1976 Series 1 on reverb...Bridge question...

[Artgeckko]

Hello Club,
Hope all is well.
Have my eyes on this 1976 Series 1 on Reverb.

This bass would probably be a refinish project (if I decide t purchase) but the bigger issue is the replacement bridge.
I don't believe it is original, but not totally sure. Doesnt look like standard saddle, so please advise if it is?  Looks to be a custom / maybe a warwick?
 
Trying to factor the cost to bring this bass back to looking new, which I believe would include a replacement bridge ( saddle assembly) from Alembic.
The owner has been great and has sent me many many photos and answered many questions.
Would welcome any thoughts.

[hammer]

There are currently 112 Alembic postings on Reverb, including multiple series basses. To which listing are you referring?

[JimmyJ]

Hey Ed,

If you mean this one, that looks like an original bridge to me.  That vintage had a kind of brass "channel" which the saddles slid across instead of today's screw and post suspension.  Let me know if I'm looking at the wrong listing.

Jimmy J
Edit: funny, having posted that pic I now see that the G-string saddle may have an extra slot.  Guessing the previous owner thought the G was too close to the edge of the fingerboard...  All fixable.

[edwardofhuncote]

Hey Ed, welcome back! I recognize the bass from Jimmy's picture as #76-412... that bridge saddle has been double-cut for years, probably as Jimmy says for alignment reasons. I know of one Club Member who sourced some replacement saddles for one of these early channel-type bridges from a machine shop. Oddly, I don't/can't see it on Reverb currently... maybe you already made a deal for it?


That bass has a good bit of history here. (plug that number in the search bar at upper-right and you should find three or four threads...) Hopefully you can fix her up finally.


~Ed of H.

[Artgeckko]

Hello Gents!
Nice to hear from you!

Many thanks!
Nice to be back, as work has a pause for a bit...

Yes, duh,  sorry, would be good to include the SN412 in my query!  So yep, you guessed the right bass.
Good to know that it is original equip!  Used to seeing the screw and post form of that saddle.  Next question would be if the 2 different saddles are interchangable and use the same screw into solid block base under?

If I do end up with this bass, Im sure I will be bugging you all in the future with more questions!
Thanks
Talk soon
E

 

[JimmyJ]

No, I the saddles are not interchangeable (just a single threaded hole on those originals).  That said, if that double slot bugs you I believe you could either get a replacement "old-style" saddle or upgrade the bridge to the new design.  The newer design may be preferable as it was tricky to have the single drive-screw and keep the bottom of the saddle flush against the "floor" of the bridge.  That's an important tolerance which has to be solid because of the string movement when playing.  Just my 2 cents.

That bass looks like it's been around the block a couple times so we hope you can get it and show it some love.

Jimmy J


Late edit... I should also say that it is likely the current bridge is working just fine!  So unless that extra slot really bothers you, I bet it's playable as is.  There may be other things that need attention before that does.  (Or like KR says below, that unused slot could be filled.)

[KR]

A jeweler can flow material into any errant bridge slots for you. That way you can keep it stock and original. 

[sonofa_lembic]

Definitely the original bridge if the date of manufacture on the bass is around 1976.  I believe those bridges were made by Stars Guitars and used by Alembic.  Stars also made the old mushroom shaped strap buttons.  Around 1977 Alembic started using the current bridge design, and they stopped making the tailpieces out of wood and plate brass.  Alignment of strings to the neck has been one of my pet peeves with Alembic over the years, so it is likely that the previous owner made a correction, leaving you with an extra slot. Having it filled is a good option, or if you have enough height above the bridge shoulder, you can profile the top of the saddle to remove the slot, and slightly deepen the adjacent saddle slots to maintain your radius, and then slightly raise the bridge height on the treble end.  You will certainly have your work cut out for you if you decide to refinish the bass, thus you should make sure you get a very reasonable price for the bass.

[mica]

These bridges weren't made by Stars Guitars, but they did make their own bridges for their own guitars. Except for tremolos, we've made all the bridges and tailpieces for our instruments.

[Artgeckko]

Hello and many thanks to all!

As usual for this club, really great historical insight and helpful ideas!

I decided to put up a '84 Zebrawood Spoiler and hybrid  / custom jazz project on Reverb to offset the new addition. 
Doing my best to abide by the 1 in, 1 out, and keep the peace with my wife
That said, the deal is done! 
It will be a long slow road restoring that series 1. Very excited to see it, play it, embrace it's history, and give it some love prior to cosmetic refurb.
Love the idea of jeweler filling in the extraneous slot on saddle ( a great idea). 
May see if that is an option for the nut on my 8 string spoiler which appears to have a high E slot filed too deeply and causes a string buzz.  Maybe apply that same idea? The rest of the slots appear ok, just the high E.
Will have plenty of questions going forward, but will address in appropriate tab in the club!
Thanks again all.
Ed