SERIES I SC IN JAPAN ON DA VERB

[YamatoJJ]

Hello, All!

Long time, no writing! Hope everyone is fantastic! Bless!

This: https://reverb.com/item/61994336-alembic-series-i-cocobolo-top-red-led-option-2008-ds-5?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=61994336

The music store I frequent in Osaka where I met the first Alembic that made me fall in love with the sound has finally gotten an SC shape SI in: a 2008. It plays gorgeously, but I realized I would need to really sit down and PLAY the bass for a solid week and with a band to really appreciate how great it is. I played it with a strap, standing and seated: it was a dream. The bass really was responsive, and I loved the switch position at the horn; wasn’t in the way for me at all. The short scale on the strap was just fine for me. Red LEDs that stay on.

The sounds of an SI to me had a lot more “color” and pronounced than the Sig I played last year; the tones from each pickup were very defined, loud, and clear. I liked the switch more than using knobs to blend: I felt more in control. Wow, what a joy to play! Alas, I feel that my search is still ongoing, as I don’t know exactly what I’m wanting yet (and not playing out makes it more difficult to “hear” what I’d want)….a FANTASTIC BASS.

With the yen to dollar right now. I suggest that people to jump on this beautiful bass: it comes with all paperwork, the DS-5, and Cannon Cable.

[sonofa_lembic]

At first, this looks great, but I have not seen an Alembic bridge like that...ever.  Was it a Japan only issued bridge?  Looks similar to the old Stars Guitars bridges of the early 70's, but is not that.  Truss rod cover is also off center.  Are the switches chrome?  A bit out of the norm, but maybe as it should be for an export bass???

[mica]

We made a couple of retro type models for Japan, both bass and guitar. This bridge was developed for them. It has the look of the channel bridge but the added structure of the stabilizing pins on the saddles.

I would just double check the electronics are Series I. My memory is foggy and I don't remember if we did any special orders of Series I. Sometimes we would do a "prep" for a future Series I electronics upgrade, but because of some aftermarket electronics targeting Series I/II I would check to make sure.

[dela217]

If you look closely at the back, you can see the trim and hum adjustments on the PF6 card.    Looks like Series to me.

[mica]

If you look closely at the back, you can see the trim and hum adjustments on the PF6 card.    Looks like Series to me.

I saw them too - but there's another company making cards, so my advice is to still look under the hood if you're buying.

[YamatoJJ]

Thank you for the input!

I can definitely get the serial number and build card: I had thought the hand-written build card said it was a Series I; it was ordered by Sleek Elite in Tokyo. The manager of the shop and I get along very well: he said it was a bass they’d sold new so he’d know….

[tkotmk42]

I just picked this bass up from the owner who purchased from the shop.
It has the typical hand-written wood sheet and it says all the right things, and it does say it is Series 1 bass.

Very interesting bass indeed.  I love the 'classic' look of the bass, without the typical maple accent laminate between the top cocobolo and mahogany body.
Also, body is thicker than my current Europa, I believe this is another 'classic' feature used on this bass (but not mentioned on the spec sheet).

I may have 2 extreme ends of the sound profile in terms of Alembic basses.... I have this one, and also an Europa with maple top, walnut body, and maple/walnut neck (with maple fingerboard).  Europa is SIGNIFICANLY brighter sounding than this Series bass.  I first thought the Q switch on the Series bass was broken (its not) since it had much mellower attack/brightness.

Anyways, it is a beautiful bass, so different from my Europa, but I am loving it so far.

[adriaan]

I just picked this bass up from the owner who purchased from the shop.
It has the typical hand-written wood sheet and it says all the right things, and it does say it is Series 1 bass.

Very interesting bass indeed.  I love the 'classic' look of the bass, without the typical maple accent laminate between the top cocobolo and mahogany body.
Also, body is thicker than my current Europa, I believe this is another 'classic' feature used on this bass (but not mentioned on the spec sheet).

I may have 2 extreme ends of the sound profile in terms of Alembic basses.... I have this one, and also an Europa with maple top, walnut body, and maple/walnut neck (with maple fingerboard).  Europa is SIGNIFICANLY brighter sounding than this Series bass.  I first thought the Q switch on the Series bass was broken (its not) since it had much mellower attack/brightness.

Anyways, it is a beautiful bass, so different from my Europa, but I am loving it so far.

Congrats and enjoy!
The body is thicker to accommodate the Series electronics. You could also say non-Series bodies are less thick because they do not have to accommodate the Series electronics, which is more accurate historically.