The values of a vintage make...

[cozmik_cowboy]

serialnumber12 - a few queries if I may:
 
So I know how to address you, is the name Barnes Ray or Ray Barnes? (I know what your profile says, but the other way would be more common, and I wouldn't want use the wrong name)
 
Is that gorgeous scroll-cut yours?
 
Is it #12?  Because if it is, we seem to have 2 #12s around.
 
Peter

[hendixclarke]

Yeah, that was my point too. I am totally confused...
 
It was my understanding that Keavin own #12.
 
Barnes name-tage is Serialnumber12... Then shows a vintage bass that is different from Keavin's bass. I am not sure what is what anymore.
 
Who can solve this mystery?  
 
I say, let's have fun cracking this caper

[chrisalembic]

its the same man, just two different profiles ;-)

[hydrargyrum]

Keavin goes by a pseudonym?  I didn't realize there was a need for cloak and dagger tactics on the Alembic forum .

[terryc]

okay I have asked this before on another thread, can someone explain why the wedge shaped pick ups???
Is it just a design additive or have they a functional electronic purpose??
Amyone???

[lbpesq]

I'm guessing (educatedly, I hope) that the wider side of the pickup is for the wider waves that the lower strings create.  
 
And if I won the lottery, I'd buy both Alembics 1-10 and new customs.  I mean, if you're going to win a lottery you might as well win a really big one!
 
Bill, tgo

[hankster]

I think Jimmy is right - a major factor is whether there has been a major detrimental change in the manufacturing process (ie the CBS syndrome).  I love my newer Alembic as much as the older ones I have played, but the post-ErnieBall musicman basses can't compare favourably to the pre-EB models.  Etc. etc. etc.  I also think that the differences time makes are likely more pronounced on acoustic instruments with more fragile thinner slabs of wood doing the lion's share of vibrating.  But this is an interesting thread no matter what the reality is.
 
Rick

[wideload]

All I know is, I'm looking forward to the day I have played all the bad notes out of my bass, leaving only a lifetime of good ones!
 
Larry

[terryc]

Bad notes in an Alembic???  I think not, my guess that installed all good ones when they were built at the mothership and left the bad ones out.

[terryc]

Bad notes in an Alembic!!!!
I think they installed all the good ones when they built them at the mothership and left all the bad ones out

[dela217]

I think Bill is right.  From what I've heard, the thought of the trapezoidal pickups was so the wider side of the pickup could produce the lower frequencies.  Bartolini and Stars Guitars also made traps although they were encased in a rectangular pickup.  Just the aperture was trapezoidal shaped not the housing.  I think the Alembic traps look really cool.  
 
Here's my Alembic from 1972.  I've had this one for 27 years.  It seems to get better every time I use it.
 

[sonicus]

Hello, terryc. You asked about the wedge shaped pick ups'. Those in fact  are known as trapezoidal. I once had a Bass that had a beautiful pair of  clear amber trapezoidal pick ups.I believe the shape is part of the  intended design in regards to the frequency response characteristics from the low to higher pitches of the strings E/A/D/G,  Ron  or Mica will probably give you a better answer. This  is a pic of my old bass that I sold around 1978.
 
(Message edited by sonicus on May 22, 2009)
 
(Message edited by sonicus on May 22, 2009)
 
(Message edited by sonicus on May 25, 2009)

[pauldo]

Michael - That is one SWEET lookin' bass.

[terryc]

these old basses look really funky!, very retro indeedy you lucky owners!

[serialnumber12]

lets remember alembic IS the 'blueprint' of today custom electric guitars