Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Swap Shop and Wish Lists => Seen on craigslist, eBay, and elsewhere => Topic started by: lbpesq on June 24, 2018, 11:26:56 AM

Title: Here's an Interesting Oddity
Post by: lbpesq on June 24, 2018, 11:26:56 AM

Here's an unusual one.  At least it has a closer connection to Alembic than most pretend Alembics.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Alembic-AJ-HB-Fretless-Bass/283022562735?hash=item41e57595af:g:0AYAAOSw6QpbLuKP (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Alembic-AJ-HB-Fretless-Bass/283022562735?hash=item41e57595af:g:0AYAAOSw6QpbLuKP)


Bill, tgo

Title: Re: Here's an Interesting Oddity
Post by: edwardofhuncote on June 24, 2018, 11:35:46 AM

Cool... never seen a fretless one.  8)  I wonder if it came that way or was converted?

Title: Re: Here's an Interesting Oddity
Post by: jwright9 on June 24, 2018, 11:48:56 AM

It looks like it was converted... very poorly.
Look closely at the pictures of the fretboard.
Not too pretty.



(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/cfoAAOSwGdhbLuKW/s-l500.jpg)

(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/iusAAOSwTi5bLuKU/s-l500.jpg)

(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/564AAOSwFdpbLuKV/s-l500.jpg)

Title: Re: Here's an Interesting Oddity
Post by: hieronymous on June 24, 2018, 07:32:55 PM

I believe it's legit - built in Japan and licensed by Alembic - here's one old thread I found with a pic at the end:


http://www.alembic.com/club/messages/393/21220.html (http://www.alembic.com/club/messages/393/21220.html)

Title: Re: Here's an Interesting Oddity
Post by: David Houck on June 24, 2018, 07:47:16 PM

Thanks Harry; I thought that thing looked familiar.

Title: Re: Here's an Interesting Oddity
Post by: lbpesq on June 24, 2018, 08:12:57 PM

I believe that, other than supplying the PUs/electronics and licensing use of the name and logo, Alembic had little to do with the design or manufacter of these basses.  But, technically, they are "legit".  They don't show up all that often and always remind me of the old Hofner violin basses.

Bill, tgo

Title: Re: Here's an Interesting Oddity
Post by: hieronymous on June 24, 2018, 08:36:15 PM

Quote from: lbpesq on June 24, 2018, 08:12:57 PM

They don't show up all that often and always remind me of the old Hofner violin basses.

lol - Hofner meets Hohner! They did those budget Steinberger-headless-bass-style instruments with similar bridge designs to this one - very weird to see one branded Alembic!