1981 Series 2

[jix]

Hi all.
 
Looking at buying this Series 2 from someone and wondering what you all think (if you can see anything I should be worried about from the photos).
 
The top is Walnut, PF6 Electronics (as you'd expect) and it's a long-scale. There's a bit of buckle-rash on the back but other than that I can't really spot anything myself, but I know if any group of keen-eyed Alembic fans can, it'll be you lot.  
 
Not sure yet whether the seller still has the original case, DS-5, cable & build sheet - have asked the q.
 
Any advice readily welcome!  
 
Thanks very much for any help.
All the best
James
 
 
 

[karl]

Looks an absolute beauty to me. I'm no expert on Series 2s, owning an SC Deluxe, but I can appreciate a beautiful looking bass when I see one! Doesn't appear to my eye to be anything amiss - the hardware all looks original, and the pickups are mounted correctly, for example. Incorrectly mounted pickups would be a typical first sign if something has been tampered with. The intonation looks a little weird (E string saddle way back, G string saddle way forward) but that may well change with a new set of strings or a change in action as you set her up to your preferences - nothing to worry about, I'd say. Cosmetically, along with the (minor) buckle rash, there's a little scuff/gouge maybe an inch long on the front, on the top horn, that you can make out in the first two pictures, but it doesn't seem to be anything major, and I wouldn't let it put me off if you're looking for something to play rather than hang in a museum.
 
All in all, very nice - I'd love one like that myself. Hope your purchase works out!

[jix]

Thanks for that, Karl.
 
Haven't heard anything back from the seller on the questions I asked, but hope he gets back to me as think it could be a good Series 2.
 
Will post what goes on with this one!
 
All the best
James

[otis]

James,  
 
That Series II looks an awful lot like my friend Harold's S2 4 in walnut.  Does it have side or front LED's?  
 
How far is the bass from you?  Is there a chance you could meet up with the seller and test it out through either your rig, his rig, or on neutral ground at a music store?
 
It would be worth the trip, to make sure everything is functioning correctly, get a feel for her, and see what your fingers, heart and soul tell you.
 
I can tell you from experience that every Series II I've ever picked up, I've fallen in love with instantly.  
 
I have a S2 Six String Bass that Shawn C. of the Club was kind enough to sell to me, and it was magic from the first moment I touched it.  
 
Good luck in your quest because that's what it really is- a Series II is The Ultimate Bass, hands down.  You won't be disappointed!
 
Peace;)
 
Frank

[jix]

Hi Frank.
 
Thanks very much for that.
 
I'm not sure on the LED's - although looking at the front pictures it doesn't look like it has front LED's on it, and I thought most/all S2's had side LEDs....don't they?  
 
It doesn't have a separate battery compartment on the back (which could suggest no LED's but I don't think they run off the batteries anyway - only off the DS5), but I'm guessing that was something that came in with later Series basses as the other 70's & early 80's Series basses I've seen haven't had the separate battery compartment on the back either.
 
I haven't heard anything from the seller for a couple of days so will be dropping him another mail on this (hoping it's still for sale!).
 
Will post an update when I hear from him. I agree - an S2 is the ultimate quest for me.
 
Thanks again
James

[sonicus]

This Bass looks to be quite desirable to me . Worth the high speed pursuit of friendly acquisition with immediate payment of funds,depending on how much.
   
    If you want her get her ; but make sure she is of the hands of the rightful owner  first with a serial  number check.

[jix]

That's definitely a good point.
 
I asked for the serial number in my last mail to the seller - hoping that the reason I haven't heard back from him is because it's a scam.  
 
Comms up to that point seemed to be pretty genuine, so I'm keeping my fingers' crossed.  
 
Thanks again for all the advice everyone.
James

[slammin]

Wolf,
 
Could you please tone it down a little?  I'm wanting to be a member here but stuff like:
 
This Bass looks to be quite desirable to me . Worth the high speed pursuit of friendly acquisition with immediate payment of funds,depending on how much.  
 
If you want her get her ; but make sure she is of the hands of the rightful owner first with a serial number check.
 
 
C'mon...  
 
This Bass looks to be quite desirable to me .
 
Then YOU BUY IT!
 
Worth the high speed pursuit of friendly acquisition with immediate payment of funds,depending on how much.
 
Umm, high speed pursuit of friendly acquisition
 
Give me a break, okay?
 
with immediate payment of funds,depending on how much.
 
Duh?
 
Folks, what about us normal folk that just love Alembic?  Do you all think we drink tea with our pinkies extended?
 
Lets get back to real life.
 
No, I am not rich.  But I aint broke either.
 
Let's stop this snobbish crap. It is offending.  Talk REAL.  We are all the same; musicians...

[sonicus]

@ slammin  
 It appears that the  fellow that is interested in the purchase of this instrument found my advice useful !  he thought it was a good point !!!  I don't have my pinky extended when I drink , What are you inferring ?  I let my wife read wife read your post and she just can not see what your complaint is here . I enjoy the English language and enjoy to be creative with it !  so what ?   I do not think that I am better then anyone else either  so what's your problem ? Every one is different and has their own style ; I don't have to like yours and you don't have to like mine and therefore  I think that your personnel attack  against me is counter productive to the harmony of this  board so I will forgive you if you don't do it again.  OK ?

[adriaan]

As your duty moderator, I have to step up and insert a little reminder of - well, you know, the usual stuff that you don't need to be reminded of, most of the time.
 
I suggest that this thread returns to discussing that fabulous Series 2 pictured above - 'tis after all the stuff that dreams are made of.

[sonicus]

adriaan,  I concur ! I was trying to be of service to  jix   to help in his  efforts regarding the  Series II as well.

[slammin]

My most sincerest apologies to you Sir.  I was in fact, out of line.  Was a long day.

[sonicus]

OK ___ apology accepted Sir!  An  e-hand shake has been provided.  I can dig it , we all have those long days from time to time .

[lbpesq]

the stuff that dreams are made of ...  isn't that the Maltese Falcon?  (love Bogey)
 
Bill, tgo

[poor_nigel]

The bass shown is a classic, off the rack, Series II, so chances are quite high it has side LEDs in red.  Series instruments always (Always???) run the LEDs off the power cable, so no extra battery compartments.  Side note - It is strange how ten people can read some thing written by someone, and get ten different meanings out of it.  Back on the interest in the bass, I see nothing out of place with the bass, You do not see these come up very often, so if you want this bass, pursuit should be taken seriously, but make sure to cover yourself on the money end.  It is a shame you cannot make out the serial number in the top picture.  Is it 1718, 1748?  It is shown in two pix.  You have the original pictures posted, so maybe you can lighten them or darken them and make it out at the end of the fretboard.  Then you can run a serial number check against stolen instruments, but if you wait to get a build look-up done on it, the instrument would most likely already be sold by the time the results are posted.