ones. All of the one's I've looked at over the last 2-years have been long scale. I actually saw a 1980 medium scale Series II earlier today at gBase (http://www.gbase.com/gear/alembic-series-ii-1980#) but when I contacted Guitars Unlimited to ask about it, they indicated that it's going for $7,500. Although it appears to be in quite good condition, that's still a lot of money and wouldn't give me much room for a refurbish if needed.