three

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)

Fabulous basses and a brilliant seller - the best Fender-type necks I've ever played (by miles!)

These come up very rarely on ebay but usually in the US. I had one cloned around ‘82. Not a difficult job for a decent electronics engineer

Fantastic basses with superb playability and fat, tight tone (well, with the EMGs, I can't comment on the Aguilars).  Superb design and build quality is excellent - everything is entirely solid.  Very comfortable to play with real attention to ergonomics.  As a short-scale player, I doubt any prospective purchaser would be disappointed - a really high-end bass in a relatively diminutive package

11 minutes ago, burno70 said:

I'm definitely interested in this bass. Anyone have any idea of the price range?

About £1800 (from a quick check)

Thanks for the review Alberto, as a short-scale player (mainly) it's good to see a run through of this model.  Some very useful tones and I'd suspect playability is impressive.  I'm not too sure about the shape but for me, it's actually ergonomics, playability and tone that really matter.  On the basis of the review, I'll be seeking to try one of these soon. 

As for the 'decent player' comment, I'm sure this wasn't intended as a criticism, just an unfortunate construction in context.  I'm with Cuzzie on this, you're certainly a better player than me

Dear me, what a collection.  This all makes sense - I used to see a lot of Sai cabs around Manchester, where I lived in the '70s and '80s - I've returned now, though not so many Sai cabs.  I had no idea that Sai was a Chorley firm.  I saw both the disco and band gear but never anything in Orange - a special order no doubt.  Those four ported bins look astounding.  I used to work with a very similar pair, though JBL loaded with on board horns (as the Sai design).  They were immensely heavy but sounded fantastic - great for smallish FOH use.  Lovely to see some of this vintage gear in such good condition, and hopefully still earning its keep.

On 04/11/2019 at 07:53, matbard said:

I would like to live in England...
 

Swap?

On topic, I have never played a rig that sounds anything like as good as the Hellborg (I don't use mine with the Hellborg cabs but it sounds pretty marvellous with Berg).  For me, this is off the scale, especially the preamp.  Everything is super over-engineered and beautifully designed to perform like high-end studio gear.  Just wonderful.  If you can carry it, £1300 is an absolute bargain in my view

I remember these from the ‘70s - I was a big bin user back then. However, I know very little about Sai. Gauss were as good as it got in those days. Fascinating find. Heavy I’d suspect?

1 hour ago, Am7 said:

Hi I am manchester based

? Able to come over to look

Hi, I've sent a Personal Mail

4 hours ago, Telebass said:

This was great, but stupidly heavy at nearly 14 pounds!

Was this the one that Andy Travis built?  I recognise that Celinder pickup - 'think it used to be mine

To continue the plexiglass theme, I was in a famous Manchester music shop late on a '70s Saturday afternoon.  A mate of mine that worked there offered me an original Dan Armstrong plexi bass for £40.  I just about had the money but wanted a pizza on the way home.  I'm sure the pizza was lovely but not the best decision

Thanks for all the very lovely comments - if there's any sun in the North this week, I'll try to get some further and more detailed images

What!!! Unbelievable... a stunner

An absolutely gorgeous instrument - fortunately for my bank, I don't play fives or 35" scale.  Otherwise, I'd be in trouble.  Astounding craft work and a bass to treasure

40 minutes ago, Clarky said:

Bargain now at new price £1300. 

Outrageous - some of the finest luthiery and carving I've ever seen for the price of production line instrument.  I play one 34" bass and the others are all 30" - weirdly, 32" doesn't suit me at all.  If it did, this would be on its way up north.  One of BC's finest sellers too... I'm starting to crack

I'm not a massive fan of singlecuts but this looks gorgeous - beautiful choice of wood throughout.  It looks like an utter bargain too.  I suspect that playability is guaranteed given the maker and provenance.  Is it a 1.5" nut?