(u/?) '73 Standard Point *Tiran Porter* 73-44?

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I just purchased Tiran Porter's old bass. Now, I'm told that it's missing a serial number, and therefore digging up info is challenging at best. But, as I understand there weren't THAT many instruments made in 73 (?) and maybe some info could be dug up just from pictures/descriptions? Would appreciate any info..



 

[room037]

Hi Nicolai,
 
Congrats for getting such rare piece.
I am interested it's serial number.
My guess is 73-25 to 74-50 range.
The mustache tailpiece were available arround 43 to 52 on my archives.
 
Is there the serial number on the top of the head ?
It seems like original finish, so the number should not be rubbed out.
 
I am waiting further info.
 
Eiji

[count]

there is no serial to be found on the bass. I recommend contacting Alembic because they may still have the original work order and Tiran told me that the bass was built by Rick Turner for Tiran. Thanks --Dan
 
I have to examen it real closely when I get it, I don't believe that it can't have a serial number..!
Anyway, if so: is there any way of dating it from the electronics?
I KNOW that Tiran received it and started using it in 73.

[room037]

Hi,
 
I checked my archives carefully.
Alembic inlay logo on your bass was found 73-47, it is latest 73' made.
73-43 has older inlay logo, and 74-53 has silver plate logo.
Because I think, your bass is 44 to 46.
By the way, I can't found 73-44 on their delivery list.
If your bass was born as 73-44....
 
I'm waiting for Mica's comments.
 
Eiji

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Woohoo!! Making progress here! Thank you ever so much for the input Eiji, it is very much appreciated.
Awaiting Mica's comments now..
Btw never even imagined dating it via the inlay.
 
My guess is Tiran got impatient.. hehe..

[mnewman]

Check out my 73-33 in the archives, almost identical headstock veneer with inlay logo.

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Yes, I was looking at that earlier. They're actually remarkably alike!
But is the bird tailpiece original.?
 
Love those caramel pickups....

[room037]

I think about following.
 
The tailpiece construction :
Older version were made by brass plate on wood block.
These were available before 76-530+ on Bass, 77-635+ on Guitar.
Of course, many instruments were replaced to newer mono block tailpiece, also 73-33.
 
The design of tailpiece :
The bunch of first products(72, early 73) have square like shape.
73-43 to 74-52 have mustache shape.  
Bird tailpiece was started 74-53 LSG.
 
Many exceptions are available for custom order basis.
 
Eiji

[mnewman]

The bird tailpiece was added to this bass at a later date. The original tailpiece was sent with the bass when I bought it and is currently on the bass. It is a more simplistic looking design than yours.

[count]

Bringing this thread back to life again.  
Mica, any chance of confirming that my(Tiran's) bass is in fact nr 44?
It arrived two weeks ago btw, and it's even more than I hoped for. Truly amazing..!
Haven't run it with the DS-5 yet though, as I need to rewire it to run on 220v.

[hankster]

Glad someone bought this. It killed me to know it was out there and needed a new home!  Congrats. This is a piece of bass history.
 
Rick

[mica]

Sorry, I wish I had better news for you. Even as #44 there is nothing. On the old poster board of serial numbers, #44 was skipped. In the files, I don't have a file for #44. I will keep this on my list of MIA files, and post again if I find out anything.  
 
For now, we have to mark as (u/?) the first of its kind