Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Swap Shop and Wish Lists => Seen on craigslist, eBay, and elsewhere => Topic started by: white_cloud on June 19, 2008, 05:40:17 AM

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: white_cloud on June 19, 2008, 05:40:17 AM

A crazy guy on youtube is currently touting his Fernandes Series 1 copy for sale on youtube ( look up Fernandes Alembic ) for, wait for it, the princely sum of 1600 euros (?1100 or $2200)
 
It is, according to him as good as a real series 1 and much better than a real Alembic inferior spoiler model GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
 
I think this guy is crazy and deluded!
 
John.

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: FC Bass on June 19, 2008, 07:39:57 AM

Here it is for sale: Clik here (http://link.marktplaats.nl/176176516 target=_blank)

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: sweets on June 19, 2008, 10:55:36 AM

Hellow, i am the crazy guy. ^^
 
what people(and especialy alembic owners) persistently forget is that this bass is a collectors item. if you forget that this is a alembic copy for a minute and just objectively look at the bass you will see a good qualilty build bass with good electronics which isnt any less then a jay dee for example.
 
anyhow, if no one wants to pay the price i have in my mind the bass stays mine.
 
The bass is up for bidding....doesnt mean at all the bass gets sold for 1600,-

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: kungfusheriff on June 19, 2008, 11:13:40 AM

No offense, but I bought an identical bass for $625 US a few years ago. Maybe I got a fantastic deal, but I don't think so.

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: mica on June 19, 2008, 11:28:41 AM

I think it's even a collector's item for some Alembic owners. These basses are rare, and despite the rumors, we didn't sue Fernandes for making these (glad to say we never sued anyone).  
 
I agree that the woodworking is done well. Nearly every one I've seen was the same wood combination and body shape, so they never seemed to be into the idea of a custom instrument.  
 
The execution in the electronics area I can't speak of as highly.
 
(Message edited by mica on June 19, 2008)

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: lbpesq on June 19, 2008, 01:58:53 PM

I have a Fernandes Alembic inspired Masterhand guitar.  (See it here (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=20043)).  The wood work is very good, though rather mundane when compared with all the options offered by Alembic.  With the addition of Alembic electronics, this is one of my favorite guitars.
 
Bill, tgo

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: neyman on June 19, 2008, 02:48:55 PM

I have a Fernandes Series 1 copy (not the SC copy).
 
Good quality, nice woods, eletronics...meh. They work the way they should. Nothing to write home about.
 
Collectors item? Maybe, if it came with the power supply. More of a novelty, IMHO. I paid $800US for mine with the original case. That's about average for these.
 
See it here
 
 Fernandes FAB 180 (http://badassbassplayers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=9434&p=77601#p77601)

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: sweets on June 19, 2008, 05:37:48 PM

That indeed is a nice FAB180, you got it cheap even without the power supply (mine has it btw).  
 
This gives me something to think about the price i had in my mind. Although i still probably wont sell it below 1100 to 1200 Euro's.

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: white_cloud on June 21, 2008, 11:15:11 AM

Dont get me wrong - for someone who is desperate for a series 1 but cant afford it the Fernandes looks great and is a compromise of sorts..
 
However I totally disagree that a fernandes series copy is better than a genuine Alembic Spoiler, persuader, essence, epic etc. This is unrealistic. I would MUCH prefer to wake up in the morning and look at that genuine, magical, hand reaching down from the cloud to grasp the Alembic logo on my headstock no matter what the model! It is what I aspired to for literally decades! Im not shocked with the decent comments Mica pays to some of the finer points of the Alembic copy - after all being copied is the best form of flattery!
 
Best of luck to the seller. If you get the price that you want then all is fine and well, but a hefty price I think it is my man!  
 
John.

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: bishopqdog on June 22, 2008, 02:05:33 PM

IMHO An Alembic copy is NEVER as good as an Orignal Alembic, unless the copy is being made by Alembic.

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: keavin on June 23, 2008, 01:56:17 PM

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/52955.jpg)Trade???.......Not my cadillac!

