Author Topic: Me and my Brown Bass. . (Read 392 times)

bucky · « **on:** June 08, 2003, 09:27:43 AM »

Hi everyone! Well. . I'm going to guess that I might be one of the older guys in this forum. I bought my one and only Alembic - an original Brown Bass - after seeing Stanley Clarke - in 1974. I played it for years and then for some reason that seems inexplicable now, sold it to one of my best friends who had it for a couple decades. I have dreamed about getting it back for a long time but the reformation of my progressive band Glass made that a necessity. I contacted my old friend and to my utter astonishment he still owned it! It took me a couple years (and $2000) to talk him out of it but to his credit he sold it back to me and now I am in total Alembic Heaven! I can?t believe I ever let this baby go and I can tell you I never shall again! I have beaten the odds twice now in the last 3 years once in getting my dream band back together and the second time getting my dream bass back in my hands! How often does that ever happen to a guy?
Anyway, now I'm very curious to track down the history of my bass prior to my buying it in April 1974 in Lakewood Washington. Any of you out there that could shed some light on the history of the Brown Basses can email me at relentls@ix.netcom.com. I'd love to hear from you. Or from *any* Alembic guitar owner. I really believe these are the greatest guitars in the world. The were always WAY ahead of their time. .

Thanks,

Jeff Sherman
Glass

elzie · « **Reply #1 on:** June 08, 2003, 12:00:02 PM »

Welcome to the club(again) Jeff! You are not alone in the older guys category either. That is a great story about your Brown Bass.

If you post a thread with the serial number, and ask Mica real nice like, she will provide any info that Alembic has on your baby. Poke around the other sections of the message boards and make yourself at home.

Paul, TBO

bucky · « **Reply #2 on:** June 08, 2003, 12:45:46 PM »

Paul. . Thanks! I've written her a personal email with a couple pictures. Perhaps she'll respond to that. In any case the Serial Number is 74 - 52. Any info on that anyone has is greatly appreciated. I'm assuming that means the 52nd Alembic Bass of that Series in '74. But what do I know? I'm the idiot that let it go for 25 years!

It's great to be a member of such a distinguished club!

Back for good,

Jeff

malthumb · « **Reply #3 on:** June 08, 2003, 04:00:26 PM »

Actually, I'm pretty certain that 52 means the 52nd instrument Alembic made, not the 52nd of that year. I used to own 74-84. You've got yourself a nice piece of history there, Bucky

Peace,

James

bucky · « **Reply #4 on:** June 08, 2003, 08:33:41 PM »

Hey James:

WOW!. . I thought that might be the case. This baby looks like it was completely handmade. And the original power supply (since replaced by my friend with a more current version which is painted light blue) was totally handmade. I can tell. I used to put together custom electronics in stock metal PC boxes and this was one of them. . I'll post several quality pictures of him when I get through having her cleaned up. Her wood is in immaculate condition though I can tell my friend *did not* oil it regularly like I used to do. And the brass work is all shaded because he didn't clean that either. But outside of that it's like it was in a closet somewhere for 25 years!

I must say it's great to hear from all of you - I'm having trouble explaining to the non-musicians (like my wife!) what all my excitement is about! I'm climbing the walls and no one here to share it with but you, my Alembic Brothers. .
Also. . anyone interested in hearing what Big Al sounded like recorded there are soundclips at: http://www.rpursuit.com/glass/Index.asp. I used this bass on the songs: Give The Man a Hand, Domino, The Myopic Stream and Changer recorded in 1975 and 1976 respectively.

stoney · « **Reply #5 on:** June 09, 2003, 07:07:22 AM »

VERY COOL!

bucky · « **Reply #6 on:** June 09, 2003, 07:37:04 AM »

Thanks Stoney. . .like I said it's great to be part of group that can appreciate this passion! Heres one more picture cropped from a larger one. These were taken at the last concert I did with it in 1976 I believe. .

Jeff

bucky · « **Reply #7 on:** June 09, 2003, 04:26:43 PM »

Hey Guys

I found one more picture. Another old one but a little bit better quality. I promise I'll post new ones soon. Any info on these Brown Basses is greatly appreciated. My bass carrys Serial # 74 - 52.

Thanks,

Jeff

thrill74 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 09, 2003, 07:32:08 PM »

Look at the Sunn's!

bucky · « **Reply #9 on:** June 09, 2003, 07:56:39 PM »

Thrill74. .

Yeah (-; I used two Sunn 200s 15 Cabs and a 100 Watt Hi-Watt head which had SO much power I couldn't ever turn it up higher than about 3 or 4 (and believe me THIS amp definitely went to 11!)

dww · « **Reply #10 on:** July 10, 2003, 01:00:45 PM »

Congratulations on getting your bass back! I can imagine how that would feel and after 2 decades the bass and wood can only sound better making it more a special reunion.

I would say best of luck, but you already have that!

bucky · « **Reply #11 on:** July 22, 2003, 03:39:53 PM »

Dww:

Sorry it took awhile to respond. . I'd forgotten I'd started this thread! Yeah. . it's been pretty magical. . I was even dreaming Alembic dreams for a couple weeks! My theory is that so much care and love went into making this work of art it somehow is imbued in the very fiber of it. When I play this bass it's unlike any of the other many many guitars and basses I've owned. Even my 1966 Martin D18. THIS bass guitar is in a class all by itself. . Ron Wickersham and Rick Turner poured themselves into these early Alembics. . and we who are fortunate enough to own one, get to live with their devotion to perfection every day. .

Jeff