Early 1980's Kawai FIIB / F-IIB - Thump Master Supreme Alembic Copy - Made in Japan - Pro Set Up w Perfect Frets/Action/Intonation! - Demo Video

1980's Kawai FIIB

Super Thump Master Supreme Alembic Bass Homage

Nut Width: 1.61

Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: .82

Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: .93

Weight: 9 lbs 5 oz's

Comes in a Hard Case (rough outer shape but functional)

Check Out the Demo Video Below!

$$$ It has just been professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability. It has low action with no buzzing. The frets are in perfect condition and polished to shine like a mirror, it is truly stage or studio ready/worthy. Including New Strings,  Perfect Intonation, Truss Rod Adjustment and Low Action Read Our Feedback and Rest Assured, The Dude Abides!

“Unleash your inner Stanley Clarke with this early ‘80s Kawai FIIB – the Alembic-inspired bass that’s as bold as it is beautiful! Crafted in Japan with neck-through precision, exotic Zebrawood, and active electronics, this rare FIIB delivers thunderous tone and effortless playability. Whether you’re laying down funky grooves, soaring through jazzy solos, or channeling Phil Lesh’s Grateful Dead vibe, this bass has the looks, sound, and soul to steal the show. In excellent condition and ready to rock, it’s a collectible masterpiece that won’t break the bank. Grab this MIJ legend before it’s gone – your dream bass is calling!”

For Sale: Early 1980s Kawai FIIB Bass – A Rare Alembic-Inspired MIJ Masterpiece in Stellar Condition!**

Are you ready to own a bass that’s as unique as it is iconic? Feast your eyes on this early 1980's Kawai FIIB, a Japanese-made gem that channels the spirit of an Alembic bass with its exquisite craftsmanship, versatile tone, and head-turning aesthetics. Known as the “Alembic copy,” the Kawai FIIB was designed to rival the legendary basses of the era, offering pro-level quality at a fraction of the price. This bass is in excellent condition for its age, professionally maintained, and ready to deliver thunderous lows and shimmering highs to players, collectors, and tone enthusiasts alike. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of MIJ history that’s as playable as it is collectible!

The Bass: Early 1980s Kawai FIIB

The Kawai FIIB, also known as the F2B, is a neck-through bass crafted in Japan during the early 1980s, a golden era for MIJ instruments. Built to compete with high-end basses like Alembic, the FIIB boasts premium materials, innovative electronics, and a design that screams boutique quality. Its sleek, contoured body and active electronics make it a versatile workhorse, perfect for everything from funky grooves to jazzy runs to hard-hitting rock. With its beautiful finish and meticulous construction, this bass is as much a visual stunner as it is a sonic powerhouse.

Key Specifications:

Body: 3-piece laminated Maple/Zebrawood, delivering a bright, punchy tone with excellent resonance. The exotic Zebrawood top adds a striking, figured grain that’s pure eye candy.

Neck: 5-piece laminated Maple/Mahogany, neck-through construction for superior sustain and stability. Slim, fast profile with a 1.5” nut width and 12” fretboard radius.

Fretboard: Rosewood, 22 frets, long-scale (34”), with pearloid dot inlays for a classic look.

Pickups: Two Kawai-designed P-Bass-style humbuckers with built-in active preamps, each powered by a 9-volt battery for robust output and tonal flexibility.

Electronics: Active circuitry with volume and tone controls for each pickup, plus two 3-way “tone character” switches (flat, cut, or boost at preset frequencies) and a 3-way toggle pickup selector (some early models feature a rotary selector).

Hardware: Gold Schaller tuners for rock-solid tuning stability and a heavy brass bridge (early model, strings-through-body design) for enhanced sustain.

Finish: Natural gloss Zebrawood, showcasing the wood’s dramatic grain with minor wear that adds character without compromising beauty.

Weight: 9 lbs 5 oz's, well-balanced for comfortable playing.

Alembic Resemblance: A High-End Homage

The Kawai FIIB was crafted with clear inspiration from Alembic basses, particularly models like the Series I and II or Stanley Clarke’s signature designs. Here’s how it mirrors the Alembic vibe while standing on its own:

Neck-Through Construction: Like Alembic’s premium basses, the FIIB features a neck-through design with a multi-piece Maple/Mahogany neck, ensuring exceptional sustain and a smooth, seamless feel across the fretboard. This mirrors Alembic’s focus on structural integrity and tonal clarity.

