HELLO FROM OSAKA JAPAN!

[YamatoJJ]

Hello, All!

Jeff Smith: Queens NYC born and raised; been living in Osaka for 28 years. Amateur singer since junior high, guitar since high school, bass 7 years ago. I think studying the bass has changed my entire outlook on music, and has given me a deeper love of playing.

I started playing bass because my band couldn’t find a bassist, so I grabbed one and got a great teacher. After that band work kinda took over but I still practice and want to go back to my teacher.

Went through a few basses but by chance found a used Alembic in a shop here; Alembic only meant one thing to me up until now: EXPENSIVE LOL, although I’ve had a few high-enders that just didn’t work out. In a word: MAGIC, pure MAGIC: the amount of sounds that come out of this bass, I can’t sleep thinking about it….is this “THE ONE?!” Lol

Nice meeting you all, and am looking forward to learning more about these gorgeous and sonically astounding instruments!

[jazzyvee]

Great to hear from you and your alembic experience. We love pictures here so would love if you could let us see which alembic you have that is floating your boat.

[YamatoJJ]

Hello: here is what I am looking at: it’s a Japanese site that shows instruments on sale here: http://www.digimart.net/cat03/shop5033/DS07313814/

[jazzyvee]

I have seen a bass similar to that for sale in the UK a couple of years ago. I did make enquiries but i felt the asking price was too high.

[JimmyJ]

Hey Jeff,

Welcome to the forum.  "...studying the bass...has given me a deeper love of playing."  I see what you did there. 

Thanks for the link, that is a fine looking bass.  I think it's a Stanley Clarke Signature model, possibly "medium" scale length.  I don't actully think it's the "retro" version but I'm not sure.  And the controls and the dummy pickup make it look like a Series I but since there is no 5-pin connector it must be another electronics package.  Others in here may be able to better identify the electronics. 

That site describes all the woods but your request for info based on the serial number might yield additional info regarding the electronics and possibly the who the bass was made for or sold to initially.  But you must be patient as Alembic is still a family owned company with a small staff - plus it's the holidays...

In any case, if you are experiencing a serious connection to that instrument we hope you can jump at the opportunity and take it home.

Keep us in the loop!

Jimmy J

[hieronymous]

Hey Jeff - you made it over here! This place is a deep well of knowledge...

My take on this thing is that it is a Stanley Clarke Signature Standard with upgraded top and neck recipe, and also prepped for Series. The Japanese text says that it is 32" medium scale, which is another interesting aspect. Agreed that it isn't "retro spec" (retro to me means the much older '70s style horns, which this one doesn't have). I believe Jeff has played it and it has a blend control, so sounds like Signature electronics.

I don't want to be pushy, but I'm hoping he gets it! It seems like a fair price for Japan (a little over USD $5200), especially with that beautiful Macassar Ebony top!

[YamatoJJ]

Hi, Jimmy, and thank you so much: yes, I very much thinking about this bass…it is in control of my thoughts lol

Thanks hieronymous: really and truly for all the help!

I am 98% on this bass lol

[keith_h]

I agree with Jimmy that it is a Stanley Clarke Signature. The English text says the preamp is a Signature preamp and would be the standard package for the model. I feel it is the photos making the neck appear longer than it is and that the bass is a short scale. The body is not what Alembic refers to as a retro body. Neither does it look like the Brown Bass body I have on my BB and Series 1. So it appears to be the standard body shape for the model.

I don't know what the specs were for a Stanley Clarke Signature in 1992. The lack of a back laminate would make the bass a Signature Standard but by today's standards the purple heart laminates in the neck would be a Deluxe. The ebony front laminate would also be a premium upgrade. As to the dummy hum canceler I would say that it might be there as part of a Series electronics prep but I thought that would have required a back laminate to support a semi-hollow body. So it might just be a decorative feature. I would call probably call it a highly customized Signature Standard. 

No matter it is a very nice looking bass and again I agree with Jimmy that if it says something to you it looks to be a good bass to purchase. 

