Hi Phillip,
I've had very good experience with my SCSD. The neck is very thin & super fast. The short scale makes playing in 1st position an absolute breeze. I really love the side LEDs...how did I do without them previously?
I've had 4 Alembics, 3 with cocobolo top and/or back. There really is a difference. Sonically, the cocobolo seems to impart a very focused almost crystalline clarity to both the top & bottom ends.
I had previously laid hands on an Alembic short scale, so I had some idea what the feel would be like. Because I'm in Virginia & the bass was in Georgia, I wasn't able to play it prior to purchase...so I really was relying that good ole' Alembic quality & they've never let me down.
Paul