Author Topic: Series I Question (Read 345 times)

rickspence · « **on:** June 13, 2006, 03:36:52 PM »

Hey Guys,

I have a Series 1 I am considering selling - serial number 81-1830. I have all the original paperwork. Came with PF6b electronics, ebony fingerboard, walnut veneer. From '81. I'm the second owner.

I've never used it on gigs - seemed too expensive and big to take out of the house - but the real reason I'm selling is I need to $ to buy a godo stand-up bass.

One unusual thing about this - and I'm not sure if this detracts from the value - is the previous owner removed the 4 way switch and replaced it with a master volume pot in the same position as the Series II. Not sure why this was done but was this way when I bought it. I have the paper work which shows how this conversion was done - it's from Alembic and initialed by RJW.

Any comments? I want to list on Ebay and offer as much information as possible.

Thanks,

Rick

bigredbass · « **Reply #1 on:** June 13, 2006, 04:36:25 PM »

I think that RJW still works there . . . .
and the company will vouch for the quality of his work!

This should not affect the resale at all, and as many basses have pan/balancers these days, it's not uncommon. Some of us might miss the 'stand-by' position, but most 'outsiders' aren't used to that, anyway.

J o e y

bigredbass · « **Reply #2 on:** June 13, 2006, 04:40:24 PM »

And of course, contact ALEMBIC with the serial number, and they will give you the build record of this axe. You can do this on the serial number request page here in The Club. And you could post pictures here in our Swap Shop page, and maybe even skip EBay if one our members or visitors takes you up on it.

Sorry you're letting go a masterpiece. Best of luck finding an upright to suit you.

J o e y

dfung60 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 13, 2006, 04:50:04 PM »

Joey said it slyly, but RJW in Ron Wickersham, the founder of the company and the guy that designed the electronics!

I actually think this is a pretty nice mod. You aren't losing anything since the pickup volumes can turn off either pickup. Did the previous owner drill a new hole for the master volume pot? Is is just the switch plate out on the horn now? Seems like the early 80's instruments usually had the switch out on the bout (where you could more easily break the pointy knob with your pick!), then it moved in with the other controls in the mid-80's.

Don't sweat it, I doubt it will affect resale value in any way.

David Fung

kmh364 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 14, 2006, 04:35:45 AM »

Why not list it here on the forum first in the For Sale section? You'll probably get a higher price from the Alembic Club members than you will on EBAY, and you won't have to deal with scammers and pay the seller's fee. While you're at it, how's about some pix? Inquiring minds wanna know! LOL!

Cheers,

Kevin

jalevinemd · « **Reply #5 on:** June 14, 2006, 08:23:54 AM »

Rick,

I think you'll have fewer hassles selling the bass here and you'll make new friends. But, as far as getting top dollar, the people here pretty much know what something is worth. Plus, there have been many posts expressing surprise at how much some Alembics have fetched on ebay. So, if you're looking to get the most you can, I'd say start there.

With that having been said, I sold my Orion guitar here on the club, because it's hard to put a price on peace of mind. Plus I wanted to keep it in the family.

Hope you enjoy the completely divergent advice.

Regards,

Jonathan

rickspence · « **Reply #6 on:** June 14, 2006, 12:20:30 PM »

Hey Guys, Thanks for the messages and the emails. Pics below as requested. It's a 32", medium scale. I have the original 4 way switch and the electronics, and the original machine head for the E string - it was changed to one of those hip shot low D thingys. I'm in Northern Florida. I think I'll post on the sale section here before eBay. Thanks, Rick

(Message edited by davehouck on June 14, 2006)

dfung60 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 14, 2006, 09:32:11 PM »

Nice pics of a beautiful classic Series bass!

Isn't that a rosewood top and back though?

David Fung

rickspence · « **Reply #8 on:** June 15, 2006, 01:26:05 PM »

David,

I have the original paperwork from Alembic - dated June 2, 1981. Top is walnut, back is walnut, neck is maple and purple heart. Figerboard is ebony, veneers are walnut. Medium scale, 32 scale length.

I can post a better pic if u like - but maybe I should move this to the For Sale section of the board? Having said that after playing it again last night...hmmm. Maybe I'll sell my 66 jazz bass instead and keep this!

Rick

jacko · « **Reply #9 on:** June 16, 2006, 03:19:41 AM »

IMO, get rid of the F****r ;-)

Also tongue in cheek, get a stand. I read on here some time ago that the standard point body was developed because Alembic were fed up repairing head wounds due to unsupported basses toppling over.

It is a very nice bass though - you really should keep it.

Graeme

olieoliver · « **Reply #10 on:** June 16, 2006, 07:09:56 AM »

Jacko,....you suggest he get rid of his father ?LOL

I would say that if he played it more keep it but if not, it's kind of like Rod Stewarts BEAUTIFUL wife, why buy a Porsche if you're not going to drive it?

lbpesq · « **Reply #11 on:** June 16, 2006, 07:19:18 AM »

Let's see .... hmmmm .... gorgeous Alembic or early CBS Fender .... Alembic .... CBS Fender .... Alembic's reputation for constructing instruments .... hmmm .... CBS' immense experience in instrument construction .... Alembic: innovator of construction design and electronics .... CBS: Stradivarious of television networks? .... CBS Fender .... Alembic .... Alembic .... CBS Fender .... tough decision .... NOT!

My $0.02

Bill, tgo

rickspence · « **Reply #12 on:** June 16, 2006, 09:43:23 AM »

Guys - I'm indecisive as it is...and this isn't helping! The Alembic has left the house twice, I think, in 8 years. I've switched to stand-up this last year and I'm getting by with an $800 stand-up while the Alembic (and the Fender, and the rest of them) sit in their cases in the closet.

I'm playing straight ahead jazz now so the stand-up is definitely my future - but even before this I wasn't using the Alembic on gigs. I used to have the Alembic preamp - so that meant taking the power supply, the preamp, the power amp and the big Alembic to gigs. So I started just taking the Fender or (don't be shocked) a cheap Carvin. Throw it in the car with a small head and a small EA cab (which I still use) and I was all set. Middle age approaching - simplify!

Two nights ago, though, I played the Alembic again through my new EA 800 head, and Bergie 322 cabinet and it's beautiful. Mind you, so would a decent stand-up which is really the sound I need. The difference between a stand-up at about $2,500 and what I have now is amazing - and I have two gigs a week where I play the stand-up and no gigs playing electric anymore...

To further complicate it, the '66 Jazz has that nice Jaco sound, but it's really beaten up and probably won't fetch what it's worth on Ebay...

I look at it like this - it's down to the $. If I want to go back to an Alembic it's just the matter of the cash...I have a decent investment in basses as I'm sure a lot of you guys do - and I look at it like a profolio - the money's just moving around between different basess...

Thanks for all your comments so far

spliffy · « **Reply #13 on:** June 16, 2006, 10:21:03 AM »

66 bass, beat up? I'll give you a couple hundred for it!!!! : ) Seriously, I think you are right in selling the Alembic before the 66 Fender.
I wish I could take her off your hands as she is beautiful, however I can't justify the costs right now.

Good luck and hopefully you will save one of the basses.

olieoliver · « **Reply #14 on:** June 16, 2006, 10:27:46 AM »

This is a tough call to make. One I hope I never have to make. I'd ask myself 2 questions, will I ever play eletric bass again (more than likely yes) and which one of these would I prefer to play? The answer to the second part you addressed in your opening post.
Maybe you can sell the Series and get a Classico and have the best of both worlds.