Author Topic: Greetings, my second Alembic! (Read 312 times)

doug_k · « **on:** March 29, 2011, 02:25:40 PM »

Hello,
I recently received my second Alembic bass, a custom distillate
serial # 82D 2198. It was purchased on another bass forum, but I believe the original owner is present here. My first Alembic was an elan 6 plus, which i purchased through Paul Schein at Chuck Levin's music in 1989. Here's a pic of me with the bass at a gig (the first whfs festival in Va.), over 20 years ago:

I miss that bass to this day, and am so glad I have the opportunity to be the caretaker of another one of these fine instruments.
Here's a couple (poor) pics of the new bass:

This bass has the pickup switch on the lower horn, and red led's.
Im looking forward to finding out the year, this bass has hardly a scratch on it, in fact the only scratch i could find was on the led and electronics covers.
Cheers,
Doug K

rustyg61 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 29, 2011, 02:34:24 PM »

Congratulations Doug, that's a beautiful bass! The 1st 2 numbers in the serial number are the year it was made, so yours was made in 1982. I too bought my 1st Alembic, a Series 1, back in the early 80's, then sold it & regretted that ever since. I just bought my second Alembic, a 2011 Stanley Clarke Signature Deluxe, from Beaver at Bass Central. Welcome back to the family of proud Alembic owners!

jagerphan84 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 29, 2011, 03:56:05 PM »

Nice bass, Doug! I've got 82D2078, though my walnut top doesn't hold a candle to that quilted maple.

Oh, and welcome to the club.

doug_k · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2011, 12:20:50 PM »

Thanks for the info and welcome guys, I thought the year was indeed 1982 but doubted it due to the condition...this bass must've been in a closet, un played, for many years. Funny how it was built the same year i discovered Alembic as a fresh teen, watching John Entwistle wield his spider wed explorer...also the year I started gigging. by the way, i've been trying to search the forum (with no luck) in order to find out if there is a truss tool specifically for these, or exactly what size wrench i should use?

rustyg61 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 30, 2011, 01:44:12 PM »

If it has the same truss nuts as mine, it is a 1/4 wrench. They included a 1/4 Craftsman box/open end wrench with my new bass. Before you make any adjustments, get a Sharpie & put a mark on top of both nuts so you will know where you started from in case you need to go back to where it is now. Also, read Joey's post on adjusting your truss rods & setting your action. It has all the info you need to fine tune your Alembic. http://club.alembic.com/Images/16271/16318.html?1107545766

There are several other posts in the FAQ section of this forum that deal with getting low action.

doug_k · « **Reply #5 on:** March 30, 2011, 02:28:10 PM »

Thanks for that info Rusty, i did read joey's post, i'll check out the other link now. Great tip on marking the nuts too...

rustyg61 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 30, 2011, 04:30:16 PM »

You're welcome! These posts helped me a lot when I got my bass. Good luck!