70's Series medium scale wanted

[KR]

Hi, I'm looking for a nice all original medium scale 70's Alembic, that is hopefully of a lighter weight ---if that's possible.

Thanks,
Keith

[Zut8083]

Hi, Keith,

Check out Reverb, serial number 76-399 is up for auction.  It is a purpleheart cap and back with a walnut core, neck through built of birch and walnut stringers.  I've been eyeing this bass for a bit, but the scratch to buy it, and fix another, is not yet in hand, so check it out.  The purpleheart has aged really beautifully, in my opinion (https://reverb.com/item/11645443-vintage-medium-scale-alembic-series-1).  There was a build request for this bass that was posted to the forum ten years ago: http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=6325.msg67543#msg67543.

Reverb also has a more expensive medium scale series 1 from 1978 for $8K with a really complete package from the mother ship (listed as serial number "78-12187", but I read it as "78-1287", which makes a lot more sense given 76-399, above).  It's claimed to have mahogany stringers in the neck, and has this great halcyon and burnish appearance.  I am not sure about the price, but it, too, is a beauty.  I didn't see a build history already listed here on the forum.  The surfaces are a bit checked, so I am a little confused why this bass will be worth $8K unless someone pays that (re: "what the market will bear").

Reverb also has a shorty in burl walnut (https://reverb.com/item/9702095-alembic-short-scale-bass-series-1-1979-burl-walnut) for $6,316.27, and a long scale '77 series one, serial number 77-840, in "natural" for $6,250 (https://reverb.com/item/12252164-alembic-series-1-long-scale-1977-natural-superb-condition).  It's for sale by the original owner who now has the hots for a Zon 6 and wants to sell this puppy.  All original build records and some of the goodies are available.  I didn't see an existing build request on the forum for this bass, but picture of the build records from Alembic show a schedua top and back, a mahogany core, the neck is maple with purpleheart stringers, ebony fingerboard, and dark vermillion veneer.

Searching only for "alembic series" pulls in a few other basses, but they are over the $9K mark, and I assume that some of the ones above may be less than feasible given your stated parameters.

eBay has this neat medium scale omega cut standard point from 1975 for $6,950 with the predecessor to the diagonal adjustment pickups, namely the "tab" pickups that were phased out shortly thereafter (https://www.ebay.com/itm/ALEMBIC-75-Series1-Omega-Cut-1-1975-good-condition/332658741829?hash=item4d74019245:g:GucAAOSwWDBbAgrW).

The 'Bay also has a long scale '81 that ends in 2 hours (it's 6:56 PST, as of now): https://www.ebay.com/itm/1981-Alembic-Series-1-Bass-Guitar/123134941643?hash=item1cab6a19cb:g:NFEAAOSwSY9a51fT.

And a short-scale '79 series 1 for $6,830: https://www.ebay.com/itm/ALEMBIC-SERIES-1-SSB-1979-Used-Electric-Bass-FREE-Shipping/173327878276?epid=5018221222&hash=item285b258884:g:ZHAAAOSwDvVa18zi

And another short scale, this one from '77 with an interesting top for $6,445.00: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-ALEMBIC-SSB-Series-I-Electric-Bass-Excellent-Condition-Vintage-Rare-wOHC-B5/332635524106?hash=item4d729f4c0a:g:3~EAAOSwM2RZgtbJ.

This '77, unknown scale length, is pick up only in Manhattan or Yonkers, NY for $5,995.00: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Alembic-Series-1-bass-guitar-1977-vintage-excellent-condition/332631716799?hash=item4d726533bf:g:aZgAAOSwZtJW-GS1.

Here is a medium scale 1980 series 1 (walnut/mahogany body, maple and walnut stringer neck) for $5,400: https://www.ebay.com/p/Alembic-Electric-Bass-MSB-1980/2161372089?iid=173318862221&_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D50999%26meid%3D569e376f690943078d53c7bc849dbb7e%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D173327878276%26itm%3D173318862221&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851.

And I am sure, despite all of the options not being exactly what you were looking for, there is most certainly a lot more out there to be found.  Good luck!

[jwright9]

Hi Keith,
I have a 76 that I may consider selling. Let me think about it.
If I did sell it, it would be in the $4k range. Not sure what your budget is.
Also, where are you located?

