1976 Walnut Wonder SSB Series I For Sale [SOLD]

[dead_head]

Wow, Thomas, that sure looks beautiful. Is that an un- re-touched  original ?     

[dela217]

Thomas,

Did you see this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alembic-Series-I-SSB-Series-USED-FREESHIPPING-from-JAPAN-/322235374080?hash=item4b06b99a00:g:23EAAOSwMtxXuVXM

That top sure looks familiar to me.   That top is a twin to yours.  I asked the seller a few days ago what the serial number is.   They never responded.   I bet it is between 215 and 220 or so.

Michael

[flpete1uw]

Yep, this is my 215!

[poor_nigel]

I did see that on eBay.  As soon as I saw Japan, I ignored it, as who knows how many sellers there are for it, or if the seller really has it or it is being sold by someone else and just listed by said seller.  A shame it had a Badass installed, but the wood freaked me out big time.  Right now my bass got a new neck, so Badass would not have been a problem.  Can you believe Alembic replaces bad necks after 30-40 years - for free!  Who but Alembic has that good of warranty on their products.  Alembics are not cheap, but there are many seriously great reasons why.  Then again, bad neck or not, if someone installed a Badass on it, I don't know if Mica would cover neck replacement in that situation.  Since it IS an Alembic, if I were to go that route, I would have sprung for a nice solid brass ABS bridge. 

[poor_nigel]

The finish on the walnut bass is original, and amazing considering it was done back in 1976.  Yellowed, sure, but not a tiny crack anywhere in the finish.  A company founded on doing things right!  If you see an old Gibson, especially the old Les Pauls, that have a perfect finish on them, I'll bet they were refinished.  I used to be a Gibson player, until I took an Alembic off the wall at the Guitar Center in Seattle way back when.  From that point on, I saved my pennies until I bought that ebony bass I have.  I have some Gibsons, but they are just for looking at to remind me of the old days, before I became an enlightened human being . . .

[dela217]

flpete1uw - That bass on eBay is very similar to yours too.   It has a zebra top, maple core, and koa back.   As yours is opposite!   I bet those are consecutive slices of that special zebrawood.

Michael

[gtrguy]

I think it has something to do with how the instrument was taken care of, how much sun and exposure it got, how much acid a persons sweat has, and did an old pick guard out-gas in the case, and how well the paint was mixed and the instrument was prepped and what the temp was when it was sprayed (along with flash time or time between coats, and sanding tactics). I have instruments from the 60's on up and some have perfect finishes and others have checking all over.

[chris90]

Nigel, where are you located? US?

[poor_nigel]

Questions asked:
Location = Chico, CA
Discounted price if I keep the flight case = $5,000 (What would I do with the new flight case I just bought for this???)
Weight using the old step on scale, get off, step on scale holding bass = 8.8 pounds.
Nut Widths - 1 7/16th neck width - 1 5/16th string width.
Bridge Width of Strings = 1 7/8ths.
Comes with Blue Box and 20' 5-pin cable, of course.

[poor_nigel]

It looks like my ebony bass will be sold on the 'payment plan.'  Deposit and monthly check until it is paid off.  I would do the same deal on this bass.  I am in no rush to sell, or be paid right away.  Just an option to consider.

[poor_nigel]

I'm thinking of putting this bass on eBay to see what happens.  I'm curious.  Hmmm, crazies . . .  I put a Custom Shop Gibson 2008 Back Beauty on in unplayed condition.  Simply stunning guitar to me, as IU really like them.  Some guy e-mailed me obsessed with is it a fretless wonder.  I get tired of dealing with guys trying to buy a $10K guitar for peanuts, which is probably what people want for them now.  People will certainly use your time up on wasteful tangents if you let them.  Sleeping pills are kicking in so time to ramble off . . . .

[poor_nigel]

Stuck a handful of things on eBay today, including this bass.  I'm out of room in my little apartment, so . . .

[dela217]

Sooooo tempting!   I really love that fingerboard.   I am considering buying it so no one drills an extra hole for a strap button.

[hammer]

Potentially interested. Only hesitated this long because I'd have to sell at least one of my Alembics if I purchased this one and I'm about ready to send my Standard point to the mothership for an upgrade. What is status of the electronics? Has it been upgraded?

[poor_nigel]

It seems incredible how often people do move the strap button.  The one in the shop being worked on has that on its list to be corrected.  This bass is very quiet, so I never gave thought to checking with anyone about an electronics upgrade.  I live in a university town, so there are more than the average amount of communications/etc. devices in operation that produce RF signals.  I have heard nothing from any yet.  But to answer your question, to be on the safe side, I would say no.