Alembic Circuit Board

[jellybean_red]

I have an Alembic circuit board that was taken out of an Alembic bass in the late 1970's. It has "ALEMBIC PF-6" printed on the the circuit board. Also has "1101" handwritten on it.  I'd be interested in selling this item.

[JimmyJ]

Welcome.  You've come to the right place and I expect you'll find some interested parties here.  Any chance your could post pictures for us - of both sides?  And do you know anything about its history?

Jimmy J

[dela217]

I may be interested.    Is the circuit board the only piece you have?

Michael

[rv_bass]

If Michael loses interest, I would be interested.

Thanks,
Rob

[jellybean_red]

Here are pictures of the circuit board.

[jellybean_red]

I bought an Alembic bass in 1976 or 1977.  This circuit board is from that bass.  I sold the bass sometime in the 80's.  (What was I thinking???)  I'm not sure why I would have just this circuit board.  Was there an upgrade available that I would have installed and kept the original?

[JimmyJ]

Nice original board there!  Perhaps you had it as a spare?  (I carry spares).  Do you remember heavily modifying that bass before you sold it? 

There would not have been any upgrades available at that time.  In fact, Series instruments still use that same preamp board. With the exception of the chips which are now in sockets on the other side, and the p/u connectors which are no longer those mini-coaxial type.  The only "mod" available now is a noise reducing scheme which STILL uses that pre.

I'm sure somebody here wants that!  Stay tuned.

Jimmy J

[jellybean_red]

Here is some information which could help identify and enlighten us on this circuit board.  Pictures attached.  First is a picture of the bass.  Second is a letter that I received from Alembic which I believe is a response to my inquiry of where I could purchase an Alembic bass.  Note the date.  So I'm pretty sure I bought the bass in late 1976 or early 1977.  I believe I bought it from "Fred's Music" in Reading, PA

[jellybean_red]

I've attached pictures of a brochure that I found with my other Alembic stuff.  I thought it would be interesting to all the Alembic enthusiasts out there.

[edwardofhuncote]

Thanks for sharing your story and pictures. Can't quite make out the date on the letterhead (I'm looking at a mobile) but it's familiar to that Sebastopol timeframe. I see a couple features on your bass that suggest it is at least a 1977. Dual truss rods became a standard that year, as well as a change to a machined bridge from the older rail-type that would be seen on a '76. The plate just behind the nut on the headstock is puzzling... was that a repair or something?


Curiosity got the best of me, and I popped the hood on my '77 Series I... it's preamp card is numbered (handwritten, exactly as yours) 618, the bass is serially numbered 77-621. I have no idea if those card numbers run along with the instrument serial numbers or if it's just coincidence. An instrument numbered 1101 would be from sometime in 1978. Don't know about the cards. I sure would like to though.


Nice picture, and a nice bass. Who knows, it may show up here someday.

[StephenR]

Curiosity got the best of me, and I popped the hood on my '77 Series I... it's preamp card is numbered (handwritten, exactly as yours) 618, the bass is serially numbered 77-621. I have no idea if those card numbers run along with the instrument serial numbers or if it's just coincidence. An instrument numbered 1101 would be from sometime in 1978. Don't know about the cards. I sure would like to though.

Hey Greg, after reading your post I visited with 78-1172 which has been temporarily exiled to closet status since the arrival of my Balance K Series bass. PF-6 circuit board is numbered 736 so it doesn't appear that they are sequential from instrument to instrument. I have owned this bass since 1985 and the only work done under my stewardship was the addition of the master volume, installed by Alembic a couple of years ago. While I can't absolutely confirm the circuit board is the original one it also is doubtful that it was ever changed between 1978-85.

[rv_bass]

I just saw this on Reverb, it’s in Germany.  looks very similar to you bass!

https://reverb.com/item/32967233-1978-alembic-ssb-series-1-in-natural-finish-with-original-hardshell-case

[jellybean_red]

That definitely looks like my Alembic!!  Someone asked what the gold plate on the headstock is on my bass.  I don't remember what that was.  Maybe Jimmy would know. 

[edwardofhuncote]

I kinda' figured preamp cards, like power supply boxes had their own numerical sequences... makes sense that far along in production.


I believe Rob has found your old bass there, Jellybean. Wow, that didn't take long. I'd bet my best jar of marbles that's it... you can even see a couple little marks on the headstock where that mysterious plate was.


Good luck with your sale here, and Welcome to the Alembic Club.

[jellybean_red]

I just looked closely at that Ebay listing.  THAT IS DEFINITELY MY BASS!!!  Thank you rv_bass!!!   What memories this brings back!  I was a touring musician back in the late 70's and early 80's.  That bass has seen a lot of the USA and a few other countries!  I would buy that bass in a heartbeat if I could.  Now I mostly play my new Sadowsky and my old '82 Modulus.

Thank you to all the guys here!