Author Topic: Series1 Short and Fretless (Read 443 times)

hg30904 · « **on:** March 10, 2009, 11:51:16 AM »

Another one coming out of the closet of Harrybass. Why are so many coming up lately without the power supply or cable? Was there a big selloff of these parts?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ALEMBIC-series1-short-scale-fretless-bass_W0QQitemZ190292540114QQ

pas · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2009, 01:52:44 PM »

Look at the headstock, specifically the joint. Not good, IMHO.

jack · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2009, 02:20:17 PM »

...but the top is gorgeous.

bsee · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2009, 07:51:20 PM »

Yeah, that headstock looked a little tweaked. Even if it blows up, though, Alembic can repair it. This bass could go at a relative bargain price because of the drop, and someone can end up with a decent deal on a rare and very playable instrument. Admittedly, with no power supply/cable and the damage, the good deal price is probably not too much higher than the starting bid, but there may not be much interest either.

-bob

lbpesq · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2009, 09:15:40 PM »

... and the top IS gorgeous!

Bill, tgo

hieronymous · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2009, 11:18:21 PM »

Is Harrybass related to the old Bunny Bass site by any chance? The photos look like that style. I miss that site.

Anyway, interesting bass - tempting depending on how much it goes for...

(Message edited by hieronymous on March 10, 2009)

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 11, 2009, 05:46:41 AM »

(Internal dialogue)
self-control, self-control
now is not the time to buy a fourth Alembic

There will be another

Mike

artswork99 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 11, 2009, 06:04:26 AM »

I had purchased a guitar from Harry about 3 years ago (now with member staemius) and he had mentioned to me that he was part of the origins of Bunny Bass. I too miss the site.

kungfusheriff · « **Reply #8 on:** March 11, 2009, 06:21:57 AM »

That is the same Harry from Bunnybass. I spoke with him early on during the auction for the refinished '74 he sold last week. Nice chap.
I would not, however, pay $2500 for that bass.

olieoliver · « **Reply #9 on:** March 11, 2009, 06:31:59 AM »

The split in the maple is what would concern me the most.

OO(uch)

hieronymous · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2009, 09:56:50 AM »

Thanks guys! My temptation has been assuaged...

gtrguy · « **Reply #11 on:** March 11, 2009, 10:03:07 AM »

Looks like it's neck has been tweaked. However, the mothership can repair cracks for around $150 and glue is often stronger than the wood around it after a good repair. In terms of playability it might be fine.

Dave

hg30904 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 11, 2009, 11:41:11 AM »

Any idea how much the mothership charges to transform a fretless to a fretted?

bsee · « **Reply #13 on:** March 11, 2009, 12:12:51 PM »

The transformation is generally frowned upon, but this might be an exception. It looks like the partial fret line markers allowed/forced them to put the side dots in the fretted position, between fret locations, rather than the typical fretless position of at the spot where the fret should be. One question would be if the inlay slices are wider than a fret slot by enough to be a problem. The whole fretboard could be pulled and replaced, but you're going to have to make direct contact to see what the alternatives and prices would be.

One advantage is the neck can be repaired and refinished as part of the process and that will ensure you get a 100% functional instrument when it gets back to you. I do suspect that you're going to end up with a pretty expensive bass if you go this way. No bargain at all, but maybe worth it if you love the wood enough.

-bob

effclef · « **Reply #14 on:** March 11, 2009, 12:18:06 PM »

Bob - I think if you search the archives the price used to be $700, and that involved tearing the whole ebony board off to do it, because they refused to fret a board while in place. And yeah, repairing the headstock correctly at the same time would be worth doing. Probably