Author Topic: WTB: Something Fretless from the Alembic World... (Read 2493 times)

deepwood · « **on:** February 08, 2016, 01:56:09 PM »

Hello Alembicians! I'm hoping someone out there might be considering selling an Alembic 4 string fretless. I currently own two fretted Rogues (4 & 5 string versions). My mid-'90s fretless Warwick Corvette was recently stolen, and I really need a replacement fretless. I'm looking for something in the $1,000 to $3000 range. I'm also open to other quality brands if there's something in your closet that needs to be played and given a good home (but I LOVE my Alembics). The fretless would be used in electric jazz combo work, and backing-up singer/songwriters. It has been awhile since I've been on the forums, but thanks ahead of time!

dannobasso · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2016, 04:44:45 PM »

Like this? But more expensive.

deepwood · « **Reply #2 on:** February 08, 2016, 05:37:58 PM »

Well, sort of, except that your photo is a seven string, fretted (?), work of art well out my price range... I figured someone might have a 4 string Excel, Orion, Essence, Rogue, or Europa fretless looking for a good home.

sonicus · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2016, 05:45:03 PM »

I want one too !
I can see a lined fretless Elan with Series I/II Electronics .
OR ; a lined fretless Elan with 2 AXY's Volume/Volume/ Filter .
Where do I see them ? ____ Floating out of a cloud in a dream with me manifesting these instruments in my sleep .
( it seems to work )

keith_h · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2016, 05:12:52 AM »

Danno's 7 string in the picture is a lined fretless.

Keith

rockerdebassman · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2016, 01:05:47 PM »

What is default tuning on the 7th? And how frigging huge must your hand be to play bar chords?

Deepwood, sounds like you might need to save a bit more, but who knows.

deepwood · « **Reply #6 on:** February 09, 2016, 03:32:31 PM »

Sonicus describes manifesting the fretless vision through dreams (good advice indeed). So, when someone tells you, You're dreaming man!, polite agreement is the way to go. And, Wolf's notion of double AXY's (volume/volume/filter) helps me walk the fretless dreamscape as it all comes together. I just have a good feeling about this...

dannobasso · « **Reply #7 on:** February 09, 2016, 03:35:12 PM »

BEADGCF It just takes some practice. My point was that the mothership can make viturally any dream come true. This was a birthday present to myself and an excellent example of an Alembic fretless in cocobolo. They also made me a custom Exel shape fretless 5, lined w/leds. http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/36334.html?1215114170
Again, best of luck in your search!

ed_zeppelin · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2016, 08:34:33 AM »

Trip Wamsley uses an 8-string Alembic.

Here's a video of him playing it (there are quite a few more of his on YouTube) :

http://youtu.be/J6cDv_Cwgd0

Luckily, that gorgeous bass was a Featured Custom on this site, so we can get a very detailed look at it. (I love the P-bass-ish pickup arrangement.)

I've been obsessed with the song Finally from It's Better This Way for a long time. The whole album is just him on bass(es) and I love the way he emulates everything from toy music boxes to orchestral string sections.

I hope that helps with ideas and possibilities.

StephenR · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2016, 10:19:37 AM »

There is a maple four-string lined fretless Essence on Talkbass for $1,600.

Also a nice looking 81 Series I short-scale lined fretless up for auction on Ebay. Bass is located in Australia though. Starting bid (0 bids so far) is around $3,100. Two days left on the auction, you might be able to swoop in and get it for the minimum bid at last minute.

Good luck with the search!

deepwood · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2016, 12:04:14 PM »

The Alembic Forum is a truly strong group! Many thanks to all who are helping me w/ this quest, and sharing their knowledge & experience.

I truly appreciate the heads up on those two basses, Stephen! The Essence is located in Ontario, and though I did have a bass shipped from Canada about 10 yrs ago, I can't remember how the import tariffs/duties apply.

I'm hoping some folks might share their experience(s) with shipping from Canada to the US? Or, there may be a posting on the Forum regarding this topic that I've missed?

That Series 1 in Australia is gorgeous! After shipping, and whatever tariffs might apply, it is likely out of my reach- even if I was successful on the swoop. Unfortunately, I've sold a lot of gear to get to the $3K ceiling for replacement & upgrade of my stolen fretless. SXSW will be in here in Austin soon, and fretless is needed to cover a couple gigs.

I've also enjoyed the seven & eight-string element of this thread! Expansion of tonal palettes foster re-interpretation of an instrument; and, as the instrument itself changes (5, 6, 7, 8 strings) that re-interpretation is, I believe, exponential. (Hope I didn't geek-out to badly right there...blame it on Ethnomusicology...Ha!)

Thanks again for the continued help! When an Alembic fretless does come my way, you bet I will share those photos.

rv_bass · « **Reply #11 on:** February 13, 2016, 03:12:16 PM »

Here is one on Craigslist...

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/msg/5444839725.html

deepwood · « **Reply #12 on:** February 16, 2016, 03:20:09 PM »

The Elan Fretless 6 is getting closer, thanks for the heads-up... if it were a fretless four string Elan, well, done deal.

FC Bass · « **Reply #13 on:** February 16, 2016, 03:49:44 PM »

Here's one for sale (thanks to Jazzy for the link) https://www.zikinf.com/annonces/dispannonce.php?annonce=1240862

deepwood · « **Reply #14 on:** February 16, 2016, 04:11:54 PM »

Yes! Thanks Jazzy & Flip! At today's exchange rate it is about $3,343.00US. Any tips (or redirects) about shipping from France to US are appreciated. After shipping & tariffs, it might be beyond my immediate reach, but we'll see. So, thanks again to all for keeping my quest in mind- Any Alembic 4 string fretless for about $3000US, or less, will be considered. A Rogue 4 fretless would be cool...