Alembic Series I bass, courtesy Brad Rodgers, whocollection.com. Nice pictures of . Resources. You have to wind it right up. Alembic Bass Guitars. 1975, on stage with Alembic Series I with zebra wood top. I can have four different sounds going on at once, with the equalization of the preamps and four amp heads. The basis is faithful electronics reproduction of the mechanical string motion. Ca. Founded in 1969, the company began manufacturing pre-amps before building complete instruments. This 1993 bass is in incredible condition for its age showing almost no signs of use! 1975, with Alembic Series 1 bass in zebra wood. I eventually changed to using Sunn 300-watt Coliseum Amps powering four 18 PA bins plus additional 12 cabinets (up to sixteen 12 cabinets at one point). Artist Robert Thomas designed and painted the logo of the company in 1969, which included multiple elements that represented mankind and energy as values that Alembic aimed to show to public. This set-up is still a bit too loud, so Im thinking of switching to two Mesa Boogie stacks instead. Two German-made Stramp 4120 stereo preamps, which split their outputs to one power amp each. Model 4-string 5-string 6-string ----- Excel 10975 12975 15975 Epic 10975 12975 15975 Orion 10975 12975 15975 Essence 13500 15500 17500 Rogue 14500 16500 18500 Europa 15975 17975 19975 Signature Standard 16975 18975 20975 Signature Deluxe 18500 20500 22500 Sig Dlx Coco Bolo 21500 23500 25500 Sig Dlx Buckeye 20900 22900 24900 Brown Bass 18000 . Theyre getting together with Moog to work something out. The Essence bass is heir smallest body - 12 inc Brown Basses are a nod to Stanley's second Series I bass from 1974. Johns second Alembic, natural maple finish with maple and walnut laminate neck. About two years ago, while one of the Fenderbirds was being repaired, John happened to pick up a stock Alembic for a rehearsal. In 1975, Johns amplifier rig switched to a rack-based setup, with the amplifiers separated and moved to a side-stage rack. Most Alembic basses and guitars are constructed around a laminated neck that runs through the body of the instrument, using various combinations of often exotic woods such as Zebrawood or Cocobolo. 8 Dec. 1979, Chicago, with Sunn 412L 412 and Mega 118 cabinets. Don't set your tone controls and amp controls by the numbers, use your ears. Help & Tools. Used Electric Bass Alembic SERIES I MSB MAPLE TOP 1979 (S/N:79 1345) Opens in a new window or tab. The Essence. The next day I asked about the roadie with the volume pedal, and they said that he should be on the next flight, because they buy at Mannys in New York. While they are pleasing to the eye, keep in mind that different combinations will shape the way the string behaves, thus influencing the tone. March 1981, Manchester Apollo, Sunn 412L 412 and Mega 118 cabinets. Alembic 1981 catalog/pricelist RARE! Univox "Lectra Beatle Bass Catalog page / Price List 1970-71. According to the original lot description the LED side markers on the guitar were at the request of Entwistle as an essential tool when the stage was entirely blacked out during The Whos concerts in 1975 and 1976. [CDATA[ Alembic Stanley Clarke Deluxe Bass. Long scale versions are found in Standard Point and Balance K Omega shapes. Hey! Approximately six in total custom-made by luthier Peter Cook, in white (later given to Pete) and orange/red. He liked it so much that he ordered several unmodified except for their extremely low actions. Click image to view larger version. Courtesy Martin Forsbom. With the Alembic I can play like it all the way through, varying the volumes. Bound neck with 24-fret rosewood fingerboard, dot inlays. Alembic took two years to make the three basses for me. Turner referred to this process as "Alembicizing". 1975, with Alembic Series 1 bass with flame-figured top. The task is another of Alan Rogans responsibilities. Copyright 1995-2023 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. A solidbody with a 32 scale and neck-through design, it laid the foundation for the company's approach - that is, creating hand-built high-end instruments with exotic woods, artistic inlays, and state-of-the-art electronics. This item is sold As-Described and cannot be returned unless it arrives in a condition different from how it was described or photographed. 25 May 1978, Shepperton, Sunn rig comprising four Sunn 412LH 412 cabs, two Sunn W 118 reflex bins (inner bottom) and two Sunn W 118 cabinets (outer bottom). 9 May 1978, Ramport, with Fender Explorer-Bird bass. I just about got it in tune in time for the bass solo. The seven-piece laminate necks are long-scale. J Wilson. Click to reveal You see, I wasnt really playing what I wanted to play. Based on your location, we've changed your settings: Shipping Region: Before I had the Thunderbird I used to use an extremely trebly sound and play lead figures, and I was OK with a Precision bass. Your purchases help youth music programs get the gear they need to make music. L.D. // ]]> -->. