Author Topic: Alembic Oasis?? (Read 466 times)

bassman10096 · « **on:** February 06, 2004, 07:53:36 PM »

Does anyone have any knowledge of a guitar/bass line called Oasis or Alembic Oasis? Ebay has a 1978 Rothchild Music catalogue listed at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3702727622&category=621.

The seller posted some pictures from the catalogue and says (correctly) it shows Alembics, but also that it includes Alembic Oasis guitars and basses. The catalogue pages showing these instruments don't feature the Alembic logo, just a palm tree Oasis logo.

Does anyone know whether these have any connection with Alembic. If so, I'd be curious to know more. The one association I had was that the pointed headstock tops looked reminiscent of Modulus? Turner?

I've asked the seller to explain more, but if anyone out here has any info, I'd be curious to know.

Wonderingly yours,

Bill

valvil · « **Reply #1 on:** February 06, 2004, 08:11:25 PM »

Mica will know about this, until then, however, if I remember correctly, I believe Oasis was a company started by a former Alembic employee...I think he had a limited run of instruments before folding...although that might also have been another former Alembic employee who started his instrument company...there's a few of them around and I have trouble telling them apart at times...

Still, I don't believe Alembic had anyting to do with Oasis, production-wise.

Valentino

dela217 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 06, 2004, 08:25:47 PM »

Oasis was a company started by a former Alembic employee. His name was Gary Cooper. Yes there are a few of these Alembic inspired companies. I like em all! Not the instruments per se, but what they represent. That magical era of bassdom. I may say that a BecVar or a Hyak is a great bass, but I mean as a piece. Not in the same league or competing with the masters. Know what I mean?

Anyway there are a couple of Oasis basses for sale at this site. Attractive prices too. www.lowdbass.com. If anyone is interested in the koa Oasis on that site, drop me a line. I know a bit of it's history.

The Oasis instrumnets are set up with passive electronics. The pickups are Bartolini, (Hi-A) with no label on them.

Michael

bassman10096 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 06, 2004, 09:31:53 PM »

Thanks for the info, guys (and so quick, too!). I didn't think there would be much more connection than that without more history commonly known about it. My hat's off to your knowledge of the instrument industry.

Thanks

Bill

dela217 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 06, 2004, 09:42:32 PM »

I have a strong interest of that era and try to find out anything 'Alembic'. So that means all of the folks that made their own instruments that used to work there. Sick, huh? I live and breathe Alembic, Oaisis, Turner, Hyak, Becvar, Irwin, Stars, Excalibur, Modulus, Furman, etc, etc.... and their connection to Alembic.

(Message edited by dela217 on February 06, 2004)

bassman10096 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2004, 04:52:54 AM »

Michael: You have obviously made a study of the evolution, derivation, etc. of these other lines - beginning in many cases with their connection to Alembic. That interest was precisely what motivated my question in the first place. As the therapist once said: Please feel free to share your thoughts and feelings... At least your (our) interest beats something centered on a line that doesn't represent or still produce incredibly high quality, sophisticated instruments and thinking. I think for me, when I look at Alembic's many accomplishments (instruments and sound), it's only logical to have an interest in the people who contributed, where they went and what they contributed in other venues.

Sick, huh? Maybe, but tough toads!!

Bill

bkbass · « **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2004, 06:01:35 PM »

to dela217 I'd like to hear the history of the Oasis koa bass.Why is the tail piece larger on this than on the maple one?

dela217 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 07, 2004, 08:41:10 PM »

It is just that I talked to the original owner of that bass and I know it's origins. He is French and that bass has been all over the world.

As far as the tailpiece - It is one of the Oasis options. There are fine tuners incorporated in the bridge for micro adjustments of the tuning.

adriaan · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2004, 03:32:54 AM »

These Oasis pickups sure look a lot like the ones on the Rick Turner Model 1 - the one that Lindsay Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac used to play. And I think I saw the bass player of Kool & The Gang with an Oasis bass in one of their late 70s videos.

(Message edited by Adriaan on February 10, 2004)

senmen · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2004, 04:03:42 AM »

Adriaan,
yes you?re right. The KatG bass player used an Oasis bass.

Oliver (Spyderman)

dela217 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2004, 05:31:10 AM »

Adriaan - You are right on the pickups too. Those pickups were custom made by Bartolini.

gbarchus · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2004, 11:39:57 AM »

Rick Turner YEAH! What's the official story of why he left Alembic. He's making some great stuff.