KAWAI FIIB - Alembic Copy Made in Japan

mb94952 · #1 05-28-2010, 09:33 AM

I bought this rare, black beauty here on TB from Danny R. He is a great guy, a great TB'er, and a GASSER, like all of us.

It needed more TLC than he was aware of. I have invested just shy of $200 into this bass for parts and labor. The nut is new and there are new DR's as well. Probably other new stuff, too. It was in the shop for over two months. I guess Kawai isn't the best when it comes to customer service on a timely manner, but rest assured that this bass is now set for YEARS to come trouble free !

This is a rare model. It is all black, and has a rotary knob selector instead of a toggle switch. I have NEVER seen a bass like this in person, so it could be cool to own for you.

I have this bass for sale elsewhere as well, but TB'ers get the rock bottom price.

$860 shipped to lower 48 USA. If you live in or near California, I will do $850 shipped.

Mike B.

90k · #2 05-28-2010, 10:22 AM

WOW I never knew they came in anything other that natural. Then again this brings to mind that I may of seen one in red once. Did you switch out the pickup selector for that knob or is that original?

90k · #3 05-28-2010, 10:26 AM

If I only hadn't just picked up a Spector. I would buy this. I would love to have one of these again. Very nice bass indeed!

90k · #4 05-28-2010, 10:39 AM

I did forget to mention that I had one of these with the flame maple top and back.. I gigged with it for years. I do so miss that bass.

mb94952 · #5 05-28-2010, 10:18 PM

WOW ! 2 kawai's for sale only a few threads apart ! Nearly the same price, too !

squarewave · #6 05-29-2010, 09:32 AM

Yes, 2 at once. The other one listed for sale is mine.

I dig this black one. I see it has the older-style high-mass bridge like mine. I was surprised to see the bridge is black, just assuming it would be brass color like on mine. It really gives the bass a cool, blacked out aesthetic.

Awesome bass. Good luck with the sale.

iammr2 · #7 05-29-2010, 10:07 AM

Weight?

mb94952 · #8 05-29-2010, 02:04 PM

weight is 9.5 lbs.

34" scale neck

Walfy · #9 05-30-2010, 12:36 AM

I have a red one and a zebrawood one. My red one has the black hardware and the rotary selector too. I have seen the FIIBs in koa and maple too and, if I recall correctly, they came in other woods and colors as well. There was a black one on eBay back in April 2007. Good luck to you and Squarewave with your sales.

mb94952 · #10 05-31-2010, 11:58 PM

sanfordandsonny · #11 06-01-2010, 12:04 PM

Bump for three reasons:
1. I've never seen one in black
2. Awesome seller (maybe that should be #1?)
3. Is that last bump from the show Trailer Park Boys?
It looks like Andy the assistant supervisor who never wears a shirt.

t3ch · #12 06-01-2010, 04:11 PM

Trades? Check sig and let me know if interested...

deadsled · #13 06-01-2010, 04:51 PM

It is from the trailer park boys and his name is Randy.

genstormbringer · #14 06-02-2010, 07:13 PM

wow a very cool Kawai

mb94952 · #15 06-03-2010, 10:30 AM

Thanks Lanis. It is pretty nice. Condsidering a slight price drop if that makes a deal for a TB'er on this bass.

In other words, STILL AVAILABLE !

BASSKADET · #16 06-06-2010, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mb94952

That pic is from the episode where he and Layhey get out of jail and have to take the bus home because their ride didn't show up.
And a Bump.

mb94952 · #17 06-07-2010, 11:20 AM

$785 shipped to the midwest/west. $795 shipped to the East coast. Act quickly - Need to sell. Has gone to the bay... Would rather a TB'er get it for less

GeneralElectric · #18 06-10-2010, 02:33 PM

What do these sound like? I hear they're like Alembic copies, but when I think of the Alembic tone my mind draws a blank.

mb94952 · #19 06-10-2010, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

What do these sound like? I hear they're like Alembic copies, but when I think of the Alembic tone my mind draws a blank.

Well, they are supposed to be Alembic Series 1 copies, but I don't think they sound like Alembics. I have owned about 4 of these over the years and each one sounded different from the next !

I used to own one that actually had Alembic pups, and it sounded EXACTLY like an Alembic - go figure.

THIS particular one sounds like a mix between a Rickenbacker 4001, a Fender P-Bass mostly, and then with the boost/cut, and passive EQ with active preamp it can nail any Ibanez SDGR tone. It has a tone of growl, and is easy to play.

So, again, this one (to me) sounds most like :
- Rickenbacker
- Fender P Bass
- Ibanez SDGR

Put these three iconic basses in a blender and that's this tone ; I can get EACH of these iconic bass tones from this ONE bass, or a blend of them which = the Kawai FIIB tone !

Hope this helps. For the price I'm asking, you should try it, and in a better economy you could probably sell it for more than what you paid.

Mike

mb94952 · #20 06-16-2010, 10:38 AM

On hold for Alembicguy....