(x) History request: S/N 1117 ('78)

[Rondog]

Hi, I just got a 1978 small body Stanley Clarke style Series 1, with serial number 1117. Can you tell me anything about it?

[keith_h]

As history requests are completed on a time available basis it might take a while to see the build card information. If you can post some pictures we should be able to give you a good idea of the materials and anything that appears unique.

[StephenR]

Hi Jon,

I have a 1978 Series I bass with the same body shape but mine is a five-string. Serial number is 78-1172 and the "birthdate" is 6/30/78 so I suspect yours was finished earlier in the year. There is a showcase thread for my bass here, the pictures are no longer linked but mine has a rosewood top and back. I had a master volume added 7 years ago.

Since the history request lookups can take time before they happen I suggest you upload a few pictures, members here can most likely fill in some of the blanks while you wait for Mica's reply.

[edwardofhuncote]

Congratulations Jon, Glad that one found a home. I'm quite curious to see what the Head Elf finds on this bass, as it has some very interesting wood and retro-ish bridge/tailpiece hardware. Here is the lookup thread on the guitar numbered just prior to yours; https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=22854.msg230975#msg230975 #78-1116 was completed on May 11th, so I'd guess yours is darn close to that.

[Rondog]

Hi Keith, Stephen & Greg, thanks for the information. I'm happy to wait for any info that Mica can give about this bass, there's no hurry as it's just curiosity. The person who ordered this went for the channel type bridge and the serial number stamped into the top of the headstock, which I think was going for an older style look. I wasn't sure about the channel bridge because it clearly has to be very precisely constructed & I was worried someone might have messed it up over the years. However, it works perfectly. It's got a rosewood fingerboard and golden coloured abalone (I think) ovals. The wood is a puzzle. The finish is yellowed, which makes it even harder to know what the wood is, but I really like it. The actual finish itself is almost perfect with only a couple of marks and no checking. It's been used but well looked after. The moment I picked it up I loved it. The sound is exactly what I wanted & the seller set it up exactly as I wanted. I'll put some pictures up tomorrow. I'd be very interested to find out about past owners, and whoever ordered it.

[keith_h]

Alembic won't provide information on past owners so the only way they will become known if they decide to show themselves. Sometimes they will also be revealed if members recognize an instrument as having been owned by another member but that isn't common.

[Rondog]

Hi Keith, yes I didn't expect Alembic to give out that information, I was hoping a previous owner or someone who knew any history of this bass might come forward.

[Rondog]

A couple of pictures, which were taken by the seller.
I'll take some more and put them in the showcase area in a few days.

[keith_h]

Nice looking bass. The neck is maple, purple heart and my guess is walnut or birch. From the little bit I can see the body core looks like mahogany. The top resembles walnut in the grain pattern to me but seems to light. Koa maybe?

[Rondog]

Hi Keith, I think you are right with walnut & mahogany. it was sold as mahogany core with figured walnut facings, but with no paperwork. When the listings was posted in the "seen on eBay, etc" forum there was some doubt about the facings (https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=26631.0). Mica wasn't sure and the yellowing of the finish made it harder. Sorry, I should have included a link to that discussion. I really like the mix of elements in the facing, with a bit of flaming, knots, etc. I really wonder what it would have looked like when it was new, because the combination with the rosewood fingerboard, golden abalone ovals and the yellowed finish+maple looks really lovely. Everything has aged very nicely together. It also feels light at 9lbs 4oz.

[rv_bass]

What a beautiful bass, congratulations!  The stripes in the fingerboard remind me of macassar ebony.  The inlays look kind of like yellowed abalone.  Very nice, I bet it sounds fantastic! 

[Rondog]

I think it's beautiful, I'm glad you do too. I'm a sucker for older instruments with character. I was expecting it to sound good, but to be honest I was flabbergasted. Very powerful, dynamic and punchy. Fingerstyle at the bridge pickup is as funky as it gets. I don't think the upgrade was ever done on this bass, but so far it's not picking up any electrical noise in even quite bad environments.

[pauldo]

😎

[rv_bass]

Yes, powerful for sure, and with a very distinct voice.  I like the older ones too.  I wonder if the top is birch?  Will be interesting to see what the file says.  Enjoy!

[mica]

A channel bridge in 1978 is very strange indeed!  Here's the details from the file:

Model: Series I
top: Myrtle
body: Mahogany
back: Myrtle
neck: 5-piece Maple and Purpleheart
scale: short 30.75"
fingerboard: Ebony*
inlays: abalone
peghead veneers: Zebrawood
controls: Series I
originally made for: Rothchild
birthday: May 11, 1978

*The fingerboard looks to be Macassar Ebony to my eye.