alembic1989

[quote name='Skywalker83' post='548614' date='Jul 23 2009, 09:46 AM']Fook me , that really is a beauty! If you can, get some sound clips up on here, would love to hear what she sounds like. Whats going on with the B string at the bridge? EDIT: Just read the thing bout no sound clips. Perhaps someone living near this fella with recording capabilities might be able to help in this area????[/quote] the maker used a warwick tailpiece (I think)..and the fat low B is just a little too fat for the slot....

I think it looks nice.

[quote name='bythesea' post='546292' date='Jul 21 2009, 12:27 PM']Work of art! Haven't seen any other of his, love the body shaping. Any chance of a full length pic?[/quote] Happy to oblige...full length pics now added. Unfortunately I lack the facilities to do a sound clip.

Bought this bass a while back and had it upgraded with an East preamp. It has a huge sound and very hifi sounding. It is a real beauty, the woods are killing . and I love the way the thru body design spills over on to the fretboard. The top is rippled olive wood, and the back is figured bubinga..and it weighs an absolute ton....but I sort of like heavy basses anyway.

[quote name='Fuzzlord' post='544286' date='Jul 18 2009, 08:10 PM']Nice Bass! I bet you could solo to infinity on that. [/quote] greetings to the fuzzlord and wielder of mjolnir....how are things in Asgard...heard that you and Odin fell out...

[quote name='ped' post='544198' date='Jul 18 2009, 06:40 PM']Great bass and obviously one you feel really 'at home' on because of the time you have spent working with it. It looks very tactile and funky. I would love to try one! ped[/quote] next time you are in the windsor/slough area pop round for tea and play it...

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='544199' date='Jul 18 2009, 06:40 PM']Wishbasses come unfinished, having him finish it is an extra, and he doesn't advise it (I wouldn't either), much better to consider them a blank with all the machinery requiring part done for you. I took a week ever christmas saning mine and then a few evening over a month feeding it oil, pretty pleased with how it came out. I like the thick neck, like a big classical guitar. What woods are there? Mines a purpleheart/maple neck with maple walnut sandwich body wings.[/quote] Hi, I like the fat neck too. The woods are nicely figured mahogany for the top...and some really cool green poplar for the back..it is a really amazing green colour with some nice figure. I think the neck is the same as yours (maple/pupleheart). I did the same as you..about a week of sanding and feeding it with oil (teak oil) and then finally finishing wax.

[quote name='BigRedX' post='544166' date='Jul 18 2009, 05:36 PM']That's looking good! Did you thin down the neck any? Reshape the body? And how long did all that work take you? My problem with Wishbasses is the variable finish and the fact that Mr Wish doesn't appear to know when a straight line is actually a requirement. There's potential in them as this one and the one that Thunderritter owns both show, but for me, I'm not sure that all the extra work is actually worth it.[/quote] Nice to hear from you. I've kept the neck profile the same...it is actually pretty fat but for some reason feels very nice (not sure why that should be). I have done a little reshaping but nothing major, mainly in the vicinity of the lower horn area..initially it was really pretty sharp...sharp enough to scuff the back of my left hand when playing in the upper registers. Also I smoothed out some of the lines using my dremmel. You are quite right about the finish...it is poor BUT I liked the idea of sitting down with some sandpaper and teak oil. The bass now feels like MY bass and the end results seem worth it to me.

Here are some pics of my wishbass purcahesd last year. I have refined it by finishing it properly, adding the wooden control plate..and groovy vol. control..and finally having the fretboard smothed and lined. It really is a lovely bass to play and sounds great. The neck is a delight even for my small hands, it has a huge range....count the frets! and in spite of the other very distinguished basses I own I love playing it. They seem to really attract hatred (mostly by people who have never played one)..but I love this bass (gnarly knots an' all !!!!!)

£9 postage for the preamp....you have got to be kidding!!!

[quote name='ape' post='535022' date='Jul 7 2009, 06:55 PM']Some pics of my Kramer XL9, unfortunately the quality is rubbish as they were taken ages ago on a camera phone, I'll take some more from my proper camera soon and post them> I've never seen another one of these other than on the Kramer forum. It will more than likely going up for sale in the sale section soon too so anybody interested let me know. [/quote] Cool bass. what are all the knobs and switches for? How much are you asking? Is the neck straight?

[quote name='BigRedX' post='534732' date='Jul 7 2009, 02:51 PM']I was going to say that looks like it's had a lot of work on the body to get it like that. Any idea what it started out life as? Most of the basses tended to have contrast stripes down the middle of the body like a neck-through design. I would have like to see some photos of the back of the body as well. If the original neck plate is still holding the neck on then you'll have the serial number and should be able to find out what it was using [url="http://www.vintagekramer.com/serials.htm"]this page[/url]. BTW did you know you can post image directly into the forum using the IMG code from PhotoBucket. It makes for a far nicer user experience here. Copy the IMG tag like this: [code][IMG]http://i817.photobucket.com/albums/zz96/23basslord/IMG_2600.jpg[/IMG][/code] Which gives you this: [/quote] So THAT's how you do it. I lokked on the back and found the serial number (40264)..but couldn't find any info from the link. My best guess is that it started life as a Dmz 4000/4001.... I think we have a lot in common...as I really love unusual and unique basses.Thanks for the info..much appreciated.

