alembic1989

[quote name='BigRedX' post='544166' date='Jul 18 2009, 05:36 PM']That's looking good! Did you thin down the neck any? Reshape the body? And how long did all that work take you? My problem with Wishbasses is the variable finish and the fact that Mr Wish doesn't appear to know when a straight line is actually a requirement. There's potential in them as this one and the one that Thunderritter owns both show, but for me, I'm not sure that all the extra work is actually worth it.[/quote] Nice to hear from you. I've kept the neck profile the same...it is actually pretty fat but for some reason feels very nice (not sure why that should be). I have done a little reshaping but nothing major, mainly in the vicinity of the lower horn area..initially it was really pretty sharp...sharp enough to scuff the back of my left hand when playing in the upper registers. Also I smoothed out some of the lines using my dremmel. You are quite right about the finish...it is poor BUT I liked the idea of sitting down with some sandpaper and teak oil. The bass now feels like MY bass and the end results seem worth it to me.

Here are some pics of my wishbass purcahesd last year. I have refined it by finishing it properly, adding the wooden control plate..and groovy vol. control..and finally having the fretboard smothed and lined. It really is a lovely bass to play and sounds great. The neck is a delight even for my small hands, it has a huge range....count the frets! and in spite of the other very distinguished basses I own I love playing it. They seem to really attract hatred (mostly by people who have never played one)..but I love this bass (gnarly knots an' all !!!!!)

£9 postage for the preamp....you have got to be kidding!!!

[quote name='ape' post='535022' date='Jul 7 2009, 06:55 PM']Some pics of my Kramer XL9, unfortunately the quality is rubbish as they were taken ages ago on a camera phone, I'll take some more from my proper camera soon and post them> I've never seen another one of these other than on the Kramer forum. It will more than likely going up for sale in the sale section soon too so anybody interested let me know. [/quote] Cool bass. what are all the knobs and switches for? How much are you asking? Is the neck straight?

[quote name='BigRedX' post='534732' date='Jul 7 2009, 02:51 PM']I was going to say that looks like it's had a lot of work on the body to get it like that. Any idea what it started out life as? Most of the basses tended to have contrast stripes down the middle of the body like a neck-through design. I would have like to see some photos of the back of the body as well. If the original neck plate is still holding the neck on then you'll have the serial number and should be able to find out what it was using [url="http://www.vintagekramer.com/serials.htm"]this page[/url]. BTW did you know you can post image directly into the forum using the IMG code from PhotoBucket. It makes for a far nicer user experience here. Copy the IMG tag like this: [code][IMG]http://i817.photobucket.com/albums/zz96/23basslord/IMG_2600.jpg[/IMG][/code] Which gives you this: [/quote] So THAT's how you do it. I lokked on the back and found the serial number (40264)..but couldn't find any info from the link. My best guess is that it started life as a Dmz 4000/4001.... I think we have a lot in common...as I really love unusual and unique basses.Thanks for the info..much appreciated.

[quote name='joegarcia' post='534569' date='Jul 7 2009, 12:03 PM']Interesting, doesn't look like any aluminium necked Kramer I've seen before. Any chance of a full body pic?[/quote] Hi, when I bought it (20 odd years ago), the previous owner had customised it heavily. He had reshaped the body, extended the fretboard, installed 2 bartolinis, and made it possible to use as a 4 or 5 string (by including a 5 string bridge and nut). I only ever use is as a 4 cos it plays crap as a 5. I don 't have a pic of the entire bass unfortunately...but all that's missing from the pic really is the ali neck.

Here are some pics of my customised Kramer....had it for the best part of 20 years, has recently been fitted with a Delano MM pick up and an EMG preamp. I've recorded with it extensively it sounds wonderful. [url="http://s817.photobucket.com/albums/zz96/23basslord/?action=view&current=IMG_2607.jpg&newest=1"]http://s817.photobucket.com/albums/zz96/23...pg&newest=1[/url] [url="http://s817.photobucket.com/albums/zz96/23basslord/?action=view&current=IMG_2601.jpg&newest=1"]http://s817.photobucket.com/albums/zz96/23...pg&newest=1[/url] [url="http://s817.photobucket.com/albums/zz96/23basslord/?action=view&current=IMG_2600.jpg&newest=1"]http://s817.photobucket.com/albums/zz96/23...pg&newest=1[/url]

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='533512' date='Jul 6 2009, 08:20 AM']A few years back I saw one of these basses on ebay for £1500. I should have bought it. It is strange that they have not gone up much in value. I think they are worth about £2500 tops. Weird, considering there are only 200 worldwide.[/quote] I saw that one on ebay too....an absolute bargain. I did see another go for nearer £2000...I think one chap frpm the forum (eubassix ?) had it up on ebay.

I've never had a problem with the pick ups...but it did develop a very strange horrible crackling noise..I eventually traced it to one of the connectors on the main circuit board. I have just recorded with it and it sounds wicked..I love the superb lows and highs with the mids taken out. I too bought mine in 1989 after seeing the review in 'guitarist'....I don't think it is possible to lust after something as much as I lusted after this bass...In the past I have toyed with the idea of parting with it (especially when going through a 'Oh what's the point of it all' phase...I have several handmade basses now but this is the best in terms of playability, build qualty and TONE....you only realise how good it is after playing other basses. I also like the electronics, nice and easy to use, and not too much messing about . It amazes me that mediocre fenders (any jazz or precision "made in the 70's" ) are now fetching prices on par with 2nd hand Alembics...just don't get it...(sigh).

