Author Topic: BB, Series II , Stanley Clarke  (Read 1159 times)

marcp

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BB, Series II , Stanley Clarke
« on: February 20, 2011, 09:55:21 AM »
A few years ago my wife inherited 3 Alembic bases. The cases identify them as a series II, BB and Stanley Clarke. They have been sitting in the closet for awhile and she has made a decision to try to sell them. Would appreciate any help on trying to identify them more uniquely and how best to determine their value.Would be happy to provide additional pics etc. Thanks in advance

pierreyves

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BB, Series II , Stanley Clarke
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2011, 10:03:05 AM »
Hi Marc and welcome here.
First thing is to post a picture (good quality ;o)) of each bass. The size (weight) will not exceed 150 ko. If you cannot do it, you can send me by private mail and I will be able to reduce the size and post here for you.

tree63

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BB, Series II , Stanley Clarke
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2011, 10:08:52 AM »
yes, marc...if you post some pix it will help....welcome to the club...if you can't there are members who can help with jpg size...

jacques2956

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BB, Series II , Stanley Clarke
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2011, 10:22:43 AM »
hi marc
welcome to the club
we can help you with some pics

marcp

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BB, Series II , Stanley Clarke
« Reply #4 on: February 20, 2011, 12:15:47 PM »
Not sure that I have the picture posting worked out. Am I limited to 1 150K pic per post as I keep getting error messages. If Pierre or someone else would send an e mail address to marcptk@optonline.net I can send pictures and perhaps you could post them to the site.
 
Thanks Again
Marc

pauldo

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BB, Series II , Stanley Clarke
« Reply #5 on: February 20, 2011, 01:19:38 PM »
Marc -
For what it's worth:
You must understand that these are the Rolls Royce's of instruments, if they were inherited through a family connection, selling them wouldn't be my first move.
 
Try to learn and play one - your life will never be the same . . .

pierreyves

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BB, Series II , Stanley Clarke
« Reply #6 on: February 20, 2011, 03:06:50 PM »
Marc, I send you email.

bsee

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BB, Series II , Stanley Clarke
« Reply #7 on: February 20, 2011, 05:16:32 PM »
Marc, If you offer your location and there happens to be a member nearby, you could get some in-person assistance.
 
The Stanley Clarke and BB (Brown Bass) should typically be pretty similar, The woods will be different, but they should be the same size and shape. Barring any unusual options or damage/wear, they should also hold similar value.  
 
The Series II could be similar or very different in shape and size. The value will probably be higher, though maybe not if it is an older model. Pictures and serial numbers would help. You might start by posting serial numbers in the forum for that purpose located under the owning an Alembic heading. That will trigger the company to look up the origins and construction options associated with the instruments. That's a necessary step in setting a value that is fair both to buyer and seller.
 
Worst case, the three instruments could be worth as low as $6K. Best case could be over $10K across the three of them.
 
-bob

bob2

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BB, Series II , Stanley Clarke
« Reply #8 on: February 20, 2011, 06:46:26 PM »
here are the pics from marc. the sc is 88sc4xx8 ; brown bass is 01bb1xx88 ; series looks older so the number is probably on the headstock or in the control cavity.

 

 

 

 

 


crobbins

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BB, Series II , Stanley Clarke
« Reply #9 on: February 20, 2011, 07:30:43 PM »
Nice.

bsee

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BB, Series II , Stanley Clarke
« Reply #10 on: February 20, 2011, 07:40:46 PM »
Okay, thanks for the pics. Here are some additional thoughts:
 
The Brown Bass is custom.Looks like it might have the addition of a master volume control and it has an extra toggle, probably for neck LEDs? Looks like a pretty nice specimen. A back photo would confirm the LEDs, as could the owner by flipping some toggles. I would probably ask something in the vicinity of $4K, maybe a little higher.
 
The SC has a large body inlay that could use a close-up photo. Otherwise, it looks pretty stock. That inlay could affect the value, possibly negatively. I can't tell what it is at this resolution. Maybe $3000-3500?
 
The Series is actually a Series I, not a Series II. It looks to be pretty old and generic, plus it has had the tailpiece moved. At one point, there was a special cable and a small blue electrical box that were paired with this bass. If they are missing, replacement can cost several hundred dollars. In addition, a bass of that vintage could need a trip back to the factory for electronics cleanup. Probably $2500-3000 in this shape and without the electronic parts.
 
If it hasn't already been done, all the back covers should be removed to check the health of any batteries left in the instruments. You don't want an old battery to fail and cause damage in there. Also, be careful if/when you sell these. Especially the older two. The older cases are fine for local use, but the foam may not be sufficient protection for shipping company transport. You may want to bubble wrap the instruments inside the cases for extra protection.
 
My value estimates could easily be off by several hundred dollars. These three instruments all have features that make them unique in a way that could affect their value to a subset if the market.
 
Good luck!
-bob

musashi

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BB, Series II , Stanley Clarke
« Reply #11 on: February 20, 2011, 07:42:59 PM »
What is the serial number on the Series I?

slawie

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BB, Series II , Stanley Clarke
« Reply #12 on: February 20, 2011, 07:53:23 PM »
That series II looks like a series I with LED's to me.
Pity about the damage/drilling/relocation at the bottom of the instrument. Logo missing.
Brown soap bars make it 1973-74 maybe?
Serial number on that series instrument should be at the end of the headstock if at all.
 
slawie
“Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality.”
Abraham Lincoln

bob2

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BB, Series II , Stanley Clarke
« Reply #13 on: February 20, 2011, 08:29:39 PM »
i double checked the email from marc, he said the sc has a decal on it. The decal says John Entwistle Band so, it's not an inlay.

room037

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BB, Series II , Stanley Clarke
« Reply #14 on: February 20, 2011, 08:51:23 PM »
This series 1 SSB is # 75-150.
SIMS blue LEDs on the finger board, Tail piece was removed far from bridge.
 
Eiji