Author Topic: An Alembic? (Read 130 times)

flpete1uw · « **on:** February 16, 2014, 08:30:06 AM »

There was another one of these around for awhile but this one the seller is stateing it's an Alembic
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pre-Owned-Custom-Built-6-String-Alembic-Bass-/151232608128?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item23362a7780#ht_5578wt_1587

jazzyvee · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2014, 08:49:06 AM »

That's been around the block a few times looking for a buyer.
http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/141778.html?1371648954
Jazzyvee

bob2 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 16, 2014, 10:13:53 AM »

Well, looking at this pic:

you can see the original body laminations just past the horn. It sure looks like the horns were added on. Like someone chopped off the existing body and glued these things on.

sonicus · « **Reply #3 on:** February 16, 2014, 11:26:55 AM »

I stuck some horns on my head for Halloween once as well !

flpete1uw · « **Reply #4 on:** February 16, 2014, 11:34:57 AM »

What are these people thinking when they do these kinds of things?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alembic-Essence-4-String-Bass-W-SKB-Hardshell-Case-/181325032396?pt=Guitar&hash=item2a37d06bcc#ht_493wt_854

sonicus · « **Reply #5 on:** February 16, 2014, 11:51:26 AM »

I saw that poor Essence as well . I own one too , and it is wonderful with the pickups and electronics that it came in to this world with.

It took large amounts of restraint not to send the person a message to ask him ,____WHY !!!!! In my personal opinion he has his Thumbs in his eyes __LOL ---and his ears might need an examination. ___Perhaps ?

(Message edited by sonicus on February 16, 2014)

jazzyvee · « **Reply #6 on:** February 16, 2014, 04:57:50 PM »

I have to be careful not to cast the first stone on this one as I swapped the electronics from one of my Europa basses for some electronics designed by the guy who did the innards for Stanley Clarke's spellbinder bass it had two low pass with CVQ and two high pass filters with gain. However I had been unhappy with the sound of new system for a while to the point of hardly playing that bass. whilst they had a good sound especially at the bottom end, the top could be quite harsh and not very useable for the music I play, and the lower mids were not very strong so it didnt have much punch behind the sound and crucially was not as silent as the Alembic system

Bringing it back to standard I'm reminded how great the standard Europa electronics sound. It should see more action now

jazzyvee

sonicus · « **Reply #7 on:** February 16, 2014, 05:18:17 PM »

Jazzy, What you did was done without the nasty wood work that can be seen on the Essence pickup mod that as per the link to the eBay sale. Correct ? I am sure what you did was done in such a way as to not cause such damage. Just experimentation ____ with no scars .

FC Bass · « **Reply #8 on:** February 16, 2014, 06:08:41 PM »

I think a pair of Alembic AXY pickups and a proper routing would be the best way to restore that Essence, add a refinish + new truss rods cover and you'll have a good as new Alembic.
(will also get it back up to the normal retail value for an Essence)

(Message edited by fc_spoiler on February 16, 2014)

sonicus · « **Reply #9 on:** February 16, 2014, 07:53:01 PM »

I think that is a great suggestion !

5a_quilt_top · « **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2014, 07:24:54 AM »

+1 on standard Europa electronics - very stage-friendly.

IMO, the only mod / improvement would be to swap in a Fatboy in the treble position.