Alembic persuader

[Davesickboy]

Hello everyone... it's my first message here, I'm Davide and I'm writing from Italy.

 I have a beautiful Alembic persuader, wonderful bass.

I only have one doubt, the bass does not have a serial number at the end of the keyboard... this has never happened to me with other Alembics. Can anyone help me? Thank you

[rv_bass]

Welcome, Davide.  Try removing the cover for the electronics cavity and see if it is stamped on the lip that the cover fits into.  Or check the top rim of the headstock (although they may have stopped stamping the top of the headstock by the time your bass was made. Also, check the underside of the brass truss rod cover, someone may have flipped it over. Beautiful bass!

[Davesickboy]

Thanks for the quick response.
I checked under the truss rod plate and nothing is written.

I have already opened the electronics but I will check better this evening, I will also look at the top of the end of the headstock as soon as possible

[edwardofhuncote]

It is also possible the number was engraved on the truss rod cover, and was replaced with a blank one. The number should still be stamped on the inside of the electronics cavity.


Pretty bass!

[FC Bass]

The serial number on my '88 Spoiler was (almost) lost after a refret, a little bit of lemon oil made it faintly visible.
I think yours is from about the same time, so should have it under the 24th fret. If it's a bit newer, it could have been on the truss rods cover. Try to play a bit with light and you might see something in one of those locations.

There might be a production number under one of the pickups, with some luck Mica can link it to a serial number. (though that can take a while and is a bit of a long shot, did not work on my Spoiler)

Production number in my '88 Spoiler (88S4710)

[Davesickboy]

Hi, I Just checked the Bass...only 4 Number under the neck pickup

[mica]

Back then the serial number would only be on the end of the fingerboard. The four numbers in the pickup cavity are the work order number. This can _sometimes_ be cross-referenced to the serial number, but that's something that takes a long time to research. Meanwhile, the electronics are from 1988, so the bass is likely from 1988-1990 or so. Very beautiful Cocobolo top.

[FC Bass]

If the work order number follows the same logic as the serial numbers, I would guess it's from '88. (maybe early '89, mine is very early '88)

Nice Persuader btw! :-)


Edit: and there was Mica! :-)

[Songdog]

Maybe the serial number really was on the fingerboard above the 24th fret but has been worn away over the years?

Try the old trick of laying a thin piece of paper over that area, then rubbing lightly with a pencil (do they even make those anymore?). This can make even the most subtle irregularities visible and might reveal traces of a serial number.

[Davesickboy]

Thank you all for replying to me!

Unfortunately there are no signs on the last fret...maybe the bass has had a reftet, could this be the reason for the missing serial number?

Too bad, I'm a very precise person and I would have liked to have it

[mica]

Yes, this is likely what happened, and it's also why we moved the serial number location. Wasn't our best idea on a couple levels. But at some point we will probably be able to figure out the serial number. I hope you're enjoying the bass otherwise!

[alegrass]

The serial number on my '88 Spoiler was (almost) lost after a refret, a little bit of lemon oil made it faintly visible.
I think yours is from about the same time, so should have it under the 24th fret. If it's a bit newer, it could have been on the truss rods cover. Try to play a bit with light and you might see something in one of those locations.

There might be a production number under one of the pickups, with some luck Mica can link it to a serial number. (though that can take a while and is a bit of a long shot, did not work on my Spoiler)

Production number in my '88 Spoiler (88S4710)

Hello FC Bass, does your Spoiler from early 88 got serial number in the electronic cavity?

[FC Bass]

Nope, I think they started in the 90's with that.

[edwardofhuncote]

89P-5559 is late in the year, (probably September) but it's number is stamped into the rim of the electronics cavity and in the truss-rod cover.


*oops sorry, I already replied on this thread... 🙄 That's such a pretty Persuader. Clearly yours must have been made before mine.