[x] Alembic Bass black 1989 JPJ [89C5592]

[Rbouwmeester]

Hi there,

Today I bought my first Alembic Bass. Very happy to join the forum
I would love to know some more about the bass and what the specs are. Any info welcome!
Serial number: 89C5592
I'll happily provide some pics if that helps.

Greetings

Ruben

[FC Bass]

Welcome and congrats! That one was made for Jason Newsted: https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=27058.msg279547#msg279547

Is it in Holland now? Would love to see it in irl :-)

[Rbouwmeester]

Made for Metallica's former bassist?! How cool is that!
Has it ever been in his possession then? Is there any way to authenticate the bass, or have him confirm ownership?

[FC Bass]

There's a picture of him with a similar bass and I'm pretty sure it can be seen in some of the Black album box footage.
Though I also seem to remember that one had the same control layout as his 5 string Elan... (3 x Volume and single Filter + Q)

It is authentic and was made for Newsted, so there's that :-)

[FC Bass]

One pic taken during the Damaged Justice tour and one from the studio during the Black Album sessions.

[Rbouwmeester]

Wow that first picture looks a lot like it. That is absolutely nuts! Hope some other material / pictures will pop up somewhere. Thanks for sharing them.

As to the bass being in the Netherlands, no it is in Switzerland where I live at the moment. Dragging this bass across the border could raise some questions as to my intentions with it (selling it without paying taxes).

So what do I do with this information? Is there any way to get in touch with Jason about this particular instrument to get some background how it ends up in Switzerland?

[Rbouwmeester]

Here's a pic of her

[FC Bass]

I once did that (driving an Alembic from EU "across"  Switzerland) and with the intention of selling it... I had to drive through Genève, but sold the bass in France. So no questions needed to be answered :-)

Btw: I asked, because of the very Dutch sounding name.

I haven't been successful getting in contact with Newsted, tried several times... But it never hurts to try, wouldn't know where to start no though... (he has disappeared from all social media sites for a while now)

I don't think it's the same bass as in the first picture, that looks to have more knobs (most likely the 3 x Volume + filter setup)
I suspect the bass next to the Anniversary in the second pic might be a JPJ Spoiler/Persuader, could it be yours? Who will tell?
Apparently he had at least two basses made for each model he ordered (one extra for backup)
Yours could also be a reject, because of the electronics? (since I suspect I've only seen him with the multi knob versions)

Your bass has a single Volume and Filter, the switch is for the side Leds?
In the controls cavity, there's an extra board that has the connectors for all pickups. Very interesting stuff!

We love lots of pictures here! :-) Showcase is the best place:  https://club.alembic.com/index.php?board=687.0
I would love to see a pic of the back :-)

[Rbouwmeester]

Yea that's true. But I don't have a purpose for it to come with me to Holland at the moment. And yes I'm also Dutch:)

I noticed... he's gone full blackout since 2014 is what I can find. I also wrote Alembic on their email to ask for any authentication they can give me for this instrument. Mayyyyybe they could also get in contact with Jason, but I guess that's wishful thinking.

Yes, volume filter and led switch. Runs (eats) on 4 9v batteries (I'm also interested if this was already a common thing for Alembic in the late 80s). I'll make a post in the showcase (has a lot, and I mean a LOT) of buckle wear right smack in the middle).

Any idea what this instruments value may be now that we know it's been owned by Jason? (Or at least ordered to his name)

[FC Bass]

I've tried the Alembic route, even with two replica's made no luck...

He sold a similar bass (the PP Persuader in the studio pic)  for $15000 recently: https://reverb.com/item/83803129-1988-alembic-custom-bass-owned-by-jason-newsted?show_sold=true

No clue what yours should do though... Would help if there were some clear pictures of him with the bass. Or maybe Mica/Alembic crew remembers something?

I'll trade my fretless for it, there's your first indication of it's worth estimated here. Can only go up from there :-)

[FC Bass]

I'm not aware of clear footage from these shows, but I am pretty sure he played the JPJ Spoiler/Persuader(s) during the 1990 tour.
Here's a show from Zwolle, first song with a 4 string is Harvester of sorrow:

Starts approx at 22:00

[Rbouwmeester]

I've tried the Alembic route, even with two replica's made no luck...

He sold a similar bass (the PP Persuader in the studio pic)  for $15000 recently: https://reverb.com/item/83803129-1988-alembic-custom-bass-owned-by-jason-newsted?show_sold=true

No clue what yours should do though... Would help if there were some clear pictures of him with the bass. Or maybe Mica/Alembic crew remembers something?

I'll trade my fretless for it, there's your first indication of it's worth estimated here. Can only go up from there :-)

That bass looks amazing too! I'm going to keep it though (probably forever), I mean I own a piece of rock/metal history now
The case I have with it looks almost identical though.

Curious if any more people can share info if available. I guess only time will tell. Alembic hasn't reacted to my email yet.

[FC Bass]

Note on that Persuader: It isn't an official Alembic... :-)

It was made an Alembic employee in the after hours. ("Shopnight" instrument) He sold 4 of them to Newsted, I think Newsted eventually sold 3 of them. (two through a shop in Florida and this one on Reverb)
If you are on facebook, I can introduce you to him. He remembers the bass and might have some more info. He was involved with all Newsteds Alembics and was jamming with him in the 90's.

I've been going over hours of footage (there's a lot) JPJ Spoiler/Persuader can also be seen multiple times in the outtakes of the Year and a half vids:

Most prominently in the beginning at 03:29, too bad also no clear view of the knobs...

Also went through some books, will report if I find something :-)

[FC Bass]

Best screenshot I can come up with, showing a hint of the knobs...

[Rbouwmeester]

Man you are a true Metallica fan aye? Very much appreciate the help!
That last pic is one of the most similar looking ones indeed.