Well folks, while the Club was dark the last couple weeks, this wonderful old bass came my way. Most of you know, I'm just nuts for vintage Alembics, and this one came along just at the right time.
I've already had time to bond with it... and since my first experience with an Alembic was a Distillate, (sometime in the 1990's) the whole thing feels kinda' serendipitous. I thought it would be hard going back to playing a 4-string, but I'm actually enjoying the challenge. I may eventually convert the nut and bridge saddles to accept B-E-A-D tuning. (hat-tip Will Gunn)
It came in it's original hardshell case, with all the supporting paperwork, even an accessories order form from the time. The handwritten build sheet even has a charming little typo in it.
One modification I found not only interesting, but advantageous - sometime along the journey to here, the pickup selector switch was replaced with a pan pot with a center detent. Sure enough when I opened it up, it was an Alembic part. Not only that, but they even topped it with the correct hat-style knob. While not original, this makes the controls on it very similar to my Persuader after upgrades, and also very much like controls on the Custom fretless currently in construction.
With apologies for hastily taken pictures, I'm quite honored and proud to present you: 81 D 1986 USA, my second Alembic.