Link to Stanley Clarke Signature product page: http://www.alembic.com/prod/sc.html

[mica]

I'm still at home but from the pictures this is a Stanley Clarke Standard with some upgrades - like the Macassar Ebony top, brass backplate, and dummy "dummy" humcanceller pickup (it's decorative only). It's very likely short scale (30.75") but you can easily confirm by measuring from the nut to the twelfth fret and doubling that figure.

[YamatoJJ]

Keith, Mica: thank you so very much for all the input!

Mica: the bass was measured by the shop at 813 mm, which equals 32”, so it must be a custom medium-scale neck job, perhaps (as an expert, I am certain you would know far better than I could lol)?

It is a beautiful bass that’s passed through a couple of owners this side of the world, but it is in great shape and sounds magnificent; I wish I could hear a Series pickup system now after this!

My friend here told me how 30” scale basses will sound VERY different than a 32”: if so, then would demo’ing another SC be pointless in order to compare?

Again, my sincerest thanks to everyone who took time out to talk to me about this discovery!

[JimmyJ]

Jeff,

Regarding scale length:  It seems to me more a matter of preference but I don't think it dramatically effects the tone of the instrument as your friend inferred.  It's more about the feel of the string tension, etc. 

Think of it this way - a standard long scale bass has a 34" string length from nut to bridge.  If you were to put a capo on the first fret of that bass and tune the strings down a 1/2 step, you'd have (just about) a medium-scale string length.  Capo the 2nd fret and tune down again and you'd have very close to a short-scale string length.  Obviously for a 30" string to sound a low-E it needs to be under less tension than a 34" string sounding the same pitch.  About the same string tension as tuning the long-scale down a whole step.  If you use the same strings they would feel looser, easier to bend the pitch, etc.

So then with different types of string and different gauges you can fine tune this all to your liking.  That's why I think it's just personal choice regarding the feel of it all.

I must admit that I was always surprised that Stanley chose to play a short-scale Alembic.  He has extremely long fingers so "reach" was not the reason.  I think his approach to electric was more about playing melodies and soloing, like a lead guitar.  To that end he often carried a bass player in his band.  HA!  But he obviously fell in love with the Alembic tone and has made a ton of great music on these axes.

Don't overthink this.  If you have fallen in love with that bass then we all hope you will have the opportunity to take it home with you at some point.  Alembics are all hand made so they're all a little different.  Finding one for sale, playing it, and loving it, is a rare opportunity that we all hope you can take advantage of.

Jimmy J

[keith_h]

What is the measurement from the nut to the 12th fret?

[JimmyJ]

Keith,

The site lists the string length as 813cm or 32".  Also unusual to have the dummy "dummy" coil in there which shifted the neck pickup closer to the fingerboard than on a standard SC signature.  When Mica gets back to the shop next week let's hope she can dig up the paperwork so we can hear the story of this unusual axe.

Jimmy J

[keith_h]

Jimmy,

I'd like to hear what is on the build card as well.

The question is how did they take the measurement. If they took it from the nut to the bridge it would not be a accurate reflection of the scale length. As an example my BB from the nut to the saddles measures on average about 31.25 inches but taking the measurement from the nut to the 12th fret and doubling it gives me the 30.75 inch short scale length it was built with.

It could very well be a medium scale as there have been some built but they are rare and Susan really pushes back on building medium and long scale small body basses (ask me how I know ). If it is truly a medium scale I would suggest YamatoJJ spend a bit more time with it standing up and sitting as the neck will tend to dip more than the short scale and it will take more strength to keep in a comfortable playing position. It might feel ok for a short playing period but not after an hour or so.

[JimmyJ]

Ah, Keith, I finally understand what you're saying.  The nut to bridge on my bass measures 17" but only the D-string bridge saddle is near 34", and even that's a bit longer.  We need to send Jeff back to the shop with a tape measure!  I also see what you mean about the small body not being a good match for the longer scale lengths because of the neck dive problem.  All makes sense.

We await further info...

Jimmy J