It is a great thing that we have free thought and choice! Everyone?s opinion is correct and equally wrong about Stan and his basses.
Stanley own and plays tons of basses,(only 4 strings though) Alembic basses are absolutely fantastic. Their designs and electronics are the singular reason for my initial interest in building guitars, period. Stanley loves his Alembics; they bring a comfort zone on stage, no different then one wearing a favorite old pair of shoes.
This doesn?t mean that THE bassist of our time sits on his laurels as it relates to pushing new development of bass designs and concepts and sounds. Stanley had a hand in designing the Spellbinder, aspects of the body design and electronics. So when you all dis as ugly , sounds like crap etc?. you insult Stanley, myself , oh and Alembic by being so silly.
As a previous person expressed, almost 100% of the actual sound is emitted through the hands of the player, a great instrument certainly doesn?t hurt but is not the magic.
peace,
Thomas Lieber