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: 0vid on June 24, 2008, 01:22:44 PM

I have to say that Mica's comment has to be the most benevolent I have heard from a musical manufacturer about a copy.  
 
Compare and contrast with RIC's live and let live EBAY policy in 500 words. Submit essay to John Hall.  
 
BTW, I have 3 lefty RICS and love them, and after years of badgering JH, they even relented and you'll finally see the 2008 version of the 4003 with proper lefty triangle fretboard inlays. Bless you Mr Hall.

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: elwoodblue on June 24, 2008, 03:30:26 PM

I agree, Mica ...you have a wonderful way with words.Pretty and potent!
 
cheers

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: neyman on June 30, 2008, 09:29:27 AM

There's a Fernandes copy on ebay now. Looks a little rough around the edges, no case or power supply.
 
Might give a good baseline on what these instruments are worth in the market today.
 
 Fernandes eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/Fernandez-Neck-Thru-Bass-Vintage_W0QQitemZ330248163727QQihZ014QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: eligilam on June 30, 2008, 09:43:39 AM

Begging off-topic forgiveness, but 0vid, in post 141, what is the ebay policy of Mr.Hall?  I hadn't heard this before.

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: texangerbil on July 01, 2008, 05:45:38 AM

RIC are very agressive in their pursuit of ebayers using the R-word about copies. They regularly get listings pulled for such infringements

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: white_cloud on July 02, 2008, 05:50:00 AM

I would like to clarify:
 
Im a big admirer of Japanese built instruments, hell - I had a Tokai hard puncher precision copy that was better than ANY of the actual Fender precisions that I have owned, and that included a couple of vintage models!
 
Aria, Ibanez, Fernandes and Tokai etc have contributed a lot to modern instrument manufacture - especially when offering value for money.
 
I guess the point I was trying to make was that its all very well making sublime copies of factory produced Fenders & Rics etc but accurately mimicking something hand crafted like an Alembic, and making it of equal (or superior) quality, is an entirely different ball game.
 
In fairness to Fernandes, all things being equal, they actually did a remarkable job - to a point!
 
John.

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: georgie_boy on July 02, 2008, 10:54:28 AM

Have to agree John!!
I owned a long scale Fernandes with a superb walnut top back in 1986.
Great bass!!
Sorted out a J D Mark king no probs!!
NOT however the sound and sweetness of my 76 Sereies 1
 
Just my 0.02
 
G

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: white_cloud on July 02, 2008, 11:13:32 AM

Thanks George,
 
I have never played a Fernandes Alembic copy but the fact a seasoned pro like yourself preferred it to a (handmade) J D says a lot about the qualities they must have had!  
 
Having said that I always felt that J D Mark Kings were as much of a fashion statement as anything else during the eighties when Mark burst onto the scene! Everybody wanted one to slap the hell out of lol!! I adored the look of the damn things (probably as they looked like Alembics) but I never actually liked the feel or sound too much! I owned a Supernatural model and the neck was wildly unstable - have spoke to others though who loved them.
 
John.

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: andrew_o on July 04, 2008, 10:04:06 PM

i'm looking at this bass, (the one that is on ebay). what does the power supply do? also, whats the significance to the 5 pin connector? i'm a newb to alembics, the only thing i really know is stanley clarke plays 'em.

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: ghostyhead on July 04, 2008, 11:52:34 PM

bro if you want a nice alembic stanley clarke model WITH leds... go to our for sale section
its a good price... lovely bass, and its sold through the club. I bought a Mark King sig standard from someone here at the club and had it shipped to me in NewZealand. Great club to buy through...
just a thought.
Cheers
Ben

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: andrew_o on July 05, 2008, 08:14:37 AM

$5000 compared to maybe $500? i'm also planning on using the fernandes for my school bass (i play in the jazz band at my school). Still, can anyone answer what the significance of the 5 pin connector and power supply?

