Author Topic: (x) 77-780 Series 1 (Read 228 times)

philbone · « **on:** July 30, 2010, 01:41:55 AM »

Looking for any info on this bass - I am thinking of buying it. It is a little rough, bridge pickup doesn't work - only hums quietly, someone drilled 2 holes in the back of the body (for straplocks?) and then re filled them and the nut is cut unevenly.

Silly question - is it possible to retrofit neck LEDs to these?

Any valuation input?

Thank you

artswork99 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 30, 2010, 05:38:13 AM »

Hi Phil and welcome to the forum. I've seen plenty of basses where the strap pin has been moved and/or plugged... but a non-working PU may be a bit more of concern. The best way to get a valuation idea is to browse through the and adjust accordingly for the items of concern (case, power supply and cable too). In regard to LEDs there are some after market kits that have been discussed here. To have the factory do this retrofit would require the removal of the fret board.

Due to a demanding schedule at the office this free service isn't always expeditious, please be patient. I found this thread where the bass was previously discussed in 2008. Best, Art

mike1762 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 30, 2010, 07:11:34 AM »

For reasons that are not clear to me, these old Series instruments don't bring much more (and sometimes less) that a less-old non-series model. If the electronics are jacked-up, you can expect to spend some bucks to get them going again (they're not exactly off the shelf). Buying used is a great way to get into an Alembic and they maintain their value for the second owner forward. But be careful that you don't wind-up spending more on repairs (+ purchase cost) than you could expect to recoup if you had to sell it. I would guess that this bass would go for around $3,000-$3,500 IF it were in perfect working order AND the PSU/cable are included. I have 77-920 and I love it!!!

philbone · « **Reply #3 on:** July 30, 2010, 10:25:50 AM »

Hi Mike and Art,
Thank you for your posts and for the information. I will let you know what happens.
I always wanted an Alembic, just never got round to looking into the used market. I loved the SC shape and the Series 2 models and liked the idea of the smaller scale (32) - I guess that my ideal would be the smaller body in the Series 2 !

This came along as an offer and I am trying to evaluate it. I will use some of the diagnostic ideas that I have found on this site to try to nail down the problems. What is the updated electronics retrofit that I have seen mentioned in other posts?

On a side note, my endorsement is with MusicMan (of which I have several Stingrays, Sterlings and even Bongos) but in 1980 I bought a cream white / maple neck 78 Stingray, that I then sold to my best friend; I have been trying to buy it back ever since!

Phil

artswork99 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 30, 2010, 12:17:29 PM »

Phil,
The update that you mention is something that Alembic offers to resolve all the frequency changes that have taken place. The older instruments can sometimes have issues with radio frequencies coming through the electronics. I have a 97 Series I (pre conversion) and have not experienced any issues at all.
Art

mica · « **Reply #5 on:** January 26, 2011, 02:24:53 PM »

Here's what I found in the instrument file:

top: Schedua
body: Mahogany
back: Schedua
neck: Maple and Purpleheart
scale: 32 medium
fingerboard: Ebony
inlays: mother of pearl
peghead veneers: Zebrawood and Rosewood
originally made for: Rothchild Musical Instruments
birthday: August 1, 1977

It was sent back to us on August 31, 1977 (actually hand carried) and a repair was done because the first nut slot was filed too low

The original owner never registered. The second owner registered in 1979 in New York, and he owned it until 2000.

If this bass has the Small Standard body, it's pretty rare, and probably why the extra strap pin holes are there. Our recollection is that there were about 8 of these made around 1977, and we've only made one since because of the balance issue.