Orion 5

[fivestringdan]

https://reverb.com/item/65902159-alembic-orion-v-5-string-bass-2000s-natural

I would take it home to meet my mom.

[jazzyvee]

I saw this earlier today and am considering whether to acquire it or not. I have a Bocate Europa 5 string that I have often thought of selling, not due to any issue with it but I tend to prefer two filter alembics so I only currently use it for rehearsals. However this Orion appeals because it's something different as in no filters, lighter in weight I presume and I do like the body shape and compact headstock. Plus I don't have a set  neck alembic. All fickle reasons really but i think my Europa would sell for more than the Orion so I would end up releasing some equity in the Europa. Also for carrying round with me on my planned stateside tour later this year it would be cool.
Anyway it's just a thought and don't let my interest put you off if you want it. I have lost count on the number of alembics i have talked myself out of. However my current crop shows how that strategy has still failed a number of times. hahaha :-)


Sweet looking bass

[fivestringdan]

Would be a good buy, maybe you are close enough to avoid shipping.

[StephenR]

Jazzy... Reverb charges the sellers some hefty fees. I would guess you can get a better price dealing directly with the shop in London, I think in the ball park of $3,000 is a more realistic price for this bass. I really like the Alembic asymmetric bass/treble circuit but to me it is filters and Q switches that make an Alembic sound like an Alembic. If you could put the asymmetric bass and treble pots in place of the bass/treble boost/cut switches in your Europa it would be the best of both worlds and give you a wider tonal palette. I don't think that would be a hard to install modification as long as there is room in the cavity. After having bass/treble boost/cut switches in a Distillate bass and now the asymmetric controls in my Modulus (along with a filter and Q-switch) I find the asymmetric controls to give way more control and tonal variation.

[keith_h]

Jazzy... Reverb charges the sellers some hefty fees. I would guess you can get a better price dealing directly with the shop in London, I think in the ball park of $3,000 is a more realistic price for this bass. I really like the Alembic asymmetric bass/treble circuit but to me it is filters and Q switches that make an Alembic sound like an Alembic. If you could put the asymmetric bass and treble pots in place of the bass/treble boost/cut switches in your Europa it would be the best of both worlds and give you a wider tonal palette. I don't think that would be a hard to install modification as long as there is room in the cavity. After having bass/treble boost/cut switches in a Distillate bass and now the asymmetric controls in my Modulus (along with a filter and Q-switch) I find the asymmetric controls to give way more control and tonal variation.

That sounds like the East Meets West electronics package to me, V/P/B/T/F/Q. I have it on my fretless Orion and it is a nice tone stack.

[jazzyvee]

I called today and asked for some more photos which the put on the listing. I wanted a closer look at the neck body join. now when i compare it to another orion see link below. it looks like the neck fitting is not as flush and i wondered why and if it might be related to the dings just under the join.

Check the third from last picture on the orion, then compare to this other one which is short scale.


https://reverb.com/item/60070111-alembic-orion-5-string-short-scale-lacewood-with-blackened-brass-hardware?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=60070111


i tried posting photos however i edited them they both stayed as too big to upload.
What do you think.  Of the two, i would love the short scale one but it feels overpriced and over the other side of the pond.

[gtrguy]

I think Reverb is also giving back 1099 tax forms for stuff selling for over $600, or is it PayPal and other online money folks or both?

[fivestringdan]

Neck joints seem fine on both. If there were any movement it would result in the neck popping off. Looks like it just wasn't sanded exactly to the body.

[mica]

The neck joints both look fairly typical for their ages from the images. The Lacewood one has a glossy finish, so it's going to look a tad different from that. If you're concerned that the ding could possibly have knocked the neck loose in some way it seems unlikely.

[rv_bass]

Ive had a couple of Orion basses, they are great, but I would definitely prefer the filter with three position Q switch and pan preamp options

[jazzyvee]

The hesitancy about this bass is partly because I am more used to two filter alembics and at this point in my ownership I can get the sound I want fairly easily with two.  I'm reality i'm being seduced by a number of things, the aesthetic, my confidence that " alembic won't make a bad sounding bass' the feeling of wanting to move that older Europa on, and finding something that I will want to play more. Then there are the sensible haunting and wise words of Jimmy J in the background "substance over form" and Will Gunn's advice of " don't get distracted on your way towards the alembic you really want'. (i'm still looking and saving for budget friendly used series II shorty and a spectrum guitar that alembic spec'd out for me a few years back). At the moment it's inconvenient to go and check it out in person. If it was priced closer to £2000 UK that would make it an easier prospect as i could possibly shift it on easier if it didn't suit me.

[rv_bass]

I would say with the Europa and Series basses you already have, you are pretty well covered

[jazzyvee]

Well after a reverb price drop and further haggling, i got it at a price i am comfortable with. It could arrive by Tuesday.
I have a couple of gigs and few rehearsals coming up so i can try it out and decide which to keep. Thanks for all your comments.

[rv_bass]

Congrats, Jazzyvee, let us know what you think when you get it