Specs for Series 1 884794

[Duncan Muller (muller1007)]

Hi Mica,
 
I've come across a personal ad of a Dutch guy selling an Alembic series I bass. He doesn't tell much about the bass, only that it's a 1980 Series I of various woods, including power supply. He also states the serial # which is 884794, which suggests it's from 1988.
Probably a typing error in either of the two numbers.
 
I've tried to get in touch with the seller to ask the specs, but so far I haven't been able to.
 
Is it possible for you to dig up the specs/build record of serial # 884794? Or would it be # 804794? Just want to make sure it's the real thing I'm chasing.
 
Thanks.
Duncan

[James L. Martin (malthumb)]

Duncan,
 
884794 is probably correct.  I have 874431.  That puts only 363 basses between an 87 and an 88.
 
Peace,
 
James

[Duncan Muller (muller1007)]

Thanks James,
 
I'm sure you're right about the serial number. I checked the Club's showcase and figured out that basses from '80 probably have numbers somewhere around 1500 or 1600.  
 
I do hope Mica will help me out with the build record though. I have the impression that the seller is not quite an Alembic connaisseur to tell me the exact specs of his bass.  
 
Thanks again.
 
Duncan

[mica]

Build record for 88 4794 LSBI-4
 
top and back: Brazilian Rosewood  
accent wood and core not recorded, but are likely to be Maple accent laminates with a Mahogany core
fingerboard: Ebony with mother of pearl oval inlays
neck: 34 scale through body 7-piece Maple and Purpleheart
bodyshape: Standard Point
Originally sold to: Kenman Company, Switzerland for the 1988 Franfurt Musik Messe
birthdate: not recorded, but mid February, 1988
 
The only reported owner was in 2000 in the Netherlands.

[mica]

Looking a little further, I found the birthday was February 23, 1988 and the body wood is Mahogany.

[Duncan Muller (muller1007)]

Wow..
 
Those are some very nice specs. I don't recall ever seeing a Brazillian rosewood Alembic. Is this a special custom option?
 
Does a Series bass from '88 come with the rackmountable powersupply?
 
I will have to go check my bank account and try to contact the seller.
 
Thank you Mica!
 
Duncan

[mica]

Brazilian Rosewood was used while the material was legally available. The 25th Anniversary model is Brazilian Burl Rosewood. John Entwistle's Standard Point Graphite basses were both Brazilian. Now it's protected by the CITES treaty and is essentially unavailable.
 
The DS-5R was introduced in the early 90s - so this one probably has a DS-5 unless the owner upgraded at some time.

[Duncan Muller (muller1007)]

I finally got in touch with the guy who placed the ad for the '88 Series I. He was kinda surprised that I called for the bass. He said he placed the ad two years ago and the bass was actually sold in two hours after the ad was published. He didn't realize the ad was still there. He also said that he very much regrets selling the bass, because it was/is so beautiful.
 
Man that was quite a cold shower. I really had my hopes up on this one. Everything about the bass seemed to be right, even the price. Considering that Series basses are very rare in this part of the world, I guess I'll have to accept the fact that it will be a while before the next one will cross my path.
 
The search continues...
 
Duncan

[Jan Riviere (janriviere)]

I am sorry to hear that Duncan, that must have been a real disappointement.  
 
Do you mind telling us where you saw the ad ? Was it somewhere online ?  
 
It is true that it is quite unusual to see SeriesI or SeriesII basses on the second hand European market, especially in the Benelux. I check ebay on a regular bases, and when I see what is offered in the States ... that's really disappointing for a European Alembic player, isn't it ?  
 
Cheers  
Jan
 
(Message edited by janriviere on March 29, 2003)

[James L. Martin (malthumb)]

Psst.  Duncan.  Check this out.  It's in Europe and it's a sweetie.
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2519697067&category=4713
 
Peace,  
 
James

[Duncan Muller (muller1007)]

Jan,
 
I found the ad on www.music4all.net. Apparently the advertisement files are not quite up to date. Indeed it was/is disappointing.
 
Thanks,
Duncan

[Duncan Muller (muller1007)]

James,  
 
Thanks a million for the tip! I'm afraid even the minimum price of $ 5,038 is way over my budget.  
 
It appears to be a fantastic bass, although I'm not really fond of the 3/4 size body. I think the bass looks somewhat out of proportion. I prefer the full size body really.  
 
Anyway, thanks again.    
 
Duncan
 
p.s.
 
I just found the bass from Ebay on the site of the Bass Gallery in London.
 
www.thebassgallery.com
 
They probably sell the bass in consignment.  
The Gallery has some really nice Alembics for sale.
Check it out.
 
(Message edited by muller1007 on March 30, 2003)