Author Topic: 78 Series I w/ graphite neck (Read 503 times)

bbernard · « **on:** November 13, 2009, 07:52:46 PM »

I have owned this bass since 1980. This bass was a gift from Rick Turner to Dennis Erokan (editor of BAM magazine at the time). Per Dennis, the sound of the bass was too live and present for his taste. The bass was on consignment at Spitzer's Music in Hayward when I went to work there in 1980. I just about fell out of my shoes the first time I heard this bass plugged in. It had to be mine!

Thats my dog Raina helping me out. Here is a body shot:

Sorry, not the best photographer! Bob (Message edited by bbernard on November 13, 2009) (Message edited by bbernard on November 13, 2009)

bbernard · « **Reply #1 on:** November 13, 2009, 08:03:48 PM »

A couple of more pictures. The pickups went microphonic (as I recall) and they were replaced at Alembic in the late 1980s. I also had the 1/4" jack changed to mono by Alembic. The lacquer started chipping off the neck and eventually the same happened to the body. It was stripped and refinished by Michael Dolan in Santa Rosa around 2000. The bridge and stringholder were plated at the same time...I was tired of polishing brass!

I like things to match and one of the tuning pegs was bent from a fall in 1984 or so...replaced with gold schallers and had the Alembic logo plated as well.

(Message edited by bbernard on November 14, 2009)

sonicus · « **Reply #2 on:** November 13, 2009, 08:09:30 PM »

NICE !!!!!!!!!

Enzo · « **Reply #3 on:** November 13, 2009, 08:24:50 PM »

Gorgeous ! It looks 34 scale, am I right ?
What's the market value for graphite neck Alembic ? They're so hard to find...

artswork99 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 13, 2009, 08:55:25 PM »

Stunning!

bbernard · « **Reply #5 on:** November 13, 2009, 09:03:18 PM »

Thanks guys. It is a 34 scale. No idea of the market value for this bass. In the past few years I have been buying and selling a bunch of basses to try them out. Haven't considered moving this one.

So I have been taking a trip down memory lane. My original sales receipt says the serial number is either 78-1118 or 78-1318. Where is it on the bass? Checked the battery compartment and the control cavity...what am I missing?

toddharris · « **Reply #6 on:** November 13, 2009, 09:21:05 PM »

Did you check the very end of the fretboard after the highest fret? It may be stamped their. Stunning wood and finish -- gorgeous!!!

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #7 on:** November 14, 2009, 07:06:40 AM »

Just gorgeous! You should also check the top edge of the headstock; but since Flip's chart lists 1300 as a '79, my money would be on 1118.

Peter

bbernard · « **Reply #8 on:** November 14, 2009, 07:47:56 AM »

Thanks Todd Harris - there it is! SN 78-1318. I'll go register it now.

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 14, 2009, 08:12:39 AM »

Congrats Bob,
That's a gorgeous instrument, and the graphite necks were a limited group that the mother ship doesn't do anymore.
Mike

kilowatt · « **Reply #10 on:** November 14, 2009, 09:09:05 AM »

Bob,

That is one beautiful bass you have there Bob. If you ever want to let it go to another good home, I would be more than happy to take this one off your hands. Great job on the clean-up, she looks fantastic.

Regards,
Pete

Enzo · « **Reply #11 on:** November 15, 2009, 10:16:59 PM »

I'm also really curious to hear how the graphite sounds on Alembics.
Do you have any sound sample or YouTube video of it ?

bbernard · « **Reply #12 on:** June 25, 2010, 08:36:07 PM »

If anyone is interested this is going to the for sale forum.

sonicus · « **Reply #13 on:** June 26, 2010, 12:58:15 AM »

I might be perhaps ! You are local ? Me too! ( Alameda Co.) That would eliminate any Transportation Shipping Damage Angst ! If we did this in person . You may email me if you like .