(u) 80 1661 USA

[edwardofhuncote]

Yeah, it's tough to find an aftermarket hardshell case for these basses that fits quite right. Will Gunn Guitars ordered me a new one for my Series bass that came with a very worn out roadcase. http://www.willgunnguitars.com/contact Best way to get Will is by phone.

Here is a recent thread on a hardside gig bag that fits a Standard Point body bass. These Reunion Blues 'Continental Voyager' cases look nice, looks like good protection. https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=27894.0. It'll be cheaper than the hardshell case, but then, well... it ain't a hardshell case. That might actually suit you better, as those cases are huge. (won't fit most backseats)

[Artgeckko]

Hello, congrats, and btw you are going to love this group!

I am a newbie here and to Alembic myself, but the amount of shared knowledge and helpful people in this club is nothing short of amazing!
Enjoy that beautiful Series 1 bass!  I do not own a fretless Alembic,  but after experimenting with the sound of these electronics, I would imagine it would make an amazing fretless sound. These instruments are crafted incredibly well, and it really doesn't take much TLC to make them look and feel back to their former glory.   Only problem is that once you get one Alembic, you start justifying getting another, and another...

[Lara Lovely]

The power supply is something you will want to get since the batteries will only last about 20 hours.  They pop up for sale online now and then, or you can order one directly from Alembic, but I think there is a back order on them right now (DS-5 power supply blue box).

Strings are a personal preference thing, so try a couple types, although it could get expensive doing that.  It looks like you have round wound strings on there right now.  Some people like flatwound strings on fretless (and fretted) basses.  There are a bunch of brands, Thomastic Infeld comes up a lot, as do Labella.  Others may have suggestions too.

Also, the logo on the headstock is likely silver and can be polish up quickly with one of those fat pink erasers that you can get at a CVS, etc., works great.

Thank you for the eraser information! It worked like a charm~
Though it does seem that the G string tuning peg is missing half of the notch upon closer inspection. Must have happened years ago. That's something I should look into fixing yeah?

[rv_bass]

Looks great!  You should be able to easily find a replacement machine head for the G string.  Others here will know the correct model.

[jazzyvee]

I had to change the machine heads on my 1980 series I bass and ordered them direct from the manufacturer in Germany.
https://schaller.info/en/machine-heads/290/m4-180-light?number=10300503.22.70


However the headstock holes needed opening up for them to fit. I had to take it to a Luthier to get them to install them. It may be worth contacting Mica to see if the ones they have will fit the bass without modification.


Here is the thread that has the details of my experience. May be some use.
https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8329.45


Failing that i have my old set and if you want to take the chance they may be less worn than the ones you have, i would be happy to send you the one you need, bearing in mind it will most likely be the same age as yours.👍🏾
Just checked and mine are gold not chrome. Let me look for them and if they are still in my spares box and you want them you can have them for the cost of postage.

[edwardofhuncote]

Noticing Lara's fretless Series bass has the same illusive white nut that my fretless Distillate had. I never knew for sure what it was, but it sure looked nice.

[Spoilers!]

Noticing Lara's fretless Series bass has the same illusive white nut that my fretless Distillate had. I never knew for sure what it was, but it sure looked nice.

My fretless '82 Spoiler has the same white nut.  Nice to know it's potentially stock.  I had figured it was a mod.  Was it just a fretless thing?

[Spoilers!]

Is that a new set of Chromes?  Are they close to the feel and tone you were hoping for?

[Lara Lovely]

Is that a new set of Chromes?  Are they close to the feel and tone you were hoping for?

Not exactly a new set, I've no idea if they've ever been replaced, (I don't think they have) I believe these are the ones that came with them.

[Lara Lovely]

Hello again! I was just wondering if I could inquire on when the next batch of history requests would send through?

[hammer]

Mica does these as a public service to Alembic owners when she has a bit of spare time. When that occurs is difficult to predict.

[mica]

Another one that Jesse couldn't locate in the files. We'll keep our eyes out for it.

Even without the file, I can be reasonably sure about everything except the top, which could be a few different things.

core: Mahogany
neck: Maple and Purpleheart
fingerboard: Ebony
nut: bone (typical for a fretless at the time)

As for the top, my first instinct is for Walnut. But the larger pores make me lean to Koa. Then there's the picture of the serial number and truss rod cover. There's a few reddish glints there that make me wonder if it isn't Vermilion that's very browned out, but it doesn't _quite_ look like that. Hopefully the file will reveal itself and we can solve this mystery.

[Lara Lovely]

Another one that Jesse couldn't locate in the files. We'll keep our eyes out for it.

Even without the file, I can be reasonably sure about everything except the top, which could be a few different things.

core: Mahogany
neck: Maple and Purpleheart
fingerboard: Ebony
nut: bone (typical for a fretless at the time)

As for the top, my first instinct is for Walnut. But the larger pores make me lean to Koa. Then there's the picture of the serial number and truss rod cover. There's a few reddish glints there that make me wonder if it isn't Vermilion that's very browned out, but it doesn't _quite_ look like that. Hopefully the file will reveal itself and we can solve this mystery.

Hi Mica!
Thank you so much for the information, I really appreciate knowing even a little more than I did before.
Unfortunately, my dad who gave me this bass, has now passed on. However he did leave me with some very interesting information about how he acquired it. In 1980~ he attended the Namm Trade Show, and did purchase this bass directly from Stanley Clarke, who was helping run the booth at the time. I don't know if this information would help at all. Regardless, it's cool information I'd like to share even if not useful. There's also the chance that I couldn't read the serial right as it's mostly worn away from years of play.