Author Topic: 1974 Series I Short Scale for sale (Read 750 times)

toddharris · « **on:** April 25, 2011, 06:20:08 PM »

Time has come to part with my prized green pickup'd early Alembic Series I short scale. So many things to tell. First, a mint 1960 concentric knob Fender Jazz bass and a near mint 59 P anodized guard have my full attention and I can't keep everything. I won this bass on eBay in 2009 for $3700 from Harry of Bunny Bass. He had kept it as the finest one he'd ever handled. Super lightweight, resonant, perfect straight neck and gorgeous flamed top and back. The veneer on the front of the headstock appears to be flamed mahogany ? not certain but certainly stunning! When he got it the finish had peeled off and he had had it refinished, losing the serial number in the process - he remembers it as 74- 143, but Mica said that didn't match the build records for this particular construction- she did say she'd found a few others that it could be, but there is no trace of the serial number - all characteristics (scalloped brass nut) shape of tailpiece and pickups match 1974 sub 150 models. The finish that was on it when I got it was bubbling up and I recently sent it to Pat Wilkins for a refinish which is perfect and gorgeous. I also bought and will include a 25' cable for $175 and the bass comes with an early silver (not blue) box DS-5 with bass and treble out - it does not sum the two pickups if you only go with one output. The bass also comes with an early blue form fitting hard case which is in rough shape (torn cloth and one latch missing) I paid $3800 for the bass, $175 for the cable and $700 to refinish. It is like a new series I from 1974 - will take $4300 shipped from a club member - this is stunning early series I. Again, it is a featherweight ? no scale here, but about 8 lbs. Electronics work great and are super quiet. Please write me with any questions. Thanks, Todd

toddharris · « **Reply #1 on:** April 25, 2011, 06:24:38 PM »

tbrannon · « **Reply #2 on:** April 25, 2011, 06:25:30 PM »

Man....somebody please buy this quickly. Please?!

toddharris · « **Reply #3 on:** April 25, 2011, 06:27:13 PM »

toddharris · « **Reply #4 on:** April 25, 2011, 06:30:05 PM »

toddharris · « **Reply #5 on:** April 25, 2011, 06:33:05 PM »

toddharris · « **Reply #6 on:** April 25, 2011, 06:35:35 PM »

toddharris · « **Reply #7 on:** April 25, 2011, 06:41:30 PM »

In case I may have missed anything above (superfast neck, low action, amazing tone - feels too good to be true....) The original early Schallers hold tune perfectly - never goes out of tune. I have only ever played flatwound strings and the original frets are in great shape. Here is Harry's original description from the 2009 eBay auction prior to my having Pat Wilkins re-finish the bass. ....a beautiful vintage Alembic bass from the early 70's. the bass has a wonderful flame maple top & back on a mahogany core, walnut/maple neck, ebony fingerboard with mop inlays and flame mahogany headstock with hand cut sterling silver logo and scalloped hand cut brass-nut. the bass is very lightweight and resonant and has the great vintage alembic sound that made the company so famous. The all original electronics are in perfect working order along with the brown colored pickup's and polished brass hardware. the original finish of the bass was literally fallen of the instrument and therefore refinished a couple of years ago with the identical yellowish lacquer and locks all original and like brand new. During this procedure the serial number on top of the headstock faded away, as far i remember it was serial #143 or so. the dummy-coil pickup is attached to the body with a brass screw right through the middle of the housing (i saw the same attachment in a different bass from 1973 on the alembic-user-club-page), in my bass this screw is covered with a brown sticker (see detail on picture)... That's it for now - please ask any questions you may have. Best regards, Todd

(Message edited by toddharris on April 25, 2011)

skyboltone · « **Reply #8 on:** April 25, 2011, 08:39:17 PM »

Todd: Maybe Harry recorded the serial #? Might be worth a try. Perhaps Alembic would re-stamp and all would be well?

Just a thought

Dan

hifiguy · « **Reply #9 on:** April 26, 2011, 08:35:25 AM »

Lordy lu, what a drop-dead gorgeous piece of early Alembic history. Wow. Just wow.

toddharris · « **Reply #10 on:** April 26, 2011, 09:00:34 AM »

Hi Paul,
Thanks - in perfect honesty, I am a poor photographer - the pictures don't do it proper justice! It has less than 2 hours playtime since the re-finish. Best of all, it plays fast and perfectly and is lighter than any bass I've had - love the short scale of the neck.

toddharris · « **Reply #11 on:** April 26, 2011, 02:50:08 PM »

I just took the bass over to UPS and put it on their scale - weight is exactly 8 lbs - crazy light for an Alembic or any other much less maple.

toddharris · « **Reply #12 on:** April 26, 2011, 03:56:41 PM »

Deal pending - will take and hold any potential backup buyer info should things change. Thanks, Todd

pace · « **Reply #13 on:** April 26, 2011, 04:37:25 PM »

Awesome!

This is a great bass.

I played it for a quick second at the NJ gathering two years ago, and can vouch for the fit, finish, setup, and sound!!!!

toddharris · « **Reply #14 on:** April 26, 2011, 08:11:02 PM »

Here is the August 1960 near mint concentric knob Jazz bass I'm now into! Someone please stop me when the custom color mate shows up!