Sorry Garrett, I can't help you other than offering my Alembics and studio to try them out in, if you should find yourself in Oakland. Of course if you should make it out this way, it's only a hop, skip, and jump up to the mothership (1 hour north).
One thing though, I have to say that I have never understood judging guitars, basses, amps, effects, etc. based on soundclips heard over the internet. I would think that the sound you hear is more a factor of your computer speakers than anything else. Just my $.02.
I can offer that Alembic guitars are unusually clean, clear and present. Every note is heard. Some have described it as almost acoustic-like, other as piano-like (especially Series instruments). Of course this also means that every flub is right out in the open too. It seems to be a fairly common experience that most new Alembic owners go through where they find that any slop in technique, while hidden on a Strat or Les Paul, stands out like a sore thumb when playing an Alembic. As a result, most people report an improvement in technique as they play their Alembic more.
One thing I will offer, which you've probably heard before, Alembic guitars are not the best for heavy metal or other types of music that call for lots of distortion.
Bill, tgo
