(x) 95K9256 - Inherited from my aunt

[maxupp]

I inherited this Alembic from my aunt, and I can't find this exact model anywhere. Grateful for any history or info you can provide!



Here are some more pictures: https://imgur.com/a/GsBDbdp

[maxupp]

My aunt recently passed away. This was her instrument, and it's been given into my care, although I am mainly a guitarist.
I have thoroughly cleaned it up and given it some new strings, but it is missing the battery cover and a threaded insert for one of the pickups.

It sounds amazing and is great to play, but beyond that I don't know much about it. From what I see online this isn't a regular Alembic bass, but rather a Stanley Clarke model with the simple electronics of an Essence.

I'm grateful for any info you can provide! I've also mailed Alembic with the Serial Number but haven't received an answer yet.

More pictures: https://i.imgur.com/QVHleik.jpg

[gearhed289]

Looks to be an Essence with a crown headstock, fingerboard inlays, and small standard body as options. Very nice bass. Can you measure the scale length? (fingerboard side of nut to center of 12th fret wire, multiplied x2)

[maxupp]

It's 30.75", so short scale I think?

[pauldo]

Is that a strap button extension on the upper bout?

You mentioned that ‘you are mainly a guitarist’.   I strongly encourage you to become a ‘multi-instrumentalist’. 
 

You got a bass made by arguably the best bass manufacturer in the world.  Plus it has only 4 strings,  I assume you have 4 fingers, this sounds like more than a mere coincidence.   

[BeenDown139]

your aunt must've thought a lot of you to pass such a beautiful instrument onto you.  play it in good health, sir!

[Spoilers!]

I'm sorry for your loss.

As previously mentioned, you have an Essence (indicated by the "K" in the serial number) with body and headstock upgrades.  Alembic uses the model name for the electronics package rather than the body style.  Aside from the Essence electronics, your bass does appear to be identical in body, neck and headstock to a Stanley Clark Signature model.  Judging from the photo I'd say it's a mahogany body with a quilted maple top and headstock.  The neck looks like three piece maple with walnut contrast veneers, which is standard for an Essence or a Stanley Clark Signature.  I hope this is helpful.

Your aunt had great taste in basses!

Ken

[hammer]

Beautiful bass.  That is one of the longest strap button extensions I've seen on an alembic in a long time.

[gearhed289]

I didn't even see it until pauldo mentioned it! Reminiscent of a certain Distillate that traded owners here. 

[Mike B.]

BEAUTIFUL bass. Play it in good health, Pal!

[mica]

Sorry to hear about your aunt. We found the file for your bass, and this is what we found:

model name: custom Essence
model number: KSB4
top: Quilted Maple
accent: Purpleheart laminate
body: Mahogany
body shape: Small Standard
neck: 3-piece Maple with 2 Walnut pinstripes
scale: 30.75" short
fingerboard: Ebony
inlays: Pearloid (plastic) ovals
peghead shape: Crown
pickups: MXY45
controls: volume, pan, filter, mono output
backplate: plastic
originally made for: Beyers
birthday: August 9, 2023

So the theory was correct - an Essence bass made in a short scale with typical short scale body and peghead shape.