I've only seen Phil play an Alembic live once, but that was earth-shattering...he played Big Brown at a P&F show in Virginia a few years back for half the 2nd set. And I was right in front of him, about 10 feet from the stage. Life-changing? Even after all those Dead shows, you bet.
That's what convinced me that, awesome bass collection or not, I *HAD* to get a vintage Series bass. Now I'm the proud owner of 78-1140, aka Myrtle for the flamed myrtle top. It's a love built to last!
I had (still have) an Orion before I got the series, which I adore and still play all the time -- so light and ergonomic, sounds fantastic live, even better recorded -- but there's just something about those low-pass filters. They'll really rattle your spleen.