Author Topic: Pawn shop prize! I need information (Read 215 times)

gmoney · « **on:** February 02, 2005, 09:44:57 AM »

I recently purchased what is believed to be a 1974 Series 1 Bass at a pawn shop but I need help in determining exactly what I have. I am not a bass player (forgive me) and thus know nothing about basses except that Alembic basses are believed to be the holy grail for tone. Here is what's up on this particular bass. It's serial is 74130 and is stamped on top of the peghead. The bass has also had a peghead repair. A very good and quality repair I might add. It appears that the peghead was either partially or perhaps completely borken off. Everything appears to be intact except it does not have the rotary. I'll try and post pictures of it here on the forum. Thanks in advance! Gary

valvil · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2005, 10:18:56 AM »

Not at work today, but I suspect this bass may have been re-topped; I would not be surprised if it had a zebrawood top originally. From what Mica told me, I don't believe a bookmatch to center was an option until very recently. The adjustable nut is not original and the 5 pin jack also looks new. Not sure about the bridge and tailpiece but they don't seem to be 1974-type either. The gold knobs were likely added later. I'll check and see what we have on file tomorrow.

Valentino

kungfusheriff · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2005, 10:49:41 AM »

Yo G,
This bass has floated around for the last year or so. Look here:
http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/9877.html?1084106401
It's been discussed at least one other time, but I couldn't find the posts.
Val, did you get the e-mails I've sent over the last week or so?

(Message edited by kungfusheriff on February 02, 2005)

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2005, 11:57:21 AM »

Here is another thread that pictures and discusses this bass.
http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/11102.html?1091165684

Unless it's been changed, the Alembic electronics are not there; it has a Bartolini NTMB-918 wiring harness (3 band preamp). Thus, it does not have the Alembic tone that you were looking for. You may want to try posting a request in the Swapshop for a used set of Series electronics; every once in a while a set shows up.

bsee · « **Reply #4 on:** February 02, 2005, 12:24:28 PM »

I suspect it has not been changed. If the bass had gone to Alembic for the headstock repair and to be refitted with S1 electronics, I would think that Valentino would have recognized it.

-Bob

dfung60 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 02, 2005, 01:00:29 PM »

Definitely some odd stuff here. Most of this bass looks much later than the headstock stamp implies. The pickups, with the molded in Alembic logo are late 80s vintage (probably 86-87, I think). The selector knob location is like an even later bass (90's), since it was usually on the treble bout. Also, on older basses, I believe the battery cover plate is usually round rather than square. Others have already pointed out that the bookmatch-to-center wasn't happening at the Alembic factory until the late 90's. So, I think you're looking at some very extensive reconstruction.

The peghead break looks pretty serious. If it feels stable, then I guess you'll be OK with it. Normally if this happened, I think the factory would have mimimally stripped off the face veneers of the peghead and replaced them.

David Fung

dfung60 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 02, 2005, 01:00:37 PM »

Definitely some odd stuff here. Most of this bass looks much later than the headstock stamp implies. The pickups, with the molded in Alembic logo are late 80s vintage (probably 86-87, I think). The selector knob location is like an even later bass (90's), since it was usually on the treble bout. Also, on older basses, I believe the battery cover plate is usually round rather than square. Others have already pointed out that the bookmatch-to-center wasn't happening at the Alembic factory until the late 90's. So, I think you're looking at some very extensive reconstruction.

The peghead break looks pretty serious. If it feels stable, then I guess you'll be OK with it. Normally if this happened, I think the factory would have mimimally stripped off the face veneers of the peghead and replaced them.

David Fung

gmoney · « **Reply #7 on:** February 02, 2005, 03:45:36 PM »

I spoke with the fine folks at Alembic today and it appears the peghead was repaired in 94 at the Alembic shop. Alembic also replaced the top with a walnut top. Furthermore, they repositioned the master volume, strap button and the tailpiece. Moreover the single truss rod was replaced with a dual. Pickups appear to be original! Could not confirm the electronics. Very little history in their file cabinet on this guitar. Val was out today but will return in a couple and will most likely have more information. Thanks for all your post in helping me figure this out.

valvil · « **Reply #8 on:** February 02, 2005, 03:53:54 PM »

Hi Shawn,

I don't recall any e-mails from you recently. I hope I did not delete them by mistake in my daily purge of about 300-400 spam messages I get every morning.
Can you re-send? valentino@alembic.com is the address. Put your name in the subject line, so it will make it easier for me to spot it.

Valentino

kungfusheriff · « **Reply #9 on:** February 02, 2005, 03:59:44 PM »

G--open up the back and see if the electronics are labeled. That layout screams Bartolini. Does the cannon jack look like a three-pin job to anybody else?
Have you plugged the bass in? What was the result?
Val: sure--I was following up on that hibernating Frankenstein-like creature we were talking about.

(Message edited by kungfusheriff on February 02, 2005)

gmoney · « **Reply #10 on:** February 02, 2005, 04:36:42 PM »

I opened up the back and sure enough it's Bartolini NTMB-9183 electronics. I took the bass to a friend of mine, who is a well respected bass player here in Nashville TN, and he was floored by it. He has played a few Alembics and this one was incredible he said. Aside from the changes it truly is a great playing and sounding instrument.

poor_nigel · « **Reply #11 on:** February 02, 2005, 05:26:52 PM »

Small note on the battery cover on the back - It is straight issue. This is what came on earlier Alembics. Square and not recessed, like the later round ones were. Congratulations on your find.

David Houck · « **Reply #12 on:** February 02, 2005, 06:14:35 PM »

According to the thread referenced by Shawn above, this headstock was broken when it was sold early in 2004. According to a post made by the subsequent owner of this bass in the thread that I referenced above, the peghead repair was made by that owner and not by Alembic. It certainly does not look like a repair made by the Alembic shop. If you spoke with someone at Alembic earlier today and they said they did the repair in 1994, then it seems to me that either there was a misunderstanding about which bass was being discussed or this bass has had two broken headstocks in its life. The top wood on this bass is very attractive; and I have heard good things about the Bart electronics. Enjoy!

dgcarbu · « **Reply #13 on:** February 02, 2005, 07:05:32 PM »

gmoney,

First of all, welcome to the club!

Second, you have a nice bass!

Third, you're quickly finding out how much information you get just being here.

Fourth, enjoy it!

Peace,
Darrell