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: elwoodblue on July 05, 2008, 09:27:09 AM

I'm guessing it's an 18 volt system , so it could be a +9 volt pin,  a -9volt pin , a neutral(ground) pin , and a pin for each pickup hot signal if it's stereo.
 
someone here might know for sure

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: 82daion on July 05, 2008, 10:14:21 AM

(double-post)
 
(Message edited by 82Daion on July 05, 2008)

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: 82daion on July 05, 2008, 10:15:33 AM

Since the Series electronics in a real Alembic go through batteries like hotcakes (in most cases), the point is to provide a reliable source of power to the bass. The 5-pin cable is simply the chosen means to connect the power supply to the bass.
 
Elwood describes the wiring correctly, for the most part, although I think that it's wired 18V +/-.

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: lbpesq on July 05, 2008, 10:22:50 AM

Andrew:
 
The Fernandes system is similar to Alembic - after all, it is an Alembic copy.  Like an Alembic, the electronics have two single coil pickups with a dummy hum cancellor in the middle.  The system runs at 18 volts.  The 5-pin connector hooks up to a power supply that has both mono and stereo outs (one pickup for each channel).  When used without the power supply, the batteries don't last long at all - only a few hours.  Also, if this is wired like the old Alembic Series instruments, when using the 1/4 jack (battery power) instead of the 5 pin, you'll only get the output of one pickup.  If this is the case, it can easily be re-wired to provide a mono output (both pickups) from the 1/4 jack.  Running this without the power supply is a major disadvantage, IMHO.  I haven't seen a Fernandes Power supply since they came out in the late 70's (mine came without one also), but an Alembic DS-5 or DS-5R ($550) and 5 pin cable ($190) should work with it.  Be aware that while the woodwork on the Fernandes is similar to Alembic, the electronics were not nearly as successful a copy.
 
Bill, the guitar one

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: andrew_o on July 05, 2008, 10:28:09 AM

is it possible to have a 5 pin connector into a quarter inch jack, so i can just plug it right into an amp?

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: lbpesq on July 05, 2008, 10:33:56 AM

Andrew:
 
You can plug into the amp in two different ways.
 
1. With the 1/4 jack, or
 
2. With a 5-pin cable through the power supply.
 
It's one or the other, not both.  You either plug a regular 1/4 phone plug cable between the bass and amp or the 5-pin between bass and power supply unit, and then either one (mono) or two (stereo) 1/4 cables between the power supply unit and the amp.  The wiring at the 1/4 jack in the bass can be re-wired to allow both pickups when using the 1/4 cable, if you want.
 
Bill, tgo

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: room037 on July 05, 2008, 06:20:38 PM

Hi All,
We often call Fernandes copy as Ferbic.  
 
Our Alembic Fun Club in Japan member checked original power suply PS-5 for Ferbic.(Not DS-5)
It supplys ?}9V!
I belived Ferbic is totally same construction, but it runs ?}9V.
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/53424.jpg)
 
In empirical knowledge, It runs with DS-5(?}18V) by both owners.
 
Eiji

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: David Houck on July 05, 2008, 06:38:44 PM

Thanks Eiji!

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: white_cloud on July 06, 2008, 03:50:04 AM

In retrospect my original post looks very insulting to SWEETS (the guy who was selling the Fernandes FAB 170.)  
 
He is, of course, entitled to his opinion in regards to comparing his FAB 170 and certain models of actual Alembics. He is, also,  entitled to try and sell his bass for any price he deems suitable!  
 
I would like to offer an apology to him for being insulting in my original post! I dont know what it is but as Im getting older Im getting really grumpy - jeez!
 
Hope this sets the record straight.
 
John.

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: andrew_o on July 14, 2008, 07:08:09 AM

i didn't get it, i thought 900 was too much for a bass that didn't have all the original stuff, and i would have to spend a ton more money just so i could use it...

Title: A Fernandes copy that is "better than a real Alembic!"
Post by: white_cloud on July 14, 2008, 07:33:29 AM

Hi Andrew,
 
Dont worry about it, there are always more fish in the sea. It wasnt in great shape and you may have been inheriting problematic issues!
 
John.