Author Topic: Alembic Sightings in Korea (Read 425 times)

ajdover · « **Reply #15 on:** January 05, 2007, 09:20:40 PM »

And another ... mmmm ....

Alan

ajdover · « **Reply #16 on:** January 05, 2007, 09:23:55 PM »

And yes, Alembic is alive and well in the Land of the Morning Calm ...

(Message edited by davehouck on January 22, 2007)

ajdover · « **Reply #17 on:** January 05, 2007, 09:28:40 PM »

Adam,

Where did I start? Well, after I got my breath back, I started with the Stanley Clarke ... I don't think it's a Deluxe (no LEDs, etc.), but that didn't make it any less amazing. Tried a used Essence with Orion Electronics next, then the Series I. The Series played great, but desperately needed new strings (the strings had rust on them! - but the guys at G-Cat had a post-it note near the bass reminding them they needed changing). I didn't go near the Balance K - I'm not a five string player, and I just didn't want to pull something off the wall that I knew I wasn't going to even think of buying (it's about $14K!). Needless to say, it was a great experience. I'm going back down there this afternoon - ahh, the joys of Alembic worldwide.

Alan

ajdover · « **Reply #18 on:** January 06, 2007, 03:25:46 AM »

Uh oh ... looks like the Alembic Wall at G-Cat Guitars in Seoul is missing something ....

And the reason is this ....

I took my Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray HH in to see if Mr. Gim could get it to play right. I was having an extremely hard time getting it to take the strings I use (DR Hi Beams, .40-.100) without buzzing all over the place when I lowered the action. He made some adjustments to the nut, and it still buzzed with what I consider high action. Then ... I went and played the SC again, and .... well, I just couldn't help myself. I traded the MM in on the spot for the SC. It's a coco bolo beauty, hideously low action, plays effortlessly. And the tone ... well, you guys all know the deal. Hmmm, I called the last Alembic I had while deployed "The Burkha King." How about "The Kimchee King," or "The Bass of the Morning Calm?" Enjoy, Alan

ajdover · « **Reply #19 on:** January 06, 2007, 03:43:32 AM »

One other thing ... I can report with confidence that Mr. Gim and his wife are representing Alembic proudly and well. He definitely takes care of the instruments, and in my view is a great representative of our bass brand of choice. Normally, I buy a bass in about an hour; I spent about three hours in Mr. Gim's shop - it was that pleasant an experience. BTW, while I was there, a gentleman brought in a beautiful Spoiler with a lovely quilt maple top - too bad I didn't have my camera with me.

Alan

alemberic · « **Reply #20 on:** January 06, 2007, 04:17:31 AM »

Alan--

Congratulations, and remember, you're only human--or should I say, hunan--no, wrong country Who could be expected to resist such an inventory of Alembics staring you in the face!

Enjoy--

Eric

ajdover · « **Reply #21 on:** January 06, 2007, 05:19:30 AM »

Eric,

Thanks. The only problem was choosing which one my pocketbook could handle ....

I tried a few of the others they had ... several Orions, Europas, and Excels. I can't say I liked the Excels as much - different neck profiles. They played and sounded great, I just didn't like the neck feel, that's all. I already have a Europa, so I couldn't justify the expense. However, I didn't have a short scale, and I've been lusting for an SC ever since I played one in Santa Rosa back in August. Well, as they say, be careful what you wish for ...

Thanks again,

Alan

senmen · « **Reply #22 on:** January 06, 2007, 06:07:50 AM »

Alan,
many congrats to your new beauty.
Seems that you are collecting basses from each country
you are doing service in? :-)

Your buddy
Oliver (Spyderman, Dragonman, Buzzardman......)

ajdover · « **Reply #23 on:** January 06, 2007, 06:20:55 AM »

Oliver,

It sure seems that way, doesn't it? ;-) It could be worse - I could be collecting useless tourist trinkets! Now, the next time I visit Deutschland, you must take me to the nearest Alembic store so I can add a German Alembic to my collection!

Alan (fellow Spyderman, Dragonman, and soon to be Entwistle Spyderman!)

lbpesq · « **Reply #24 on:** January 06, 2007, 09:52:20 AM »

Alan:

Looks like your having lots of fun. What a great way to start off the new year! Congrats, it is quite the looker, lucious top. May I suggest a name? Considering the location, that we usually refer to our instruments as female, and that it is a Stanley bass, howzabout Chick Korea? hehehehe

Bill, tgo

Bradley Young · « **Reply #25 on:** January 06, 2007, 11:32:07 AM »

Alan,

Thanks for serving.

And congratulations on your Stanley purchase.

Bradley

inthelows · « **Reply #26 on:** January 06, 2007, 07:04:56 PM »

As said before, nice pick up! I felt that you would. BTW, what were they asking for the 5 string SC ?
NLP

ajdover · « **Reply #27 on:** January 06, 2007, 08:46:08 PM »

Bill,

Chick Korea it is. Great name!

Bradley (and all),

Thanks for the kind words. Just doing my job.

Norm,

They were asking W7,000,000, or 7 million Korean Won (a bit over $7K US). Before anyone thinks how expensive that is (and it is), keep in mind that they have to pay import duties, taxes, etc. here, driving up the cost considerably. Most goods imported from the states are about 30% more expensive than they are back home; only reason I could afford this was I had a trade in that I pretty much got top dollar for.

The Balance K Mark King with the Buckeye Burl top was W13,500,000; most of the others (Orions, Excels, etc.) were around the W3,000,000 area, and the Europas were up there with the Stanley Clarkes.

Need to get new strings for my SC - as good as Alembic instruments are, I've never been a fan of their strings, but all they had at G-Cat in short scale was Alembic strings. Time to go to Just Strings and order some DR Hi Beams online!

Alan

jazzyvee · « **Reply #28 on:** January 07, 2007, 12:05:36 AM »

I think you have made a good choice, it's a lovely instrument. ( my fave body shape too).
I have a weakness for Coco bolo and would have found the Europa hard to walk past.

Did you try the SC5?
If you did, i'd be interested to know how well the bass balanced on a strap with the extra 5th string and if the low B felt sloppy or less distinct as on a longer scale bass.
Jazzyvee

ajdover · « **Reply #29 on:** January 07, 2007, 02:59:47 AM »

Jazzy,

No, I didn't try the SC 5 as I am not a five string player (damn necks are too wide for me). What I've noticed about my SC is that it is a bit neck heavy, but more importantly, it tends to tilt away from you as you hold it standing up and strapped on. It's not as big of an issue with a nice Moody strap (which the G-Cat folks gave me with the bass, a nice touch), but it did surprise me a bit. I solve any inbalance simply by resting my elbow on the bass, near the back.

I really like the access to the upper frets as I don't just stick to the lower registers (I'm accused of being a busy bass player as a result). It's the same feature that I love on my Essences, the DW, and the Spyder. It's good on my Europa as well, but the SC and the Essences really make it easy for the player I think.

Alan