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with . 1979, performing Trick of the Light, with John on 8-string Alembic Explorer and Pete playing 4-string Alembic Series I. France, Click to view larger version. First sold in 1988 by John in Sothebys auction (Rock n Roll Memorabilia 19561984 The Property of John Entwistle, Sothebys, London, 7th April, 1988). So from there my whole style changed for about five years until recently when Ive had another change onto the Alembics the best change I ever did. John said it was no problem, they would send a Roadie to buy one. Watch this gear and we'll notify you if it becomes available again. Sunn Gelf amp rig #3, courtesy rockstarsguitars.com. Alembic Stanley Clarke "Brown Bass", Walnut Top/Back with Ebony *Blue LED's. Add to Cart; Add to Cart. 1974 Alembic Series I in zebra wood. Look here: Alembic - Stanley Clarke Signature Basses. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. 1981 video for Another Tricky Day with the Alembic with V-shaped headstock. Bass is 1974 Alembic in zebra wood. 4 sold 5. I wrote a lot of songs on this one. see details, Featured in this TalkBass.com forum post. Lined Fretless Series I long scale bass in 5A Quilted Maple with Ebony neck laminate, custom taper fingerboard. Peter Cook Lightning Bolt bass visible on stand at left. The company has also nurtured some of the greatest luthiers of all time, including Rick Turner and Doug Irwin. Yeah, I sort of pioneered the trebly bass sound, the piano sound, and I use an awful lot of treble. These were used from May 1976 with first use at Parc des Expositions in Colmar, France, 22 May, 1976 through 1982 (and 1985, for Live Aid). 1996-97 Conklin Custom Guitar and Bass Catalog: Sixteen pages of beautiful, handmade Conklin instruments. This item is sold As-Described. Series I basses have been played by such varied musicians as Stanley Clarke, John McVie, and John Entwistle and you couldn't ever mistake's one's tone for another, as the Series I gives a natural sound that is truly a reflection of the emotion the player puts in to the music. Alembic wouldn't be Alembic without the beautiful woods. His newest ones are a matched set of three, constructed to be as identical as possible. Ca. [2]:35ff, The company's first instrument was a bass guitar, made in 1972 for Jack Casady. Ships fast via USPS priority. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Get the best deals on alembic guitar when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. or Best Offer. Rogers Hiwatt CP103 The Ox and Mesa-Boogie 412 visible at right. In fact, we were making them before we even had model names or a catalog. SPONSORED. You can see some golden streaks in the ebony near the nut, a quality of Macassar ebony. Alembic Mark King Signature Deluxe 4 String Bass Guitar w/ OHSC - Used. [2]:35ff The company took over Pacific High Recording Studios in 1971, and the studio was renamed Alembic Studios. ", "Pacific High Recording, Alembic, His Master's Wheels, 60 Brady Street, San Francisco, CA", "Alembic: Sound Wizards to the Grateful Dead", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alembic_Inc&oldid=1111541660, This page was last edited on 21 September 2022, at 14:30. The 2004 display of The Who at the Hard Rock Vault in Orlando, Florida, thanks to Michael Mullins. But now, with the Alembic, Im probably going to be able to play a lot louder in the studio and more trebly. No, because the Alembic has individual pick-up pre-sets on the back, so if you wind them up, you dont lose anything on the volume control. 2011 interview with John Entwistles luthier/guitar maker Peter Cook posted on. Free shipping on many items | Browse your favorite brands | affordable prices. We can help you choose the right woods for your custom bass. [1], By 1970, Alembic was incorporated with three equal shareholders: Ron Wickersham, an electronics expert who came in from Ampex; Rick Turner, a guitarist turned luthier; and Bob Matthews, a recording engineer. ALEMBIC Bass 8 Strings Custom Order Natural 1980s EXP Shape Electric Bass, m3243. Christies would like to thank Rick Turner for his assistance with this lot. Click to view larger version. Alembic subsequently released a retail version of the A-shaped headstock model, renaming it the Exploiter.. All auction information, including quotes and references are copyright their original owners and are included for reference only. John had three of these rigs built, plus an additional studio-only rig. Regardless, it is smooth and feels great. Bass (647) . Extra 2% off with coins. Right before we were to leave for a U.S. tour, he brought it to a rehearsal, where I tried it and was, of course, blown away. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. 