Author Topic: Early Alembic on Ebay (Read 654 times)

57basstra · « **Reply #15 on:** August 09, 2006, 10:32:39 AM »

Hey, Keavin. I did not mean to earlier call you by your last name. Anyway, your bass is simply magnificent. Your bass, and the other early ones, are indeed where the Alembic legend began. .. This one on ebay now seems to have seen some action, and still appears to have lots of firepower left.

kungfusheriff · « **Reply #16 on:** August 09, 2006, 10:35:37 AM »

Nice! I'd be willing to bet the facings came from the same tree as my koa '82 -- the grain is almost identical from what I can see.
sarcicus, what's the store asking for the bass?

David Houck · « **Reply #17 on:** August 09, 2006, 01:42:07 PM »

Guessing at the issues Jim mentioned.

I'm wondering how much of an issue the missing tuning machine is. As I recall, there are no direct replacements for the older Schaller tuners; but this is a newer style, so I'm wondering how easy it is to get a direct replacement and what it would cost. It looks like the thing that's on there now is using the same mounting screw hole, but I'm wondering if they had to do anything to the the shaft hole; hopefully not.

My guess is that the bass will balance better when the strap button is moved back to its original position. That's going to leave a hole in the upper horn.

The neck pickup looks worn, but that may be glare.

The finish may be worn; hard to tell from the pics. I also think the top is Koa. Back may be Walnut.

I wouldn't take the seller's word on the scale length, as he was pretty far off on the year. Someone should ask him to measure from the nut to the 12th fret.

dela217 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 09, 2006, 02:40:15 PM »

I would move the strap button to it's original position. That hole on the upper horn would be a BIG issue for me. I hate when that happens. I also don't care for when folks move the pickup selector. But that's just me! It does look like a good one indeed. If there is no serial number, perhaps the fingerboard has been changed? Maybe there is a stamping in the control cavity?

David Houck · « **Reply #19 on:** August 09, 2006, 02:49:30 PM »

He updated his listing after someone pointed out where the serial number could be found; but what he has posted doesn't make much sense.

David Houck · « **Reply #20 on:** August 09, 2006, 03:00:04 PM »

I'm guessing the serial number might be 84 30xx.

FC Bass · « **Reply #21 on:** August 09, 2006, 11:22:59 PM »

I've emailed him again, trying to explain how the serial numbers work and what it should look like...
My 87 Spoiler has been refretted at least 2 times (by previous owners) the Serial number can't be seen anymore... If you hold the bass in a certain angle, with the right light you can see a vague 87 and maybe a 4. I've emailed the mothership with very detailed pictures and Mica was hopefull in retrieving the serial number. If I get the number I will have it stamped in the fretboard again. Mica agreed that this bass is very likely made in '87 based on pictures of the electronics.

FC Bass · « **Reply #22 on:** August 11, 2006, 06:09:11 PM »

Btw Dave: sorry I forgot to mention: Last time I checked the Schallers were $15;- My former Spoiler (83S2433) had a 'wrong side' Schaller installed for the D string (so it was upside down)
That's why I checked. It was in January, so I guess it's a fairly accurate price for today.

Edit, edit, edit...
Major update, last time I checked: August 2006:
Schaller M4 Sealed Bass Key Enclosed, Bass Side, Chrome, 12:1
Retail Price: $32.00
Found it on: allparts.com

(Message edited by fc_spoiler on August 11, 2006)

David Houck · « **Reply #23 on:** August 11, 2006, 07:56:43 PM »

Thanks FC!

sarsicus · « **Reply #24 on:** August 12, 2006, 09:05:26 AM »

Sorry to spook everyone-I think the seller, Tommy's Guitars, has been pretty honest with their pics and descriptions. Originally they were asking around $1200 for it until they found out what it was. I think they have it priced around $2200? I'm not sure. I tend to shy away from vintage stuff with extra holes and missing parts which was why I stated I was concerned about the issues. I think it could use a really good setup and set of strings as well. I just hate to see extra holes in a handmade instrument-if you really think that the way the bass hangs off your shoulder affects your performance enough to drill holes in it than maybe you should practice more. My 2 cents. For what it's worth it looks more like a koa top and headstock veneer than schedua up close, but I could be wrong. These guys are good guys, I would buy with confidence-one of the cooler stores in Chicago because they're not loaded with new Fenders and Gibsons, plus they got good eats.

(Message edited by sarsicus on August 12, 2006)

claudio · « **Reply #25 on:** August 12, 2006, 10:41:31 AM »

Dave....
I asked about the measure from nut to the 12th and about the tuner replaced, because if you pay close attention to the pic, you can notice a little mark that is cover below the installed tuner. Here the answer:
aprox 15.5 inches I took the tunner almost all the way off it dont look like the hole was made larger. . it has a small mark on back where tuner was replaced not bad at all. Thanks TOM

lothartu · « **Reply #26 on:** August 12, 2006, 02:23:48 PM »

I would've loved to have bumped into this at the $1200 price.

-Jim

FC Bass · « **Reply #27 on:** August 12, 2006, 03:23:10 PM »

I would have taken some time to decide.... about 0,7 seconds

(stole this joke from an Android)

David Houck · « **Reply #28 on:** August 13, 2006, 05:26:36 PM »

Thanks Claudio! Aprox 15.5 suggests that this bass is probably a short scale 30.75 and not a medium scale 32.

claudio · « **Reply #29 on:** August 17, 2006, 12:20:52 AM »

OK Guys....
Now I will need your assistance!!!
I won the Series 1, so now i need to ask you technical specifications on the Schaller tuner needed!!!
Considering that it is an 84, which one i need to buy to match the existing ones?
Thanks in advance!!!
Claudio