Intrudoction and request for information

[hasse]

I first came across the name Alembic about 12 yeres ago in a music store in Cobenhagen. The first thing that struck me was its playability, how easy it was to play the instrument. I endet up playing it for houres until they kicked me out of the store. But a dream was born.
One month ago I finaly did it. I bougth S1 No: 78 1082 This is my first Alembic and I love it. Every time I look at it it makes me happy. And I find myself practice and playing much more than before.
 
Former owner was Anders Tind (Fenders) who bought it in Germany (unknown when).  
Adjustments have been made to the electronics before I bought it. Two dials (their use unknown to me) were removed prior to my ownership - the configuration is now a standard series 1 configuration. One pickup has been replaced. There is also a 2-position switch, looking just like a Q-switch, located just below the ? Jack. But it is doing nothing I took the backplate of , no wires connected.
 
If anybody have any information regarding this bass and its history I would be very happy to hear from you.
And if anyone have an ideer what the tow dials or the 2-position switch did. I am planing to restore the instriment and would like som input.
 
Here is a picture from the store where I bought it (I do not let my bass stand like this):
http://www.musikbixen.dk/prod205.asp
 
best regards Hasse

[David Houck]

Welcome to the group; and that's a nice looking Series I.  The store manager should be arrested for standing an Alembic on its point.

[hollis]

Welcome Hasse; Your bass is a beauty!  I'm sure that it won't be long before others far more versed in Series I than I will be along to discuss your new acquisition, have no fear! I just wanted to say hello and welcome to the asylum!

[bassman10096]

Hi Hasse:  That's a very nice bass you found.  Glad you are going to restore it.  You came to the right place for information.  Mica or Valentino from Alembic can provide you with the history of the bass from Alembic's files.  As to the two knobs missing:  Are there any components left in the cavity that aren't connected?  I know that's a silly question, but you never know till you ask.  The only thought I have on the 2 position switch is that it sounds like it's located where Alembic often mounts the switches for side or front LEDs.  
 
As Hollis said, others with more knowledge will be along shortly.
 
In the meantime, welcome to a friendly and helpful group.  Glad you found the Club!
 
Bill

[mica]

Hi Hasse,
 
Glad to hear that nice old bass has found a happy home with you. It really makes us all happy hear to learn that you are finding yourself playing more - as beautiful as these creatures are, they are meant to be played and enjoyed.  
 
I'm sorry, but the file for you bass is currently missing, unless someone else started to field your request and already pulled it (we can hope!). From the picture, I will guess the top to be some sort of Rosewood, although it's so dark, it's really hard to tell.  
 
I can tell you it was finished somewhere between May 1 and May 8 1977 by the adjacent serial numbers.  
 
When you get a chance, please take some more pictures and post them in the Series I section of the Showcase. If you can take a photo of the inside of the electronics cavity then we can tell you more about the switch. I bet it was for stereo/mono for the 1/4 jack.  
 
Even though the picture is dark, I'll bet both of those pickups are replaced. Are the dials that were replaced the center two trimpots accessed through the backplate? Or are there holes on the front without controls?  
 
Did you get the power supply and 5-pin cable with the bass?  
 
Did you know you were going to have to answer so many questions?

[mint_bass]

hi and welcome to the club that is a real nice bass i cant help you with the electronics question but thought i would say hi so hi i no what you mean about loving your new bass i was the same and still am 6 months on everytime i see my bass i smile  and i practice on it for hours on end sometimes 6 hours a day i play whenever i can  
 
anyway talk to you soon look forward to seeing more pictures of your bass and i am sure if you put up some pics of the control cavity mica or val or someone will beable to tell you what has been changed and how to restore it

[hasse]

Yes i did expect to answer many questions Mica!
 
Let me start by saying that english is not my mother tongue, and I did not pay much attention in english class ( to busy playing bass ) as a kid. But since everybody seems to understand what I wrote I feel a little more selfassurde.
 
The bass came with: DS-5R power supply ( it is not original, I think. But it works. ) and 5-pin cable, the two knops from the two missing dials, one extra picup (Alembic series I/II) with only ? inch of wier sticking out and a case thats looks original.
 
Two knobs is ripd out of the front. One of them stil holds the rod from the dial. I do not have the two missing dials. The holes in the front are filled with what we in Denmark call ?plastic-wood? (black). It does not look nice but at least it keeps dust away from the electronics.
 
