For Sale 1978 Series I

[patocox]

I bought this bass in Houston from a Guitar Center in 1995. The salesman said it had one owner and it didnt come with a case or the power supply. I remember buying it cause I knew it was a high dollar bass (and beautiful) and I thought I got it for a bargain. It was very uncommon to see an Alembic in a store at all around me at that time. It did have buzzing on the higher frets and so when I brought it home I stuck it in the closet as I was playing a Jazz bass and a Steinberger and I never got  the motivation to actually get it setup. I know - total sacrilege. Well, fast forward to today and I still havent done anything with it! The bass is in the same condition as I bought it and has been sitting in a gig bag for over 20 years.  The serial number is 78 1149.

The condition is decent. There is LOTS of finish checking on it. See pics. Also the sides of the neck are very worn and are missing finish in spots. This seems to have been a real player/workhorse for the 1st owner.

I kinda freaked out when I could only get one pickup to work, but thanks to this forum I learned that its wired for stereo. The electronics could probably use a good cleaning. The bass sounds and plays great albeit for the higher frets. Starting at about 13 or 14, its starts to buzz but they dont fret out. I presume a fret leveling would set this right but its been that way since I bought it. It has rotosounds on it which are still pretty fresh. Frets are in good shape. It weighs in at 11.5 lbs!

Please let me know if you need any other details or pictures. Happy to provide. This guy needs a new home and get some use! I could also record a video of me playing it if that would help.

Cash deal. No trades. $3500 shipped to the lower 48 or local pickup.

[patocox]

Pics attached

[jwright9]

Patocox, How can forum members get in touch with you?

[edwardofhuncote]

That's a nice bass Patrick. (and Welcome to the Alembic Club) I'll guess burly myrtle on the top and back, but eager to be corrected. Someone will want to know if it is long or medium-scale, (34" or 32") and if it comes with a bluebox power supply.

You can activate an email address associated with your Club account for private conversations, but be wary of posting the address out in the open.

You will net a lot more from the sale of that bass if you have some simple work done. Good luck. 

[StephenR]

Hi Patrick, nice bass, I also own a 1978 Series bass. Agree with Gregory, you should add email contact to your account. I also agree that you would be better off having the bass worked on, electronics checked etc. and you should be able to sell it for more. At the price you are asking it is ripe for someone else to buy and flip for a profit. Plus it is always better to make sure an instrument gets into the hands of someone who will play and appreciate it. GLWTS...

[patocox]

Thank you guys. I changed my profile so folks can email me..

I really had no idea how to price it... what work would you recommend? Just the fret work?

I figured a refinish would 1) Be very costly, 2) hurt the value.

Thanks for the guidance and the warm welcome.

Also... its a Long Scale 34".

[StephenR]

Mine also has a lot of checkering. Mica did not recommend refinishing it unless the finish was falling off. FWIW, your email link is still not visible. You should see a little envelope icon below your avatar that people can click on to email you. The email will go out through the Alembic server.

I would get the bass set up, have the frets checked and also the electronics. Without the power supply you or the tech you take it to would need a stereo to mono 1/4" cable to see if both pickup circuits are working properly. The brass can be cleaned up with Flitz metal polish. Another thing that happens over time if the switches and pots are not used is that they get scratchy sounding. If that is the case you need to "exercise" the pots and switches by flipping or turning at least 50 times. Sometimes it takes longer but eventually all the noise should go away.

[edwardofhuncote]

Don't mess with the finish, just a good buffing. Those checks are typical of the late-70's Alembic finish. Some of us even like it.


Frets, and setup, and have someone check out the electronics thoroughly. You should be able to check both pickups and the switching with a set of stereo headphones, but have someone thoroughly check those Series electronics out, especially since they've been sitting idle for a long time. I see some corrosion creeping out of the screw holes on the backplate where the preamp card is mounted, and maybe the trimpots too. (like maybe some batteries leaked out...) You definitely need to get that cleaned up but do not spray anything in there to clean these parts.


These are issues that are probably resolved locally without too much expense. Selling an Alembic bass with issues means taking a $$$ hit, and it'll come down to how much you're willing to give up. Here's the downside- after you get that dragon properly set up, I'm betting you ain't gonna' want to sell it anymore.

[patocox]

For the life of me, I cant get the "Allow Users to email me" setting to stay even when I enter my password. Cleared cache and used different browsers. Maybe a bug?

[David Houck]

Email appears to be working now.

[edwin]

Ooh! This looks great. It's going to go quickly.

Wish I had the cash as I miss my '78 Series I a lot.

[gtrguy]

I would tune down the strings and check the truss rod (rods) to see if they move at all. A picture of the back of the headstock where it meets the neck would be a good idea as well, as some old instruments have cracks in that area.
Nice bass, great price!

[hdfixer]

I'd like to make you an offer, since email does not seem to be working for you, please feel free to ping me at hdfixer@gmail.com

I'm not a flipper or a collector, just an old Deadhead who loves Alembics - it will get played out!!!

[patocox]

Here are some pics of the back of the neck as requested

****I still cant get the email thingie to work, so please just post a reply and Ill get back to you****

[Khrist92]

Patrick,

Beautiful bass. If you have some time, send me an email or PM me.

Thanks,

Adam