How old were you when you got your first Alembic ?

[Chris G. (76ac070)]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....my Baby (76AC070) was ordered in 1975 when I was 20 and delivered in 1976 when I was 21.  All of the local music store guys snickered and told me that I was nuts to be spending over $2,000.00 on a bass!  My grandfather had passed on and left me a fair amount of money - this is all I have left of that money today. 8>)  When she arrived, she became affectionatly known as Chris' coffee table because of the size.  Imagine what would have been said if I had not had the body sides carved and the front and back contoured!!  I believe that she may be the only Alembic with a purple heart neck with walnut stringers as a result of the shaved neck dimensions (Mica?).  She also has a Susan designed, modified Tree Of Life inlay that includes a modified Libra glyph at the top in abalone and has LOTS of silver, ivory and mother-of pearl as well.  The core is cherry and the front / back are schedua.  What a warm and rich sounding combination.  She is reportedly worth over $20K (replacement).  I'd call that a pretty good investment, eh?

[Daniel Tracey (dannobasso)]

1983 at 20yrs. I had a Gibson Ripper and a custom Fretless. The Ripper was sold by a guy I lent it to who happened to be (as I rudely found out) into heroin. Orderd a custom BCRich Mockingbird bass. Played like garbage. Went to Sam Ash 48th St. NYC. Found a Koa Spoiler 4. $900.00 no case. Just had it refinshed and should get it on the 21st. One day shy of me birthday. Been buying them ever since. 87 Custom spoiler 6 w/dragon inlay. 93 custom spoiler 6 flame koa jazz spacing initials, BDay present to myself. 00 spoiler 7 fretless cocobolo, no real reason, 02 custom spoiler 6 figured walnut initials, back up bass, 03 excel 5 almost black finish, needed dark bass for new project, picked up used 89 spoiler exploiter quilted maple, guy need cash, I needed a fix, 87 SC sig dlx, it was there. 2 F1X preamps, best things to use. I feel the urge for a sister for my Excel 5. I'm averaging one every 2.5 years. Most from Brian at Washington Music. Great rep for Alembic to have. Question is, how old will you be when you get your last Alembic?

[Paul Lindemans (palembic)]

A question to Joey: is there a picture somewhere of that Bigredbass here hanging around?
 Same question to Chris: where stands the coffee table?
8-D

[Bill Payne (beatlejuice)]

I got my first Alembic, an 83'Spoiler....well, today. I'm 50 years and 35 days old (yea, I was born on Valentines Day). Over the last 39 years I have had 24 basses that I can remember (I still have 20 of them). I presently own 6 Fenders (mostly oldies, but goodies), 2 Rickenbackers (including a 64 4001), 2 G&L's, 4 Steinbergers and an old Modulous Graphite Flight 4, etc etc. Looking forward to actually playing out with the Spoiler. Been drooling over owning an Alembic for many years.  

[Paul Lindemans (palembic)]

Hi Bill,
 
welcome to the club.
Bill Payne That name rings a bell but I dunno how? In antother context?
Anyway welcome from this Paul (the bad one).
I suggest that Daniel and you together can put a nice bass-museum? You add Brother Rami to that.
;-)
Paul

[Valentino Villevieille (valvil)]

Paul,
 
Bill Payne is also the name of the keyboard player for Little Feat, maybe that's the bell it's ringing.
 
Valentino

[Edwin Hurwitz (edwin)]

Also born on Valentine's Day, but got my first Alembic in April of 1995 at the age of 34. 2 weeks after I got it, I went to Europe for a month on my honeymoon and spent a lot of the time wishing I was back home playing my new bass. I had wanted one since 1976 after seeing Phil Lesh playing one at the Boston Music Hall. There was a short lived high end bass store on Boylston St that had a few, including some with graphite necks. Didn't really get to check one out until 1981 in San Francisco. It took a long time to find the right one. Mine is a '78 Series I in Schedua. Paid $750.
 
Edwin

[Paul Lindemans (palembic)]

Edwin, for some reason I can understand perfectly that you didn't took your new bass along on your honeymoon! ;-)
Holy Moder: you are ringing the right bells again. (I'm afraid this memory thing will not go better with the years to come and where did I put that $$#**^@!? guitar ?)
LOL
 
Paul

[James Patrick Lykens (bassment)]

Well, I'm 16 and just bought my '77 or '78 Series 1 3 days ago.  I was in there trying out basses and said that I was really looking for an Alembic and couldn't afford it.  They said they'd sell me one they had locked up downstairs for $850.  So of course I said, What's wrong with it?  Nothing. they said.  Is it fake?  they said, no.  So I asked if I could see it and play it.  I didn't see anything fake and it certainly didn't sound fake as the Alembic sound came pouring out.  It was amazing!  I have been trying to figure out some of the technical history of the bass, but I can't get anyone to answer.  I don't mind, I know they're busy.  But if any one is here... like Mica:
 
   The serial number is 964A and its either '77 or '78.  They didn't know.  Its a Series 1.  Any help is appreciated.

[Valentino Villevieille (valvil)]

Congratulations James!
 
it sounds like those guys must have really liked you, or they didn't  realize what they had, because a series I at that price is a steal. I imagine most of us would love to run into a deal like that.  Wonder why the heck would they keep something like that not on display. That was your good fortune for sure. Post pictures soon, I know  we all want to see it.
BTW, did you get the power supply too? even if you didn't it's still an unbelievable deal.
 
Valentino

[Kenn Reynolds (lembic76450)]

James,  
the serial number should be on the very top of the headstock. one side of the tip is the year and the other is the number of the bass.
welcome to the club.
I got my '76 series 1 in 1979, I was 27.
Kenn

[James Patrick Lykens (bassment)]

To Val,
 
     Yes.  It did come with the original power supply which worked fine.  I am a very happy boy.
Thanx all for the welcome.

[Peter Hupfield (hup)]

I was 24 when i got my spoiler, bought it over the phone without looking at it from The Bass Player in Sydney Australia. It is a 5 string with coco bolo top. I haven't owned may basses but now i have my spoiler i wont play anything but ALEMBIC

[Werner Witzel (thebass)]

Hello,
 
I had to become 39 to buy my 1st Alembic (94 MK Standard, used, see some pictures in the showcase section) after owning and reselling 20+ other axes. Shame on me it took me that long to find out that this was the sound I was always searching for (I am a huge fan of Mark King and Stanley Clarke). And ... you are right Paul, my other Basses, including my former workhorse, a MusicMan Sterling don't love me anymore ... I guess I can live with that ;-)
 
Peace on earth,
 
Werner

[Valentino Villevieille (valvil)]

My first Alembic was a SC deluxe I got in August 1990. I was 28. I had started playing bass late, at 26, and that was the very first Alembic I ever saw, other than in pictures.  It was a dream come true, did not expect to find one when I walked into the one of the Evil Empire Outlets.    
I was playing a Steinberger headless 4 string at the time ( the less expensive and more V-shaped of the 2). I gave it away as a  present to a friend about 2 years later. I still see it at his house all the time. I never feel the slightest urge to pick it up.
 
Valentino