I bought this Alembic Essence Bass from the private collection of an Alembic Dealer in approximately 2019. It was rarely used and kept in immaculate condition , always stored in a hardshell case and polished after each use, in an exact temperature and humidity controlled storage room along with his other numerous Alembic and other vintage basses. Since that time it has been in my smoke-free, pet-free, Studio in its case except when used- rarely during a handful of rehearsals.It has only a handful of extremely difficult to find difficult to see surface 'dings" and light surface scratches.
 I have decided to sell it because I am nearing the end of my musical career, I am no longer in a band and at my age ( 74), its time that I turn this beautiful bass over to someone who will use it. In my description  of this bass below,  I will give each of the many options on this bass a number, and each of photo/photos below that, I will attempt post in the same order  for clarity.

1. The top layer Wood of the front of the body, head, pick-up covers, and control knobs, and Truss Rod Cover, is optional-CocoBolo Wood.
2. The Peg Head has the optional-Inlaid Alembic Logo.
3. It has Chrome Plated Hardware.
4. The top layer of wood of the back of the body is Flame Maple, with optional matching Flame Maple covers for the Battery Cover and Control Cavity Cover.
5. Includes Optional 3 Position Q Switch.
6. Optional side mounted 1/4 " Output Jack for guitar cord.
7. Optional Positional Fret marker Red LEDS in neck controlled 3 position switch (off-half on-full on)
8. Concealed Hardware Bridge
9. AXY Neck PUP, Fatboy Bridge PUP
10. Hard Shell Case-Excellent Condition.
11. Shipping included free in Continental USA

Below arranged the pictures in approximate order of the points enumerated above. I did have some difficulty transferring and compressing the photos from my iPhone t  my Mac and the to a drive and then to my friend's Windows Computer then back to a flash drive after compression and then the flash reinserted back into my Mac and finally uploaded here. They don't look so good this small so I will take them again if needed. More photos are coming!
Peace, DAcat51

Sorry but I still need to work further on my Photo uploading skills ... check back tomorrow.
 Peace, DAcat51
 

you can email them to me if you like and I will convert and send back or upload them for you.

I will posting the most of the rest of the photos below...

The first photo on the Left shows the 1/4" output jack for your guitar cord, amp, etc.

The next photo to the Right shows 2 barely visible dings  on the outer edge of the body.

Unfortunately, there are a couple more pics I want to include but  I need to compress them and will hopefully get them uploaded by tomorrow. Thanks for your patience.

Peace
DAcat51

Now that, is a Custom Essence. 😎

Very nice Essence! Never seen one like that with the wooden pickup covers and knobs. What do the knobs and switches do exactly?

Lovely bass! I wish I was in the market.

Quote from: Barend on October 29, 2026, 03:38:43 AMVery nice Essence! Never seen one like that with the wooden pickup covers and knobs. What do the knobs and switches do exactly?

Volume, pan, filter, 3-way filter switch, LED on/half on/full on

It's in his description.

Quote from: Barend on October 29, 2026, 03:38:43 AMVery nice Essence! Never seen one like that with the wooden pickup covers and knobs. What do the knobs and switches do exactly?
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The wooden knobs control, volume, blend between the bridge and neck pick ups, and filter.
The Q switch, which is unique to Alembic,  boosts the frequency you have the filter tuned to. That means if you have it all the way down to 300Hz, and the Q switch is in the on position  (down when playing), there will be an 8dB boost right at 300Hz.

While the Q switch is on, if you rotate the accompanying filter back and forth quickly. You should hear a distinct "wah-wah" effect. That's the sound of boosting the cutoff frequency as you rapidly tune to different cutoff frequencies.

However, if youflick the Q switch up and down while sustaining a note, you won't notice difference at all.That's because the impact of the Q switch is most noticeable on the attack portion of the note. But if you play a phrase that you are really good at repeating like a robot, and try it with the Q switch in the on position, and then with the Q switch in the off position, while the Q switch is on, you should hear a more aggressive percussive attack.


This is my method to using the controls. I generally have the Q switch on when I play rock or slap, or anytime I want that more percussive attack. I have the Q switch off when I play blues, ballads, or  anytime that the percussive attack would be  I first use the volume controls to favor either the neck (bass) or the bridge (treble) pickup. I mentally think of the volumes like a bass and treble control, though they are nothing like it electronically.

Once I get my overall sound set by the pickup favor, then I go for the filtering. I first change the filter on the pickup I'm favoring, then I fiddle with the other one. I might need to jump back and forth a bit. At this point, I may have already decided on to Q or not to Q, but if I haven't already, then I do so.

Peace,
DAcat51

[ author=fivestringdan link=msg=306193 date=1793285805]
Lovely bass! I wish I was in the market.
[/quote]

Thanks,
I wish you were in the market too. Maybe we will all be rich after the midterm elections ( that was a joke)
Peace
DAcat51

Very nice!

awesome bass. kinda hard to imagine how much further you could upgrade an essence.  are those purpleheart neck laminates?  doesn't look like ebony but it's hard to tell from hte pics. that would put it over the top.  imho.  ymmv.  good luck to all!

What a beautiful bass, good luck with the sale.
It should also be noted that the upper horn is a little longer than on the traditional Essence models of the 90s. This will make this bass balance very well on a strap and will also reduce the reach in first position.

The original owner who I previously mentioned was an Alembic dealer, today sent me two pages of descriptions and pictures of his bass being built at Alembic, that he suggested I try to pst o the site which I will do.

The original owner who I previously mentioned was an Alembic dealer, today sent me two pages of descriptions and pictures of his bass being built at Alembic, that he suggested I try to post on this site which I will do below... to view this link  below, copy it and then paste it in your browser.

https://club.alembicguitars.com/factory-to-customer/will-s-custom-bass/

Peace,
DAcat51