TheGreek Posted October 7, 2015 Posted October 7, 2015 (edited) I bought this off ebay a couple of years ago - was advertised as an "Alembic copy" - obviously built around the 80s, you can see from the styling cues - I was advised that it was built by Bill Ewington who I contacted - he wasn't familiar with it and doesn't recall having built or worked on it. When I bought it the headstock was that "classic" Aria/Westone look which I felt detracted from the otherwise good looking bass. I has somebody remodel the headstock but TBH they didn't do a particularly good job on it ([i]irony/sarcasm withheld[/i]). I recently put up a post asking for somebody to remodel it again. Andyjr1515 came to my rescue and did a great job making it look more than respectable again. Many thanks, Andy... The bass is purported to be Cocabola but seems to be too red compared to other basses made of the same material. Fretboard is ebony. The bridge I've never seen anywhere else before and allows adjustment for the saddles laterally. The machine heads are Schaller sealed units which may have been unusual in the 80s. Andy said that they were good quality. Bass weighs the same as a couple of London buses - in excess of 6kg I would say - you certainly wouldn't want to do a 2 hour set with it. Side markers have shiny stones - when purchased the seller said they were "diamonds" which I doubt TBH. It is quite distinctive - I was wondering whether anybody recognises it or knows more than I do... Additional photos here: [url="http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/FairfaxAikman/slideshow/Alembic%20copy"]http://s1167.photobu.../Alembic%20copy[/url] [url="http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/FairfaxAikman/media/Alembic%20copy/cocabola%20custom%20003_zps8fbds57j.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/FairfaxAikman/media/Alembic%20copy/Alembic%20copy1_zps6oiv6tea.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/FairfaxAikman/media/Alembic%20copy/cocabola%20custom%20012_zpsonltrwit.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/FairfaxAikman/slideshow/Alembic%20copy"]http://s1167.photobu.../Alembic%20copy[/url] Edited October 7, 2015 by TheGreek Quote
SICbass Posted October 7, 2015 Posted October 7, 2015 I can't be of any help, I'm afraid, but am curious. How does it sound? Quote
TheGreek Posted October 7, 2015 Author Posted October 7, 2015 Well it's active - so full range of tones - lush, deep and rich tones so can do both Jazz and P bass - does a few more too. Quote
scojack Posted October 7, 2015 Posted October 7, 2015 I have had Cocobolo this colour, looks legit to me. IanM Quote
SICbass Posted October 7, 2015 Posted October 7, 2015 [quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1444212174' post='2881096'] Well it's active - so full range of tones - lush, deep and rich tones so can do both Jazz and P bass - does a few more too. [/quote] I hope this isn't a daft question, but does it make Alembicy type noises too? Quote
TheGreek Posted October 7, 2015 Author Posted October 7, 2015 I can't say whether it makes "Alembicy type noises" as I don't own an Alembic but I was playing it earlier - hadn't used it for nearly two years - and there is a way to make the pick ups sound like they're out of phase - not sure if this is a battery going flat or if the pre-amp is designed that way. I did mean to open the back and take photos of the circuit board but didn't get round to it. Maybe tomorrow. I'll need to explore the range of tones - as I said, it hasn't been used for a while so re-acquainting myself with it is the next step. I was pleased with what I was getting from it though. Please don't ask me to post sound clips/videos as I don't have this facility at home... Quote
Andyjr1515 Posted October 7, 2015 Posted October 7, 2015 Nice to see it all put together Looks very good... Quote
Big_Stu Posted October 8, 2015 Posted October 8, 2015 Have you asked JayDee? I'd doubt it's one of his but he may be aware of makers doing similar to his around that time, though the bridge & saddles are slightly similar to his. Quote
Andyjr1515 Posted October 8, 2015 Posted October 8, 2015 I spotted the 3/4 view on the photobucket link...it is a very fancy and well shaped and constructed body when you see it side on. Might be worth posting that shot...very distinctive and something someone might recognise... Quote
