Here's a charming bass we made back in 1972, number 72-14:
(http://club.alembicguitars.net/Images/411/705.jpg)
Right now it's getting fully restored, including sanding down and putting on a fresh oil finish. At all the end grain of the Mahogany body a rough bumpy texture had developed which was not only unattractive, but actually harsh enough to hurt if you scraped even lightly across it. I will post pictures of the after restoration when it's complete.
I liek that one... it's rather neat
just wondering but how much did that bass sell for originally?
WIJ - I am not sure about the bass that is pictured as far as the cost. I do have an old brochure from 1973 and an Alembic from that time was $1650.00 with a hardshell case and power supply.
that bass is awsome. expesally the curly cutaway and those pickups are really neet too.
I like that bass a lot too. I hope that the owner of this bass knows that I could provide it with a good home.
Mica - I hate to be such a pest, but did you get any pics of this bass after the restoration? Is it finished yet? I would love to see other pics if there are any. - Michael
It looks a bit like Rick Turner's pretzel guitar, I take it that he was still with Alembic when it was made.
the old brass looks really cool ,and also gives it a old,old look which is a very (vintage) look,also a very seldom seen on any newer alembics,which puts them in a class all by them selfes
the old brass looks really cool ,and also gives it a old,old look which is a very (vintage) look,also a very seldom seen on any newer alembics,which puts them in a class all by them selfes
(http://club.alembicguitars.net/Images/411/8789.jpg)
(Message edited by davehouck on May 19, 2005)
(http://club.alembicguitars.net/Images/411/18563.jpg)
Looking at that bass gives one a good image of what early Alembic instruments where like. Many progressive ideas even at that stage of developement.
Was the tapered P/U an experiment in varying magnetic arpeture for each string, or were there increasingly large cylinder magnets for each string?
I must say, I like the refinement of the newer instruments.
ptron
that bass is cool i like it it has something different about it like all alembics you can tell thought time and love went into creating it rather than just copying others
Revival! What ever happened to the restoration of this baby??
I would love to know too!
Will this bass be for sale after the restoration?
It went very well, but I can't seem to locate the photos - I sure hope I took some! If I don't find them soon, I'll ask the owner to swing by sometime (he doesn't live too far away) so I can record it for the file. The bass doesn't look much different, and that was the goal. There wasn't any sanding at all done - the oil alone dissolved the hardened little nubs at the endgrain and we were able to preserve the patina. Here's some others that seem to be from the before series:
(http://club.alembicguitars.net/Images/411/18554.jpg)
(http://club.alembicguitars.net/Images/411/18555.jpg)
(http://club.alembicguitars.net/Images/411/18556.jpg)
(http://club.alembicguitars.net/Images/411/18557.jpg)
The pickups did have a tapered magnetic core, but otherwise were constructed the same as we so now.
The tuners were replaced before the finish restoration was done.
The curled upper horn on this bass reminds me of the Kit guitar that was in the Alembic store for a while
Here is an updated picture of my baby !
Sorry it took so long to post !
(http://club.alembicguitars.net/Images/411/57897.jpg)
That is just awesome. I'd love to see a few more pictures when you have the time.
Thanks for checking in- can you share some of the history behind this one?
Finally, I have been waiting years to see this beauty
And yes I do take it out and play it ! Skinny neck and killer tone !(http://club.alembicguitars.net/Images/411/57948.jpg)
Dannyj - I know exactly what you mean. I have the same electronics setup in my 1972 Alembic. It's the best bass tone there is.
Michael
Very, very nice!
Man, the looks you must get from other bass players...what the hell is THAT?!?
What a rare beauty
Thank you for sharing. Great bass!
Carl
Dannyj,
simply WOW!!!!!
Oliver (Spyderman)
Great Pic...thanks!
Is that a piece of ebony inlaid to anchor the bridge pickup post?
Danny, welcome to the board! As you can see, we love your wonderful bass!
Hi Dave ! Thanks for the Welcome as I have been lurking for sometime as you can see ! Also I will be posting some more pic's of some other alembic's I own and history to follow on this one.
I do have an old brochure from 1973 and an Alembic from that time was $1650.00 with a hardshell case and power supply.
I plugged this into several inflation calculators and they all came up with 1973 $1650 USD working out to roughly $8450 USD in 2012. Current base price of a Series I with standard 25% off list discount is $11,100. A price increase of $2650 over covering the cost of inflation isn't all that bad all things considered.