Yep, this was my bass, and I hope to get it back, but 4 grand seems pretty steep. I'm working on it. Traded it for an upright about twelve years ago or so. The asking price for the upright was around 1,200...and I had to add some cash as well. So I lost money then...but I traded it with Nashville Used Music, and I know they are in business to make money. I bought it many years earlier from Guitar Ressurrection, a wonderful shop in Austin. First of all, the inlays are abalone, not pearl. Second of all, the inlays are probably just showing signs of wear after 36 years. If they were ground down when someone sanded the board...it was after I sold it. The jumbo frets had some flat spots when I had it, but it still played fine. I can't imagine the board needing sanding after all these years. Pretty hard and stabilized ebony. If it had a fret job, wouldn't most folks just replace the frets? And yes, I sent it in for some rehab...electronics needed work...just screamed a high pitch tone every now and then. Anyone else experience that with an Alembic? And yes, Ron did it. It was few years before I sold it. So at least fifteen years ago. The way Elderly describes it...silent electronics...are they just saying there is no noise? It almost sounds like he installed some custom electronics, but all he did was rebuild/repair what was needed. Elderly is probably passing on what the previous owner told them, who got it from Nashville Used Music, who got it from me. So there is a little lost in the translation. Other things that are not being disclosed...I would not call it excellent, I would call it good or very good. I had to use a dowel and wood glue to repair the strap locks, and it is noticeable...there is kind of a hole that has been filled next to the strap lock on the horn. You can sort of see this, if you know what to look for. And finally, the bass was dropped once, straight back, hit its head. Head/neck did not break, but the laminate split. I think I asked them to repair it as best they could when I sent it in for the electronics. It would still be a little noticeable, but not bad. Can not see it in the pictures. I also remember the points of the omega cut out being damaged some, from being set on the floor.
This is tough for me, I have really wanted it back, I gave it up not only to get the upright, but 1. It is very heavy , shoulder hurts after a while. 2. It is very head heavy, so if you don't hold the neck, it wants to drop. 3. I was tired of tuning down when I needed a five string, so I have been playing a five string for all of these years. But...it is an Alembic. And nothing sounds like an alembic. My main bass, believe it or not after owning an Alembic, is a Carvin. The Carvin is light!!! and is does have a very nice sound. But not the harmonics and overtones of the Alembic. Slapping it does not compare at all. There is a reason Stanley played Alembics. You can add compression...you can play through solid state...but you can not replicate the sound of the Alembic. Although I have thought about getting the Alembic pre amp and playing through it. But it would not have the feel of the Alembic, jumbo frets. Sounds like I am trying to talk myself into it. Of, course, I can say I am buying it to pass on to my son! And Mica...thanks so much for developing and keeping up this forum. Never would have found it without it. I'll update with a post about the reunion! Now...Anyone seen the blond on blond 71 Strat I traded for a 62 P bass back in the early 80's?!?! Thanks.
