(x) Series I 1976 438 History Request

Started by powdered_toast_man, October 19, 2022, 03:57:18 PM

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powdered_toast_man

Hi Mica! Just bought my second Alembic and Im very happy. I would like to ask you about the history of this beatiful bass.
its a 1976 series one (it was not called series one in that time I belive) short scale.

Is the same bass that appears in this toppic
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/alembic-misterious-bass.1313254/

Thanks in advance!!
Love!!
Hernan

jazzyvee

Well that is a good looking bass, and the extended bridge to tailpiece distance would have been requested to allow the use of standard long scale bass strings.
The sound of Alembic is medicine for the soul!
http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_ktwins.html


mica

This is one that's on a little 3x5 card, so the information is quite scant! But here's what I can tell you from the record:

serial number: 76-438
model name: Series I
model number: SBI-4
top: Zebrawood
body: Koa
back: Zebrawood
neck: Birch and Walnut
scale: 30.75" short
fingerboard: Ebony
inlays: mother of pearl ovals
originally made for: NAMM show display
birthday: June 24, 1976

I agree with some of the discussion at talkbass regarding the tailpiece position. It's likely to use long scale strings. I've seen this on several older basses.

There's a lot of attention that these basses weren't called Series I and II originally. Well we need to talk about them now, and we've been calling them Series I and II for literally decades, I'm pretty sure it's OK to call them by their names :) At least I certainly have no issue with it.

poweredtoastman

Thanks so much Mica for your incredible disposition to give us this super valuable information. This bass plays like a dream. My second Alembic and I know Im not stopping here.


Best regards!