three

On Hold

I have a used Alembic hard case from around 2008.  It is designed to fit a small bodied standard bass (short-scale).  There are external marks and scuffs from a decade of gigging, though the case remains strong and robust and the plush-lined foam is entirely intact.  All the latches work, though the right hand latch retaining spring (the spring that holds the lock-up when open) is non-operational.  The only other minor issues are that the studded closure tab for the accessories compartment door is missing as are the keys for the case.  The cases are made by G&G for Alembic and are incredibly expensive when new (around £350 I think).  It may fit a Gibson SG, EB0 or EB3 though I can't be sure of this.  Collection in Manchester is good or I can ship (by sticking a shipping note to the outside of the case - I don't have a box).  The case looks shiny in the second image, though this is simply because I'd wiped over the dust with a damp cloth.  Possibly a long-shot on BC but worth a try - the case will be advertised on Alembic Club too.  Price is £60 collected but I can ship to the UK and Europe at cost.  Any questions, please just ask.

Update - I've had a look at this and it would probably be possible (fairly easily) to remove/adjust the foam body insert.  If somebody wished to do this, then the case would fit a wider range of basses - it's fairly long so will take a 34" scale bass.  However, I just tried it with a Precision and it won't accommodate the top horn.  You'll see from the images that the case has an extended accessories compartment - this extends around an inch too far to permit insertion of a P!  It's designed to fit something like an Alembic Stanley Clarke model with the wide but short body - removing the body-fit foam would leave a reasonably large body space but not a long one (for the top horn at least). 

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I picked this up last week as another in a long line of pointless purchases (I've had wireless from the most expensive to the incredibly cheap and still prefer cables - I thought the bug style transmitter might convince me but it hasn't)

So, for sale at £85 collected in Manchester (or I can ship for an extra £3.50 or for £6 if you want insurance)

This was sold to me as new but when it arrived the plastic bags had been opened and the micro-bubble sticker attached to the transmitter battery door.  I can't find any marks or signs of usage and the unit appears to work perfectly (I tried it for around 20 minutes).  All adaptors are included and the unit appears to be unused apart from the opened bags.

Please just let me know if you have any questions  

I think I used to own this - if it’s the same bass, it’s a fabulous instrument in every way! Very tempted to have this back

Lovely body contouring on this!

Absolutely beautiful - for me, the finest high-end Fender type basses available (and Stenback apart, I’ve tried most) - great prices on these too (IMO of course). Fralin’s work perfectly in these... that said, so do Lollars. GLWTS, I doubt you’ll need it

Very special basses indeed and this one looks beautiful. There’s something about F-type ergonomics that Christian does better than just about anybody else. With the coco board and binding this is a thing of splendour

On 01/01/2020 at 02:34, Mike Bungo said:

2 owners from new ❤️

That looks superb, especially for its age - and it's a fairly early one (with the original case I think).  These have a unique tone (a fat Ric as Andy put it - accurately) and look very cool indeed.  I'm not sure about the scratchplate - I thought that they were black one ply.  Mine is but it's a replacement anyway!  Lovely to see one of these that isn't modded - mine was massively modded in the late '70s and early '80s and no longer has the characteristic Ripper tone.  That said, I still love it - it plays incredibly well  

Lines just cause problems for me - I read a post a long time ago about just 'listening' - it was a revelation.  I play fretless short-scale mainly too and that just confuses the issue if moving from long-scale fretted to short fretless.  This is what's getting most use at the moment

Wow, absolutely gorgeous - as a Spector player (Shorty) I can imagine that this sounds staggering and plays beautifully well.  I haven't come across a higher-end Spector that doesn't

Wow, I had a Suhker bolt on - gorgeous bass. This is a real step-up at an incredible price (IMO)

On 21/12/2019 at 12:48, AndyTravis said:

Nope. Was a Stanley but posh...

Nice to see that again Andy - side and front red LEDs if I remember correctly, and a very lovely coco top and back.  It went to live in Birmingham with the guy that replaced Dave Swift in some major Midlands jazz orchestra (I believe).  As with most small bodied short-scales, a bit of a nightmare on a strap - these things really don't balance well (though that doesn't stop me!)

