Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: Philip-M-Bass on August 05, 2017, 03:58:21 PM

Title: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Philip-M-Bass on August 05, 2017, 03:58:21 PM
Hello everyone!!

I found this recently , I also, in fact, find this pretty hilarious !!

Bolt on neck,no less!!!

https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/5-string-daesch-alembic-copy-bass/692307102-74-7420
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: gtrguy on August 05, 2017, 08:33:08 PM
I think it's pretty. There is nothing inherently bad about a bolt on neck, if done well. My 6 string Yamaha TRB-JP has a bolt on neck, and it sounds amazing.
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Philip-M-Bass on August 09, 2017, 09:23:46 AM
Hey everyone ,

Here is another , this one is new to me.

Kuznetsov Alembic SC bass replica!


https://vk.com/club3288017

Thanks.
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: lbpesq on August 09, 2017, 05:16:13 PM
Here's another Alembic copy I just purchased.

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Philip-M-Bass on August 11, 2017, 10:47:14 AM
Afternoon Ladies & Gents,

Perhaps some have seen these,

Sanox Sound Creator,

http://guitarz.blogspot.com/2012/02/sanox-sound-creator-through-neck.html

Also,

Walembic build  (3 page article).

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/walembic-build.1078057/

Thanks.
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Philip-M-Bass on August 15, 2017, 11:08:04 AM
Hey Folks ,

Here is yet another!!

Balance K styled "Tribute (3 page article)

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/balance-k-styled-tribute-another-one.1241155/

Thanks.

Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Philip-M-Bass on August 23, 2017, 05:23:30 PM
Here's another Alembic copy made by the Aslin Dane company.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/content.sitezoogle.com/u/18126/430eb788547980c67b4ccd8e47f013269cb99d04/photo/176591.jpg?1453052763

also,

Distillate copy!

Fryer Guitars

http://jedistar.com/fryer-guitars/


Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Philip-M-Bass on August 26, 2017, 05:52:11 PM
Yet another

SimS Super Quad pickups!!

http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/78369/sims-super-quads
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Philip-M-Bass on August 28, 2017, 01:53:27 PM
For those who perhaps , have not seen this one-

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2016-New-Custom-Shop-Quilted-Maple-5-Ply-Neck-Thru-body-bass-Ebony-Fretboard-Active-9V/32820259107.html?spm=2114.search0305.4.14.vAXNtO



Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Philip-M-Bass on August 28, 2017, 05:52:57 PM
Here is fairly long thread about the Chinese Alembic copy, with plenty of comments!!

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/alembic-copy-from-china.1181249/
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: pauldo on August 29, 2017, 06:22:34 AM
Copying is a high form of flattery.  I feel rather neutral about the posts above with all of the 'knock-offs'.

When I see a real Alembic, my heart rate quickens, my breathing pattern changes as I find myself exhaling deeply with a low whistle just admiring the craftsmanship and beauty on the outside.  Then I think about the wizardly genius of the electronics inside and my eyes widen in wonderment and I collapse backwards into an exhausted yet deeply satisfied heap.

I must admit that Bill's copy bass from Axe Heaven is kinda cool.
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Philip-M-Bass on August 29, 2017, 07:07:56 AM
The actual term Knock off is defined as  ---  a copy or imitation, especially of an expensive or designer product!!!

What is shown or offered could very well be a quality item, never the less, it is still an imitation!!!

I have indeed heard other terms used such as "tribute", But honestly, in the end, these are Alembic's own design's , they belong to Alembic!

take the Fernandes basses  for example,  was this flattery?  Hardly!!!

As per the definition, "knock off" perfectly describes what we have here & I will continue to post what I find!!