I've finally managed to get a pic of my Alembic 20th anniversary....No 64 in walnut. hope you like it..I've owned it from new and is the finest bass I have ever played. [url="http://i817.photobucket.com/albums/zz96/23basslord/IMG_2645.jpg"]http://i817.photobucket.com/albums/zz96/23...rd/IMG_2645.jpg[/url]

[quote name='benwhiteuk' post='499661' date='May 28 2009, 10:30 AM']With all due respect, and I don’t mean this in a sarcy way, but how do you know it’s a rare cab if you don’t even know if it’s a 2x12 or 2x10? Again, I’m not trying to be sarcy, but I’m just interested My old guitarist had a modern AC30 CC2X with the 2 12” Celestion “Blue Bulldog” speakers and it sounded absolutely immense![/quote] Hi, I have owned the cab from new from sometime in the late seventies/early eighties, and never thought that it was particularly rare to be honest...but having scoured the web for quite a while now I have never seen a picture or even a mention of one. It is a bass reflex cab with 2 blue vox drivers...if you can find a pic of one I'd be very interested. It's hiding in storage at the moment..when I get time I'll see if I can find some kind of model number on it....I haven't even seen another one anywhere...so I guess that's why I'm saying it's rare. hope that helps. ps... The reason I'm not sure about the size of the drivers is that it has been in storage since I blew it up nearly 25 years ago...my memory says 2 x 12...but It's possible that i could be mistaken.

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='499582' date='May 28 2009, 08:34 AM'][url="http://www.wembleyloudspeaker.com/page-products-repair.shtml"]Wembley speakers[/url][/quote] You are a complete star...thanks a million.

Hi, I've got a rare 2x 12 ( i think...could be 2x10), but the speakers have blown. They are blue in colour (celestions?), does anyone know where I can get the speakers reconed?..it seems such a pity to have such a rare cab just lying about doing nothing. Any help would be really cool. Thanks

I have a dead pro flanger does anyone know who could repair it for me. It was a very expensive piece of kit in it's day and a really good pedal. Any help would be most welcome. Thanks in advance.

I am desperately trying to find someone who can fix my 70's mains operated Morley pro Flanger..can you help? It was a very expensive piece of kit in its day and now very rare. HELP!!!!

Hi to all. got my new website up and running, and there's a sample track from my soon to be released album on it. It is basically a duet between tenor sax/bass. hope you like it. The bass is my Alembic 20th anniversary (there are pics of the bass in the "guitars" section. I hope you enjoy the music and the playing. here is the link... [url="http://www.rajanspolia.co.uk/"]http://www.rajanspolia.co.uk/[/url]

[quote name='largo' post='334976' date='Nov 23 2008, 04:38 PM']I knew I'd had the same problem, and question a few months ago. Quick search reveals this ... [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=8779"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=8779[/url] Good luck.[/quote] Thanks a million. You sir are a star!

Just bought some Nordstrand big singles that I want to wire passively ..with a vol/tone for each pup (without a switch). How do I connect the extra grey wire that this pick up has? Better still where could I get a schematic for the configuraion I have in mind? HELP!!

Just bought some Nordstrand Big Singles..there is an extra wire (a grey one)...how /where is it wired in a passive system?? can anyone help?? Someone out there must have these pickups in a passive bass surely.

Hi, I've just bought some Nordstrand big singles and I want to wire them passively using tone/vol for each pick up (no pick up switch). Does anyone know what value pots for the vol control and tone contol...where can I get good quality components from. Presumably the tone control with have a capacitor soldered to it..or will I have to buy that separately? Bettr still where can I find a circuit diagram for this configuration....(no pick up switch) Help much appreciated. Regards Raj

[quote name='~tl' post='330021' date='Nov 16 2008, 11:18 AM']It really depends on the pre-amp system – some have that functionality while others don't. For example, John East's pre-amps bypass the blend control in passive mode and just have an equal mix of the two pickups. What ones are you considering?[/quote] I've got an east preamp..so I know what you mean. I've got my eye on a Noll preamp..it is a 5 knob configuration.. 1)..vol/blend (push pul/ fpr active passive 2) Bass 3) treble 4) Midfreq / boost 5) Passive tone Noll because they have pretty good write ups in Bass talk..and also I've seen a new old stock one on ebay.

I am looking for a preamp system..a lot of them have blend controls which is fine..and also active/passive choices and often a passive tone control. My question is this..when in passive mode will the pick up blend control still work? If not how do I switch between front and back pup in passive mode.?? Any info gratefully received.

Hi, I'm thinking of buying a Noll 3 way eq preamp...has anyone got any opinions on Noll preamps? Would love to hear from some experts/users out there.

[quote name='budget bassist' post='328610' date='Nov 13 2008, 07:23 PM']Ahh that's not bad, i could do with a pair for my tobias, ta! EDIT: could he have made that website harder to navigate??[/quote] I know what you mean