Video ! Prairie Sun Recording -- 1975-1976 Alembic 5-String Bass !

[Philip-M-Bass]

I would also like to say a bit of thanks for the "First Hand" Info !

And for your memories, as painful as they are !

Many thanks Sonicus !

Also Dela217

for the great screen capture !

[xlrogue6]

I've had the privilege of working on this bass. It is truly amazingly ponderously heavy-definitely a seated-only playing experience. Here's the pics I took while it was in my shop.

[Philip-M-Bass]

  WOW  ,  Thanks 

[edwardofhuncote]

Thanks for posting Kent. Great pictures of a classic. Thanks also to Wolf for his recollections.

Wow, what a huge mass of purpleheart and ebony that monster is. The neck heel is huge! I can also see now why the bridge had to be so high and the neck's draft angle so steep- to clear the sliding pickup assembly.

Another observation... just like #72-001, with its relief-carved back, the electronics of this one are front-mounted on a wood plate, leaving the back wide open as palette for some pretty amazing artistry. It's also shaped somewhat like the Casady bass.

[sonicus]

Gregory you have a good eye !  Your observations support what my friend who ask for this build told me . He told me that this bass was inspired from what he saw on the "Casady Bass" 72-001 . In deed that is what he told me .

[pauldo]

That really is a masterpiece of craftsmanship.

Bonus points to Ron for how he brought the rail system all the way back through the bridge. 

[edwardofhuncote]

I can see now, there is a backplate... it's continuous wood too, and one of the dragon's feet overlaps it. What a fascinating bass.

[Philip-M-Bass]

In the event anyone is interested,

(Doug Irwin and Thomas Lieber)

Same style Dragon inlay !

https://www.rukind.com/viewtopic.php?t=5927&start=30

[elwoodblue]

That's quite a thread...almost a sweater 


thanks !!

[Philip-M-Bass]

Thank you as well kind Sir,

kinda knew this vid would turn into "the talk of the town"  as it were !

[elwoodblue]

This quote from the thread stood out...

"Doug gave me a bunch of the wood cut from Tiger's hippie sandwich.
I made pipes from the wood and gave them to friends and family members.
Wonder where all those Tiger pipes are today!!"





 

[sonicus]

          I have played both of these Doug Irwin Bass's at the original owners home ( Phil  Saam) when he was still with us .
              He also introduced me to Doug Irwin who later did some custom work for me on both of my Guild Starfire bass's that I had previously purchased from him . Phil Saam also introduced me to George Mundy who  did some custom electronic work  for me as well on one of my Starfire bass's ( I sold that in 1978 ,it can be found on this site ) I still own the other one . This was all about the same time as Mr.Lesh was getting work done on his as well by Mr.Mundy . I was really young at the time and full of questions . I was fortunate that both Doug ,and George enjoyed explaining and informing inquisitive minds . The same is true for everyone that I encountered at the old Alembic location on 60 Brady St. Everyone was kind to the KID with 20 questions and they always invited  me to show up anytime with more questions . I have been an Alembic customer since I had a brass bridge with block and tail piece installed on the Starfire that I kept. That was about 1974 .

[the_home]

I so appreciate that this group allows us to join in the heritage/legacy of Alembic. What a great benefit from club membership.

[pauldo]

.  Oops, never mind....