Author Topic: 2001single pick up lefty custom build (Read 387 times)

tonyringtone · « **on:** December 03, 2011, 04:13:19 PM »

Can't find much information on my bass.
It's a beautifully finished instrument in AAAA flame maple with purple heart edge detailing around the body and up the neck. The shape resembles a Stanley Clarke standard series, but has a hollow body with arrow head aperture edged in purple heart as a feature above the single pick up.
I've owned this bass for a year, the previous owner bought it in the States around 4 years ago where the owner had apparently owned it from new as a custom build project.
Any info on this would be very useful, will try and post a photo to help identify.

sonicus · « **Reply #1 on:** December 03, 2011, 05:31:20 PM »

Hello and welcome .

If you post some good pictures we will know much more .

Thanks

jacko · « **Reply #2 on:** December 05, 2011, 04:19:50 AM »

Welcome to the club from edinburgh tony. sounds like an interesting instrument and photos would be very welcome. The hollow body is intriguing - I'm not aware of any other hollow bodied Alembics.

Graeme

tncaveman · « **Reply #3 on:** December 05, 2011, 04:33:17 AM »

Hey Tony - love the demos on the Cafe Racers web site! Has a slight Yardbirds sound. Welcome to the club.

Stephen

adriaan · « **Reply #4 on:** December 05, 2011, 01:06:35 PM »

Pretty sure we have seen this lefty single pickup figured maple hollow-body SC with cat's eye soundhole (showing some purpleheart) before - can't seem to find the previous thread, though.

mica · « **Reply #5 on:** December 05, 2011, 01:12:58 PM »

I know this bass! I know i have a couple of pictures somewhere. Did you see that inside the hollow upper body half that it's also lined in Purpleheart? We also did a complete finish and rubout on the interior, it's super slick looking.

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** December 05, 2011, 03:11:05 PM »

I'm thinking this could be it.

David Houck · « **Reply #7 on:** December 05, 2011, 03:16:11 PM »

The thread I found it on is here.

mica · « **Reply #8 on:** December 05, 2011, 03:31:03 PM »

It is!

sonicus · « **Reply #9 on:** December 05, 2011, 04:47:25 PM »

Yes, That is KOOL !

David Houck · « **Reply #10 on:** December 05, 2011, 04:59:19 PM »

Tony; here's my guesses on the build. It appears to be an Excel with a set neck, and with a Small Body upgrade. The Small Body also suggests short scale and classic neck taper. Single pickup with Volume, Bass, and Treble controls. As an Excel, the single pickup is probably a Fatboy. 5A Quilted Maple top laminate; and Flame Maple back laminate. Purpleheart accent body lams. Since it's an Excel, the main body wood may be Ash. Three piece Maple neck. Fingerboard appears to be Ebony; and I'm guessing Mother of Pearl ovals. Tuners are probably Alembic Gotoh. Brass bridge and brass Bird taipiece. And of course the extremely cool custom hollowed out upper body half.

jacko · « **Reply #11 on:** December 06, 2011, 01:26:06 AM »

Wow! That really is a superb instrument. I can't understand how I missed it first time round. It would be interesting to know how many semi-hollow bodied instruments Alembic have made.

Tony. I'll be down your way next May so I'll keep my eyes on your website. Hopefully you'll have a gig and i can hear this beauty in the flesh.

Graeme

tonyringtone · « **Reply #12 on:** December 06, 2011, 05:19:42 AM »

Hey Mica et al,
This is my bass, really impressed with all of your knowledge and passion and for managing to post a photo before I did.

The guitar is like new
Great being connected with you all

Thanks again for the info, will post some more photos

Tony

southpaw · « **Reply #13 on:** January 08, 2012, 10:16:31 AM »

Congrats Tony, that is a beauty! I wanted to purchase this bass from the previous owner over 2 years ago and asked that my name & number be given to him for when he was ready to sell it, apparently my info did not reach the previous owner as I had hoped. If you ever decide to let this beauty go, please drop me a message via my email on this forum. In the meantime enjoy this work of art! All the best. - Southpaw.