10 or 11 Sept. 1982, N.E.C., Birmingham, three Mesa-Boogie 412 cabs (top) in place of the Sunn 412L 412 cabs, with four Mega 118 cabs (bottom). Johns custom amp rack, with two Stramp 4120 preamps and four Sunn Coliseum Slave power amps (input module/splitter slot is empty). This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The electronics are otherwise stock Alembic circuitry: two pickups that are medium impedance and gain-adjustable, internal preamp, and a dummy pickup for hum cancellation; the tone controls are active low-pass filters. 1977 Rothchild Musical Instruments / Alembic Guitar and Bass catalog 16 Pages, Very good condition, very rare catalog. The Series I is as much of a powerhouse today as it was back in 1972 and nothing short of a Series II even comes close. : 1649-4706. There are a variety of body shapes for the Series I bass. $200.00 shipping. // ]]> -->, Click to view larger version. [CDATA[ [CDATA[ Owned by John Entwistle, and played by him during the Top of the Pops The Who performance circa 1976. The basis is faithful electronics reproduction of the mechanical string motion. At least three of these Gelf racks built by Kenny Flegg of Gelf. Alembic Europa (5), Spalt Maple/Ebony *Pre-Owned in Good Cond., NEW ELECTRONICS FACTORY INSTALLED IN 2023! Free shipping. Performance & security by Cloudflare. See the latest items on the homepage. We offer the finest selection of boutique bass guitars and amplifiers to our customers. It was the highest-priced bass of all the ones that John sold, fetching approximately $33,000. Here's an incredible 5-string Alembic Rogue Bass with an Ash top and maple and purpleheart accent woods. Associated images are included for reference only and are the property of the original owner. Ca. John Entwistles amps are the responsibility of Bill Harrison, who stands to the rear of the bass cabinets when the Who are onstage. Gallery of Johns custom amp rack and speaker cabinets. Retail prices effective January 1, 2023. Product no. $35. The first production Alembic instruments were less ornate, and incorporated the PF-5 electronics circuit, later replaced by the PF-6. Estimated 2,0003,000; sold for 12,000. Alembic instruments can be ordered with a wide variety of custom features, including complex inlays and LED position markers in the neck. Mahogany is the primary neck wood for a more rounded and warm tone. View similar gear from other sellers on Reverb. Parc des Expositions in Colmar, France, 22 May, 1976, December 1981 interview in Musician magazine, Post from 2009 by former Stramp employee Michael Wagener on Johns Stramp 4120 preamps. // ]]> -->. _gat_UA-133152057-1. Ca. Its also got this feedback effect when you have all the frequency switches right down in their lowest positions, you get this sort of signing sound. Hamer Quad Standard 12-string bass, courtesy (12stringbass.com [archived]). [2]:35ff. John (about the first one): Bought from Fred Walecki whilst holidaying in L.A. I had it re-wired back to stereo by Peter Cook. 1982, Sunn 412L 412 and Mega 118 cabinets. The Maple of the n Get the Alembic sound without the size and weight of the classic Alembic instruments. SPONSORED. Alembic Bass Guitar & Eden Amp / Bajo . Spiders web wire sterling-silver inlay, which later appeared to be brass as the instruments lacquer yellowed with age. Includes new hard shell case, original power supply and 5 pin cable. document.write(' Photo: Richard Aaron '); John stated in the catalog that this was used on the U.K. Television show Top of the Pops in the early 1970s. The Series pickups (the ones you asked about with the hum-canceller between the two single coil pickups) are phantom powered via a 5-pin cable. Click to view larger version. John used this setup from October 1975 until August 1976. Ca. Owned by Brad Rodgers; on display at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, from 19982007. Known for their clear tone and exceptional construction, Alembic instruments feature built-in LED lights and filter combinations that are sure to impress. Free shipping. Used Electric Bass Alembic SERIES I MSB MAPLE TOP 1979 (S/N:79 1345) Opens in a new window or tab. // ]]> -->. 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Accent woods & # x27 ; t set your tone controls and amp controls by the numbers use..., Very good condition, Very rare catalog PF-5 electronics circuit, replaced. - Stanley Clarke Signature Basses $ 33,000 # 3, courtesy Brad Rodgers, whocollection.com this gear and 'll... String motion had model names or a catalog this one total custom-made by luthier Cook., I sort of pioneered the trebly bass sound, the company began manufacturing pre-amps building! Until August 1976 and incorporated the PF-5 electronics circuit, later replaced by PF-6. With john Entwistles amps are the responsibility of Bill Harrison, Who stands to rear! Speaker cabinets Deluxe 4 string bass Guitar & amp ; Eden amp / Bajo Coliseum Slave power amps ( module/splitter... Largest online selection at eBay.com 412L 412 and Mega 118 cabinets almost no signs of!... Display at the bottom of this page variety of body shapes for the bass solo with lot!