Alembic 1978 Series 1 SSB Refinish

"That sound"—you'll know it the moment you play it. Alembic, the pioneer of high-end basses!

Alembic was founded in 1969 by members of the Grateful Dead’s sound crew.
To address noise issues during live performances and recordings, they became the first in the world to integrate low-impedance pickups and an active preamp directly into the instrument. They developed a laminated through-neck construction that fully harnesses the instrument’s vibrational characteristics, revolutionizing the history of the electric bass.Alongside legendary performances by Stanley Clarke and John Entwistle, Alembic is the undisputed pioneer that carved out the realm of “high-end basses.”

This 1978 model is a Series 1 SSB with a 30.75-inch short scale.
It has undergone a thorough restoration at our partner workshop, including a full refinish, refretting, and repair of marks left by the relocation of the strap pins.
The electronics appear to be original as far as we can tell, and it comes with a dedicated power supply. (*Please note that the power supply and cable have a cigarette odor.)

The precise controls that are the hallmark of Alembic are as follows:

・4-position rotary switch: Off (Standby) / Rear / Mix / Front
・2 volume controls & independent low-pass filters for each pickup: Cutoff frequency continuously adjustable between 350 Hz and 6 kHz
・3-position Q-switch (mini-toggle): Boosts the peak of the cutoff frequency set by the filter in three stages: Off (flat) / +6dB / +9dB
・Internal trimmers: Equipped with trim pots for independent preamp gain adjustment and hum cancellation for each pickup

When connected to the dedicated external power supply box, the unit receives an 18V power supply and outputs fully independent front and rear stereo signals.

Despite its short scale, there is no sense of loose string tension, and it features a fast response where the sound bursts out the moment you pick it.
There’s a common misconception that “all Alembics sound the same,” but the sound it produces is truly “that sound.”
To put it bluntly, this means “every single one is a winner.”
Why not try producing “that sound” with this particular guitar, which has gained a unique character through refinishing that you won’t find in other models?

[SPEC]
Pickup: Original
Preamp: PF-6
Weight: 4.27 kg
Scale: 30.75” Short Scale
Nut Width: 41 mm
Includes hard case
*Truss rod cover replaced
*Power supply and cables have a cigarette smell

*Both the neck and electronics have been serviced by our in-house technician and are in good condition.
*String action has been set to approximately 1.6 mm at the 12th fret.
*Parts have been disassembled and cleaned

[Repair/Modification History / Replaced Parts / Cosmetic Condition, etc.]
*As this is a used/vintage item, the information provided is based on what our shop was able to verify during inspection.
Please be aware of this in advance.

【Peace-of-Mind Service for Online Purchases】
Take your time to try out the item in the comfort of your own home for 6 days after it arrives.
If it turns out to be different from what you expected… that’s okay.
As long as you cover the round-trip shipping costs, we will refund the purchase price.
Please feel free to take advantage of this service.

*Comes with a 5-year adjustment warranty for peace of mind—thoroughly adjusted by our store.
*Please feel free to contact our staff for more details about the product.
*We offer high buyback prices for products purchased from our store.

Contact: Oda