(x) 02K12713

[NortonThevenin]

Dear brothers and sisters of Alembic-

I came across this instrument up for sale by a gentleman in Indiana. Is a very attractive piece. It appears to have started as an Essence, but has the omega body style and a 7-ply neck. Not sure what about this instrument remains an Essence. Love to know more about this. Thanks so much!

Nick

[Edited to remove non-working links to images.]

[mica]

Hi Nick,

The bass was ordered as a custom Essence bass. Back then, the serial number code was retained for the starting model, now we would classify this as a pure custom with a "C" for the serial number code. Here's what's in the file:

serial number: 02K12713
model name: Custom Essence bass
model number: CKLB5
top: Coco Bolo
accent: Maple
body: Mahogany
body shape: 3/4 Omega
neck: 7-piece Maple and Purpleheart
scale: long, 34"
fingerboard: Ebony
inlays: Pearloid (plastic)
peghead shape: Crown
pickups: Alembic MXY56
controls: "Signature" volume, pan, filter x2, Q-switch x2, mono output
backplates: brass
finish: polyester gloss
originally made for: Dixie Music, KY
birthday: January 7, 2002

The original owner was registered in Indiana. If you wind up purchasing this bass, please register it and post some pictures in the Custom Basses section of the Club (seems silly to call it an Essence at this point!).

[NortonThevenin]

Trying to add pix...

[NortonThevenin]

Mica-

I now own this instrument, have registered it and I will never be the same again . Couple questions/observations: From our previous engagement, I notice your description of this bass, based upon Alembic records, indicates MXY 56 electronics, the "birth certificate", that accompanied the instrument, indicates AXY 56. Honesty, not sure the difference, yet, between the two or how to determine actual. Additionally, the Alembic records indicate a 34" scale. Though I have not measured, I am confident this bass is a 35". I can provide measurements if you would be at all interested.
Also, can you provide more background on the body shape of this instrument? What exactly does the 3/4 Omega body shape description imply? Lastly, are you able to say what about this bass remains an Essence (if anything)? Having owned this and in my possession for ~48 hours, I can say for sure that it is an absolute joy to play. The electronics package promises a wide and varied tonal palette. Glad to have joined the Alembic family, sorry it took so long to get here.

Cheers, Nick

[adriaan]

Hi Nick,


Congrats on getting your first Alembic, that's a pretty stunning bass you have there. Like Mica hinted, the model designation is a little less important than the actual build details - you have a proper custom-built Alembic.


The pickups are definitely AXY56s. The MXY variety is cast in a narrower shell, but having the exact same innards as an AXY. If the instrument had been built more as an Essence, normally it would have gotten MXYs. So the birth certificate appears to have the correct detail.


The "3/4" bit means it is a smaller version of the classic Standard Omega shape, which is a pretty large body. If you want to be sure about the scale length, measure from the nut to the 12th fret, and double up - 17 makes 34", 17.5 means 35".


Have fun!