New to Alembic, a couple of questions

[Deltaphoenix]

Hey Everyone,

I wanted to ask a few questions before moving forward with purchasing a Series 1 bass. I am very familiar with using filters for sound/tine design; I have had a bass with the ACG/East filter preamp and I use modular synthesizers quite a bit too. The modulars are what is driving some of my interest in Alembic, I love the idea of 2 different sounds coming out of the same bass and then using the modular for further sound design/sculpting. I thought about looking at some other less expensive options like getting a Ric or even a Yamaha attitude but I am really drawn to Alembic. There is also a Northern California and Grateful Dead connection with the brand of modular synthesizers that I use - Buchla. So, it seems to make sense.

I would really love a used Series 2 but I just can't pay 5 figures for a bass right now (I wonder if I am going to get Alembic fever and make it happen anyways...). So, I have been looking at used Series 1 basses and in particular, longscale ones. In general, it seems like I can find a late 70s Series 1 from $4500-$6000. I have also seen this lovely 2001 Series 1 for a little under $9k:
https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/listing/alembic-series-i-burled-maple-2001-s565/21803832

What are the main differences between earlier and more recent Alembic basses? Ergonomics? Electronics? Weight?
What questions should I be asking sellers of the older Series 1 basses beyond basics around upkeep and so on? It seem slike there has been some sort of electronics change that can be back ported.
Any other words of advice? Can I find a Series 2 for $9k? I am really leaning towards that one from 2001 with the Burled Maple top, is that priced too high for what it is?

Thanks!

[Mark 63]

Did you get that one? It shows sold. It’s a beauty.

[Deltaphoenix]

Not yet. They put it on a 24 hour hold while I get the funds to put it on layaway.

I would still love to here the pros/cons of older Alembic  basses compared to newer ones.

[rv_bass]

Well, they all sound different regardless of year due to wood combinations, string choices, and electronics settings, etc.  That said, they all sound distinctly Alembic.

I’ve played Series I Basses from each year 1974 to 1980, as well as a 2015 Series II.  The 2015 was more hifi sounding than the older basses, that was the biggest difference I noticed.  The 1974 bass had a very unique and beautiful sound, what I hear in my mind as quintessential Alembic, but that’s just my preference.  So as I hear them, newer ones are more hifi and older ones have a more classic tone, but they all sound like Alembics.

[mario_farufyno]

Some older Series doesn't need the electronics upgrade?

[rv_bass]

From what I understand, some do especially if you are in an urban area with lots of interference, but some apparently do fine without it.  Others will have more detail on that.

[rv_bass]

Here’s the link to the FAQ on the “Upgrade” with more info:

http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=268.0

[rv_bass]

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[moongerm]

It is a lovely bass for sure however the wonderful thing with Alembic is that you can have them make exactly what you want. This is especially important in the neck department. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[hammer]

You can easily acquire Late 70s to early 80s Series I in the price range you specified (or a Series II for the price you indicated for that matter). I own several Series I basses and other than a few additions to the electronics and a few more stringers to the standard neck, they pretty much sound the same to me. If you invest in a SF-2 Superfilter you'll be able to get just about any tone you want out of your instrument and from the prices I've seen, the purchase of an SF-2 will cost considerably less than moving from a Series I to II.

Keep in mind that as others have indicated with an older bass an electronics upgrade might be needed. I'd check with Mica on current pricing but depending on what they need to do that could set you back $750 to well over $1,000. So...make sure you either get an older bass at a price that results in the upgrade making sense or move to a 1990s bass. Somewhere else here can confirm when the change occurred that led to quieter instruments.

[Deltaphoenix]

Oh cool, so adding an SF-2 to the signal chain of the Series 1 does in fact provide some of the Series 2 flexibility. Nice. Is the SF-2 literally the same elctronics or is there a difference in say how far the LPF will close say 40hz vs 80hz?

[StephenR]

Oh cool, so adding an SF-2 to the signal chain of the Series 1 does in fact provide some of the Series 2 flexibility. Nice. Is the SF-2 literally the same elctronics or is there a difference in say how far the LPF will close say 40hz vs 80hz?

The SF-2 filters can be set from 45Hz to 6.0KHz, Series LPF is 350Hz to 6KHz. But... the SF-2 can be set to low-pass, band-pass, or high-pass filter all with adjustable gain and damping factor making it quite a bit more versatile than the electronics in a Series II.

There isn't a huge difference between the Series I and Series II electronics. Series II adds a master volume and variable Q which can be swept from 0— +15dB. The Series one Q-switches are preset for 0/6/9dB of gain. If you get a Series I bass and really want to upgrade the electronics it isn't prohibitively expensive to add the master volume and CVQ. I have one of each, the variable Q is nice but not a deal breaker. I find the master volume to be useful and had one installed in my Series I.

[Deltaphoenix]

Thanks for the details, Stephen.

Well, it is official, I put 20% down on that bass and will own it by the end of the month! Super excited to join the club!

[pauldo]

Thanks for the details, Stephen.

Well, it is official, I put 20% down on that bass and will own it by the end of the month! Super excited to join the club!

Welcome to the camp!
I think you will be very happy.

[Deltaphoenix]

I just realized that my bass doesn’t have the stereo/mono switch and I actually have a use for it. Not the end of the world but a little bit of a bummer.

Does that possibly mean this basses 1/4” out is stereo? I think I also read that some Series just don’t have it.