(x) 91HD6918

Started by vbob, December 25, 2010, 01:10:41 PM

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vbob

was recently purchased used in Brainerd, MN  Fretless with markers  thanks much!  

   

 


vbob

Mica,
 
I am interested in installing OEM electronics.  
 
Please advise.
 
Thanks again - this place is very cool!

ajdover

A picture of the control cavity would help us figure out what kind of guts you have in it ... this being said ....
 
It looks like you have a volume, pan, the stacked knobs, and what appears to be treble/bass boost/cut switches, and the Q-Switch.  Now, if you have other electronics in it, you probably don't have the filter, and the other switches may do something else.  If you have a Bart NTMB-918 pre, it would be volume, pan, and stacked bass/treble boost/cut controls.  As to what the switches would do in that sitation, I just can't comment.
 
Nice bass, BTW.
 
Alan

David Houck


edwin

Beautiful bass! Well worth restoring to original electronics, although Barts can sound good. Either way, you've got some great music making at your fingertips right now!
 
Keep us posted!
Edwin

vbob

Okay - I opened it up - how sweet that the screws are NOT wood screws!  Here are a couple of the cavity; I can certainly take better shots as these were done quickly, or email larger ones if need be.  While I do need to replace the battery and restring it, the bass sounded very nice through my Boogie.   I'm not quite sure what I am dealing with regarding the pots.   P/U selector (pan) volume some kind of preamp-boost/cut (dual).  The two-way toggles were not very definitive and the three way didn't seem to do anything.  While the Barts are okay, I'm really leaning toward replacing them with the originals; any idea what my cost would be, and, if there is somewhere in Minneapolis/St. Paul to have it done, or do I need to send it to CA?  I am very curious to hear what others have to say about the difference between the two.  Thanks again everyone - all your input is much appreciated!  Paul  

   and another:  


ajdover

Paul,
 
     It looks to me like the guts are Alembic.  I could be wrong, but that's what it looks like to me.  The pots look like the sealed Alembic pots, and the circuit board looks like Alembic too.  Anyone else see anything I don't?  Mica?
     
     If you have the original electronics and you want to restore it to stock, you'd need OEM pickups and have to have it rewired to original specs.  I'd contact Mica at Alembic and ask her about it.  Maybe she can cut you a deal/figure out something?  Worth a shot.  The good news is that the original electronics are still intact.  
 
Best of luck,
 
Alan

ajdover

Paul,
 
On second thought, those may indeed not be Alembic electronics.  Looking at your pictures, I see the battery clip is well away from the slot routed into the body for it.  Mica is your best resource on this, so I'd wait for her to weigh in before deciding on restoring it to stock.  
 
Looking at the quote generator on the site, the closest electronics appear to be Europa/Rogue electronics.  Those are $600 per the generator.  You might be able to find some used, but they don't appear on the used market too often.  Worth a shot though.
 
Alan

crobbins

Nice looking bass. Is the top Coco Bolo, or Ebony?

tbrannon

Alan,
 
I agree with your second post on the electronics... I see alot of solder and can't find any of the 'clipped' connectors that Alembic uses.   Additionally, the stacked pot is obviously an aftermarket addition.  
 
Either way- BEAUTIFUL Elan (which happens to be my favorite  body shape)-  Paul, I'd suggest you have a look at the FAQ section of the forum.  There is a ton of good background information in there and make sure you read Joey's post on setting up the action the way you like it.  
 
Welcome to the Alembic family!

vbob

I'll take a look at the FAQ as I lowered the action a tad last night a little more to liking.  
 
Regarding the top wood, I really don't know as I bought it used from a mom and pop store that didn't have any info on the bass.
 
I am hoping Mica will be able to tell me more about it.
 
It is an absolute beauty though, thanks!

tbrannon

Looks like a cocobolo top to me with a maple body and maple neck with the thin little walnut laminates.  
 
Looks like it was originally an Elan plus (based on those switches).

vbob

in comparing to other basses on the forums, it looks cocobolo to me too... reading the comments is like peeling an onion - but with no tears, except maybe of joy.

mike1762

Looks like cocobolo to me too (kind-of red).  It will be interesting to see if this was originally a fretless.  I don't think Alembic normally puts position markers on the FB of fretless instruments (I might be wrong about that).

skyboltone

Great looking bass Dan. I'll bow to the opinions that it's coco bolo but it does have some claro look to it in the grain pattern.  
 
Mine is Zebra with maple everything. Looks like yours has a little deeper cut at the rear bass bout for your arm to hang over. Sorta like a Victor Wooten setup. I kinda doubt the Mountain brand switches are Alembic. But what do I know? Mine has the Q switch with a plastic bat handle in keeping with the top hat knob style.  
 
Dan