Is it possible to get Alembic tone for under 1K?

[navymike]

I am a basist on a budget.  I sold my essence 5 string years ago thinking, I just need he money now, I'll buy another one later.  Well 2 kids and a pregnant wife means later is a very long time.  I am not super picky, but I like natural wood, not so much painted finishes, and I realize I will have to find a bass that is very, used.  As long as it sounds good and is a solid player , looks can come later.  What models should I be looking for?  What kind of problems would make a rough bass not worth it?  I wish I could get a permission slip for dada's 81 Distillate, but that's how it goes I guess.  Thanks guys.

[pasewark]

You could always try a SF-2 Superfilters with a non-alembic bass. The superfilter sund great with my Guild Starfire.

[afrobeat_fool]

Or you could pick up some electronics and activators and put them in anything. Harry has had good results with his fenlebic. J/P basses are pretty cheap. and the swap out is easy.

[sonicus]

Yes!   I think that's a good idea !

[wookie]

Yes, wise words indeed! BUT! There is a spoiler (one of my favorite sounding Alembics) on Talkbass.com classifieds for $850.  
I understand the I'll get another later thing. I love being married and being a dad (2 girls). But when my first daughter was on the way I thought, wookie, you'd better think of something expensive that you've always wanted, and get it! because as soon as that baby is here, it's going to be a lot harder to get.
 
 ...... I hope it works out for you and most importantly CONGRATULATIONS! Being a dad is so awesome!  
 
I think as part of this forum we should have a kind of esupport group for navymike! For 1) protecting my (our) freedom. (I'm assuming from the navy part of the name) 2) for being a dad, it's hard, but awesome. And 3) liking Alembic!  
 
So keep us updated on baby stuff and at least I will keep my eye out for an Alembic for you, brotha!

[gtrguy]

Some may say shoot me, but I would opt for a used Musicman Stingray for that price range. It worked for the Brothers Johnson back in the day and they sound great.

[David Houck]

As a generalization, I think you can still get a used Epic four string for under $1K.  And again as a generalization, the least expensive used Alembic with a filter will be a Persuader.  If you liked your Essence, you may want to consider saving up a little longer and picking up another one; they are generally between the price of a Persuader and a Distillate.

[bsee]

Weren't there some Aria basses made with Alembic guts? In non-Alembic basses, I would look at a Peavey TL-5 if five strings is your goal. These can be had for $500 or so and seem to have pretty good wood, a nice ebony board, and the 2nd generation has a reasonable electronics package.

[navymike]

Thanks guys.  I think I will probably wait and save a little longer.  Though I hate waiting, but I don't want to just buy something and compare it to my old essence.  I appreciate the help.

[ojo]

I've got a couple of alembicized basses (pickups/electronics), and they get close to the alembic tone. You'll hear the characteristic hi-fi and open E boom, but the meat isn't quite there when compared to a stock Alembic.  
 
So, what I'm saying is that the Alembic tone comes from the combination of wood and electronics (duh, right?). I'd bet that you could Alembicize the right instrument, and get close to what you're looking for on a budget.  
 
Otherwise, keep you eyes open for a deal on an Alembic. As a side note, I was talking to this dude, and he was all about the Peavey Cirrus as a close competitor to Alembic. I haven't played one, but his description made me interested in trying one. From what I saw, you could easily score one of those under a grand.  
 
Good luck.

[cozmik_cowboy]

And a Pinto is a close competitor to a Ferrari.
 
Peter

[ojo]

Mmmmm, I wouldn't make that comparison. Admittedly, there is a difference between a fender style instrument (read: bolt on) and an Alembic. However, a hand made fender style verses a hand made Alembic can be of comparable quality.
 
Alembics are quality instruments, and there are many other quality builders out there.

[cozmik_cowboy]

Yes, there are many high-end builders making superb instruments.  Peavy ain't one of them; quoth Hartley his own self, I make gear for the picker working down at Sadie's Bar and Grill.  Decent, solid, instrument?  Quite possibly.  Close competition to Alembic - or any other top-end maker?  Not by a long shot.
 
Peter

[adriaan]

Yamaha makes some very decent budget instruments that would make a good candidate for an upgrade.
 
But I'd say at least half the joy of playing an Alembic is in the responsiveness that is rooted in the design and the build quality, which unfortunately are not available as an after-market upgrade. :-)

[gtrguy]

The Yamaha TRB-P neck-throughs are fine instruments and the higher end BBs and the mysterious BX-1 can be.