UK Alembic Heaven

[jazzyvee]

Yesterday afternoon I took a trip down the UK Alembic Dealer in Tonbridge.
 
Thankfully it was open and I managed to try out some of the higher end alembics they had.
 
First was a Series II MK shape bass through an Ampeg bass rig.
I was blown away at the clarity that bass had and it has made me desire one even more but in the SC body or Europa body shape.
 
Next was the dragons Wing. That bass has so much mid range crispness and not as much meat on the bottom end as the SII or the Orion bass which was astounding in sound. That Orion should have left the shop with me... considering it didn't have any filters on it, the sound was amazing. Much better than one I'd been to look at a few years ago as a second hand purchase.
 
 
I then tried the Lil Darling which again is pretty much what I expected and sounded very clean and sparling in sound and thankfully not thin and weedy. It does look quite tiny.
 
My decision not to take my credit card with me, was I think a very sensible idea.
 
if you get a chance to visit, it's worth it.
here is a link to their page.
 
http://ccgi.psstpsst.force9.co.uk/php/alebass.php

[speicky]

cool report, Jazzy, thanks a bunch... now, you're telling us that the maple DW is still up for sale in their shop ? man, I think Oliver (senmen) once posted a pic of the body closeup to this board. That was my pc wallpaper for eons. GAS... here it comes again !

[senmen]

Christian, Jazzy,
yes you are right. It is that particular DW and it is still for sale there as well as a Spyder.
 
Oliver (Spyderman)

[jazzyvee]

yep sure are, and beautiful they look too.to
The dw looked amazing in the flesh so to speak.
 
jazzyvee

[jacko]

I'd intended visiting the shop when I was on my way down to France a couple of years ago but by the time we'd negotiated greater London the shop would have been shut. Shame, as I ordered my rogue through Graham so I was keen to meet him.
 
Graeme

[jazzyvee]

Unfortunately Graham was not there, he'd been to USA and wasn't due back into the shop till Tuesday.
 
 
I got my SF-2 from him a few years back.
Jazzyvee

[briant]

I wish there was a store near me that had that many Alembics in stock - or any Alembics in stock for that matter.

[jazzyvee]

Here is a photo I took of part of the Alembic Collection in the shop.

 
I had a blast on the Dragons wing, the Series II and the quilted maple fretted Orion far right.
 
To be  honest I want all of them excluding the fretless as I've never played fretless bass. I have enough problems with my fretless guitar hahaha.
 
Jazzyvee

[David Houck]

That's some inventory!
 
The fretless looks like a neck-through Orion with Spalted Maple (?) top and Essence electronics with Q switch.  Nice!

[FC Bass]

It looks like a C in the serial number, body and headstock are Europa shaped.
Very, very nice

[jakebass]

Hey Jazzy,
I too have visited that shop, it was there that I became convinced that Alembic was the way to go, although I eventually bought from Beaver in Bass Central. Dave the Fretless Orion is indeed a neck through and is a very lovely instrument.
Jake

[FC Bass]

I think she's on her way to Holland now :-) :-) :-)

[David Houck]

Now why would you be thinking that???

[FC Bass]

Mainly because of the $$$ written of my bank account and the adress I left at Bass World UK (my adress)  My first new (nos) Alembic! :-)  When she's in, I will post loads of pictures.  From the BW UK site:  

 

  Me is happy :-)  (Message edited by fc_spoiler on March 03, 2009)

[olieoliver]

Alright FLIP! Very cool.
 
OO