Author Topic: Persuader 89P5559 (Read 3220 times)

DanFrank · « **on:** June 13, 2014, 03:03:59 PM »

Interested in this model Persuader for sale online. Stated that it has a Bartolini factory installation. Has 4 control knobs that he thinks are v, v, t, b. It's a 5-string bass and has a quilted maple top. Looks like it might have a neck-dive issue as the horn goes to the 17th fret. Wondering about the modifications and how different that may sound for an Alembic. Tone described and buttery & smooth. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!!

DanFrank · « **Reply #1 on:** June 13, 2014, 03:17:49 PM »

FC Bass · « **Reply #2 on:** June 13, 2014, 04:13:31 PM »

The electronics are not from Alembic and I don't think they were installed by Alembic:

Bass looks stunning, with the way the mods were done you can easily get it back to the (almost) original state.
You might need to do some routing (+ re-apply some silver shielding paint) if you want to use a two filter + Q switch setup

Hope Mica will correct me if I'm wrong: I think you'll have to use 4 string sized P/J's if you want to change pickups.

flpete1uw · « **Reply #3 on:** June 13, 2014, 05:10:38 PM »

That didn't look like my Persuader electronics when I had it.
My personal opinion is an Alembic Bass is in large part the electronics as well as the build. That Bass I have no doubt will play beautifully, and in fact I miss playing my Persuader it just felt right in my hands. Not having experience with electronics on this Bass I do have a bias towards the Alembic Pickups / Electronics.
Good Luck!
Pete

mica · « **Reply #4 on:** June 13, 2014, 05:29:58 PM »

Correct, Flip - those are not the original electronics in the bass.

Pretty bass!

DanFrank · « **Reply #5 on:** June 13, 2014, 06:47:36 PM »

Thank you so much! That explains why nobody bid on it yet and it's done by tomorrow evening?.there are many watchers but no bids?.unusual behavior for such a nice bass! I'll bet it sounds great and maybe the new electronics were installed to boost the soft j pickup, but it' not a true Alembic and I would like the real thing as my first Alembic purchase.

DanFrank · « **Reply #6 on:** June 13, 2014, 07:06:05 PM »

What would it cost to restore the original electronics? With the extra knob, would that create a problem?

David Houck · « **Reply #7 on:** June 13, 2014, 08:03:52 PM »

Hi Dan; welcome to the board!

If you are considering having Alembic restore the electronics, you should probably call the shop and discuss over the phone. While it's too late to do that before the current auction ends, maybe it will be relisted if no one buys it.

The original Persuader electronics only had one preamp; and the different pickup shapes of the P-J setup left something of a gain mismatch between the two pickups.

Personally, I would suggest something like Elan electronics as an upgrade. The Elan package has volume, pan, filter, and Q switch. There are also two preamps with individual gain controls inside the control cavity, which could be used to balance out the P and J pickups. My guess is that it should fit the current hole pattern.

If you went with the original package of volume, volume, and filter, you could add a Q switch for the fourth hole. The two volumes would still work for balancing out the pickups, but it wouldn't be as flexible as the Elan setup. I think you can also request this setup with two preamps (I think I recall someone having done this as an upgrade to an existing bass). This would be like the Elan package but with two volumes instead of volume and pan.

Oh, and speaking of Q switches, you might want to consider a three way switch instead of the standard two way.

I have no idea what the cost would be; again, you would need to call the shop. It might be more economical to just wait for another opportunity; I don't know. But I'm guessing you could sell the Bart electronics to help defray the cost. And this particular five string with that top does look nice.

Hope that helps some.

flpete1uw · « **Reply #8 on:** June 13, 2014, 08:08:24 PM »

Dan,
If you decide to go the restore route you might want to consider using the 4th hole for a 3 way Q switch. Pretty inexpensive and an easy install. Adds a lot to the basses versatility.
Peace,
Pete

flpete1uw · « **Reply #9 on:** June 13, 2014, 08:14:35 PM »

Dave, you beat me to the punch! Great minds think alike!
Getting caught watching the Stanley Cup.
Pete

David Houck · « **Reply #10 on:** June 13, 2014, 09:23:57 PM »

bigredbass · « **Reply #11 on:** June 13, 2014, 10:33:46 PM »

Dan, I wouldn't think it's all that neck-heavy, there's a lot of wood in that Persuader body. If there's no weird custom spec involved when that was built, that's the Alembic 'Classic Taper' neck/fingerboard: 2" at the adjustable brass nut, 2.5" at the 24th fret, the strings almost feel parallel all the way up the fingerboard. It's the Alembic standard 1/4" ebony fingerboard, and the neck-thru is the 'Deluxe Laminates', the three purpleheart 'stripes' you see: This is a VERY stable neck. While I have a slightly different build, this is the same neck on my two five strings, and somewhat similar pickups to my Elan:
[img">http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/193859.jpg[/img]
The Elan is running Alembic Signature electronics, like this:
I'm sure you could do just fine with Barts in this axe, most of us here have or have had basses with them, but NOTHING is like the genuine article. Don't know your experience or what your ears want to hear, but there's nothing like owning an Alembic. Everything else is just . . . . everything else. Lots of good basses out there, but until you've had one of these, there's just nothing else like theses axes or the people who make them. Best of Luck, J o e y

DanFrank · « **Reply #12 on:** June 14, 2014, 05:59:39 AM »

Thank you so much, everyone, for the very detailed responses!! It gives me a more vivid picture of the quality of these basses by your knowledge of their engineering specs and the enthusiasm of your responses that projects off this board?what a great club!

I have loved the sound of Alembics from the days Lesh played them and just heard a Series I played at a DSO concert last year and fell in love again (long time GD fan). I don't see them much here in eastern PA and have been scoping them out online?I desperately need to play one!

I have a 6-string Ibanez SR506, which is a nice bass for the price, but it's not an Alembic by far. It's hard for me to justify paying for a new Alembic (I need to pay for college tuition - 3 kids), so I've been looking for a used 5-string bass for less than $2k, at which price some Persuaders, Spoilers, and Distillates seem to be selling. I would love a neck-through model in great condition and tone with great range for playing jazz to rock. I love the quilted maple top but also love some dark woods (walnut), especially if they provide the deep low for dropping bombs on the b. I think maple tends toward being a bright, punchy tone, but I don't know for sure as I haven't had the pleasure of hearing/playing a variety of these beauties.

I will watch the current auction and may place a bid. But I would rather buy a true Alembic to the core, so I'm somewhat hesitant unless I could convert to the Elan electronics, as mentioned by Dave, but the expense is a big question.

Again, thank you so much for all the help and I'm certain to learn a lot about these beautiful basses from this club!

All the best?.Dan

flpete1uw · « **Reply #13 on:** June 14, 2014, 07:29:32 AM »

Keep in mind there are always Bases coming for sale online and within this club. If this bass speaks to you then go for it. If you truly want an Alembic then you might want to wait. There have few things in my life that felt as good as playing and hearing my first Alembic bass. That first bass ( a Persuader) hooked me in. But I felt it was the whole package that did it.

Anyway that a IMO and the elevated value of 1 1/2 c worth.

Best of luck, she sure is a pretty bass!
Pete

DanFrank · « **Reply #14 on:** June 14, 2014, 08:41:00 AM »

Thank you for the advice Pete?.I think I'm going to follow it and pass on this Persuader. I will keep my eyes open! All the best?.Dan