TheGreek Posted October 8, 2015 Author Posted October 8, 2015 This one? [URL=http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/FairfaxAikman/media/Alembic%20copy/Alembiccopy3_zps22c97905.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q639/FairfaxAikman/Alembic%20copy/Alembiccopy3_zps22c97905.jpg[/IMG][/URL] or this? [URL=http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/FairfaxAikman/media/Alembic%20copy/Alembiccopy2_zps961b4f93.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q639/FairfaxAikman/Alembic%20copy/Alembiccopy2_zps961b4f93.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote
Bassassin Posted October 8, 2015 Posted October 8, 2015 [quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1444306992' post='2882072'] ....the bridge & saddles are slightly similar to his. [/quote] That's a Schaller bridge - specifically an out-of-production variant of the 3D for use with Gibson-type 2-point mounts. Did JayDee ever use these? The bass makes me think of Wilkes or GB/Goodfellow. Don't think it is, though, probably just the concave end-cut putting me in mind of these. Are there any pics of the headstock pre-mod? Jon. Quote
TheGreek Posted October 8, 2015 Author Posted October 8, 2015 Headstock was a generic Westone/Aria design - leads me to believe it may have been built at the Matsumoku factory but the bridge, Ebony board and knobs make me less sure... Quote
Bassassin Posted October 8, 2015 Posted October 8, 2015 It's not Matsumoku or any other MIJ. Everything about it says luthier-built, probably a one-off. To me there's also something peculiarly British about it - I don't think it's actually very Alembic-y at all! J. Quote
Andyjr1515 Posted October 8, 2015 Posted October 8, 2015 [quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1444331081' post='2882376'] This one? [URL=http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/FairfaxAikman/media/Alembic%20copy/Alembiccopy3_zps22c97905.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q639/FairfaxAikman/Alembic%20copy/Alembiccopy3_zps22c97905.jpg[/IMG][/URL] or this? [URL=http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/FairfaxAikman/media/Alembic%20copy/Alembiccopy2_zps961b4f93.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q639/FairfaxAikman/Alembic%20copy/Alembiccopy2_zps961b4f93.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [/quote] Yup...both. I like that very much... Quote
djc63 Posted November 9, 2015 Posted November 9, 2015 I think I can help.I'm 99.9% sure this is one of a pair me and my mate built around 80/81 when we worked in a furniture factory in Greenwich. I still have the other one and the original drawings too. Not sure that's the original neck though, I don't remember doing anything with diamonds! Quote
TheGreek Posted November 9, 2015 Author Posted November 9, 2015 There are definite similarities though the top moulding on yours is more pronounced, has a DI socket on the front and the knobs are more spread out. You're right about the neck/headstock - I had this remodelled. It was originally in the style of early 80s Aria/Westones. I'd be interested in seeing yours. Quote
djc63 Posted November 9, 2015 Posted November 9, 2015 I'm not sure what you mean by the top moulding? There were some differences ie knob spacing maybe but both bodies were machined using the same jig.I added that xlr at a later date. The thing that convinces me though are the laminated ebony and maple pickup surrounds I made to mount the humbuckers. I'm sure I can see that in your pictures? By the way yours is made from Padauk which is why it's so red in colour. Quote
TheGreek Posted November 9, 2015 Author Posted November 9, 2015 By "top moulding" I mean where the body is moulded for the forearm (I've probably got the terminology wrong). Yours shows more of the body core timber. I didn't realise that the pick up surrounds were ebony - just checked, they are wood - thought they were plastic. Got to say I'm impressed with your work. Can you give me any more info about the bass?? Bridge/ Machine heads/ etc?? Quote
djc63 Posted November 9, 2015 Posted November 9, 2015 Yes the core timber is thicker on mine so the contour looks different. I can't remember what hardware yours had and I don't recognise the bridge. The active circuit and switches have been added I'm sure. I didn't fit them. Quote
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