I have been fortunate to have been playing an Alembic for six years now, after considering them beyond my reach for many decades. I love my Epic and my 5 string Europa, but I equally love my three other basses that are blessed with Alembic electronics. IME, there are numerous builders out there, who can do amazing things with wood, and create a truly sublime instrument. Alembic among them. But what I have yet to find, is anyone who can match the exquisite Alembic electronics. For me, the activators and preamps are what puts Alembic in a realm all it's own.
That Alembic sound, speaks to me in a very primitive fashion. I LOVE it.
Lucky for me, I can bring that sound to other instruments, with an Alembic upgrade. Here is a link to a custom bass, that I helped build. With it's neck through construction of maple and purpleheart, and the East/West electronics, it really rocks my boat.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/nbd-takes-village-many-pix-858124/ Peace, JBY
