Alembic 5

[cb2]

Hi,

Alembic 5

Any ideas of Model, configuration Etc:

[StephenR]

Cool looking bass! Looks like a custom body shape based on a Spoiler with a modified Omega cut, top wood is a bit hard to see but looks like Superb Walnut to me, Maple with Purpleheart lams in the neck. Can't see the peghead clearly enough to guess the wood face. Pickups are Jazz bass style activators and I suspect the controls are Volume, Pan and Filter. I would add a Q-switch if it was mine. Do you own this or are you thinking of buying it?

[cb2]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply

It's for sale on Ebay.co.uk.

I have found out from the seller that the ser. no. starts 88P.

So it's a Persuader. Am I right IN THINKING that it will 32" scale and 16mm spacing at the bridge?

If so that's to tight for me and short for me but it looks a fine Bass.
 

[adriaan]

It sort of looks like a 34" scale, in any case it has a wonderful walnut top (drool). The finish damage isn't too bad, gives it a little character. The purpleheart neck laminates are definitely an upgrade.
Hm, the pointy lower horn is a very nice variation for a Spoiler shape.

The bridge spacing may well be under 16 mm - except that it will be edge-to-edge spacing, and so the center-to-center distance between the lower strings will be a bit wider than between the higher strings. I would suggest upgrading the electronics with a Q switch: the filter will have the Q boost permanently engaged, the switch allows you to switch it off. And in case you prefer a blend pot over two volumes, the Pan Preamp would be an option.

[edwardofhuncote]

I've seen that one (or one freakishly like it) in the serial number lookup threads. I remember thinking it was about the coolest Persuader on Planet Earth. 

[StephenR]

If the following link is the same bass the omega cut was added as was the modification to the lower horn... I am almost sure that is the case and the one the OP is looking at is the same bass. Good memory Greg! If the bass was modified that would explain the non-standard omega cut.
http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=9192.msg107803#msg107803
If this is the same bass and the body modifications were not done by Alembic IMO it should be reflected in the selling price.

[edwardofhuncote]

You have a better eye than I have memory Stephen! I know I've seen it before, but can't find the thread.    There are quite a few Custom Persuader 5's around 1990, and they always get my attention.

I believe you dinged it buddy. '88 should predate the Heart Omega-cut anyway, right?

[StephenR]

The forum search function works really well since the site redesign. Armed with your memory I pulled up the Persuader showcase thread and searched for walnut. All the search results that came up were ones in the Persuader showcase with the very first one being the bass in question.

Not sure when the first heart omega was done but the bass in question doesn't have a true heart-omega. All the Omega cuts I can remember are built with the neck wood extending beyond the bottom of the body and then cut. This one has none of the maple from the neck wood on the horns of the omega cut, it was cut from the body to include a bit of the neck wood but only in the center of the cut. Th modification is also why the bridge sits so far back, it looks cramped. To be honest I am not nearly as detail oriented and aware of all the little design modifications over the years as many forum members but once I saw the showcase thread it was obvious the bass being sold was modified after it was sold by Alembic. Maybe Alembic did the mods but I kind of doubt it. That would also explain why the finish looks kind of funky, iI doubt it is original. At any rate despite the neck laminagtes the starting auction price is ambitious for a Persuader with no details about the build or who modified it. The person selling it may have no clue either. Surprised they couldn't at least supply the entire serial number...

[cb2]

 
The seller has provided the full serial no. and it's the same one!

Well done for working this out.

If the following link is the same bass the omega cut was added as was the modification to the lower horn... I am almost sure that is the case and the one the OP is looking at is the same bass. Good memory Greg! If the bass was modified that would explain the non-standard omega cut.
http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=9192.msg107803#msg107803
If this is the same bass and the body modifications were not done by Alembic IMO it should be reflected in the selling price.

[adriaan]

Good to know my taste in walnut hasn't changed since 2008. 😁

[jazzyvee]

I have had a couple of private emails from the UK asking for my views on the bass, so I know there is some interest. We shall see who buys it.

[gearhed289]

I remember thinking it was about the coolest Persuader on Planet Earth. 

I would have to agree! Some major re-shaping there. I've always liked the Spoiler/Persuader body style, but this thing is on another level. I've been toying with the idea of a 32'' 5 string tuned EADGC, but I'd need wider string spacing.

[pauldo]

I remember thinking it was about the coolest Persuader on Planet Earth. 

I would have to agree! Some major re-shaping there. I've always liked the Spoiler/Persuader body style, but this thing is on another level. I've been toying with the idea of a 32'' 5 string tuned EADGC, but I'd need wider string spacing.

It is a unique melding of different body styles.  Way up there on the Cool Scale.