(x) Series I 1976 438 History Request

[powdered_toast_man]

Hi Mica! Just bought my second Alembic and Im very happy. I would like to ask you about the history of this beatiful bass.
its a 1976 series one (it was not called series one in that time I belive) short scale.

Is the same bass that appears in this toppic
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/alembic-misterious-bass.1313254/

Thanks in advance!!
Love!!
Hernan

[jazzyvee]

Well that is a good looking bass, and the extended bridge to tailpiece distance would have been requested to allow the use of standard long scale bass strings.

[powdered_toast_man]

Indeed!!!!

[mica]

This is one that's on a little 3x5 card, so the information is quite scant! But here's what I can tell you from the record:

serial number: 76-438
model name: Series I
model number: SBI-4
top: Zebrawood
body: Koa
back: Zebrawood
neck: Birch and Walnut
scale: 30.75" short
fingerboard: Ebony
inlays: mother of pearl ovals
originally made for: NAMM show display
birthday: June 24, 1976

I agree with some of the discussion at talkbass regarding the tailpiece position. It's likely to use long scale strings. I've seen this on several older basses.

There's a lot of attention that these basses weren't called Series I and II originally. Well we need to talk about them now, and we've been calling them Series I and II for literally decades, I'm pretty sure it's OK to call them by their names At least I certainly have no issue with it.

[poweredtoastman]

Thanks so much Mica for your incredible disposition to give us this super valuable information. This bass plays like a dream. My second Alembic and I know Im not stopping here.


Best regards!