As above, it certainly will run in stereo and this is one of the major advantages of the Anniversary electronics package, along with separate volumes rather than volume and pan as with Sig.  I prefer Anni to the Sig package - the former is reasonably close to Series 1 electronics (but with humbuckers rather than single coil as far as I remember).  To activate the stereo, you'll just need a stereo jack to twin mono jacks - I had one made up for about £20 I think (good cable and a nice job).  Of course, if you don't have them already, you'll need two rigs - it all adds to the fun! 

Sat here all afternoon playing a Spector shorty and avoiding work. Boundless fun. I’m sure the Bantam is every bit as good - true Spector quality without the immense US price premium. Get some fun over Christmas

18 hours ago, hiram.k.hackenbacker said:

I'll take some photo's in whatever light tomorrow presents me with. Promise.

Yes please!  Absolutely outrageous - I love these.  I've not had the chance to play one but this looks to be in stunning condition.  Is it Sig or Anniversary electronics?  Three purple heart stringers?  Lovely - great to see a view of this from the side to marvel at the body lams.   Love the cone peghead too - very much in keeping with the overall aesthetic.  

2 hours ago, jazzyvee said:

I'd love to see a complete picture of that bass if I may.

Thank you for all the very kind comments and certainly - I'll sort something out in the next day or two

On 16/12/2019 at 01:11, hiram.k.hackenbacker said:

Well, looks like I’m back in the Alembic fold after quite a long absence.
It should be with me sometime on Thursday hopefully.

I'm really looking forward to seeing this one!

While we wait, I thought it might be worth posting this.  I picked up the bass recently after more than a decade of waiting.  It has been gigged around the world but is in staggering condition - at least 9.5.  I wanted to restore it to 10 and this was the first stage - re-plating the gold (24k hard plate - work undertaken by one of the most extraordinary bespoke platers on the planet).  The eagle-eyed will notice that there's a slight change from the original.  The stabilising bars were inadvertently plated with the rest of the bridge components - the plater offered to remove this but I opted to leave it - I rather like the effect.  The next step is to buff everything back to a glass-like finish (there are one or two patches where there's a little dulling), then a re-shoot for the board - all organised and I'll update as work is completed

a lovely bass though some further details may help - the UK election seems to have knocked about £130 of this (for now...)

On 11/12/2019 at 14:59, Dood said:

Absolutely brilliant amplifier! Love these things!

I couldn't agree more - as a dedicated and long-term user of A/B ledsleds, I was very sceptical, indeed most of the D amps I've used have only reinforced this scepticism.  The B Amp changed my opinion.  It hasn't usurped the big Aggie in all circumstances but it's a go to in most situations.  Versatile, sophisticated, pure and very powerful.  I'm not sure why we don't have a B Amp HP rather than a Forte HP (given the features of the B Amp), however, the B Amp is sufficiently powerful for all the settings in which I'd wish to use it 

These are lovely old basses and have been ignored and underrated a bit in my opinion.  They have a fairly unique tone and it's possible to achieve an incredibly low action.  This one looks to be a slightly later version (there were some minor changes over the years of production) but it's in great condition for a working bass.  Good to see something out of the ordinary

15 hours ago, miles'tone said:

Discreet's (originally) Limelight Jazz. '62? The really aged oly white/spitfire tort one. Can't find a piccy sorry as they've gone I think.

A work of art that one and the first bass that came to mind. 

Maybe a BCer still owns it? 

Ah yes, I had it but sold it a few years ago -  I’ll try to find a pic (that really fits the bill)

Gorgeous - love pearl blocks and bound on maple!  

Best serious touring amp ever built in my opinion - I have a slight preference for the 750 but it's just a personal thing.  The 751 is an absolute monster and this looks to be in fabulous condition.  Unbelievable headroom and power - you'll never be found wanting with this behind you

Astounding! Exquisite luthiery, top end electronics and fittings, unique spec and one of BC’s most respected sellers. Following a recent purchase, I’m not in any position, however...

On ‎30‎/‎10‎/‎2019 at 17:51, BassBod said:

Alembic used to suggest a wipe of hair conditioner would provide a longer protection for brass tailpieces and bridges...can’t remember any particular brand. 

They certainly did and I think it was VO5 (but a particular variant of that)