The width between the strings is not uniform. It looks like the E- and the G-string has been moved outwards. Does anyone know the correct widths between the strings at the bridge and at the nut (I think thats is what it is called ?what I mean is the point where the head starts)? I tend to ?fall of? the G-string when I play fast  
 
Mica did you mean between May 1 and May 8 1977 or between May 1 and May 8 1978?  
 
I do not have a digital camera but I will see if I can borrow one.
 
best regards Hasse

[palembic]

Hi Hasse,
 
welcome to the club.
The Paul-gang is the picture-yelling gang but I think I'll hold them off for a while!
About that digital camera thing!
Honestly: you don't need one.
Just take your camera with colour film (or if you don't have buy a small throw-away-camera) take some pictures and ask the store where you bring your film to put all pictures on CD (digital format). It's a cheap an easy procedure.
With that CD as a start you can provide us with the pictures we're yelling for!!!!! Beware: there is a byte limit to the pictures when you want to upload them but ...first things first  ...first the pictures taken.
BTW ...don't do it for OUR sake (we yell HARD for pictures but ...honestly ...you better dake the pictures for yourself. If you'll have the calamity that your bass is stolen ...it is a very valuable thing to have pictures of your bass. Also for an insurance company in the case you would like to insure your bass.
Anyway .....WELCOME
 
 
Paul the bad one

[bracheen]

Hi Hasse, don't worry about your English.  It's very understandable.  Welcome to the group and congratulations on the new bass. Looking forward to the pictures.    If you want to tell us about how you're using the bass, do you play out with a band or at home for your own pleasure?  What amplification are you using?
 
Sam

[hasse]

Thanks for the menny replys. And thanks for the tip about the camera Poul I will look in to that.
 
My setup is: Mesa/boogie studio pre-amp, Mesa/boogie strategy 500 poweramp, Mesa/boogie 1x15 speaker + som homebuild speakers. Next thing to be replaced is the speakers. They do not work the way I want. I also dream about an F1-X if I can find one on e-bay. I play with the strings tuned C-G-C-F so I go down to about 32 Hz the dials on my pre-amp does not go that deep. But it will all have to wait until my ecconomy is out of the red
 
I also play guitar, setup is: Mesa/boogie 180-D and a homebuild speaker ( 4x12 ) Yes I know the 180-D is ment to be a bass-amp but it sounds fantastic. If I get the F1-X the studio pre-amp will be moved to my guitat setup.
 
I play in a band named Monoton. But it has been an uphill batle since our lead singer passed away 1? year ago. We are still looking for a replacement.
Tjeck: www.monoton.dk
 
best regards Hasse

[mica]

I plugged the normal specs for strings and fingerboard width for a bass of your age, here's all the details:
--------------------------------------------
id = Hasse
scale length = 34
string dia. 1=.045 2=.065 3=.080 4=.105  
 
at nut end:
      fingerboard width = 1.75
  treble edge allowance = .15
    bass edge allowance = .15
   string center 1 to 2 = 0.458
   string center 2 to 3 = 0.458
   string center 3 to 4 = 0.458
spacing between 1 and 2 = 0.403
spacing between 2 and 3 = 0.385
spacing between 3 and 4 = 0.365
 
at bridge end:
  treble edge allowance = .15
    bass edge allowance = .15
   string center 1 to 2 = 0.655
   string center 2 to 3 = 0.672
   string center 3 to 4 = 0.692
spacing between 1 and 2 = .6
spacing between 2 and 3 = .6
spacing between 3 and 4 = .6
    string edge to edge = 2.095
(projected) fingerboard width at bridge = 2.395
 
fingerboard width at nut     = 1.75
fingerboard width at 24th fret = 2.233
fingerboard width at 25th fret = 2.242
fingerboard length             = 25.98
--------------------------------------------
If you don't have a set of calipers, making these measurements is near to impossible.  
 
These number will of course change depending on your preference for the edge allowance (how far in the G string is from the edge of the board) and also the diameter of your strings. We usually set up with center to center spacing at the nut and edge to edge spacing at the bridge.  
 
Oh yes, of course I meant 1978. That's what I get for trying to get one more thing done before dashing out the door.  
 
Sorry to hear about your singer. I hope you can find someone that can get your band back together.

[hollis]

Hasse,
I'm sorry for your loss.
 
It's good that the music continues....
 
Here's to better days!
 
-Hollis