Author Topic: Series I or II (Read 2025 times)

jazzyvee · « **Reply #30 on:** January 27, 2013, 04:29:59 AM »

In terms of tapers I'm no sure what is what. All my bases except the black Europa/?lan 5 feel like he same string spacing. The black bass is narrower which is only a problem if I'm doing some double thumbing where he tighter string spacing makes it more challenging to keep the other strings quiet. But as to what the spacing is. I have no idea what alembics string spacing measurements are for each of the Classic, comfort or wide bridge. Custom is another thing too.
Anyone know?
Jazzyvee

FC Bass · « **Reply #31 on:** January 27, 2013, 07:10:10 AM »

Here you go: http://www.alembic.com/support/reference.html#necks

Classic = narrow bridge wide nut (almost straight taper)
Comfort = wide bridge narrow nut (more like traditional/Fender taper)

adriaan · « **Reply #32 on:** January 27, 2013, 11:43:04 PM »

Another special feature is that while on most instruments string spacing is center-to-center, on an Alembic it is side-to-side. Unless you order it differently, of course.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #33 on:** January 28, 2013, 01:23:44 AM »

My existing Series II has a quilt maple top & back and both of these basses up for sale have a burl maple top & back and I guess same body wood recipes except mine has ebony lams instead of purple heart in the neck.

Accepting there will always be some variances between one bit of wood and another is there likely to be noticeable differences in basses made from different samples of the same type of wood.

Jazzyvee

keith_h · « **Reply #34 on:** January 28, 2013, 05:39:50 AM »

I think the difference in the neck woods will have the largest effect on the sound. If all of the other body woods are the of the same type I would expect them to be similar even though they are different cuts.

Keith

jazzyvee · « **Reply #35 on:** January 29, 2013, 11:04:26 PM »

In principle a deal has been done, sorting out the logistics of getting the bass over here. I think I will take a flight to Germany to collect the bass in a couple of weeks.

I had a good long chat with the seller yesterday. He told me that the bass has been owned by a collector since new in 1995 and has never been played so still has the original alembic strings that were fitted when it was originally shipped. He bought it from another collector in 2004, and it has been stored in the case in a strong room with all his other collectable basses. Many Ken Smith's and some other high end high specified Series II including one of the limited edition large body Anniversary Series II models 5 string basses with omega and stinger.

Anyway we had a great chat and I got an insight a little of how the collectors market works. Most of these guys are non players and buy them for their appreciation of the quality of manufacture.

I do wonder though what Ron/Mica think of non playing collectors owning their instruments when they could be in the hands of musicians making the music they were designed for.

I will let you know how things progress.

jazzyvee

jon_jackson · « **Reply #36 on:** January 30, 2013, 10:46:21 AM »

Jazzy, is the German bass indeed the same one you previously sought to acquire? It certainly is a beautiful example.
Jon

jazzyvee · « **Reply #37 on:** January 30, 2013, 01:30:18 PM »

Yes Jon, it's the same one. The seller emailed me this afternoon so things are in process and hopefully it won't be long before I have it at home.

Jazzyvee

(Message edited by jazzyvee on January 30, 2013)

jon_jackson · « **Reply #38 on:** January 30, 2013, 03:28:10 PM »

Now if I could just find a 4 string version to match it... ; )
Jon

jazzyvee · « **Reply #39 on:** February 08, 2013, 08:06:19 AM »

I've had an email from the seller this afternoon and it's en-route. A lot cheaper than me flying to get it so hopefully it gets here ok just like my other two that came from Germany.

:-)

Jazzyvee

chrisalembic · « **Reply #40 on:** February 08, 2013, 11:36:08 AM »

Congratulations man!

jazzyvee · « **Reply #41 on:** February 08, 2013, 05:11:52 PM »

Thanks are due to you Chris for finding it and posting it on the forum.

Respect

Jazzyvee

jazzyvee · « **Reply #42 on:** March 27, 2014, 06:46:40 AM »

Bump, I'm still on the look out for a short scale series I or II small body Stanley Clarke style bass as new as possible, darker highly figured top and back woods preferably but will consider anything on offer except beaten up basses.

Willing to trade any or all of the following or cash.
5 string Europa: http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/3658.html?1170593034

4 string Elan with europa electronics for the right instrument: http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/35750.html?1326918247

I have a custom built Rob Williams Strat that I would be willing to trade also:
http://www.robwilliamsguitars.co.uk/Robwilliamsguitars/About_Rob.html
Body and neck are mahogany, rosewood fingerboard with a chess piece inlay at the first fret, book match to centre thick quilted maple top with a red tint.
It originally came with seymour duncan pickups which I found too cold sounding so had some custom wound pickups made which have a much more cleaner sound. But I will include the seymour duncans in case you want to bring it back to original spec.

Jazzyvee

jazzyvee · « **Reply #43 on:** September 29, 2014, 09:04:50 AM »

Still looking but on the European side of the pond as I want to avoid import duty and tax unless it's a cheap price.
Bump.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #44 on:** September 10, 2015, 05:02:26 AM »

Bump. Still on the look out for a series shorty. :-)

Author Topic: Series I or II (Read 2025 times)

chrisalembic