Oakland Bass, made by previous Alembic employees? Seeking any background info?

[BrucePhares]

Forgive if this is the wrong thread... I'm hoping to get some background intel on a bass I bought back in the '80s, and I was told it was made by some folk who had branched off of Alembic. Named "Oakland XB100", it's a long scale, with a serial number of 010053. Passive electronics, 6 point tone selector. I suspect the company didn't last long, as I can't find but one reference online. Great sound, beautiful sustain and bottom, I worked it hard for years before the fusion thing kinda changed up in Seattle. I'm primarily an acoustic player, so I loved the long scale. Getting ready to part with it and have NO idea of value.

Pix are here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9ZlZgogdAzzNEFid25KVjBoYU0



Thanks for any feedback!

bp

[lbpesq]

Welcome, Bruce.  I tried the link, but it requires permission.

Bill, the guitar one

[cozmik_cowboy]

Except for the headstock shape, it's a dead ringer for a Vantage a friend of mine had in the '70s.

Peter

[edwin]

My guess would be a Matsumoto factory bass, which were marketed under a number of brands. They made some good instruments back in the day.

But I'd love to see a picture of the back.

[gtrguy]

The 3 names I am most familiar with for ex-Alembic builders are:
Becvar
Hyak
Oasis
with other instruments also made by Doug Irwin

[BrucePhares]

Sorry about the pix needing password. I've got shots of the back as well as the electronics.
I un-blocked the link:  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B9ZlZgogdAzzNEFid25KVjBoYU0?usp=sharing

Thanks for the feedback!

I'm guessing the line about any relationship to Alembic was just huffing by the salesman. I paid $450 for it in early '80s... I'm guessing I overpaid and it's not worth even that at this point. It does have great sound, though.

Anyone have a thought on $$? It's time to sell.

Thanks for your time, all!

bp

[BrucePhares]

Edwin and Cozmik, you guys nailed it!

So, given my model is called XB100 and the model number is only number 53, I wonder if it was an experimental attempt that morphed into Vantage basses... Hmmm.


Matusumoto Oakland:
http://www.matsumoku.org/ggboard/search.php?keywords=oakland&terms=all&author=&sc=1&sf=all&sk=t&sd=d&sr=posts&st=0&ch=300&t=0&submit=Search
Same style through-body neck and bridge.

Vantage: 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/282287205291?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true
http://www.ebay.com.my/itm/VINTAGE-80S-VANTAGE-BASS-w-CASE-MIJ-MATSUMOTO-ALEMBIC-STYLE-SLAPPER-/191769246719
Same body, bridge, through-body neck.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-80-039-S-VANTAGE-BASS-w-BAG-MATSUMOTO-ALEMBIC-STYLE-ACTIVE-P-J-EMGs-SET-NECK-/191785534945?nma=true&si=mOeG2gP6lm07Vx4D%252BdW5KwbRzsc%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Same bridge

https://www.google.com/search?q=Matsumoto+factory&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwizyPnvuPnQAhUB3GMKHbNSB00Q_AUICSgC&biw=1745&bih=864#q=Matsumoto+bass&tbm=isch&tbs=rimg:Cd24FySiIOgBIjhKonuws7u56J5rYLn6KFHcAZPY1i2oRU-vzG7xFCLETvcAvRhnBQ5jpK7Xve0rg-fgLDIbyvYVIioSCUqie7Czu7noEQM5a7WIRbC9KhIJnmtgufooUdwR0Roee25WjZcqEgkBk9jWLahFTxEhTcktvwNJTCoSCa_1MbvEUIsROEfRsMGa69ZWbKhIJ9wC9GGcFDmMR59_1Q5vCBDZsqEgmkrte97SuD5xFMif1o-SvKvSoSCeAsMhvK9hUiEcVI8Rq3lxPE

[BrucePhares]

Thanks all... I'm done here. The Alembic connection is a dead end... Indeed, it seems it's a precursor to the Matsumoku Vantage Bass series. Thanks for letting me play through, you guys were great help and saved me a lot of wasted time!

At first I was kinda bummed, some of the Vantages haven't sold for more than $200US, but it looks like there are collectors out there and with a serial number like this, I may end up with a smile on my face after all. The best part, and the part that matters, is that for the 10 or so years that I was a working player, 5-7 days a week, it was a great bass to work on. In the end, it's the playin', that makes for happiness, right?

Cheers!

Bruce Phares

[pauldo]

Right on. 
Music brings joy.
Money is just 'stuff'.  It usually brings greed into the playing field, then things get ugly.

[gearhed289]

It sounds like you got your money's worth. The important thing is that it served you well. And bonus - you can still sell it if you want!

[Warrendad5]

Forgive if this is the wrong thread... I'm hoping to get some background intel on a bass I bought back in the '80s, and I was told it was made by some folk who had branched off of Alembic. Named "Oakland XB100", it's a long scale, with a serial number of 010053. Passive electronics, 6 point tone selector. I suspect the company didn't last long, as I can't find but one reference online. Great sound, beautiful sustain and bottom, I worked it hard for years before the fusion thing kinda changed up in Seattle. I'm primarily an acoustic player, so I loved the long scale. Getting ready to part with it and have NO idea of value.

Pix are here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9ZlZgogdAzzNEFid25KVjBoYU0



Thanks for any feedback!

bp

Welcome, Bruce.  I tried the link, but it requires permission.

Bill, the guitar one