Like this next example,


SC Knock off!!!

http://usedpiccolo.biz/tag/alembic/

Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Philip-M-Bass on August 30, 2017, 07:46:29 AM
Well, I cant afford an Alembic, so I will just build one myself.

http://www.southaustinguitarrepair.com/bass-build-alembic-nordstrand-acg-preamp-ets-bridge-carvin-neck
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: gtrguy on August 30, 2017, 10:14:31 AM
I think I would enjoy gigging with a nice Fernandes Alembic copy. I would not have to worry about something happening to it.
Alembic makes pickups that look like Fender and Rickenbackers and are designed to fit into those instruments.  I have installed some into friends basses. Are they copies?
My Elan looks a lot like a Fender (but much nicer).
It seems complicated to me.
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Philip-M-Bass on August 30, 2017, 12:13:34 PM
I started this thread because I found the subject matter quite fascinating,

If you disagree then go right ahead & call them "Alembic Tributes" or "Alembic Clones" Or even "Alembic Style"  !!!

If you truly believe Alembic did design these body shapes, but they are not, in fact, legitimately their own,

how complicated can it be!

If I May reiterate , As per the definition, "knock off" perfectly describes what we have here !!







Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Philip-M-Bass on August 30, 2017, 02:03:21 PM
A little thread from 2009-

http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=11654.msg130168#msg130168
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Philip-M-Bass on August 31, 2017, 06:56:10 AM
Morning folks,

Perhaps some have seen this one,

http://guitarz.blogspot.com/2013/10/custom-handmade-short-scale-bass.html
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Philip-M-Bass on September 01, 2017, 08:39:03 AM
Knock off's en regalia!!!

Please read this!!!

http://untweb.tripod.com/mgalfor.htm

thanks!!!
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Philip-M-Bass on September 01, 2017, 12:30:25 PM
JC Basses Fretless Omega 4


http://www.jcbasses.com/

http://www.jcbasses.com/4-string-omega/
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Philip-M-Bass on September 02, 2017, 10:24:33 AM
Afternoon folks,

just wanted to share a few thoughts,

Alembic produces from raw materials an item, that in any real sense, there is no substitute for!!

The question,  is Alembic (or any other co.) directly impacted by the manufacturing & sale of counterfeit goods!!

If indeed, Alembic has lost even one sale due to an individual or company producing a "knock off",

The answer is,  Yes!!!

The best way to stop the manufacturing of imitated products is to inform consumers of the potentially harmful affects these products pose to the companies who originated the items being copied!! If people refuse to purchase knock-off products, these Individuals or companies will suffer economically and ultimately disappear!
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: lbpesq on September 02, 2017, 11:14:12 AM
I respectfully disagree.  I doubt there are many educated consumers who honestly believe they are buying a real Alembic when they buy a P-bass knockoff with an "Alembic" decal for $300.  And, if they are in the market for a $300 instrument, they are not going to be buying any real Alembic.  Most of the other pics posted on this thread are of other makes that may employ similar neck-thru construction methods, but are clearly not Alembics, nor are they pretending to be Alembics or branded as Alembics.  The real knockoff copies on the market are more often Les Pauls, Strats, and other models far more common than Alembics.  IMHO, there is a significant difference between a counterfeit knockoff that pretends to be what it is not, versus a model that borrows design cues from another builder.

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Philip-M-Bass on September 02, 2017, 11:37:31 AM
Thank you for your insight Bill,

I cant agree with much of what you have said either!

I believe these designs belong to the originator!!

If you take another's design & profit from it , How does this not hurt The originating company!!

I will continue to post what I find, Mostly because it is a good subject matter!!

If you disagree , then simply do not bother looking at what I post!!
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: elwoodblue on September 02, 2017, 12:09:18 PM
mellow dude.  8)
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: lbpesq on September 02, 2017, 12:18:31 PM
Acoustic1, you are new around here and may not realize that this forum is quite different from most others on the net in that we tend to avoid flaming, fighting, emotionally charged disagreements, and personal attacks.  All are welcome, as are all reasonably presented opinions.  You have yours, and I have mine, and both are cool.  As for one company being influenced by another, it happens all the time in all industries.  Are Chevy, Toyota, Nissan, Audi, Ferrari, and virtually every auto maker producing counterfeit Fords because they all adopted the manufacturing methods first developed by Ford?  Are all five string basses with the fifth string being a low b counterfeit Alembics because Alembic developed that instrument first?   How about active electronics?  Truly innovative designs can be patented and those that want to copy them pay a fee.  Those that don't are subject to civil damages.  Alembic enthusiastically defends their name, logo, and proprietary designs.  Many is the time that Mica has sent cease and desist communications to vendors on eBay listing non-Alembics as real ones.  When other companies produce neck-thru hippie sandwich constructed instruments they are paying homage to the trail originally blazed by Alembic, but, again in my opinion, that is quite different from producing a direct copy, putting an Alembic logo on it, and trying to pass it off as a true Alembic.

