Author Topic: Vintage 1976 Alembic Series 1 Bass (Read 509 times)

jazzyvee · « **on:** January 18, 2011, 01:39:05 PM »

rjmsteel · « **Reply #1 on:** January 18, 2011, 03:21:01 PM »

I played this bass and, at the time, they said one of the pickups wasn\t working. I did not put it through an amp.

I suggested they contact the mothership since it was not real clear to me that the guy I spoke to really understood the electronics... I could be wrong.

mike1762 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 18, 2011, 03:56:39 PM »

I suspect a PUP wasn't working thru the 1/4 out... as would be expected since the jack is stereo. That's a nasty fracture thru the neck.

rjmsteel · « **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2011, 05:09:36 PM »

There was no mention of the power supply on premises at the sellers location, nor is it even identified (in any photo or text) in the ebay ad. They said the bass was a trade in or something to that effect, and I suspect they paid out handsomely to the previous owner from the comments the shop made. I am curious as to what kind of return they are thinking to get out of it.

Mike: Agreed on the neck repair job: nasty!

Definitely could have been done right in Santa Rosa.

-Rich

pauldo · « **Reply #4 on:** January 18, 2011, 08:17:02 PM »

holy weirdness!
I knew a guy that was selling his 70's something Alembic in Milwaukee at Walker Music, the bass had fallen off a stand and off the stage and the headstock had to be repaired. This was early 80's.
I never looked at the repair job (concur that this one looks like crap) but I recall the guy telling me that it WAS repaired by Alembic. Could this be the same bass? Did it fall and re-open the wound (it is in the same location)and then was repaired by someone less skilled?

Weird Weird Weird

I'm going to bed.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #5 on:** January 18, 2011, 11:32:38 PM »

I have noticed a not insignificant number of series basses that have broken in the same area as this one in recent years, here and on ebay. It does raise the question as to whether that type of neck headstock joint is strong/durable enough for this design bass. Maybe it is worth the craftsmen & designers at Alembic taking some time out to review, restructure, redesign this area of the bass to make it more durable.

I understand that the type of joint makes repairs easier so at least that's a good thing in one sense. That said, it's the only style of neck joint that I've seen with problems.

Of course it could also be that some musicians just don't take enough care to ensure their instruments are safe,
Just my open thoughts.
Jazzyvee

glocke · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2011, 02:56:19 AM »

Of course it could also be that some musicians just don't take enough care to ensure their instruments are safe

Just my 2 cents, but I think it is this more than anything, but accidents happen, but Ive seen this happen to non-alembic instruments that use the same or similar neck joint. Thats why I seldom use music stds. Unless my bass is getting played it resides in its case, even at gigs.

mike1762 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 19, 2011, 03:49:44 AM »

Just my opinion, but I think Alembic necks are stiffer than most necks (owing to the multi-laminate design). As such, when they are stressed they don't flex... they snap!!!

rjmsteel · « **Reply #8 on:** January 19, 2011, 06:09:35 AM »

As well know the original point design kept players away from leaning their instruments against an amp or some other resting device.

With that said, and even though any of the body shapes I own are either offset or flat at the bottom, I still bring my case with me, on stage, and place \er in the case between sets or otherwise. I simply don\t trust myself, or others: even in a controlled environment. Of course this practice becomes more challenging when using two Alembic basses on the same stage, when required.

As far as the above Series bass, I\d consider bringing my power supply down to the city, Lincoln Park, to see if one could coax both PUP\s working, but that fracture is just to awful to deal with IMHO.

edwin · « **Reply #9 on:** January 19, 2011, 03:01:26 PM »

It's not the only instrument that is famous for breaking right at the headstock joint. 60s Gibsons also have this problem, which they attempted to mitigate with a volute. There are a ton of vintage Gibsons out there with headstock repairs. The Alembic way of doing things at least makes it so that the repair is easily done without the ugliness I've seen on SGs, etc.

hankster · « **Reply #10 on:** January 20, 2011, 06:40:06 PM »

My Gib Les Paul bass ('69) took a fall backstage at a concert in Victoria in 1978 or so - headstock didn't snap off, but split right through the A and E tuning peg holes. Borrowed a bass from Oak Bay music (thanks, John) for the show, and got a beautiful repair done - but it remains to this day a rare Gibson dotless i Les Paul bass. It was in the case when the tragedy happened - but the case closures weren't closed. Learned my lesson!

Rick

crobbins · « **Reply #11 on:** January 20, 2011, 07:39:52 PM »

I saw my friends Les Paul take a fall at a gig in Santa Barbara years ago, and the headstock broke right off. Wow! He got it fixed, and still plays great...

tjglow · « **Reply #12 on:** January 22, 2011, 10:12:58 AM »

The only stand I trust.
K&M 17540.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #13 on:** January 23, 2011, 10:29:03 AM »

I have a couple of those stands which are great as long as the base of the bass/guitar is pretty symetrical. I find that my basses with offset bases they don't sit very confidently upright in a stand like that so in the main, on gigs, my instruments stay in their hard cases until I'm ready to play them. Another thing to remember is, if they are on the stand, remove the cord...!!!

Jazzyvee

crobbins · « **Reply #14 on:** January 24, 2011, 05:34:07 PM »

Amen.