Fernandes (copy of a) Series I

[edwardofhuncote]

Keep an eye out for this one... the seller isn't misrepresenting it here, but with the logo being scrubbed off of it, somebody else might attempt that which is unseemly. 

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/rare-fernandes-fab-180-alembic-series-1-clone.1274348/

[pauldo]

How was Fernandes able to make such a copy of the Alembic design?

[edwardofhuncote]

IIRC, from reading older threads, they stopped building these when asked, without need for legal action. They are (or rather, were) a darn close copy... this place would be a tough crowd to fool, but someone shopping for their first Alembic might be, especially if it had a (il)legitimate logo put on there.

That's the only reason I posted the thread... I'm sure they're nice basses, but not an original. I wouldn't want anything less, as I'm sure most here feel. 

[xlrogue6]

I've worked on one. Woodwork was pretty decent, if unspectacular. Pickups and electronics a very distant second (as in, can't even see the tail lights of the real deal).

[dela217]

I have never seen one with a top other than zebrawood.   I thought they all had zebrawood tops and backs.

[xlrogue6]

The one I worked on was a small standard style body in zebrawood. Looking at the pics of this one, I remember seeing one back in the 80's, maybe they did zebra on the small standards and what looks like bubinga on the point style.

[lbpesq]

Here's an old thread with pics of my heavily modified Fernandes Masterhand.  Not an exact Alembic copy, but clearly a step-brother.  And non-zebrawood top.  I have another with the zebrawood.

Bill, tgo

http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=20043.msg205426#msg205426

[gearhed289]

Wow, right down to the blue box! Nice looking bass, but I don't think anybody does electronics like Alembic.

[gtrguy]

They went to an amazing amount of work to copy that bass.

[jazzyvee]

There are a few videos on you tube with them being played and even to my untrained ears they are not even close to the alembic sound. If you must buy one of those, do yourself a favour and get some alembic activators.