https://reverb.com/item/99906355-alembic-series-ii-w-graphite-neck-natural-1978

like i need to be surfing revrbb these days.  sure is a pretty old girl.  i've got a grapite bass.  not sure i like the sound of it but it's half the weight of my good basses.  i've heard these can be....temperamental.   i'm done buying basses anyways.  good luck to all!

I don't see anything that indicates it's a Series II. We're LED's Installed in graphite necks?

Very nice looking one! But bit pricey. When was the first graphite neck Alembic made?

Quote from: Barend on Yesterday at 01:25:22 AMVery nice looking one! But bit pricey. When was the first graphite neck Alembic made?

John McVie and Stanley Clarke got the two prototypes in 1976. I'm not sure when the follow on production happened but they show up here and there until sometime in the mid-80's. 

This one looks nice but I agree, that's Series I. CME was an Alembic dealer for a time. (may still be?) Did they price this one as a Series II maybe? 

Garyhead - I have a Series 2 with a graphite neck.    It has LED's.   But that bass on Reverb is a Series 1.

I was thinking it was a somewhat optimistic price, as well.  And yes - SI.
And is it just me, or does that cavity shot look a tad spaghetti-like for Alembic?

Peter

Quote from: cozmik_cowboy on Yesterday at 06:37:19 AMI was thinking it was a somewhat optimistic price, as well.  And yes - SI.
And is it just me, or does that cavity shot look a tad spaghetti-like for Alembic?

Peter

It's the ugliest wiring I've ever seen in an Alembic control cavity.  Doesn't necessarily mean anything but certainly a thing that causes one to raise an eyebrow.

Quote from: cozmik_cowboy on Yesterday at 06:37:19 AMI was thinking it was a somewhat optimistic price, as well.  And yes - SI.
And is it just me, or does that cavity shot look a tad spaghetti-like for Alembic?

Peter

I sent a message to the seller.  It's a pretty big business so we'll see if they correct the listing.  Now I need to go search the Series I threads to see what a proper Series I wiring looks like.  My Series are doublenecks so there is even More stuff in there.

Wow!  Here's Robs 801711 control cavity for comparison.  Now I wonder If it Was a Series II that someone converted to Series I.  Then that begs the question....Why?  CVQ's Too complicated?  damaged?  unable to find replacements?  Oh....if the previous owner were a club member and can elaborate?  NOW that $18K price is mythical.

Nice!  That control cavity wiring is a little wild but not inappropriate for the time.  And '78 means it was an early graphite model.  (I love the off-center tailpiece - that's a hand made machine!)  

Hey, here's a link with more info:
https://web.archive.org/web/20200313051543/http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/72767.html?1258218545

Jimmy J

Quote from: BeenDown139 on July 30, 2026, 06:02:23 PMi've got a grapite bass.  not sure i like the sound of it but it's half the weight of my good basses.  i've heard these can be....temperamental.   

I thought these graphite necks were always more stable than wooden necks?

Excellent catch Jimmy!  The last thread on that page was Wolf contemplating buying??

So. It was always a Series I. 

Another fun Alembic deep dive. Maybe the current seller saw all the gold plated hardware and assumed Series II. Looks like the original owner had it at least for 30 years. (1980-2010)

The Showcase thread can be found here: https://club.alembicguitars.com/series-i-basses-and-guitars/78-series-i-w-graphite-neck/

That's a really nice looking bass 

Quote from: garyhead on Yesterday at 08:50:01 AM

Quote from: cozmik_cowboy on Yesterday at 06:37:19 AMI was thinking it was a somewhat optimistic price, as well.  And yes - SI.
And is it just me, or does that cavity shot look a tad spaghetti-like for Alembic?

Peter

I sent a message to the seller.  It's a pretty big business so we'll see if they correct the listing.  Now I need to go search the Series I threads to see what a proper Series I wiring looks like.  My Series are doublenecks so there is even More stuff in there.

I messaged them, too.  
They are one of favorite places to spend an afternoon (though it's been far too many years since I have).

Peter