An article in this months 'Classic rock' (uk) mag had a very faint picture of Joe weilding what appeared to be an Alembic. A little surfing found this..

 
Looks like a very nice burl walnot top with a contrasting maple inlay.
 
Graeme

wow.
 
Do I see the bird tailpiece as well?
 
The only thing it needs is some more cowbell. =)

Inlay? Probably just a reflection of a cymbal or something ...

Definitely an inlay of some sort. There's another (not very good) photo of the bass at the top of this interview.
 
Graeme

Graeme,
 
I think we can safely rule out a reflection of a Rototom here LOL ...
 
In that second picture it most definitely looks like there is an inlay of some sort.

I got a fever ...  and the only cure is MORE COWBELL!
 
Bill, tgo

I saw BOC a few times in the 70's and he alway's played an Alembic.

Rototoms and cowbell in one thread?!?
 
Sure sign that the four horsemen are grooming their horses.
 
Brad

The half Omega suggests that it might be very early.  And the inlay may be a top mounted cavity cover.  May be a channel bridge too.  I would guess '74 off the top of my head.  The bass looks really nice in that picture!

Just found this where Bouchard says in 77 I got an Alembic Bass, long scale, which is the bass on the studio version of Godzilla. So, it's probably a '77 and apparently he only used it on the one album.  He also says I still have all my basses except for the Alembic which is owned by a friend.  He refuses to sell it back to me.

Well spotted dave! i struggled to find the photos never mind any quotes.
 
Graeme
 
(Message edited by jacko on August 13, 2006)

He plays it on the Live in '77 DVD, including a long solo. I bet he used it on the Fire of Unknown Origin album too.
 
(Message edited by hb3 on August 24, 2006)