Author Topic: Fernandez Series 1 Copy (Read 104 times)

ulf · « **on:** May 10, 2009, 02:25:13 AM »

A question for the Alembic experts:
Is that copy similar in sound like an original Series 1? When I see the price, I can't believe so

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fernandez-Alembic-bass-with-Jaydee-pick-ups_W0QQitemZ130304853484QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item130304853484&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1688|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** May 10, 2009, 08:19:45 AM »

Over the years, there have been posts here from several members who have owned or played both an Alembic Series instrument and a Fernandez copy. The consensus seems to be that the build quality is quite good, but that the sound does not come close to an Alembic Series instrument.

In this particular case, I'm guessing that the replacement of the original pickups would cause the sound to be even less like an Alembic, as the circuitry Fernandez was trying to copy is based on low impedance pickups, and the Fernandez pickups were replaced because of low output.

bsee · « **Reply #2 on:** May 10, 2009, 09:26:02 AM »

If you're interested, you might try asking if the original pickups are still around. Maybe they copied right down to the internal trim pots and the owner didn't understand how to adjust things. I would think the price is pretty fair at the moment for a bass that should play pretty well even if it isn't an Alembic. I wouldn't pay Alembic money for it, but that doesn't make it a bad bass (other than the obvious attempts at copyright and patent infringement).

ulf · « **Reply #3 on:** May 10, 2009, 12:24:48 PM »

thanks Dave and Bob!
Now I have a additional question:
the seller says Power supply and the 5pin cable is not included.
Is the power supply available by Alembic and is it shure, that it works with a copy from Fernandez?
Do you mean that the pickups can changed with the original Alembic AXY Pickups, which I can bought in the Alembic Shop?

ulf · « **Reply #4 on:** May 10, 2009, 12:25:27 PM »

thanks Dave and Bob!
Now I have a additional question:
the seller says Power supply and the 5pin cable is not included.
Is the power supply available by Alembic and is it shure, that it works with a copy from Fernandez?
Do you mean that the pickups can changed with the original Alembic AXY Pickups, which I can buy in the Alembic Shop?

David Houck · « **Reply #5 on:** May 10, 2009, 12:38:26 PM »

Power supply - I can't recall at the moment, someone else may have to answer that question.

Pickups - AXY pickups and Series pickups are not the same thing. Series pickups are single coil and work with the separate humcancelling dummy pickup in the Series humcancelling circuitry. AXY pickups are humcancelling pickups with two stacked coils, the bottom of which provides the humcancelling. There is a discussion of Alembic pickups here.

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** May 10, 2009, 01:50:09 PM »

Found it. In this thread from 2003 Michael states that he used his Alembic power supply with his Fernandez copy.

ulf · « **Reply #7 on:** May 10, 2009, 02:46:43 PM »

Dave,
thanks again for your efforts!
This thread was interesting for me and
I think it?s better to wait and save money and buy an original Alembic Series 1...maybe I found any used one and sell one of my two SC...no compromise