(x) Serial Number 1114153 2011 Series II 5 string. Cocobolo top & Back.

[Dunadan1]

HI! I was just wondering if anyone  might have known anything about a bass I purchased recently.
It is Serial Number 1114153; made in 2011: a Series II 5 string. Cocobolo top & Back. It has found a loving home in Chicago.
Thanks, Mark

[rv_bass]

Hi Mark, welcome and congratulations...wow that thing is freaking beautiful!

I think the body shape, with its extended upper horn and slight offset at the neck to improve balance, is in between the traditional omega and the Balance K.  This might be called a Balance Point.  Mica will likely verify and provide more info when she gets a chance.

For now, here is some information I found that was included with one of the postings online when it was for sale:

Alembic Series II 5 string
34" scale
Bookmatched Cocobolo top
Bookmatched Cocobolo back
7-piece maple, purple heart and ebony long scale neck
Custom neck taper (1.8 x 2.5)
Side LED's in red, inlaid in sterling silver
Alalone oval fretboard inlays
Crown peghead shape
Heart omega carving
Tummy and elbow contours
24 karat gold plated hardware
Inlaid solid bronze logo with mother of pearl and abalone, including abalone rays
Recessed gold straplocks
Series II pickups and electronics

Comes with original G&G case, DS-5R, papers, strap locks, tools, 5-pin cable and 4 sets of Ken Smith Strings.

[Dunadan1]

WOW! Thanks for the super quick response! Yep! Those are the details. It truly is a lovely instrument with atypical string spacing.
I was wondering where this instrument might have been on the planet for the last 9 years.
It’s in incredible condition. Someone was caring and gentle.

Also having trouble finding flat wound strings. I bought a set of Pyramids but the cloth winding goes past the nut so I can’t use them.
Any recommendations about flats for a Series II?

Also not sure about the DS-5R. When recording direct into an audio interface (e.g. UA Apollo) what is the preferred method? It seems the outputs on there front panel need to go into instrument inputs of the interface. Are the outputs on the DS-5R back panel identical? Are any of the outputs line level?
THANK YOU for helping!

[rv_bass]

I really love the swirls in the top wood!

I use Pyramid Gold flatwounds on my Alembics (and love them).  I trim the silk back a little with a razor bade, seems to resolve the silk on nut issue for me.  Otherwise, lots of people like TI flats, or DR flats. 

I’m not sure about your DS-5R and output to recording question, I’m from the garage band magnetic tape era   others will chime in with help on that. I believe the outputs on the front and back are the same.  I use the outputs on the front of my DS-5R to go into a preamp.

As far as your bass’s journey thus far, Mica may have insight on that from the files at Alembic, but it might take her a little while to get to it.

I checked out your web link too, I like the tunes you have there, your Alembic will sound great with them!

[adriaan]

TI Jazz flats have plenty of length before the silk. On my 34" 6 string, the tailpiece is half an inch further back than normal, and this is what it looks like at the nut:

[adriaan]

It truly is a lovely instrument with atypical string spacing.

It looks a lot like the typical string spacing for an Alembic, which has equal spacing between the strings at the bridge. This is why the A string on your 5 string bass is not smack in the middle of the fingerboard.

[Dunadan1]

Thank you for all the replies!
They are really helpful.
This community of Alembic aficionados seems very welcoming & friendly.
Thank you!

Thanks rv, I think I will try to perform some elective surgery on the Pyramids!

[hammer]

As Adrian has indicated TI Jazz flats will work fine with your bass. Keep in mind that while I love them, some people think the string tension is too low and they feel floppy. They are expensive but last a long, long time.

[goran]

Oh that's a beautiful bass, definitely a keeper. Thankfully she found a new home!

[Dunadan1]

Hi!   Wondering if I could get a little help from someone who is a veteran Alembic owner.
I recently purchased a Series II bass.
The ¼ " jack has a switch for mono/stereo.
Can anyone suggest a high quality cable that I could purchase that has a 1/4 inch TRS Stereo split to two ¼" mono jacks?   
Thanks for your help!!
Mark

[StephenR]

Hey Mark,

I was also tempted by your bass and glad to see it has gone to a good home. Butch at Bayou Audio Cables sells the 1/4" lead you are looking for.
http://bayoucables.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=22&zenid=204f9f9b1b15b0c0d345dab5579e68bc

Be aware that running Series electronics off of the batteries is not recommended since the batteries only will last about 20 hours. Fine for practice at home as long as you don't mind the expense and pollution but I wouldn't recommend gigging using batteries. When they go it will be almost instantly, something you don't want occurring mid-song or mid-set.

Did you ever settle on strings?

[Dunadan1]

HI, Thanks for your help and your response!
I will check out the cable. Yes, Using the power supply is preferable for lots of reasons.
I just want to have a stereo 1/4” cable for the bass to have all bases covered.

Regarding strings: I trimmed a set of Pyramids, it was super easy to do, although I had never done it before. It took about 30 seconds.
I was hugely disappointed that the Pyramid low B string was worthlessly dead. Probably the worst B string I’ve ever heard. (Ive been playing Status 5 string basses since 1990)  -
So I bought DR Strings Hi-Beam Flats - Flatwound Stainless Steel Round Core 5 String Bass 45-125. I have used DR  flatwounds on my some of my guitars for years and loved them.
The DRs are infinitely better. BUT... the B is still a big dead sounding. Just slightly. I may go back to roundwounds. (The bass was delivered with Ken Smith roundwounds) They sounded lively. Super bright. My issue with the KS strings was that they rattled quite a bit in an unpleasant way.
I am still learning about this wonderful instrument and feel lucky to have it!!
I’d still like to be able to contact and converse with the previous owner. I think I may have purchased it from the online dealer that owner sold it to. I found a description online about how they took care of the bass - so much love and care for an instrument. It kind of blew me away. It would be fun to contact them. 
Thanks again.
Sincere well wishes to all in the Alembic universe!
Mark

[adriaan]

I've found the flatwound B  from TI to be rather lively, you could see about buying a single and swapping it in.

[rv_bass]

Pyramids provide the classic thump, which is why I like them, but that's just my preference. For my five string I ordered .115 for the B.  I find TI flats to be brighter in general than Pyramids, and DR flats brighter than TIs.  That is certainly a beautiful bass you have!

[edwardofhuncote]

In my flatwound string odyssey, I found the D'Adarrio Chromes to be the brightest.


I started with Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats, liked them just fine. In the spirit of 'must try new/different things' I tried Pyramid Golds (with a .120 B I think...), then Chromes, and ultimately went back to Thomastik Infeld Jazz Flats. I keep T-I Jazz Rounds on my older Series I, just because it really seems to like them, both tension-wise, and tone-wise... they are just a perfect match for that bass, and I like having one or two strung with rounds anyway. But you will never, ever, pry me offa' my T-I Jazz Flats again. I should just sell the very gently used Pyramid Golds and D'Addario Chromes actually. They aren't likely to be used on my basses again.


*Another plug for Butch at Bayou Cables. He made me a really cool special Y-adapter for an old stereo-only DS-1 power supply box. Treated me so well, I bought a new 18-foot RED 5-pin cable too. Fun to talk to as well.