Ritter vs. Alembic

[WIJ (rpnfbywij)]

Ok, sadly at my young age I have not had the opportunity to play either, and as Ritters are incredibly rare I doubt I will. But for those of you who have played both how do they compare?
 
The story behind this post goes as such: I go to a concert and see quite possibly the best player on earth. His name is Hellmut Hattler, a picker from Germany and he has a Hattler Custom Ritter. Ever since then it has been my dream guitar until I stumbled upon this Alembic page. The Hattler Custom Ritter has a pricetag of $3,965. My favorite Alembic (probably the burleye or the brown bass... I like that shape the best) costs $5000. SO the pirce difference would be a major factor if I do ever get the chance to own one of these amazing looking instruments. So hence I need a comparison.
 
 
(P.S. what is this about Alembics needing batteries and having lights... that's optional right?)

[Matt Bulmer (prime)]

Alas I have also never played a Ritter. He has some outrageous designs I must say. I believe he makes his own electronics and hardware (Or has them specifically made for him), so you'd probably need to play one to make a desicion for yourself.  
 
He had a table at the 2003 NAMM so perhaps someone who went would have some feedback? Or you can visit the folks at Bunny Bass they played some of the basses that he brought. Review here:
 http://www.bunnybass.com/interviews/namm2003/namm2003_02.shtml

[WIJ (rpnfbywij)]

Thank you. Yeah Jens Ritter (the maker) makes a lot of his electrics but sadly when he told me the NAMM Show was in California I knew it was not to be (i'm on the other side of the country)

[Jake Strauss (jake)]

yes, the ritter designs are very avant-garde.  they remind me a bit of phifer guitars in terms of the offset body shape.sadly i have never been able to play a ritter, although they're probably pretty decent especially since one needs a license to make instruments in germany. however i think that if you are looking to buy your dream bass you shouldnt let price influence your decision. hope that enlightens you even if just slightly.

[christian veltman (christian_v)]

Sorry for my late thoughts but here they are....
 
You mentioned price would be a major factor.
 
I would therefor suggest you get an Alembic first.
If Alembic is not of your liking you can always sell it as it?s THE bass with global recognition.
A Ritter might be a great bass but once you would like to sell it the market is VERY small as for now.
 
Likely you would make a better deal by going Alembic first. You could also get a used Alembic,
if bought at a good price you wount loose money
once you wish to sell. Just how I would go about it.
 
Kind regards,
Christian V

[Joey Wilson (bigredbass)]

WIJ:
 
Yes, indeed, Herr Hattler is one serious bassist !
 
I can't help but repeat Christian V's very sound advice:  Your best bet would be an ALEMBIC, and this is why I agree with Christian (in no particular order. . .)
 
Since you're in the Carolinas; you're close to several ALEMBIC dealers on the East Coast where you can see new instruments. Check the dealer list at www.alembic.com.  
 
Alembic has been in business close to 30 years now, owned (and built) by the same family.  There is no 'quality-control-by-customer'.  The ideas and hardware have been proven again and again.  
The name alone conjures up a legend, even with people who know so little about them they think it's spelled O-L-Y-M-P-I-C.
 
As they're usually bought by special people, the used ones you see are often in great shape at considerable savings over a new one.  And since ALEMBIC originally worked on guitars as a repair service, the instruments they've designed are meant to need little service.  When I bought my used SPOILER, a little brass polish and some neck adjustments were all my '91 needed to suit me perfectly.  But of course, NASA-spec pots and gold-plated connectors, reinforced pegheads, dual truss rods, even sterling-silver shielding paint . . . EVERYTHING is built way past anything I'd ever put this bass through in my playing.  
 
PLUS, they can build ANYTHING you could ever dream up.  And you have this ALEMBIC CLUB, where you can get all the information and encouragement you could ever need.  The Wickershams really do read this and supply lots of feedback and answers.
You'll NEVER get this support anywhere else.
 
Ritter certainly makes some interesting looking instruments.  But from personal experience, I can recommend ALEMBIC with NO reservations.  They are landmark basses, lifetime instruments.  They are the very best.  I shall never be without mine.
 
Best Regards,
 
Joey Wilson

[Joey Wilson (bigredbass)]

WIJ:
 
O O O P P S !  I forgot about your PS.
 
Yes, ALEMBICs require 9v batteries.  These are low impedance pickups with active electronics.  The battery (or batteries or outboard phantom power supplies) are required to raise the pickups' output to a level to properly drive your amp or component preamp.  I don't know exactly what your 'young age' is, but batteries are common in most good basses these days.  Have you learned about these things yet?  Let me know and I'll be glad to explain further, or Mica Wickersham wrote a great explanation in the Short History page at the ALEMBIC website.
 
And the LED's in the neck?  Oh yeah, 2 cool!  There are great pictures of this in several of the Featured Customs at the ALEMBIC website.  Basically, they replace the side dots with them in several color choices (!?!) and can ALSO install them in the fingerboard markers as well.  It's an extra cost option, but it's just wild !  I saw a Doobie Brothers Live DVD where their bassist had one, the LEDs just BLAZING off the dark stage.  You'll never get lost on the neck on a dark stage with these installed.
 
Best Regards,
 
Joey Wilson

[Valentino Villevieille (valvil)]

WIJ,
 
if you like the brown bass ( that's called a Small Standard body, also known as the Stanley Clarke), but don't want to spend 5000$, you can easily order another Alembic model in  that shape. You could order a Rogue Model in a Small Standard from a local store and that could easily be cheaper than the Ritter.  The beauty of ordering from Alembic is that your bass is really a custom instrument. Custom to me means that  I get to choose what goes in the instrument and not someone else; many custom companies only give you very limited choices.  You can get your dream Alembic for  (roughly) anywhere between 2000$ and 25000$. So don't let the price of one model freak you out.  
Talk to Mica  and I'm sure she'll be able to accomodate both your needs and your budget.
 
Valentino

[Daan de Bruyne (wheezl)]

Funny thread. I have a Europa 5 (my 3rd alembic now) for sale in order to Purchase a Ritter.. So, I guess that shows my opnion on this..
 
Alembics require 9v batteries indeed, when there's LED's on them they need a whole bunch of them, my EVH had that..
 
Ritters take 2 9V's for the circuit, which runs at an average of 12V
 
As much as I like both brands, I have to say that over here (holland) at Ritter you get a LOT more bass for the same money... But that's also a shipping/import and exchange rate thing off course..
 
Daan