Few companies have taken technological leaps forward and changed the market place for instruments to come. Starting in 1969 with some real genius minds, Ron Wickersham (former employee of Ampex recording machines), Rick Turner (luthier), and Bob Matthews (Recording Engineer) - the team would develop some forward thinking and versatile instruments that would famously go on to be used by the likes of The Grateful Dead and jazz musicians like Stanley Clarke - all of whom could appreciate the finer details of the sonic embellishments that these instruments were able to achieve. To this day, these instruments are very well regarded amongst players and collectors alike. From a luthier perspective, this has quite an impressive bit of wood working going on. A five piece neck through design with maple and Purple Heart - it is designed with a long 34" scale length. Flanking the thru body are two wings composed with a very figured Lacewood exterior and presumably Mahogany/Koa core. Original Golden brass bridge and tailpiece are present and in good condition. This example has the base end behind the bridge with the less commonly seen decorative cutout. Cosmetically this example is in great condition with simple surface level wear present, but nothing troubling or structural. To "Alembicize" something became somewhat common thought for tone seekers in bass world. This example is outfitted with the SF-6 Preamp with Q control. A four way switch is located at the basses lower horn, allowing the player to turn the instrument "Off" or use one or both pickups. Mini toggles engage a variable Q control to "focus" the fundamental tone of the EQ around, sweepable through the corresponding pot, with the pickups volume controls above. It has a stereo 1/4" jack - allowing the user to plug and play - utilizing the preamp via two 9volt batteries, which are accessible behind the brass plate on its back side (the preamp is accessible at the primary control panel). By using the 5 pin DIN output in conjunction with the included DS-5 stage box, one can bypass the need for batteries - sending power to the bass, and signal from the bass to the box. At the box, the player can send separate bass and treble signals if they so choose. A dummy coil in between the neck and bridge pickup provides noiseless operation - all functioning as it should. The neck has a comfortable C shape profile, outfitted with a rosewood fingerboard and MOP oval inlay. The neck is nice and straight, with the truss rod accessible at the heel. The original frets are present and in great condition, the action low measuring 6/64" in height at the twelfth fret, with room for adjustment at the bridge. The string spacing at the bridge is 47mm, and 37mm at the brass nut. Original Schaller tuners present, well seated against this basses Zebrawood veneer that is present on both sides of the peg head, the front with the nickel Alembic logo. A fantastic, fairly early example of a rare instrument - ready for the stage, and to be coveted by the next owner. Includes original hardshell case, DS-5 stage box, and original cable. Weighs 11.3 lbs.