Author Topic: Series1 Short and Fretless (Read 442 times)

hieronymous · « **Reply #15 on:** March 11, 2009, 12:26:37 PM »

I've been hoping for a short scale fretless, a Series I would be so awesome, but I don't think I can afford this one. I still hope this one stays fretless - those short fret markers are great!

altgrendel · « **Reply #16 on:** March 12, 2009, 04:57:00 AM »

I seriously think you'd be better off waiting and getting a fretted one. Once you get all the costs of purchase, repair, and the new fretboard out of the way, including the cost of a new power supply, you'd probably be close to a new one anyway (depending on the dealer, of course).

(Message edited by AltGrendel on March 12, 2009)

bsee · « **Reply #17 on:** March 12, 2009, 07:41:10 AM »

No way would it approach the price of a new one. A new Series I is at least $10K at the most aggressive dealer discount levels. $500-600 will usually get you a power supply and cable, less if you find a good used deal or construct it yourself. That leaves an awful lot of budget for repairs or tweaking the bass itself before you get to the cost of new.

One definite with Alembic instruments, though, is that there are a lot of unique pieces out there. The top on this one is a bit unusual and I can't say I've seen another like it. If you love it, this is the only one. Alembic might find you another piece of wood that is close, maybe better, maybe worse, but this one is unique. For some artists, that's enough to go after it, even if it's a bit more overall cost than a typical instrument of the same type.

-bob

toddharris · « **Reply #18 on:** March 12, 2009, 10:03:10 AM »

I had the good pleasure to play this bass at the same time I played (and ultimately purchased) the '74 fretted series one that Harry previously listed. It plays great, the fret markers (not original) are wonderful. Todd

hieronymous · « **Reply #19 on:** March 12, 2009, 10:45:05 AM »

Thanks for the comments Todd - I'm starting to think that I might go for this one - been fantasizing about a short scale small body fretless for a while...

Oh, and nice score on the '74!!!

toddharris · « **Reply #20 on:** March 12, 2009, 11:12:06 AM »

Harry is Great! Best thing aboout the '74 I bought was I got a new cord (5 pin), blue series I case and a silver colored original (I'm pretty certain) Alembic power pack. Anyone know when and if Alembic made the power packs with the metal casing (silver) and when they moved to the more familiar DS-R5? Todd

hieronymous · « **Reply #21 on:** March 12, 2009, 03:53:20 PM »

I have a '75 and it has the blue box.

georgie_boy · « **Reply #22 on:** March 13, 2009, 12:17:57 PM »

I have a 76, and still with the Blue box.

David Houck · « **Reply #23 on:** March 13, 2009, 02:31:37 PM »

Has anyone noticed the really nice top?

I don't know what to think of those fret markers. Bob noticed that the side position markers are in the fretted positions; and he guessed that they were there because of the size of the fret markers. However, Todd reports that the fret markers are not original, and I don't recall seeing any like these before. So, if the fret markers aren't original, then the side position markers are in the fretted positions for some other reason. In fact, the more I look at it, I'm thinking the side position markers may not be original either.

The back looks very nice too, as do the headstock laminates. And yes, the headstock joint does look to be a concern.

toddharris · « **Reply #24 on:** March 13, 2009, 03:38:53 PM »

My remark above, that the fret markers on the fretboard (not the side markers) are not original and were added later, was based solely on my recollection of what Harry said to me when I had the instrument in hand when I was at his place. I will say that the lines were about perfect in terms of intonation when when I played the bass - I flew all over without issues of tonality. Todd

kungfusheriff · « **Reply #25 on:** March 13, 2009, 07:28:46 PM »

Harry told me that he believes the bass was originally fretted.

bsee · « **Reply #26 on:** March 13, 2009, 11:16:42 PM »

That makes sense if Alembic didn't put in the partial markers and the side dots are in the fretted bass locations. I suppose it could have been custom ordered with those side markers, or Alembic may have done it that way in the past before evolving to the current model.

hieronymous · « **Reply #27 on:** March 19, 2009, 04:01:11 PM »

Wondering if someone here got this? I decided to pass when I found out it wasn't originally fretless (or at least that was part of my rationalization not to spend money I shouldn't be spending), went for an early '70s Guild fretless instead for about a third the price.

I happened to catch the auction for this one right at the end - it was fun to watch the bidding war in the last few seconds! Price go pushed up to close to $3000!