Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Introductions => Topic started by: Slam on December 25, 2021, 06:53:48 PM

Title: Looking for first alembic
Post by: Slam on December 25, 2021, 06:53:48 PM
Hi there I’m new here. I’m looking to get my first Alembic. I would like to find a short scale with the filter preamp.

I’ve been playing bass for 30ish years, usually fender style, but the past few years I’ve switched over to almost exclusively short scale.
Title: Re: Looking for first alembic
Post by: Bruce on December 26, 2021, 10:54:11 AM
Hi Slam

greetings from another new member
Bruce
Title: Re: Looking for first alembic
Post by: jazzyvee on December 26, 2021, 11:20:00 AM
Welcome to the alembic world. Stanley Clarke signature bass is a good one to start on. But are you looking for a custom, new from a retailer or a private used bass?
Title: Re: Looking for first alembic
Post by: Slam on December 26, 2021, 04:40:35 PM
Welcome to the alembic world. Stanley Clarke signature bass is a good one to start on. But are you looking for a custom, new from a retailer or a private used bass?

I’d prefer a used bass since I have never played an Alembic.

Thinking an Essence might be a good way to check out the sound and feel, though I would much prefer a short scale. A lot of the Stanley models have the strap button on the back of the bass which I don’t like.

This one looks interesting: https://reverb.com/item/47529949-alembic-essence-2000-brown-wood-grain

Hi Slam

greetings from another new member
Bruce

Thank you!
Title: Re: Looking for first alembic
Post by: hammer on December 26, 2021, 05:29:42 PM
It is an interesting looking bass but that’s a high price for 21-year old Essence. At that price, a nice Signature or Europa with purple heart neck lams should be expected at the least.
Title: Re: Looking for first alembic
Post by: keith_h on December 27, 2021, 08:12:14 AM
A good used Essence would be about half the asking price in the listing.
Title: Re: Looking for first alembic
Post by: Slam on December 27, 2021, 10:49:26 AM
https://www.musicgoround.com/product/41103-S000041536/used-alembic-mklb5-bass-guitar-natural

This one looks interesting
Title: Re: Looking for first alembic
Post by: adriaan on December 27, 2021, 11:16:56 AM
https://www.musicgoround.com/product/41103-S000041536/used-alembic-mklb5-bass-guitar-natural (https://www.musicgoround.com/product/41103-S000041536/used-alembic-mklb5-bass-guitar-natural)

This one looks interesting
The buildsheet that is shown does not match the instrument (a.o. neck woods, body style). The knob layout also suggests you should get a picture of the cavity to verify what electronics are in there. The asking price would be appropriate for the instrument on the buildsheet, but rather high for the instrument in the pictures.
Title: Re: Looking for first alembic
Post by: Slam on December 27, 2021, 11:25:06 AM
https://www.musicgoround.com/product/41103-S000041536/used-alembic-mklb5-bass-guitar-natural (https://www.musicgoround.com/product/41103-S000041536/used-alembic-mklb5-bass-guitar-natural)

This one looks interesting
The buildsheet that is shown does not match the instrument (a.o. neck woods, body style). The knob layout also suggests you should get a picture of the cavity to verify what electronics are in there. The asking price would be appropriate for the instrument on the buildsheet, but rather high for the instrument in the pictures.

Thank you for the information. Sounds fishy
Title: Re: Looking for first alembic
Post by: Slam on December 27, 2021, 12:32:37 PM
https://reverb.com/item/29759747-alembic-series-1-short-scale-4-string-bass-1990-clear-gloss

Here’s another one that caught my eye.

Though I must say that the series II basses look like the absolute best
Title: Re: Looking for first alembic
Post by: keith_h on December 27, 2021, 03:46:28 PM
https://www.musicgoround.com/product/41103-S000041536/used-alembic-mklb5-bass-guitar-natural (https://www.musicgoround.com/product/41103-S000041536/used-alembic-mklb5-bass-guitar-natural)

This one looks interesting
The buildsheet that is shown does not match the instrument (a.o. neck woods, body style). The knob layout also suggests you should get a picture of the cavity to verify what electronics are in there. The asking price would be appropriate for the instrument on the buildsheet, but rather high for the instrument in the pictures.

Thank you for the information. Sounds fishy

My experience with the local Music Go Round is they really don't know what they are dealing with when they have Alembic instruments. It doesn't surprise me that they don't know what they actually have and would not attribute the misidentification to any malfeasance on the part of the business. As Adriaan suggests a shot of the electronics should let us determine what's in the bass and a more appropriate value. 
Title: Re: Looking for first alembic
Post by: hammer on December 29, 2021, 05:34:22 PM
The reverb Series I listing looks to be in nice condition but the neck does not appear to be maple and walnut as stated, but rather, maple and purpleheart which would be more typical of a Series I. The price once again seems high to me but I’ve been fortunate to find a number of good bargains in Series basses.