Alembic series 1.

[alloy70]

Hi guys ive come across a mint condition 1981 alembic bass that i am very tempted to buy.The owner of the bass says its a series 11.To me it looks more like a series 1.Would i be correct in saying that all the series 1 basses have two purpleheart stripes running down the neck and not three?this one has two stripes on back of neck and down the front.The bass itself is in very good condition has that big body look with a point at the back of the bass,very similar to what mark king use to play.IT has two flick switches on the body and four control knobs,with a strange pointy control switch,a power supply connection socket and a normal jack imput.it looks like indian rosewood but im not sure,the back soapbar pickup screw assembly is cracked,but apart from that the bass has no blemishes or dings,could i be on to something very rare and special.or are these basses very common.?

[GeeCee]

[quote name='alloy70' timestamp='1340405516' post='1704249']
Hi guys ive come across a mint condition 1981 alembic bass that i am very tempted to buy.The owner of the bass says its a series 11.To me it looks more like a series 1.Would i be correct in saying that all the series 1 basses have two purpleheart stripes running down the neck and not three?this one has two stripes on back of neck and down the front.The bass itself is in very good condition has that big body look with a point at the back of the bass,very similar to what mark king use to play.IT has two flick switches on the body and four control knobs,with a strange pointy control switch,a power supply connection socket and a normal jack imput.it looks like indian rosewood but im not sure,the back soapbar pickup screw assembly is cracked,but apart from that the bass has no blemishes or dings,could i be on to something very rare and special.or are these basses very common.?
[/quote]

Sounds like a Series I to me as well. The difference between Series basses is in the electronics. I think a Series I has 3-position flick-switches for the Q function, while the Series II should have rotary knobs for a continuosly variable function. I don't think the neck laminates play into at all. Likewise the body shape. The pointy switch is probably the P/U selector.

[alloy70]

Thanks GeeCee do you have any idea what the current value is for a series 1 alembic?what ball park figure do they sell for.It really is mint condition,except for the crack on the pickup housing.

[GeeCee]

[quote name='alloy70' timestamp='1340415240' post='1704324']
Thanks GeeCee do you have any idea what the current value is for a series 1 alembic?what ball park figure do they sell for.It really is mint condition,except for the crack on the pickup housing.
[/quote]

Not really. I am in the US where Alembics are more available and, therefore, cheaper than in Europe. I would imagine you can get a decent Series I bass here for $2,500-$3,500, depending on condition, woods, age, etc. A really pristine instrument would be more, maybe $4000. Make sure it comes with the external power supply and remember that Alembic spares aren't cheap.

Edited June 23, 2012 by GeeCee

[White Cloud]

Agree that neck laminates are irrelevant when identifying Alembic basses - the difference between series 1 & 2, as has been previously stated, being the electrics!

I dont know if you have had hands on with the bass or not but things to be aware of when buying used Alembics are they are notoriously very heavyweight...certainly not for those with back problems. Also I would really want to have a look at the neck & truss rod, I am a member of the Alembic club and I would say it is folly to buy unseen. Do not assume that multi laminates make for a rock solid Alembic neck...the company has historically experienced several periods of time where customers reported real neck stability problems...including recently. I know a guy who owned a hugely expensive Alembic series bass and the only way he could combat the serious neck back bow after maxing out the truss rods was by fitting the heaviest guages of strings on the market to make it playable.

Also be aware...even Alembic say their basses are like Ferrari's - they can be high maintenance. Good luck all the same - nothing sounds like an Alembic.

