Author Topic: (x) Incredible find SN 1277 004 (Mark Johnson) (Read 1474 times)

boogieman145 · « **on:** August 17, 2008, 11:36:49 AM »

I'm told this incredible custom bass has been out of circulation since the late '70's. Would like to find out more about the provenance and history. When I pulled the cover on the electronics, the back of the plate was signed Johnson. Is this the craftsman or customer who commissioned the manufacture of this one of a kind beauty?

(Message edited by davehouck on August 26, 2008)

tbrannon · « **Reply #1 on:** August 17, 2008, 11:43:57 AM »

Oh my!!

lovely bass there..... just beautiful. Can you tell us about how you stumbled across it?

I'm gobsmacked. Seriously- the carved bits and the omega are insane.

(Message edited by tbrannon on August 17, 2008)

lbpesq · « **Reply #2 on:** August 17, 2008, 12:02:15 PM »

A curious bass. The serial number doesn't jive with Alembic's system unless this was made in 1912! And 004 doesn't fit in 1977, it would be in '72. This is obviously not a series instrument - again unusual for early 70's I would think. The bridge and string anchors also appear unusual for Alembic and the body looks a little thick and different than the usual Alembic in the Omega. Does this have an Alembic logo on the peghead? Where is the serial number located?

Bill, the guitar one

senmen · « **Reply #3 on:** August 17, 2008, 12:12:40 PM »

Simply stunning, but also very unusual.....

Oliver (Spyderman)

elwoodblue · « **Reply #4 on:** August 17, 2008, 08:50:35 PM »

wow...looks like silver plating on the bridge...as bill says; an early one...I know I'm not the only one hoping to see more details...congratulations on your find!!

elwoodblue · « **Reply #5 on:** August 17, 2008, 08:58:46 PM »

Rocky,
Welcome to the discussion board...hope to hear alot more from you...I hope there is some records to unearth regarding your bass...The inlays definitely are very Susan-esque.

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** August 17, 2008, 09:23:33 PM »

Hi Rocky; welcome to the board!

A mystery bass!!

To add to the above discussion, the pickups don't look right. No adjustment screws; unusual shape.

I'm thinking we've seen a similarly shaped omega cut once before.

The bridge looks post '76, except the plating makes it look newer than that.

Conceivably, if it were a Series, the humx could be hidden. There were also, if I remember correctly, a very few Series with no humx. However, this bass only has one switch; so I'm thinking it's probably a stereo/mono switch and that there are no Q switches.

Does it have one truss rod or two?

I'm wondering if it's an employee project.

room037 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 17, 2008, 09:54:30 PM »

Please show us more details !

In my opinion, it's not Alembic, may be employees work.
I remember such neck laminate on standard shape body with series circuit, but it's not Alembic.
I will check in my archives later.

Eiji

artswork99 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 18, 2008, 05:57:21 AM »

Hi Rocky,

Welcome to the Alembic forum! What an interesting bass there. Please post more pictures as we would all like to see more. The case looks like an Alembic too but it appears a bit large in the fit.

Play it Healthy!
Art

boogieman145 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 18, 2008, 06:02:19 AM »

Grettings learned ones,
Please pardon my newbeeness and fill me in on some of the terms like humx?
I just looked it has only one truss rod in a very,very thin neck. Action and playabliliy are awesome! Intonation is perfect..Best instument I've ever played in my 40 years of holding down the bottom.
My PC is dead this morning more pictures will follow . Regards,Boogieman145

artswork99 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 18, 2008, 06:38:58 AM »

A Series instrument usually has several visible features that make it distinct. The humx that Dave refers to is the hum canceling circuitry included in the Series electronics. Part of this hum canceling circuitry usually appears as a smaller surface mounted pickup located between the 2 main pickups. The Series instrumnet uses a 5 pin XLR power supply (the 5 pin cable also carries the audio out instead of the 1/4 phono jack which is still included and is a stereo out from both available output signal paths). I hope that this helps a bit.

Can't wait to see more pictures!

Best,
Art

ps: IMHO, the Series output is superior to anything I have ever heard.

(Message edited by artswork99 on August 18, 2008)

boogieman145 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 18, 2008, 08:16:10 AM »

No XLR. I've sent more photos in to the club via e-mail , they are too big to post. Thanx Art

artswork99 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 18, 2008, 08:57:54 AM »

Rocky,
If you would like to email me the pictures (my email address is in my profile - click on user name). I will gladly size them for you and either return them or post them into this thread.
Best,
Art

speicky · « **Reply #13 on:** August 18, 2008, 09:34:54 AM »

good idea, Art... I can vouch for this guy, he did very good photo jobs for other new members in the past.

welcome to the club, Rocky, it's an incredible looking instrument you have there.

all the best, Christian

artswork99 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 18, 2008, 09:39:12 AM »

Thanks Christian! I think many of us are over anxious to see further pictures of this bass.