1974 Series I Short Scale for sale

[toddharris]

Hi,  
The bass is still available. The interested buyer expressed his concern that the back plate may be a replacement as it is not seated even with the surface and that the original silver body shielding was removed during re-finish.  I can state without question that the back plate is original - it does not seat in the cavity as the re-finish overlaps the lip by a bit too much and prior to my sending it for re-finish, it was perfectly seated. The bass was re-wired using what I have no doubt, and which Harry assured me (he is VERY honest with great integrity) are the original parts by Gary Brawer's shop and it is as quiet as can be and fully working.   The Q switches are amazing. Please feel free to write with any questions. Please contact me directly with any question, Todd
 
(Message edited by toddharris on April 27, 2011)

[toddharris]

Here is the body cavity
 

[toddharris]

Measurement at the nut is 1 7/8

[toddharris]

Just went back through the archives of ebay sales to the thread that started when this bass first appeared.  Very excited to see that member room037 had posted a picture from his archives of bass number 74-86 that appears, based on the wood grain showing in the maple top to be this bass - it looks like a perfect match line for line.  If so, that would clear up the serial number question.  Though the pickups look darker, Harry had lit his photos and the ones on 74-86 are also one darker than the other - the more I look at and match the grain patterns, I am convinced that that is the same bas I have prior to the re-finish.
 
Here is the link:
http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/61876.html?1237003320

[toddharris]

Here is the picture that room037 posted in 2009 from his archives which indicate it is serial number 74-86. the grain appears to be a perfect match looking at the long lines and where they line up - check the lines through the tone and volumen knobs.  I've posted this information on the serial number thread and asked that records for 74-86 be checked and posted.  I'm posting another of my bass below for comparison.  

 

[tbrannon]

Looks like you got it nailed.

[room037]

Hi Todd,  OK, Now I up some more pict. I don't remember when I got these pict. But these are in my archives before 2006 (or 2003?) with serial No.(74' 86) and last price info (about 30% lower from current average price).  

 

  Eiji  (Message edited by room037 on April 28, 2011)

[room037]

P.S.
Serial No.143 were recorded 2 SSB.
The link is here.
Mica said 75-143's info.  
There is not flame maple top and back.
So eBay's description (serial No. 75-143) was incorrect.
 
Eiji

[mike1762]

The dummy coil looks different to me.  There seems to be a screw going through the coil on the archive pic but not on the current pic.  Any chance that was replaced?  Otherwise, it looks like the same bass.

[artswork99]

Mike, Todd mentioned a piece of brown tape covering the screw on one of his threads.  Best, Art

[artswork99]

And in Eiji's archived pictures the 21st fret marker appears missing.

[toddharris]

Hi Mike - yeah, the dummy coil has the screw and that is covered by a small piece of colored tape- - I understand that that is a good thing - the ones that were glued get destroyed if they have to come out.

[toddharris]

Interesting and keen observation about the 21st fret inlay - looking at it in person, it is quite small (they b`get smaller and smaller going down from the 12th) - depending on how the lighting hit it, it is hard to see - not sure if it came out and was replaced since those earlier photos or if it was there.  BTW - Eiji, thanks so much - if this is the mate, you solved a riddle that I've been wondering about for over 2 years!  Much appreciated, Todd

[pasewark]

My first Alembic was a short scale Series 1 #74-49. It had the battery compartment between the pickups and you had to access the dummy pickup from the back of the instrument (if I remember correctly).

[pasewark]

BTW - That's a beautiful looking Jazz bass!