WTB: All or mostly Koa Alembic

[JDM CTTE]

I'm new to this communication base. Interested in an  Alembic bass built with Koa wood.  Preferably mostly Koa including the neck. My favorite tone wood. 

[mica]

I'm pretty sure you won't find any with Koa in the neck. I've never run across an example.

The best bet would be to locate an early Spoiler bass. These have solid Koa bodies on a Maple neck.

[JDM CTTE]

Thanks for the follow up and information. I’m still looking around online.  Might contact Alembic folks about this for a custom build. Koa and maple wouldn’t be a bad combination.

[pauldo]

pssst. 

JDM,
Mica IS Alembic folk… one of their finest.

[jazzyvee]

I've just spotted this one on one of the facebook alembic private groups.
It claims to be a solid Koa body. Might be worth checking out.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/131120133706251/?multi_permalinks=2744719845679587&notif_id=1705449771126670&notif_t=group_activity&ref=notif

Body: solid Koa
Neck: 3-piece Maple
Scale: 32" Medium
Fingerboard: Ebony
Inlays: Pearloid (plastic) ovals
Pickups: AXY4
Controls: volume, filter, Q-switch, pickup selector switch, mono output
Originally made for: Guitar Center, Santa Ana, CA
Birthday: March 22, 1983

I have no connection with the seller. However if you are not on facebook i could send the seller a message and ask him for a contact email or ask him to join and post it on this forum. Let me know if that would be of help.

[JDM CTTE]

Wow, I really appreciate all your responses and help. After pondering this quest, and talking with my local confidant here in Arkansas, I’ve decided to take the leap and have a custom build arranged. It will be my first Alembic bass after decades of admiring and wanting one. If I can figure out how to insert a photo, I will post an Alembic that is what I have in mind. Again, thanks for the quick responses.

[JDM CTTE]

This is what I have in mind. 32 scale. Maybe mahogany neck with walnut streamers, neck through. Solid koa body, koa figured top.

[jazzyvee]

The facebook post has been added here by the seller i mentioned above.
https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=28308.0;topicseen

[JDM CTTE]

Well, after discussion with my Confidant in all things Alembic, I have had to reconsider my koa bass build. He told me it could take up to 3 years to build the bass I want. I’m no Spring Chicken anymore so I’m considering other options. A Stanley C 5 string signature would be ideal. The Mark King basses are looking good too. 

I have a custom koa bass, neck and all, long story there. So other tone woods are ok for an Alembic. I’m delayed but not defeated, still determined. So any information and leads are appreciated.

[hammer]

I wouldn’t totally rule out a custom build before speaking with Mica. I had a 3/4 size custom Signature Deluxe build by Alembic and it took less than a year. Those three year builds your confidant is talking about are EXTREMELY custom with intricate inlays that are truly works of art and a host of other things that take a lot of time to do right.


By the way, I have a short scale Series I with a Stanley Clarke (SC) body in Koa and love the look. The one you posted, however, is absolutely the most beautiful Koa I have ever seen. I’ve lost track of it but know it’s been up for sale a few times in the past.


Call Mica at Alembic. She will be more than willing to have an in depth discussion with you about what you’re looking for and timelines.

[fivestringdan]

The information I gave him concerning build times was my experience and information from recent builds that were posted here. My build time, which for a non Series instrument was 21 months. So I figured that is an average time for a simple build if ordered this year. A realistic turn around time for a build is important IMO for a new customer. I also suggested that he find a used instrument to have until his order is delivered as many of you here have also suggested for new comers.

I wouldn’t totally rule out a custom build before speaking with Mica. I had a 3/4 size custom Signature Deluxe build by Alembic and it took less than a year. Those three year builds your confidant is talking about are EXTREMELY custom with intricate inlays that are truly works of art and a host of other things that take a lot of time to do right.


By the way, I have a short scale Series I with a Stanley Clarke (SC) body in Koa and love the look. The one you posted, however, is absolutely the most beautiful Koa I have ever seen. I’ve lost track of it but know it’s been up for sale a few times in the past.


Call Mica at Alembic. She will be more than willing to have an in depth discussion with you about what you’re looking for and timelines.

[JDM CTTE]

Jazzyvee and Hammer, thanks for your input. I have a pending membership with the Facebook Alembic site to view the instrument Jazzyvee mentioned. Getting more data from Mica is a good move. Other than the koa body and top, my build would be fairly straightforward.  I’m willing to wait a while to get the instrument I really would like to see come about.

[adriaan]

Jazzyvee and Hammer, thanks for your input. I have a pending membership with the Facebook Alembic site to view the instrument Jazzyvee mentioned. Getting more data from Mica is a good move. Other than the koa body and top, my build would be fairly straightforward.  I’m willing to wait a while to get the instrument I really would like to see come about.

Just to clarify, there are various Facebook groups dedicated to Alembic instruments, but they are not affiliated with Alembic. There is of course the company Facebook page of Alembic, but any "membership" can only be in relation to the groups.