20th Anniversary Bass Question

[Stu Johnson (stu)]

Hi Mica I recently bought a 20th Anniversary bass serial number 91 AM 105 and would like to know if you can give me some information about it. The types of wood used, the electronics and if similar electronics are used in other Basses. I have to say it plays like a dream I've always wanted an Alembic and I reckon I have the best ever built !! Thanks  Stu Johnson

[mica]

20th Anniversary electronics are used in the 20th Anniversary basses and on custom orders only.
 
The control layout is very similar to a Series I - a volume, filter and Q switch for each pickup, plus a pickup selector switch. We also put a stereo/mono switch on the 20th Anniversary models.  This has always been (and still is) an option for Series I and Series II, but it isn't standard.
 
If your bass is light then it's a Maple top, back and core with Purpleheart accent laminates. If it's dark, then you've got Walnut top, back and core with Vermilion accent laminates. Both styles had 5-piece Maple and Purpleheart necks.
 
Hope you enjoy that new-to-you bass.  

[Harald Rost (harald_rost)]

Mica,
while the control layout you described seems to be identical to the Series 1 electronic: Where's the difference except missing the external power supply? Do the 20th ann. Bass has one or two 9V batt.?
 
Best wishes from Germany
 
Harald

[Michael Delacerda (dela217)]

Harald, The 20th Anniversary basses did not have a provision for a power supply, and were powered by a single nine volt battery.  There are lots of differences with this setup.  The pickups are not single coil like the series basses. Also the q switches are 2 position and not three.  The upper position gave way to traditional tone controls, while with the switch in the down position activated the filters....Michael

[mica]

Harald, you're right. The control layout is exactly the same, and as Michael described, the electronics and pickups are comepletely different.  
 
Michael's bass has 20th Anniversary electronics, although his has an added 5-pin connector as a custom feature.

[Stu Johnson (stu)]

Thanks for the quick reply Mica, I appreciate it. The bass is excellent quite honestly the best I've ever played, I've waited 27 years to get a bass as good as this one, I've played many different types but nothing comes close. Congratulations to everyone at Alembic.