Looking for first alembic

[Slam]

Hi there I’m new here. I’m looking to get my first Alembic. I would like to find a short scale with the filter preamp.

I’ve been playing bass for 30ish years, usually fender style, but the past few years I’ve switched over to almost exclusively short scale.

[Bruce]

Hi Slam

greetings from another new member
Bruce

[jazzyvee]

Welcome to the alembic world. Stanley Clarke signature bass is a good one to start on. But are you looking for a custom, new from a retailer or a private used bass?

[Slam]

Welcome to the alembic world. Stanley Clarke signature bass is a good one to start on. But are you looking for a custom, new from a retailer or a private used bass?

I’d prefer a used bass since I have never played an Alembic.

Thinking an Essence might be a good way to check out the sound and feel, though I would much prefer a short scale. A lot of the Stanley models have the strap button on the back of the bass which I don’t like.

This one looks interesting: https://reverb.com/item/47529949-alembic-essence-2000-brown-wood-grain

Hi Slam

greetings from another new member
Bruce

Thank you!

[hammer]

It is an interesting looking bass but that’s a high price for 21-year old Essence. At that price, a nice Signature or Europa with purple heart neck lams should be expected at the least.

[keith_h]

A good used Essence would be about half the asking price in the listing.

[Slam]

https://www.musicgoround.com/product/41103-S000041536/used-alembic-mklb5-bass-guitar-natural

This one looks interesting

[adriaan]

https://www.musicgoround.com/product/41103-S000041536/used-alembic-mklb5-bass-guitar-natural

This one looks interesting

The buildsheet that is shown does not match the instrument (a.o. neck woods, body style). The knob layout also suggests you should get a picture of the cavity to verify what electronics are in there. The asking price would be appropriate for the instrument on the buildsheet, but rather high for the instrument in the pictures.

[Slam]

https://www.musicgoround.com/product/41103-S000041536/used-alembic-mklb5-bass-guitar-natural

This one looks interesting

The buildsheet that is shown does not match the instrument (a.o. neck woods, body style). The knob layout also suggests you should get a picture of the cavity to verify what electronics are in there. The asking price would be appropriate for the instrument on the buildsheet, but rather high for the instrument in the pictures.

Thank you for the information. Sounds fishy

[Slam]

https://reverb.com/item/29759747-alembic-series-1-short-scale-4-string-bass-1990-clear-gloss

Here’s another one that caught my eye.

Though I must say that the series II basses look like the absolute best

[keith_h]

https://www.musicgoround.com/product/41103-S000041536/used-alembic-mklb5-bass-guitar-natural

This one looks interesting

The buildsheet that is shown does not match the instrument (a.o. neck woods, body style). The knob layout also suggests you should get a picture of the cavity to verify what electronics are in there. The asking price would be appropriate for the instrument on the buildsheet, but rather high for the instrument in the pictures.

Thank you for the information. Sounds fishy

My experience with the local Music Go Round is they really don't know what they are dealing with when they have Alembic instruments. It doesn't surprise me that they don't know what they actually have and would not attribute the misidentification to any malfeasance on the part of the business. As Adriaan suggests a shot of the electronics should let us determine what's in the bass and a more appropriate value. 

[hammer]

The reverb Series I listing looks to be in nice condition but the neck does not appear to be maple and walnut as stated, but rather, maple and purpleheart which would be more typical of a Series I. The price once again seems high to me but I’ve been fortunate to find a number of good bargains in Series basses.