http://www.ebay.com/itm/1980s-ALEMBIC-Japan-AJ-II-HB-Used-w-Gigbag-Worldwide-Shipping-/171902754924?hash=item280633e06c
 
What the heck is this thing?

Japanese market that Alembic supplied the pickups and electronics for.  
 
~Taylor

This was made by Rokkomann, Inc., our distributor in Japan for many years. At the time these were made the exchange rate was terrible and there was no market for very expensive products that wound up costing twice as much. I believe there are about 50 of them. We supplied the pickups and electronics, they made the instruments. These are the only Alembic branded instruments that were not made in our shop.

For curiosity's sake, what electronics were these equipped with? Volume/Pan/Filter?

Strange looking indeed. Have not MIca said that, I would have certainly thought Fake as a 12,35 bill. I think it's a shame this one is not a neck-thru, or at least a set neck. The neck joint seems very frail to me...

I agree regarding the neck joint . I would prefer a four or more screw design on a bolt on neck .
 
Wolf

I'm thinking these were 2 volume 1 filter sets. These are pretty cool and mom and I been toying with the idea of making a set neck version with a regular hardware set sometime.

Mica , I think that would be a winner !  
 
  Wolf

Here's a discussion about them from 2008, with great closeup pics (the bass isn't as nice as this one, though).
 
http://club.alembicguitars.net/Images/393/58239.html?1226277523

Oops. It appears I posted this in the other thread about this bass, when I meant to post it here. Sorry. Here it is again.
 
Danny Gatton replaced the neck screws on his guitars with heli-coils and machine screws. It made a huge difference in tone.
 
Now they make neck joint locking systems that work better, are much cheaper and are way easier to install.  
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WBS-Guitar-Bass-Neck-Joint-System-Kit-Project-DIY-L-K-FREE-FREIGHT-/170305952745?hash=item27a7069be9
 
Anybody who is reasonably handy with a cordless drill can replace the neck screws in a couple of minutes and lock that sucker down.