Author Topic: The best (fake)Alembic i have ever seen? (Read 213 times)

rastaman · « **on:** January 02, 2009, 11:59:06 AM »

so i ran into an "alembic" the other day that has no serial number. i duno if it is real, it sure would be the nicest fake ever made. The body is mahogany, classic flame maple top, brass bridge, gold alembic tuners, matching headstock and the famed alembic symbol. i duno if its neck through or what but check out pics. what do you think?

(Message edited by rastaman on January 02, 2009)

rastaman · « **Reply #1 on:** January 02, 2009, 12:04:31 PM »

more:

rastaman · « **Reply #2 on:** January 02, 2009, 12:10:37 PM »

more:

(Message edited by rastaman on January 02, 2009)

lbpesq · « **Reply #3 on:** January 02, 2009, 12:13:19 PM »

Sure looks like a bona fide one pick-up Orion to me. It it is a fraud it is the best copy by far I've ever seen. Furthermore, it seems to me if someone were to go to this much trouble to make a fake Alembic, they'd copy a more expensive model ... sort of why counterfeiters don't waste their time copying ones and fives.

Bill, tgo

rastaman · « **Reply #4 on:** January 02, 2009, 12:16:55 PM »

i have never seen a string-thru alembic, and whats up with the no serial #

lbpesq · « **Reply #5 on:** January 02, 2009, 12:19:43 PM »

I wrote the above before the second set of pics posted. Very unusual, especially the string-through tail instead of the standard Alembic fare. It's hard to tell about the neck from the pics. Is it all one piece with the body or set in like a regular Orion? I'm still guessing a custom job rather than a fake.

Bill, tgo

rastaman · « **Reply #6 on:** January 02, 2009, 12:27:16 PM »

im gona take more pics tonight, any specific ones i shoudld get?

hieronymous · « **Reply #7 on:** January 02, 2009, 01:13:38 PM »

Maybe get a pic of the truss rod cover and underneath the truss rod cover? Also the end of the fretboard right by the truss rod cover, which is where the serial number would often be stamped.

I'd be interested in a shot of the holes where the strings go through the back too. Maybe someone requested a string-through-body custom?

bsee · « **Reply #8 on:** January 02, 2009, 01:39:45 PM »

There are so many accurate features there, including the hardware and pickups, that would suggest it more likely to be an employee project than a fake if it isn't regular factory product. The serial number might have been on the truss rod cover, maybe on the other side of this one, and you should also find it in the electronics cavity. This bass looks relatively new, so probably after they stopped stamping serial numbers into the fretboard, but who knows.

keith_h · « **Reply #9 on:** January 02, 2009, 02:06:32 PM »

For an Orion the serial number should be stamped on the back of the head stock. I would look in the control cavity or under the pickups for a serial number. I think I've seen one or two other string-through-body basses here on the board.The logo sure looks to be correct. If this were a forgery or shop night project I would not expect to see a logo like this.

Keith

FC Bass · « **Reply #10 on:** January 02, 2009, 02:12:47 PM »

This one was for sale some time ago, here's a previous thread: Click here

FC Bass · « **Reply #11 on:** January 02, 2009, 02:17:04 PM »

oops, my mistake...
That's not the same bass, the one in my link also seems to have a serial number.
Features looks the same though...

keith_h · « **Reply #12 on:** January 02, 2009, 02:26:39 PM »

Flip,
That might be the one I was thinking of.

Keith

lidon2001 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 02, 2009, 03:32:00 PM »

Shop night bass? With the apparently authentic logo, probably not. Serial Number should be stamped in the wood in the electronics compartment as well.

FC Bass · « **Reply #14 on:** January 02, 2009, 03:46:29 PM »

The serial number on the other one was 00MG12451

and Mica said:

quote:I think this is a personal project, I think I know who made it. A serial number might transform the thinking into knowing.