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: tx196059 on September 02, 2017, 01:22:31 PM
I was recently informed by Reverb that they changed my listing title, because of Gibson copyright infringements. These instruments were modeled after the Les Paul shape, and were listed as "Antonio Tsai LP Style", same as Antonio's listing title, when I bought them from him in Vietnam. Reverb changed the title to "Antonio Tsai Singlecut Style." Clearly, no one has ever taken these novelty wall art guitars as being made by Gibson, but there you have it.

https://reverb.com/item/3400052-antonio-tsai-singlecut-style-2016-gold-mother-of-pearl
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Philip-M-Bass on September 02, 2017, 01:46:43 PM
I have a extended family member who is set to release an original design on the open market (with patents being all in place)!

Since this item could be fairly easily duplicated by another manufacturer , I set about doing some research, as to what effect this could have on his yearly earnings,  Truth, it's not a pretty picture!

Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Philip-M-Bass on September 02, 2017, 06:33:14 PM
Hey everyone!

Here is another 3 page (in the event you have not seen it already)!!

Who builds(or would) Alembic clones?

Europa copy!!!

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/who-builds-or-would-alembic-clones.667165/
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: pauldo on September 03, 2017, 04:40:11 AM
 
Thank you Bill - you posts above are succinct.

I fear that this threads motivation/ direction does not fit this community's ideology. 
The P-bass post feels like a pot stirrer rather than an informative post.



Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Philip-M-Bass on September 03, 2017, 12:51:15 PM
Hello Bill & Paul,

I wish to offer my apologies , Sorry that I came off the wrong way!!

I am new here , and I do appreciate being part of this community

I will not post any more in this thread!

When I started it,  I thought the subject matter was intriguing,

But ,  I would rather be with you , not against you!

If you can Please accept my apology!!
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: David Houck on September 03, 2017, 05:22:46 PM
Acoustic1; speaking for the community, no problem.  And we appreciate you being a part of the community.

David
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Philip-M-Bass on September 03, 2017, 07:32:05 PM
Thank you David!!!

And I, in turn, appreciate you!!!

My one & only motivation was (& still is) I believe that Alembic's design's belong to you! And copying is a very real problem!

My searches found many things I never saw before!! In fact, I really thought other's would find it equally fascinating!

I will post no other examples, I can only think, if someone was profiting from something I designed, I wouldn't be too happy about it!! But , as Bill has said, It's just my opinion!!

My apologies to the community!!!
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: pauldo on September 04, 2017, 04:23:15 PM
No worries. 
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Philip-M-Bass on September 04, 2017, 04:27:50 PM
Thank you, Paul!!!

Your reply means a great deal to me!!

This community is truly were all the great people hang out at!! So honored to be a part of it!!
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Phil P on September 08, 2017, 01:33:39 PM
Brace yourselves for a bolt on neck "series 2"  :o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5ojXGwR1Ns (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5ojXGwR1Ns)
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Philip-M-Bass on September 08, 2017, 01:52:13 PM
Hello Phil,

My name is Philip also , nice to meet you!!

I had not seen this one before !!

Thanks for posting it!!
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: peoplechipper on September 10, 2017, 01:18:25 AM
Why would you go and do nice woodwork like that and make it a BOLT ON?! with a clunky joint at that...weird.
Title: Re: Alembic Knock off!!!
Post by: Philip-M-Bass on September 10, 2017, 11:04:57 AM
How are you, Chipper,

gtrguy had posted not too long ago, that there is nothing inherently wrong with a bolt on neck----  Very True!!

In this case though,  It does seem quite strange that the builder went bolt on!!