Exotic Woods: The FIIB’s use of laminated Maple and Zebrawood echoes Alembic’s signature “hippie sandwich” aesthetic, with exotic wood combinations that create a visually striking, high-end look. The Zebrawood top rivals the figured woods found on Alembic’s custom builds.

Active Electronics: The FIIB’s dual active preamps and tone character switches are a nod to Alembic’s pioneering active circuitry, offering versatile tone shaping. While not as complex as Alembic’s semi-parametric EQs, the FIIB’s switches provide cut/boost options for a range of tones, from warm and bloomy to bright and cutting, reminiscent of Alembic’s mid-forward, clean sound.[]()

Body Shape and Style: The FIIB’s contoured, double-cutaway body draws inspiration from Alembic’s sleek, ergonomic designs, with a compact shape that’s perfect for upper-fret access and stage presence.

Craftsmanship: Kawai’s Japanese manufacturing in the ‘80s was renowned for precision, rivaling Alembic’s boutique quality. The FIIB’s fit and finish, from its flawless neck joint to its polished hardware, scream high-end attention to detail.

While the FIIB doesn’t replicate Alembic’s exact tone or custom electronics (like their unique filter-based preamps), it captures the essence of an Alembic bass at a more accessible price point, making it a favorite among players seeking that Stanley Clarke or Phil Lesh vibe without the five-figure price tag.

Condition: Excellent for Its Age

This early 1980s Kawai FIIB is in **excellent condition** for a 45-year-old instrument. The natural gloss Zebrawood finish shines, with only minor surface scratches. The neck is straight, the frets show minimal wear, and the action is set low for effortless playing. The active electronics are fully functional, with clean, hiss-free performance (a testament to the quality of the original preamps). The brass bridge and Schaller tuners are in great shape, with some light tarnish on the gold finish adding vintage charm.

This bass has been professionally set up with fresh round-wound strings, ideal for capturing that clean, mid-forward tone associated with Alembic-style basses. It comes with a hardshell case for safe storage and transport. Stored in a smoke-free environment, this FIIB is ready to hit the stage, studio, or your collection.

Why This Kawai FIIB?

Rare Collectible: The FIIB is a scarce model, especially in Zebrawood, with limited production in the early ‘80s. Its Alembic-inspired design makes it a standout for collectors.

Alembic Vibe, MIJ Value: Get the look, feel, and tone of a boutique Alembic bass without the boutique price. Perfect for players inspired by Stanley Clarke or Phil Lesh.

Tonal Versatility: The active electronics and tone switches offer a wide sonic palette, from punchy rock to warm jazz to Grateful Dead-inspired bloom.

Playability: The slim neck, 34” scale, and ergonomic body make this bass a joy to play for hours, whether you’re slapping, picking, or fingerstyling.

Investment Potential: MIJ basses from the ‘80s are rising in value, and the FIIB’s rarity and quality make it a smart addition to any collection.

Perfect For:

Players: Ideal for gigging or recording, with a versatile tone that shines in any genre.

Collectors: A rare, Alembic-inspired MIJ bass that’s a conversation piece and a collector’s dream.

Tone Chasers: Nail that clean, mid-forward Alembic sound for a fraction of the cost, perfect for Grateful Dead covers or fusion jams.

Don’t Let This One Slip Away!

