Author Topic: The value of alembic instruments (Read 646 times)

rami · « **Reply #30 on:** April 10, 2005, 06:36:57 AM »

It's really not fair to compare Fenders to Alembics. For the past 45 years, the Jazz Bass has reigned supreme as the world's best selling Bass. You see them everywhere!
It's inexpensive, very player friendly, and has a versatile tone. It can be heard on most recordings of the past three generations and it has been played by the greatest and most influential players in history. Most of these guys could easily afford Alembics, Foderas, Ken Smiths etc..., but they chose the Jazz Bass for a reason.
I've played the Jazz Bass all my life. I love my Alembics, but Fenders - and especially the Jazz Bass will always be a staple in my aresenal.

As for why Vintage Fenders fetch what they do, it's because of the demand for the subtle differences that distinguish the eras they represent (Stack knobs - circa '60 - '61, dot inlays vs block inlays, 3 bolt neck vs 4 bolt, etc...). Jazz Basses also look cool.
Play what you like and what sounds best to you!

And I'd rather own a '63 Corvette than a new Ferrari.

(Message edited by rami on April 10, 2005)

lbpesq · « **Reply #31 on:** April 10, 2005, 07:00:51 AM »

As for vintage Fenders, don't forget the most significant difference in value: Pre-CBS vs. Post-CBS.

Bill, tgo

flaxattack · « **Reply #32 on:** April 10, 2005, 07:26:43 AM »

oh darn
isms....
one man gathers what another man spills
there is nothing like a grateful dead concert
nothing else sounds like an alembic
checks in the mail
you wanna put that where?
one mans shit is another mans gold
aint often right and i never been wrong seldom turns out the way it does in a song.
i will never buy a fender bass. i never liked em and i never will. i think lots of people buy them because they think they are supposed to

rami · « **Reply #33 on:** April 10, 2005, 07:36:44 PM »

(Message edited by rami on April 10, 2005)

rami · « **Reply #34 on:** April 10, 2005, 07:37:37 PM »

Whatever turns you on...

I don't question people's motives or tastes. Instruments are really just tools. A good musician can make anything sound good.

beelee · « **Reply #35 on:** April 10, 2005, 07:55:49 PM »

this topic is starting to sound like the Bass Descrimination topic........

My first bass was a copy of a Fender Jazz bass, why did I buy it ? I liked the way it looked and it was what I could afford, it sounded good as well, 25 years later I no longer have it, and haven't owned another Fender till about 3 years ago I bought a used Japanese Fender Precision that someone had put EMG pup in and a Kahler whammy bar on, it sounds and plays great, thats why I bought it........its unique, just like the 15 other basses I play,
Alembics, Conklins, Fodera, Guild, Hamer, Michael Kelly, Pedulla, Peavey, Roland, Ibanez, Zeta and Tobias, all play and sound great and are more or less one of a kind, thats why I chose them, there are so many good instruments out there now days, its really a waste of time to argue or put down one brand over another, in the end its the players choice and whatever sounds good, after all the music you make comes from the hands, heart and soul, 5 people can pick up the same instrument, play through the same rig and all sound different whether they are using an Alembic, Fender or something else.
The prices on certain instruments is some times outrageous, and I never thought I'd pay that much for a bass, but you only live once and I'm getting a very unique and personal instrument like nothing else on the planet.
but that's my choice.

B.

serialnumber12 · « **Reply #36 on:** April 11, 2005, 05:21:37 AM »

And the band plays on!

David Houck · « **Reply #37 on:** April 11, 2005, 06:13:43 AM »

Great googalooga, can't you hear me talking to you!

bigbadbill · « **Reply #38 on:** April 12, 2005, 01:28:42 PM »

Quote -Play what you like and what sounds best to you!

Amen Rami!

Quote -And I'd rather own a '63 Corvette than a new Ferrari.

I second that too!!!! Good man....

rklisme · « **Reply #39 on:** April 12, 2005, 04:22:27 PM »

Give me the new Ferrari any day!

Dreaming!
Rory

lbpesq · « **Reply #40 on:** April 12, 2005, 10:43:48 PM »

I want the best of both worlds - I'll take a '63 Ferrari, please.

If I can't have that, I'm with Rory. The '63 Vette is a really cool looking low tech car that can go fast in a straight line - it's the pre-cbs fender bass. The Ferrari is the Alembic. (In fact I had a conversation with Susan where I gave my opinion that just as a true Ferrari is a 12 cylinder, a true Alembic is a neck-thru - one of the reasons for my choosing Further over Tribute).

Bill, tgo

jacko · « **Reply #41 on:** April 13, 2005, 04:26:35 AM »

Quote 'a true Alembic is a neck-thru '
Can't agree with you Bill. A true Alembic has an Alembic Logo and An Alembic Serial number and was handcrafted by the Alembic elves, just like my set neck Epic, - and I'll fight every one of you who dares to say any different ;-)

graeme

grateful · « **Reply #42 on:** April 13, 2005, 05:56:42 AM »

Well I have to agree with Graeme on the true Alembic definition, though I also agree with you Bill: I went for the Further rather than the Tribute mostly for the neck-thru construction.

Regarding value: I could have bought an off the shelf Paul Reed Smith for about the same price as my custom Further! For what they are, I think Alembics are remarkably cheap .

Mark, ago

jetbass79 · « **Reply #43 on:** April 13, 2005, 11:43:04 AM »

Some of us actually prefer the midrange punch of a glued-in neck instrument. My understanding with regards to manufacture of through neck instruments for alembic was that it was simpler to produce than figuring out how to make a really accurate joint and glue it, to quote Rick Turner from the Bass Book.

To say an Alembic is cheap is plain wrong. The day Alembic starts making these things from chipboard a la Gibson's crappy Kalamazoo guitars (which will never happen) one can call them cheap.

I don't know if anyone has been paying attention to gas prices, but I wouldn't be caught dead with a '63 Vette or a Ferrari. Not to mention that a Corvette of any year is simply a V-8 powered vibrator on wheels. I don't recall Alembics having really poor gas mileage anyway...

southpaw · « **Reply #44 on:** April 13, 2005, 12:03:44 PM »

I love my Orion with the set neck, though I am greedy and want a through neck too. The body wood of a set neck plays more of a role in tone than the body wings of a through neck if I understand luthier 101 correctly. Jetbass is right, I know a few luthiers that agree a good neck joint is much harder to create. Compare some of mid 70's F**der Jazz necks joints to a G&L (I own both, no disrespect intended, relax Rami, I have a '75 Jazz) the G&L neck joint is far superior. Some people say that only Series basses have the true Alembic sound - different strokes for different folks. The nice thing about Alembic; lots of options to meet everyone's needs. Just keep playing!