What are the most popular top woods for Alembic basses? Does it vary by model

[DDerek]

I’m just curious ( not looking for numbers per se )  if theres one wood that’s more popular than others , and if it depends on the model or not. I’m usually attracted to flame maple tops for example, but both Alembics that I have are zebrawood.

[edwardofhuncote]

I don't know if there is ever just one. Purely my observation here, and as always, 100% guaranteed to be 100% wrong, but it seems to me like there is a time for all kinds. From the beginning, it seems, Alembic took on the Baskin-Robbins 31 Flavors approach to wood selection. Some combinations worked well and became popular, like that zebrawood for instance. That's an iconic 70's look, but then, so is a birdseye maple on mahogany. Some folks like the dark woods, walnut, and rosewoods, and cocobolo is prized on an a top-of-the-line Alembic now.

Me... I wonder what the least seen woods are. Peroba Rosa? Goncalo Alves? Lacewood? Tulipwood?

[rv_bass]

Me... I wonder what the least seen woods are. Peroba Rosa? Goncalo Alves? Lacewood? Tulipwood?

Teak?

[lbpesq]

Least seen on an Alembic?  Basswood and Paulownia.

Bill, tgo

[pauldo]

I recently was awoken to the beauty of Walnut.   
Some of the quilted woods look liquid. 
A burl is always a visual adventure.

Wood is from nature, how can you not see the beauty in all of the different flavors?

Sorry Derek, I didn’t even come close to answering your question.

[DDerek]

No worries , I’m enjoying everyone’s thoughts and comments on this topic . To an earlier point I’d also be interested in what the rarest top woods that are used would be .

[rv_bass]

African Blackwood may be another rare one…

Here is a nice link to peruse as well..

https://club.alembic.com/index.php?board=658.0

[hammer]

As far as rare goes I’d cast my vote for Kauri. My son’s future father-in-law owns a company that specializes in creating outrageously expensive desks, cabinets, etc from this wood and they source the wood for guitar building (mostly acoustic). I asked Mica about 10-years ago if they had every built an Alembic using this wood and at the time she indicated they had built a single specimen.

[edwardofhuncote]

There is an Alembic guitar currently for sale on Reverb made of an unusual rosewood called Bois de Rose. There may be others, but I can't remember one. I have seen acoustics made from it; they are quite prized.

[hammer]

Couldn't find the Alembic on Reverb that used Bois de Rose but this photo a a Barlow in that wood gives you an indication of its "look." https://reverb.com/item/35648853-barlow-guitars-5-year-anniversary-raven-2020-red-rosewood-bois-de-rose

[edwardofhuncote]

This one- https://reverb.com/item/50788701


Totally different look for Bois de Rose. But that's how a lot of rosewoods are. My 00-21 is supposed to be Madagascar rosewood, and almost doesn't even pass for rosewood... looks more like koa to me. By contrast, the binding and endstrip are koa. I love it on this guitar, and it sounds like an angel choir, but I would not care for this wood on an Alembic, at least not aesthetically.

[Greywolf]

 I would bet Cocobolo on the guitars is highest volume . Burls would be up there , especially on basses

 Look at the Custom Archive ...

Cocobolo has been one of my favorite woods to build with , except for the extreme toxicity.   I have a Coco neck billet anxiously awaiting my attention . The tap tone is like a bell..