(x) Confirmed Fernandes [ not: Series 1?? 75C2707]

[room037]

The picture of control cavity on Basschat site is Alembic circuit board (first edition of PF-6 with Harris opeamp), not Fernandes's circuit.
Fernandes circuit board is here at this thread.  
The member Ulli uproaded the picture of his Fernandes FAB180.
 
Eiji

[frenske]

Here's a picture of the electronics.
The original electronics are removed and replaced with genuine (at least I hope so) Alembic pickups and basic controls: volume per pickup (the pots marked with P0360) and filter.
 
From what I read, I thought that the Fernandes had a 3 pin imput on the power supply but in this one there were 5.
 
Meanwhile, the bass plays great and has a great sound. I was very surprised with the sparkling tone that comes from the bass compared to my stingray, even on a simple 30W amp and with older strings.
 
The neck is straight and the truss-rod works fine. I can get a very low action without fret-rattle. Also I thought the fernades did not have a truss-rod.
 
Anyway, after having had 4 stingrays, I'm going to keep this one and see where he adventure ends.  
But with being a copy and the repaired headstock I don't think there's going to be any upgrades.
 
BTW, can I still join the club owning just 2 Alembic elements?
 

[edwardofhuncote]

For what's pictured here, and at the price mentioned above, I don't see how you could go wrong. It's a beautiful piece of luthierie, plus with what appears to be genuine Alembic pickups and filters in there, I bet it sounds amazing too.  
 
Congrats!  
 
Just curious/nosey - Did the seller confirm the make as Fernandes?

[pauldo]

Frank, you can join the club without owning anything Alembic!
All that is required is a genuine kindness and a healthy sense of community.
Welcome to the camp!
 
:-D

[sonicus]

Hello Frank , Welcome to our little corner of the internet.____ This is a really swell place .

[room037]

The circuit is replaced to Alembic Activator 2 Volume for each PU and 1 Filter with 1 Q SW, 1 knob, 5 pin and PU selector are not working at now.
The cavity has Aluminium shielding and the dent under the shield is same as Ferbic.
Is there a circuit board on the back of cavity plate ?
I found 4 trimpots on the plate.
 
I got the serial number info. from my friend.
It has 016-01 on the top of the head.
Only common point is 3 digit on left, 2 digit on right.
But Alembic has 2 digit on left and 3 digit on right at that days.
 
One more point that he pointed out,
All position mark on the fingerboard are pearloid plastic, not real pearl.
Series 1 instruments has real pearl. (only few irregulars are.)
 
I think the serial on the neck plate is added for fraud.
The body is definitely Fernandes made.
Of course, Fernandes has truss-rod and 5 pins.
 
I also welcome to you join the club.
Many Alembic fans are here !
 
Eiji

[sonicus]

Eiji noticed what I also noticed after looking at the control & circuit
 cavity picture. I would tend to agree with him . This Bass was likely NOT really an Alembic at birth .

[mica]

I agree with the experts that have already posted here. It is a nice piece of Koa though!
 
I find the proportion of the neck laminates is the first giveaway on the Fernandes. Then I take a closer look and usually that first instinct is correct.