All I can say is; I have been playing bass a long time( started in '69), owned many basses. Seldom has anyone taken note of the tone of my basses. Started playing Alembics: Consistent compliments on the tone of my bass, and not just from musicians. I mean, the sound of these basses really turns heads. With many musicians I have played with, who are probably used to hearing mostly Fenders, once they hear an Alembic it's like their minds are open to what a bass can really sound like.Weird, People seem to take notice more than I would have ever expected. To me that says it all!