Author Topic: Serial # Request - 78-995  (Read 851 times)

dadabass2001

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Serial # Request - 78-995
« Reply #15 on: August 01, 2005, 08:03:43 PM »
Thanks Dave, but looking at the picture from Joram's link above, I assumed the two pointer knobs at the closer end of the lines of knobs were cvq. The two top hats next seemed to be filter freq controls, the two after that were undefined, and the last two (closest to the pickup selector) are volumes. I going to try to go back to Cremer's this weekend and see if I can figure out some more switch functionality, if Rick doesn't bar the door when he sees me coming.
Mike
"The Secret of Life is enjoying the passage of Time"
 - James Taylor

David Houck

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Serial # Request - 78-995
« Reply #16 on: August 02, 2005, 05:56:21 AM »
Mike; good point.  Another thought I had was that, in addition to the two switches that Mica talked about, some of the switches may be routing switches similar to routing options on an SF-2.

dela217

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Serial # Request - 78-995
« Reply #17 on: August 02, 2005, 06:36:27 AM »
About those batteries.........I personally would not go routing out the battery cavity.  Those batteries are still available in the medical field.  They are 8.6 volt batteries that are used in telemetry equipment.  My 1972 Alembic has the same small battery opening.  I have been tempted to enlarge that opening many times, but have not.  
I only use the power supply with this bass.  I have rarely found the need to use the batteries anyway.
 
Michael

dadabass2001

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Serial # Request - 78-995
« Reply #18 on: August 07, 2005, 10:43:02 AM »
Okay friends, Special thanks to my singer/guitarist Steve for taking these pics. Here's #995 at Rick Cremer's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  photos for technophiles and historians in next post Mike
"The Secret of Life is enjoying the passage of Time"
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keith_h

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Serial # Request - 78-995
« Reply #19 on: August 07, 2005, 10:52:43 AM »
You were right about the crusty neck, but from the pictures the burl myrtle looks nice. Over all I'd say a little cleaning up and it should look pretty good. Have you figured out the switches yet?  
 
Keith

dadabass2001

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Serial # Request - 78-995
« Reply #20 on: August 07, 2005, 10:59:03 AM »
Here's 995s internals...

 This is the upper compartment

 You can see the 2 internal adjusters

 Here's the inside of the 1/4" jack

 

 

  And the power supply:

 

 

 

   Defense rests.... Mike
"The Secret of Life is enjoying the passage of Time"
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kungfusheriff

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Serial # Request - 78-995
« Reply #21 on: August 07, 2005, 11:50:49 AM »
...and the local chapter of Bassaholics Anonymous swings into action.
Damn, that's a cool bass...do you have designs on her, Mike? If not, what's Cremer asking? Did he mention a price?
And is that foam residue all over the electronics in the upper cavity?
Many thanks.

dadabass2001

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Serial # Request - 78-995
« Reply #22 on: August 07, 2005, 12:27:26 PM »
Hi everybody.. my name's Mike ( sniff sniff, cough) and I'm a bass player...
Nope, Rick hasn't set a price yet. As he put it, we're hoping to find out what all the controls aree supposed to do, so we can find out if it's a Frankenstein or a Picasso. That is foam residue you see in the upper cavity shots. It appears the foam was never removed in 37 years (being used to hold the little black boxes in place). my next intended purchase (not planned, just intended) is a 5er, but since my only neck through is my 81' Distillate, I'm willing to talk to Rick about this pearl. (heck, I've never even played series electronics except one noddle session with Kevs original Balance K).
Mike
"The Secret of Life is enjoying the passage of Time"
 - James Taylor

kungfusheriff

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Serial # Request - 78-995
« Reply #23 on: August 07, 2005, 05:59:53 PM »
Fire away, boss--you found her, though to be persnickety those aren't Series electronics. I don't know what it is, but it looks like years of fun.

David Houck

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Serial # Request - 78-995
« Reply #24 on: August 07, 2005, 08:20:29 PM »
And the mystery becomes more intriguing!

dadabass2001

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Serial # Request - 78-995
« Reply #25 on: August 08, 2005, 05:13:52 AM »
Given the labelling on the power supply, with three sets of send and returns for each pickup, it looks like a massive effects setup is expected. I assume the always sets would be something always in place (a gate/compressor comes to mind) and normal seems pretty self evident, but why are the third sets called remote? It's blurry in the pics, but there is one amber remote led on the front panel. That suggests switching to remote mode is affected for both pickups (maybe a two postion switch).
Mike
"The Secret of Life is enjoying the passage of Time"
 - James Taylor

dela217

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Serial # Request - 78-995
« Reply #26 on: August 08, 2005, 11:27:03 AM »
And what is up with those pickups?  Pole pieces?  I thought that the traditional Alembic pickups are one large magnet.  In one of the pictures, it looks like a hole and not a pole!?!

dadabass2001

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Serial # Request - 78-995
« Reply #27 on: August 08, 2005, 02:16:32 PM »
yeah, pole pieces - very weird! No sign of a dummy coil anywhere and no trim pots beyond the two pictured. While I was there Saturday, Rick confirmed they are humcancelling pickups.
Mike
"The Secret of Life is enjoying the passage of Time"
 - James Taylor

juelu

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Serial # Request - 78-995
« Reply #28 on: August 16, 2005, 07:47:06 AM »
This is Juel at Cremer Guitarworks.  I just wanted to let you folks know that we can do detail photos of the electronics, pickups or whatever if it would be of help identifying / documenting the electronics and the instrument. We're fascinated by the combination of the unusual custom design & the lack of build information (not to mention the old photo of THIS instrument).  Does anyone know where that photo came from?

David Houck

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Serial # Request - 78-995
« Reply #29 on: August 16, 2005, 08:21:18 AM »
Hi Juel!  Welcome to our forum.  And thanks for your interest in and concern for this Alembic and your offer of detailed photos.  We're an easily entertained bunch and we get excited about Alembics of all types; and this one is especially intriguing since there's a mystery to be solved.  It's been my impression that Mica and Ron are even busier than usual lately; but I would imagine that Mica would love to get some detailed pictures.