[quote name='joegarcia' post='534569' date='Jul 7 2009, 12:03 PM']Interesting, doesn't look like any aluminium necked Kramer I've seen before. Any chance of a full body pic?[/quote] Hi, when I bought it (20 odd years ago), the previous owner had customised it heavily. He had reshaped the body, extended the fretboard, installed 2 bartolinis, and made it possible to use as a 4 or 5 string (by including a 5 string bridge and nut). I only ever use is as a 4 cos it plays crap as a 5. I don 't have a pic of the entire bass unfortunately...but all that's missing from the pic really is the ali neck.

Here are some pics of my customised Kramer....had it for the best part of 20 years, has recently been fitted with a Delano MM pick up and an EMG preamp. I've recorded with it extensively it sounds wonderful. [url="http://s817.photobucket.com/albums/zz96/23basslord/?action=view&current=IMG_2607.jpg&newest=1"]http://s817.photobucket.com/albums/zz96/23...pg&newest=1[/url] [url="http://s817.photobucket.com/albums/zz96/23basslord/?action=view&current=IMG_2601.jpg&newest=1"]http://s817.photobucket.com/albums/zz96/23...pg&newest=1[/url] [url="http://s817.photobucket.com/albums/zz96/23basslord/?action=view&current=IMG_2600.jpg&newest=1"]http://s817.photobucket.com/albums/zz96/23...pg&newest=1[/url]

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='533512' date='Jul 6 2009, 08:20 AM']A few years back I saw one of these basses on ebay for £1500. I should have bought it. It is strange that they have not gone up much in value. I think they are worth about £2500 tops. Weird, considering there are only 200 worldwide.[/quote] I saw that one on ebay too....an absolute bargain. I did see another go for nearer £2000...I think one chap frpm the forum (eubassix ?) had it up on ebay.

I've never had a problem with the pick ups...but it did develop a very strange horrible crackling noise..I eventually traced it to one of the connectors on the main circuit board. I have just recorded with it and it sounds wicked..I love the superb lows and highs with the mids taken out. I too bought mine in 1989 after seeing the review in 'guitarist'....I don't think it is possible to lust after something as much as I lusted after this bass...In the past I have toyed with the idea of parting with it (especially when going through a 'Oh what's the point of it all' phase...I have several handmade basses now but this is the best in terms of playability, build qualty and TONE....you only realise how good it is after playing other basses. I also like the electronics, nice and easy to use, and not too much messing about . It amazes me that mediocre fenders (any jazz or precision "made in the 70's" ) are now fetching prices on par with 2nd hand Alembics...just don't get it...(sigh).

I've finally managed to get a pic of my Alembic 20th anniversary....No 64 in walnut. hope you like it..I've owned it from new and is the finest bass I have ever played. [url="http://i817.photobucket.com/albums/zz96/23basslord/IMG_2645.jpg"]http://i817.photobucket.com/albums/zz96/23...rd/IMG_2645.jpg[/url]

[quote name='benwhiteuk' post='499661' date='May 28 2009, 10:30 AM']With all due respect, and I don’t mean this in a sarcy way, but how do you know it’s a rare cab if you don’t even know if it’s a 2x12 or 2x10? Again, I’m not trying to be sarcy, but I’m just interested My old guitarist had a modern AC30 CC2X with the 2 12” Celestion “Blue Bulldog” speakers and it sounded absolutely immense![/quote] Hi, I have owned the cab from new from sometime in the late seventies/early eighties, and never thought that it was particularly rare to be honest...but having scoured the web for quite a while now I have never seen a picture or even a mention of one. It is a bass reflex cab with 2 blue vox drivers...if you can find a pic of one I'd be very interested. It's hiding in storage at the moment..when I get time I'll see if I can find some kind of model number on it....I haven't even seen another one anywhere...so I guess that's why I'm saying it's rare. hope that helps. ps... The reason I'm not sure about the size of the drivers is that it has been in storage since I blew it up nearly 25 years ago...my memory says 2 x 12...but It's possible that i could be mistaken.

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='499582' date='May 28 2009, 08:34 AM'][url="http://www.wembleyloudspeaker.com/page-products-repair.shtml"]Wembley speakers[/url][/quote] You are a complete star...thanks a million.

Hi, I've got a rare 2x 12 ( i think...could be 2x10), but the speakers have blown. They are blue in colour (celestions?), does anyone know where I can get the speakers reconed?..it seems such a pity to have such a rare cab just lying about doing nothing. Any help would be really cool. Thanks

I have a dead pro flanger does anyone know who could repair it for me. It was a very expensive piece of kit in it's day and a really good pedal. Any help would be most welcome. Thanks in advance.

I am desperately trying to find someone who can fix my 70's mains operated Morley pro Flanger..can you help? It was a very expensive piece of kit in its day and now very rare. HELP!!!!