Unknown Alembic

[navybass]

More and more, as I investigate this bass, I see so many similarities to an Alembic of this era. The control plate has 5 holes, whereas the cavity has 10 holes. Reminants of the original pickup cavities look to be the right size for pickups of that era. There are 2 gromets between the pickups that look like they were screw holes for a plate like the one that is on this bass http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/1145.html?1049497080  
 
The bridge looks to be the right era. The tailpiece might have been changed, as there are a few more screw holes under it.  
 
As I stated in a previous post, it looks like a previous owner stained the bass with a dark stain, possibly walnut, so the wood color is wrong for the types of wood used.  
 
I'm sure the brass plates were made after the newer pickups were installed.  
 
Mica emailed me and told me that someone else pulled the #106 file. She is supposed to get back to me when she finds out more.

[dela217]

John - This seems to get more interesting all the time.  The brass plate on the front of my bass in the link you included on the last post, is where the 2 9-volt batteries are.  Alembic stopped putting the batteries on the front of the instruments in 1974 somewhere between serial number 50 and 60.  Is there a cavity between the 2 pickups that look like 2 9-volt batteries would fit on the mystery bass?-----Michael

[navybass]

Yea, there is a cavity there.  It looks like it couls hold 2, but it now holds just 1 because of the new electronics.  I'm wondering if the new circuit could be made to 18v or if it's just a 9 volt circuit.  It looks to me like it's this circuit, only the previous owner also put in a master volume (big round silver pot).
http://www.alembic.com/prod/pickups.html
 
He also modified the switches to be on/off switches.  Everything else on the bass seems to be true Alembic.
 
This bass has a very narrow neck.  The fingerboard also looks to be a laminate of ebony/maple/ebony.

[navybass]

Oh yea, another thing, it is a semi-hollow body.
 
Just wondering something, if it was an employee project, would it even have a serial number on it?

[dela217]

I would have expected for it to be hollow.  That is how the Series basses were made.  
 
I would think that an employee project would not have serial numbers.   I have one with NO numbers. I also heard it was a no-no for a project bass to have an Alembic logo on it.  Mine has a BecVar logo on it, but I suspect it was made at Alembic.  It seems to me that the bass you have has two sets of numbers.  I think I would lean toward what the smaller set of numbers say.  I think those would be more Alembic, if you know what I mean.  The other set of numbers look like an afterthought.  The smaller numbers are consistent with the size of the numbers on other Alembic instruments.

[navybass]

I noticed on the serial number, the 74 is on one side of the point on the headstock, and the 106 is on the other side.  You really can't see it too well in the pictures, but in person you can see it real well.  
 
Another thing, it looks like there were 3 small screw holes near the top of the headstock face that were filled in.

[dela217]

Are those the small numbers?  If that is so, then I would trust those most.  That is how it should be stamped.  The year of creation on one side, and the number of the instrument on the other.  
 
If you see 3 small holes that were filled in, that is a good sign.  Is it two on the top end of the headstock and one toward the nut?  They should be in the shape of a triangle if you connect the dots.  The Alembic logo has 3 pins under it that held it to the headstock.  

[navybass]

Yea, those are the small numbers.  Also, the holes are shaped like a triangle, 2 on top and 1 on bottom.  
 
This is looking good.    
 
I was wondering if we determine that this is a real Alembic, what my chances would be to get a headstock logo to put on there.
 
(Message edited by navybass on December 07, 2003)

[mica]

Once it can be verified, chances are 100%. The one catch is that logos have to be installed at the factory, so it's usually best to wait until you've got more work to do at the same time since shipping can be very $$$.

[navybass]

Mica, How much would it cost to get complete Series I electronics installed on this bass?

[navybass]

Mica, are you there?  I would like to talk to you in private please.

[mica]

No I wasn't here. Shortly after posting to you I signed off for the day (I don't always get to hang out in the Club on the weekend). You're welcome to call our office 10-4 at 707-523-2611. My lunch hour is very random (I haven't gone yet today). Best time to catch me is morning.  
 
Complete Series I electronic install is pricey, between $3500-4500 depending on specifics. I don't think I have any used stock right now, so I have to quote you new prices. The price does include a power supply and cable and the full calibration.  
 
Give me a call if you'd like to discuss this further.

[navybass]

Well, I called Mica yesterday because I was a little concerned that this bass might be the stolen 74 64.  I was relieved to find out that it was not.  It wasn't the right scale length nor did it have the right wood for the top to be that bass.  74 64 has a maple top.  
 
I must say that Mica is a very nice person to talk to.  She is extremely helpful.  We had a very nice conversation.  Her customer relations skills are first rate.  
 
Thanks Mica.

[57basstra]

Anyone every hear any more about this bass? Was the date of birth every established? Thanks....