74-74: Tom Fowler's Alembic

[s_wood]

Overbite Sensation was a Jazz Bass. The album was recorded from March-June of 1973, and there are plenty of pics showing Fowler playing a natural finish Jazz during that time. Great tone, for sure!

[keith_h]

Overbite Sensation was a Jazz Bass. The album was recorded from March-June of 1973, and there are plenty of pics showing Fowler playing a natural finish Jazz during that time. Great tone, for sure!

Overbite Sensation would certainly have been a better title with all the lyrics about dental floss. 

[rv_bass]

Do you know what the core wood is?  The dark grain lines make it look kind of like koa, but I can’t really tell from the photos.  Beautiful bass!

[s_wood]

I am waiting for Mica to give me the official word as to the core wood.  I thought it was mahogany at first but Mica suggested that it might be oak and the grain looks consistent with that.  I don't think it's koa... I will keep you posted.

[rv_bass]

Oak would be cool!  I have a 74 Series I with oak core.  Just posted photos in the Showcase thread for reference if you want to compare (74-59).

[s_wood]

Susan and Mica have confirmed that that 74-74 has a white oak core, like rv's 74-59.  Susan's recollection is that there were about 25 basses made with white oak cores around that time.  The top and back are zebrawood, and the neck is made of walnut and birch.

[rv_bass]

That’s awesome!  Great wood combinations and beautiful bass!  I think moonliner has a small body bass with oak core.  Very nice! 

[bigredbass]

I love that picture of Ron holding that bass during the work-up.

Just imagine . . . . all the magic that has passed through those hands.

[paulman]

I was just watching the Inca Roads vid on YouTube and admiring this bass.


Congrats, that's a dream come true!!

[mica]

The core is actually Red Birch. Foudn the build record and looked at some more close up pictures and I'm convinced of the core's identity

[rv_bass]

That’s cool, I have one with a birch core too.  There is a photo under the thread for 75-A013 with a nice side shot showing the birch core grain for comparison. 

[Slam]

What a great story! Glad this historic instrument is in good hands