Series 1 with weird Logo and Fingerboard

[Picure]

This bass has been on reverb for a while and I think for anyone who surfs reverb on a regular basis woild have seen this already. What do you guys think of the headstock “Alembic” logo and the non-ebony fingerboard. To me, this just not looks right. And the owner is listing this as a Series 2.

https://reverb.com/item/15289987-alembic-series-ii

[pauldo]

I am by no means an expert, there are others here that will chime in with a more educated analysis.

Here’s my 2 cents...
Alembic does make instruments with non-ebony fingerboards.
Pickups look real.
Instrument looks real, extra headstock logo is strange (I know some instruments destined for overseas sales have different nuances to them)
String saddle at the bridge is not the typical ‘bird of prey’ shape. (Again overseas instrument? Size restriction for scale/ body length?)
I have never seen a DS-5 power supply that wasn’t blue (I don’t get out much and am NOT well versed in Series instruments and power supplies). (Overseas nuance?)
The paper work seems accurate but pretty sure that Alembic measures things in inches not mm’s could be another overseas thing...

I would ask for a serial number and a picture of what is inside the electronics cavity.  The serial number could be cross-referenced for verification.

Good luck

Paul (who has only been overseas once and that was Australia)


EDIT: just recognized the seller is in South Carolina I assumed that you were looking at a bass in or near Taiwan... a thousand apologies for the assumption.  I still stand by my comments above about what seems to me as some unique custom features.

[JimmyJ]

I also think it's the real thing.  Serial # is 96-9710 as per the build sheet.  Maybe Mica can pull the file and tell us the story.

I'm assuming the rosewood fingerboard (with no inlays), the unusual tailpiece, placement of the p/u selector and master volume, and the extra inlaid "brand name" on the headstock were all requests made by the original customer.  Everything else looks legit except that it has cue switches like a Series I instead of pots like a Series II.  But the build sheet does say "II" so that was probably another customer request.

And it doesn't look like it has many miles on it.  Sure, it's cheaper than buying a brand new one, but still a large chunk of change (especially for you to collect it Jack).  And this is an example of how customization can effect resale value.  If you really get into making it your own and do a lot of non-spec mods, to sell it you'd need to find a buyer who also likes all your weird ideas.  Ha!  I think maybe it's priced a bit high because of that...

Jimmy J

[Picure]

Thanks for the replys!

Hahah, I am not looking to buy this bass, I am just curious about this bass because of it’s weird features.

[lbpesq]

I also noticed the controls.  It’s really looks more like a Series I with an added master volume than a Series II.  And I wouldn’t be surprised if the owner added the “Alembic” lettering to the peg-head.  The pic of the case also has an “Alembic” label that I haven’t seen before.  The top on this one is really nice.

Bill, tgo

[edwardofhuncote]

We had this thread running on that bass a little while back, Jack...

http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=24114.msg241249#msg241249

I don't know that any conclusions were reached, but it's a legitimate Alembic Series bass of some stripe... that body shape is a custom pattern that's kinda' like an oversized Rogue, I believe called "JB" or "Bulger" (no idea what the backstory is, I just read it in a build sheet once) The price is (still) such that there's not much danger of anyone here jumping it. Dock may eventually find the right person for that one. A couple of his basses have turned up here.

[David Houck]

... instruments with non-ebony fingerboards.

http://www.alembic.com/info/wood_fingerboards.html 

[lembic76450]

In the other thread, Zut mentions the font of the Alembic label on the headstock.
Those fake Alembics from Texas use that decal, don't they?
Most of the bass looks legit to me, though, it is more of a Series 1.5

[edwardofhuncote]

Here's a thread with puctures of one of that rash of fake Elans from a while back. http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=11516.msg129234#msg129234 Different font, but same idea. I think Dock's bass has rub-on gold letters, and I seriously doubt it left Santa Rosa that way.

[jwright9]

I can say from personal experience that I would stay away from this seller's Alembic stash. I bough one and had to return it. It was in very poor shape and the electronics had undisclosed issues. He was also selling a Fernandes as a Series 1 last year. Not to mention that his prices are all way too high. He has had these basses for sale for a very long time. Buyer beware.

[keith_h]

It looks to be a Series 1 1/2 to me. I've seen other Alembics with rosewood fingerboards and bar tail pieces. While neither are what I'd consider common they aren't unicorns either. It would surprise me if the Alembic inlay on the headstock is original as the font isn't very tasteful. All in all it appears to be areal Alembic to me but way over priced. 

[mica]

Everything looks fine on this bass - the word "ALEMBIC" on the peghead is not something we did here and like others, I suspect it's a rub-on type situation.