The Kawai FIIB is a rare find that blends Alembic-inspired design with Japanese craftsmanship, offering boutique quality at a player-friendly price. With its stunning Zebrawood finish, versatile active electronics, and excellent condition, this bass is ready to inspire your next performance or elevate your collection. Act fast – these basses are hard to come by, and this one won’t last long! Contact me today to make this MIJ masterpiece yours and start laying down those killer basslines! 🎸

🔥 This bass has been professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability. Unless otherwise noted in the listing, it features low action with no buzzing or dead spots, perfect intonation, a brand-new set of American-made Ernie Ball strings, and a straight neck with a fully functional truss rod. We make sure all frets are leveled, dressed, crowned, and polished to a mirror shine. The fingerboard has been thoroughly cleaned (unfinished rosewood and ebony boards are treated with Fret Doctor, a premium all-natural oil). All electronics function flawlessly. The bass has been deep-cleaned and detailed and arrives stage- and studio-ready. 🔥

About The Guitar Dude

Three-time NAMM Top 100 Dealer worldwide, specializing in premium Gibsons, classic Fender guitars from all eras, and the best Japanese-made treasures. Known for the highest-quality consignment sales and custom layaway plans (available on select guitars and extendable beyond 45 days to fit your budget; contact us for details).

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Consignment Services

Like what you see? Let us go to work for you. We offer the best and most fairly priced consignment service on the planet! Look for us online: @TheGuitarDude

Our Guarantee

We stand behind every guitar we sell. "Good enough" is never good enough. Every instrument is inspected, set up, and tested by multiple people immediately before shipping. We deliver the highest standard of quality and have built a reputation as a three-time NAMM Top 100 Dealer since 2009. The Dude Abides.

Neck & Setup (unless otherwise noted)

- Neck is perfectly straight with no truss rod issues.

- Intonation is spot-on.

- Professionally set up with low action and new American-made strings.

- All frets are dressed, leveled, crowned (if needed), and polished to shine like new, with no divots.

Return Policy, Restocking Fees & No Tire-Kicking Policy

We offer a 7-day return policy. However:

- You must notify us in writing within 3 days of delivery (per tracking) of your intent to return.

- Original shipping and return shipping costs are not refunded unless the guitar is damaged in transit or is significantly not as described (for example, you ordered red and got white, or a Telecaster instead of a Les Paul).

- A 15% restocking fee applies to all returns for any reason other than damage in transit or significantly not as described. Please note that a 10% restocking fee applies to orders that have been purchased and paid for and have been off the market for 24 hours or more, even if they have not been shipped or picked up by the carrier, because we perform a final setup and change the strings as soon as an order is placed and paid for. NO EXCEPTIONS.

We do our best to honestly describe and photograph every guitar and most of the noticeable imperfections. That said, we are human, and something very small can be overlooked. If tiny marks, dings, or super fine scratches (normal wear) bother you, please don't buy.

We record demo videos of every guitar before shipping to document its exact condition and performance. Additional photos, measurements, or in-hand descriptions are available upon request prior to purchase.

Minor adjustments to a setup (for example, correcting a slight buzz or a truss rod tweak) are normal after shipping, due to carrier mishandling and climate and atmospheric changes, especially when moving from South Florida to colder or less humid environments. These slight issues do not constitute "significantly not as described." Guitars must be returned in the exact same condition as received/advertised, or additional repair/restocking fees will apply.

We are a small, family-owned and family-run business, not a big-chain retailer. We invest significant time, money, and effort into every guitar. This is a NO TIRE-KICKING shop. There is no post-purchase haggling, and there are no returns without restocking fees and no partial refunds. If minor cosmetic marks, tiny imperfections, odors/smells, or the possibility of a post-shipping setup tweak makes you uncomfortable, please do not buy. Plenty of large retailers offer free trials and can absorb shipping costs; we do not.

Payment, Shipping & International Duties

- All items can be shipped internationally. The buyer is fully responsible for all import duties, taxes, and customs fees.

- We accept PayPal, PayPal Credit, Affirm, and other major payment methods.

- Most U.S. shipments are sent via UPS or FedEx with full insurance, tracking, and signature confirmation. All packages are professionally packed for maximum protection.

International Shipping Note

International shipping prices shown are for most countries; certain countries have higher costs. We try to avoid USPS and mostly ship UPS, but in certain situations USPS is the only available or reasonable carrier. Express services (UPS, DHL, FedEx) are always available. We can't undervalue merchandise, as it could not be properly insured. If you would like to discuss different options, contact us by email or phone for a personalized quote.

Thank you for considering The Guitar Dude. We look forward to earning your business and delivering a guitar that exceeds your expectations. Contact us anytime for questions, consignment inquiries, layaway details, or a personalized shipping quote.