[alloy70]

Ok the plot thickens,ive finally seen the bass in the flesh,the story is the gentleman who owns the bass since 2006 is now 65years old,as he has back problems he cant play this bass and he only uses the alembic on rare recordings,He has given me the alembic for a lend for a couple of days to try out,in exchange ive given him a 5string musicman to try out which he has fallen in love with,He maintains the stingray is much lighter,personly i cant feel any difference.but im a happy bunny at the moment here goes the bass has all solid brass fittings,bridge,tailpeice nut,same on back of bass all solid brass,looks like two purpleheart stripes down back of maple neck ,same on front,chrome schaller tuners?anyone know are they normally fitted on an alembic,should they not be alembic tuners?finish on top and back looks like either indian rosewood or mahogany,and finally the big suprise is it is fitted with red side leds very unusual me thinks for a 1981 bass no?i shall put photos up shortly,which shall greatly help in identifing the bass,serial number 81 1860 USA,Ive loked on the alembic site,and i nearly passed out at first i thought the bass was stolen,but mine is 1860,the the one on the stolen list is 1810.thank god for that it looks like i will be swapping my stingray with small amount of cash my way,sounds like a no brainer to me if you check out the old level 42 video,man it looks very similar to marks first alembic before the got his specifications right.the back pick up screw housing is broken but the pickup is still held in place.any help in how to mend that problem would be appreciated.will keep you guys posted,any help or advice greatly appreciated...

[LukeFRC]

[quote name='alloy70' timestamp='1340456308' post='1704673']
Ok the plot thickens,ive finally seen the bass in the flesh,the story is the gentleman who owns the bass since 2006 is now 65years old,as he has back problems he cant play this bass and he only uses the alembic on rare recordings,He has given me the alembic for a lend for a couple of days to try out,in exchange ive given him a 5string musicman to try out which he has fallen in love with,He maintains the stingray is much lighter,personly i cant feel any difference.but im a happy bunny at the moment here goes the bass has all solid brass fittings,bridge,tailpeice nut,same on back of bass all solid brass,looks like two purpleheart stripes down back of maple neck ,same on front,chrome schaller tuners?anyone know are they normally fitted on an alembic,should they not be alembic tuners?finish on top and back looks like either indian rosewood or mahogany,and finally the big suprise is it is fitted with red side leds very unusual me thinks for a 1981 bass no?i shall put photos up shortly,which shall greatly help in identifing the bass,serial number 81 1860 USA,Ive loked on the alembic site,and i nearly passed out at first i thought the bass was stolen,but mine is 1860,the the one on the stolen list is 1810.thank god for that it looks like i will be swapping my stingray with small amount of cash my way,sounds like a no brainer to me if you check out the old level 42 video,man it looks very similar to marks first alembic before the got his specifications right.the back pick up screw housing is broken but the pickup is still held in place.any help in how to mend that problem would be appreciated.will keep you guys posted,any help or advice greatly appreciated...
[/quote]

so a stingray... which have been as low as £600 on here recently for an alembic AND cash.....
go for it, if you ever want to sell the alembic you can buy 2 stingrays!
but really....
pictures.....!

[alloy70]

Hi luke its a 5string musicman which i paid 2300euros for here in ireland in 2005,custom fitted with red sims leds from martin in his workshop in the uk. Different strokes for different blokes..pics to follow

[4000]

[quote name='alloy70' timestamp='1340456308' post='1704673']
Ok the plot thickens,ive finally seen the bass in the flesh,the story is the gentleman who owns the bass since 2006 is now 65years old,as he has back problems he cant play this bass and he only uses the alembic on rare recordings,He has given me the alembic for a lend for a couple of days to try out,in exchange ive given him a 5string musicman to try out which he has fallen in love with,He maintains the stingray is much lighter,personly i cant feel any difference.but im a happy bunny at the moment here goes the bass has all solid brass fittings,bridge,tailpeice nut,same on back of bass all solid brass,looks like two purpleheart stripes down back of maple neck ,same on front,chrome schaller tuners?anyone know are they normally fitted on an alembic,should they not be alembic tuners?finish on top and back looks like either indian rosewood or mahogany,and finally the big suprise is it is fitted with red side leds very unusual me thinks for a 1981 bass no?i shall put photos up shortly,which shall greatly help in identifing the bass,serial number 81 1860 USA,Ive loked on the alembic site,and i nearly passed out at first i thought the bass was stolen,but mine is 1860,the the one on the stolen list is 1810.thank god for that it looks like i will be swapping my stingray with small amount of cash my way,sounds like a no brainer to me if you check out the old level 42 video,man it looks very similar to marks first alembic before the got his specifications right.the back pick up screw housing is broken but the pickup is still held in place.any help in how to mend that problem would be appreciated.will keep you guys posted,any help or advice greatly appreciated...
[/quote]

Go on the Alembic site and go to the Alembic Club. You'll get far more information on there than you're likely to get on here because (obviously) it's far more specialist, although obviously some here (like me) are members of both forums. If you post the serial number on there (or email it to Alembic) asking for details Alembic should have records for the actual bass and Mica Wickersham is quite active on the Club.

