Author Topic: Fender Alembic; Fenbic; Alemder (Read 1227 times)

dfung60 · « **Reply #30 on:** January 10, 2012, 08:30:47 PM »

sonicus -

Yes, clearly a lot of experimentation here. The mystery plate on the back is sort of off-center, otherwise I would suspect that it was a sustain block and somebody tried to go full series with a sustain block and separate tailpiece. I don't think a Fender body has enough length to really do that like a point body. Moving the tailpiece up would reduce the scale length, but then you'd have to refret (or defret) the neck.

The next fall back was that through-body block which looks pretty cool. A lot of work to inlay that piece. I wonder why they didn't go with that? It's like the prehistoric ancestor of the 2Tek bridge!

They even corrected this area with that walnut inlay in the top.

Liptone, have you unscrewed that off-center plate on the back? I'm curious what it looks like down there!

David Fung

liptones · « **Reply #31 on:** January 10, 2012, 09:07:44 PM »

Yeah it houses the two 9 volt batteries. I will post a photo or so.

sonicus · « **Reply #32 on:** January 10, 2012, 09:09:30 PM »

David , Thanks for confirming my observations . The more I think about this instrument and combined with your confirmations is bringing back clarity of my encounter with this instrument at Stars Guitars. I used to visit there often . Bridge Experiment! 2Tek like perhaps ! I am remembering even more now .

Liptone , I am also curious what it looks like under that brass block !

Wolf

sonicus · « **Reply #33 on:** January 10, 2012, 09:38:38 PM »

Ok , A battery cover . You mentioned that there is output from the 1/4 jack , right? Keep both batteries fresh since you do not have the power supply and the 5 pin cable. I can not tell from the pic how the 1/4 jack is wired , is there output from both pickups ? How about HUM or BUZZ , there is an adjustment on the bass for that with instructions on this site. Gains also can be adjusted.

xlrogue6 · « **Reply #34 on:** January 11, 2012, 10:13:55 AM »

My friend Evan Palmerston (Cold Blood, Elvin Bishop, Shadowfax) has a similarly modded J-bass, which he told me was done at Alembic, I think in the East Cotati Ave. days. I'll ask him about it next time he drops by.

xlrogue6 · « **Reply #35 on:** January 11, 2012, 10:20:48 AM »

Also, I suspect the bridge mod was originally a string through body to an Alembic bridge (probably set in a sustain block)to get something functionally similar to a separate bridge and tailpiece on a body that couldn't actually accommodate a tailpiece.

811952 · « **Reply #36 on:** January 11, 2012, 10:28:26 AM »

Man, the '70s were some heady times for the instrument industry!

sonicus · « **Reply #37 on:** January 11, 2012, 01:20:57 PM »

Here is a fine example of a modified Jazz with Series I electronics.
Take note of the swell bridge and tail piece ! I LOVE the tail piece in this scenario. It works as it should. I was told that this bass was a legitimate employee project at the time.

elwoodblue · « **Reply #38 on:** January 11, 2012, 01:35:39 PM »

Your right Wolf,
That tailpiece is an inspired creation.Solid contact with the endgrain too...very nice.

pace · « **Reply #39 on:** January 11, 2012, 02:37:01 PM »

There was a black p-bass w/ alembic guts that popped up on the forum a couple of years ago..... I actually thought this was the same one w/ a stripped finish until I read a couple of posts further. So far no maple necks....

elwoodblue · « **Reply #40 on:** January 11, 2012, 02:45:02 PM »

Here's that Black P-Bass.

liptones · « **Reply #41 on:** January 11, 2012, 03:37:13 PM »

Wow check that out... The story unfolds.... Awesome..

I wonder if the same employee did all of these fenders..........

room037 · « **Reply #42 on:** January 11, 2012, 05:49:06 PM »

Hi Chris,

I think something about circuit wiring.

1: Locking SW is power SW.
1/4 phone jack is simple, not a switch jack.
It's wiring to LED with registor. The LED will work as power indicator.

2: 1/4 phone jack wiring
The jack is mono type, because the wiring is working as mono.
The wiring to signal point of the jack with one registor.
I think, the miss wiring is here.
Each PU signals need each registors for mono wiring.

I recommend to rewiring with 1/4 SW jack.

I am very interested modified Jazz-B.
If the tailpiece of Chris's bass was modified as this Jazz, it was needed the woodblock to current state.

Eiji

(Message edited by room037 on January 11, 2012)

liptones · « **Reply #43 on:** January 13, 2012, 05:20:42 PM »

hey guys thanks so much for all of your knowledge and sharing your info with me!!! It seems most of you guys grew up and around all this history. I have to say I admire you guys in a great way. Wish I could have been there during all those days. Sounds like a blast!

On another note, I plan to get this bass looking and sounding as sweet as possible! One day I will own a full on Alembic.. but for now I have some awesome vintage series 1 electronics that I plan to thoroughly enjoy.

Liptones

I imagine I'll go to 48th street in NYC to check wiring.. If anyone can recommend someone here in NY please do let me know.

tubeperson · « **Reply #44 on:** January 14, 2012, 07:10:20 AM »

Rudy's Music and their repair shop entry is 723 Seventh Avenue. Ask for Jeremy. Rudy's was an Alembic dealer many many years ago. Jeremy works on all my Alembics, unless they need to visit the mothership. The repair location is right around the corner of 48th and 7th Avenue.