As Zut mentioned, there are several options on ebay and Reverb but I assume you already looked there.

Happy hunting!

[KR]

Hi, Thanks. Send a pic please.

Keith

[KR]

I'm in So Cal

[KR]

I saw the 76 on Reverb---Not happy with the later Pickup added.

[KR]

Hi, I'm looking for an original 70's medium scale Series of lighter weight--if that's possible

[KR]

Zut8083, Thanks for all the info--like that 75 omega on ebay ---did you see the wacked out bridge saddle?

[Zut8083]

Hey, Keith,

I did see the other-than-usual Alembic saddle; it's not what I'd have expected, honestly.  But given that I am not an authority on Alembic products, just a broke fan, and the bass is listed by a Japanese seller/company at three different prices, as this seller does with all of their listings, I'm not sure what to think, so I'd be a touch wary, too.  But, I think it's fairly legit; while I don't know nothing (Puddin' Tame), but there is another Alembic in this Forum thread with a similar bridge (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=16166.msg163004#msg163004 ).  So, while I can't say "yeah" or "nay" to authenticity by sight or intuition, I want to say "yyyyyyyes...yeah?"  I wouldn't necessarily buy a bass listed on eBay for three prices.  That's a "nnnnooo...what the heck?" from me.

I just thought this bass and bunch of the others were worth a view for informational purposes, if you hadn't seen it already, and to facilitate conversation, as Jon mentioned.  I hope you didn't think that I was trying to be a jerk or anything; I just meant to get the ball rolling with what I knew to be out there. 

Also, since you're in SoCal, the San Luis Obispo to San Diego scene might have a bunch of "sleeper" medium scale series ones that would fit your ergonomic requirements of a bass.  I figure it just, unfortunately, might take more time for these jems to show up on the market, and SLO or wherever isn't quite exactly right in your neck of the woods.

Good luck, Keith, and happy hunting.

-Zut

[hammer]

Hello Keith

Most of the basses I've seem on eBay and Reverb recently are at best considerably overpriced and at worst way overpriced.  That's why so many have been there for months if not years. I don't know the condition or model of what jWrite9 is considering putting on the market but the estimate he quoted seems a lot more in line with I'd call reasonable for a used upper level Alembic of that era. To give you an idea of what you can find if your patient, I've purchased three series basses in the last two years or so. A short scale for $4,000, a medium scale 1978 for $3,600, and a 1976 long scale fretless for $1,200.  None of the bodies on any of these basses has a checked finish, the first two are in overall excellent condition and they are all in fine working order other than for an electronics upgrade I'm going to need to get for the fretless. I know the last price is crazy ridiculous for a Series bass in working order and that one is road worn, but it plays fine. The other Alembics I have other than a custom I had made were all in the $2000 to $3,000 range.

I think the one thing you are going to find difficult is locating a light 70s era Alembic bass.  At that time I believe the majority of their production was Series basses though I think the Distillate was introduced in the late 70s. My lightest Alembic by far is a short scale Signature with a Stanley body but that model came long after the 70s. To be honest I'm not sure they made light medium Series basses at Alembic in the 70s or ever.

My advice is to be patient and check this message board and the Alembic Facebook page on a regular basis. Craigslist is also an option though you can never be sure with whom you are dealing. Best of luck. There's a bass out there with your name on it.

[rv_bass]

Here is one on Craigslist in NJ.  The headstock was cracked and repaired, but otherwise a nice looking bass.  Likely from the 80s though, and a short scale.

https://cnj.craigslist.org/msg/d/alembic-series-short-scale/6578008406.html

[KR]

Thanks for the input, everyone. I know that a light-weight Series will be near impossible to find. Regular point or omega is fine with me. I'll keep checking in.

[jwright9]

Thanks for the input, everyone. I know that a light-weight Series will be near impossible to find. Regular point or omega is fine with me. I'll keep checking in.

What is that weight that you're actually looking for?

Are you familiar with Series I basses? Have you held one and played one?

[KR]

I've owned 3 series basses in the past. No specific weight but hoping to find a lighter one, if possible.

[jwright9]

OK then, my 76 is definitely not a "lighter one".