When it comes to buying it the only factors for me are do you like it and / or is it a good deal financially?

[alloy70]

Hi luke i bought my 5string stingray few years back new and paid 2300 euros in ireland.The bass was then sent over to martin simms in the uk and he suggested igo with feista red leds on front and side of the board to match the colour of the bass,he done a great job,the bass never really got played that much in the end,different strokes for different blokes i guess,thats what makes the world interesting,pic to follow

[GeeCee]

[quote name='alloy70' timestamp='1340456308' post='1704673']
Ok the plot thickens,ive finally seen the bass in the flesh,the story is the gentleman who owns the bass since 2006 is now 65years old,as he has back problems he cant play this bass and he only uses the alembic on rare recordings,He has given me the alembic for a lend for a couple of days to try out,in exchange ive given him a 5string musicman to try out which he has fallen in love with,He maintains the stingray is much lighter,personly i cant feel any difference.but im a happy bunny at the moment here goes the bass has all solid brass fittings,bridge,tailpeice nut,same on back of bass all solid brass,looks like two purpleheart stripes down back of maple neck ,same on front,chrome schaller tuners?anyone know are they normally fitted on an alembic,should they not be alembic tuners?finish on top and back looks like either indian rosewood or mahogany,and finally the big suprise is it is fitted with red side leds very unusual me thinks for a 1981 bass no?i shall put photos up shortly,which shall greatly help in identifing the bass,serial number 81 1860 USA,Ive loked on the alembic site,and i nearly passed out at first i thought the bass was stolen,but mine is 1860,the the one on the stolen list is 1810.thank god for that it looks like i will be swapping my stingray with small amount of cash my way,sounds like a no brainer to me if you check out the old level 42 video,man it looks very similar to marks first alembic before the got his specifications right.the back pick up screw housing is broken but the pickup is still held in place.any help in how to mend that problem would be appreciated.will keep you guys posted,any help or advice greatly appreciated... [/quote]

Everything sounds bog standard for a Series instrument except possibly the machineheads. I think these are normally Alembic-branded Gotoh machineheads, but I suppose someone could have asked for Schaller. The purpleheart laminates in the neck are standard, ebony, for example, is an upcharge (like most things at Alembic). Just to confirm it has the flush-mounted hum-cancelling middle PU, right? I think 1981 predates any of the signature series stuff. Side LEDs are also not unusual for a Series bass of that period. Alembic pick-ups come up for sale on eBay from time to time or you can hand over a boat load of cash to the mother-ship for a new one, though they may not quite match the current design. You may want to think about the scale length. Standard long-scale (34 inch) and the point body shape will shift your hand position out if you're used to Fender style instruments. As someone else said, it's also probably, but not always pretty heavy. With all that I would swap a Musicman for an Alembic in a heart-beat.

[alloy70]

Thanks GeeCee for your kind words,yes it has the flush mount middle pu.I will have to pay cash also with my stingray but we havnt come to an agreement yet on price,i shall keep you informed,i also sent mica the serial number of the bass to alembic so hopefully they will have something on file regarding wood construction ,and any other information on the bass,unforntunatley i dont have a camera,so i cant put pics up right away,but i shall do it asap.cheers.

[itsat34]

Hi,
Good luck with this;
I've got a 1990 series one with a point tail maple body and its unbelievably versatile!
I've had it a while and am still finding new sounds....
Also can confrm Mica's very helpful and should be able to give you the history on the bass,
Post photos when you can
cheers