Author Topic: Original '70's ALEMBIC BASS pickup set (Read 201 times)

readyeddy · « **on:** May 18, 2007, 01:50:22 AM »

Have you seen this???
http://cgi.ebay.com/original-70s-ALEMBIC-BASS-pickup-set_W0QQitemZ140118978870QQihZ004QQcategoryZ118994QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I have what seems an old alembiziced Guild Starfire bass that was modified with J/P Alembic pickups (probably from the 80's), and I am considering this listing...
Any comments/suggestions

readyeddy · « **Reply #1 on:** May 18, 2007, 01:59:48 AM »

Sorry for the poor pic.

tbrannon · « **Reply #2 on:** May 18, 2007, 02:17:27 AM »

The link in the first post points to a different auction- the one with the pickups that might be ibanez instead of alembic.

The bass is certainly Alembic laden. Looks like tailpiece, bridge and an assortment of pickups have been added. Looks like they inlayed a couple of fretboard ovals and perhaps an alembic logo.. certainly different, but personally not my cup of tea. I'll be interested to see what some of the other guys have to say-

What are they asking for it? I can't find it anywhere on eBay.

FC Bass · « **Reply #3 on:** May 18, 2007, 02:20:54 AM »

I think readyeddy wants to put those pickups in his Guild.;-)

lbpesq · « **Reply #4 on:** May 18, 2007, 07:00:00 AM »

The pickups in question are not Alembic. Look closely and you'll notice they have but 3 mounting holes, just like an Ibanez musician's pickups. ALembic pickups have 4 mounting holes as this is integral to their mounting system. I've never seen Alembic pickups with only 3 holes.

Bill, tgo

jack · « **Reply #5 on:** May 18, 2007, 09:15:06 AM »

Love that little logo on the pup selector (is that a pup selector?).

readyeddy · « **Reply #6 on:** May 18, 2007, 02:01:28 PM »

The link to the listing was correct but the seller ended auction early (either he sold them or there was indeed an error in the description, so most likely Ibpesq was right and these were not Alembic Pups).
Yes, I did wanted them for my Guild...
tbrannon's observations on the bass are correct. The starting bid was $225.
It is not a pup selector Jack, just the logo plate.
I intend to restore this bass if possible and will certainly need all the help and advise I can get at this Forum (Mica included). Guess that deserves it's own different thread...

readyeddy · « **Reply #7 on:** May 18, 2007, 02:02:59 PM »

The link to the listing was correct but the seller ended auction early (either he sold them or there was indeed an error in the description, so most likely Ibpesq was right and these were not Alembic Pups).
Yes, I did want them for my Guild...
tbrannon's observations on the bass are correct. The starting bid was $225.
It is not a pup selector Jack, just the logo plate.
I intend to restore this bass if possible and will certainly need all the help and advise I can get at this Forum (Mica included). Guess that deserves it's own different thread...

tbrannon · « **Reply #8 on:** May 18, 2007, 02:14:15 PM »

Sorry- I misread your original post. The Guild belongs to you?

I thought the Guild was up for auction and that you had accidently given the URL of another auction. Looks as though they were probably Ibanez pickups instead of Alembic.

Good luck with the project- I'll be interested in the progress.

(Message edited by tbrannon on May 18, 2007)

readyeddy · « **Reply #9 on:** May 18, 2007, 06:25:02 PM »

My mistake for not being clear :-)
The Guild is mine.
I am not sure if originally Alembic had anything to do or not with this bass. But I'm pretty sure a previous owner did a mediocre job (probably during the 80's) installing the tailpiece/bridge and Alembic Pups and electronics.
The bass plays and sounds great however. I've had it for 4 years or so and have not yet found the time and $ for this project.
First thing I desperately need is Mica's help to evaluate if there's anything originally Alembic in the bass at all (that's worth keeping the way it is), and proceed accordingly with a restoration plan with the help and guidance from knowledgeable members (like you!!!) on the Forum

I'll start that restoration thread as soon as I feel ready to devote the time, effort and cash for such project.
Thanks for your help.

the_mule · « **Reply #10 on:** May 18, 2007, 11:59:15 PM »

Beside the inlays on the body I wouldn't call this a mediocre job. Seems like the pickups were neatly installed. I prefer the look of other (older) pickups next to the obligatory forest of knobs, but I think this is a pretty good modern take on the Alembicised Starfires of the early seventies. What do all the controls do, any filters or just volume/pan and bass/treble?

Very interesting to see this project take shape and evolve. Please keep us posted!

Wilfred