Even for experienced players, do not underestimate that it takes a while to acclimate to an Alembic. The filters are just different than anything I ever used; to me, they reminded me in a way of the old 'cut-only' equalizers you see in recording studios. It's one of the few basses where you can hear big differences in one brand of string to the next. And the pickups and electronics are very neutral: Think studio monitors, not great home hi-fi speakers.
And those electronics are brutal: You are going to hear your hands making sounds you will never hear on your other axes.
These are things that all of us went through the first time we bought and used one. At least you didn't ask 'why does my tone control make that wah-wah sound?!?!'
When you find your tone settings, the right strings (I preferred nickel rounds on mine), and the right setup for you, when you go back to your other basses, you will vaguely feel like you're missing something. They are not for everybody, but if you 'get it', there is nothing like an Alembic.
They have the remarkable ability to make you a better player on them and every other bass you own. Never had another bass that did that.
