Author Topic: Alembic/Fodera (Read 2229 times)

mica · « **Reply #15 on:** October 29, 2012, 03:52:09 PM »

I'm pretty sure this was a Triple Omega shape with a custom extra long upper horn originally.

rami · « **Reply #16 on:** October 31, 2012, 02:34:31 PM »

Hey guys,

When I look at it, the front and back laminates appear as almost perfect mirror images of each other. The contouring looks very professionally done. I'm thinking that it may have been originally made like that. If it had originally been a Triple Omega, wouldn't the side cutaways be much closer to the center? On all the Triple O's I've seen, the side cutaways go almost right to the pickups. As such, you (I) can't play one sitting down. My skinny legs slip right into them.
What's a Stock or Factory Alembic anyway?

(Message edited by rami on October 31, 2012)

rami · « **Reply #17 on:** October 31, 2012, 03:34:18 PM »

See how deep the side Omegas go:

FC Bass · « **Reply #18 on:** October 31, 2012, 03:45:32 PM »

I kinda agree (sorry Mica)

The lower horn looks way longer than any Alembic model I've seen. Serial number is 02C12822.
Maybe some alterations done by Fodera to a custom bodyshape?
My guess is it came with Essence electronics + side leds (only three knobs and a switch for the leds)

Rami: I bet Alembic can make you a stand (curved wooden strip) for the omegacut to make it easier on your legs while sitting.

David Houck · « **Reply #19 on:** October 31, 2012, 08:49:29 PM »

Rami and Flip; following Mica's suggestion of a Triple-O, if you don't look at the Maple but just look at the Walnut, I think you can see it. Notice the contouring in the Walnut where the side omegas would normally be. Notice how the bottom of the contour turns up toward what would be the bottom tip of the side omega; and the contour turns back in as if it were going to turn toward the top tip of the omega, before it is taken over by the Maple. And yes, that contouring is on the front and back, as it would be on a Triple-O. For another comparison, see Val's bass here, which was also based on an Essence.

I'm wondering if perhaps the bass was damaged somehow, and the Maple horns were added to salvage the instrument.

rami · « **Reply #20 on:** November 01, 2012, 04:34:40 AM »

Hey Dave,

I agree that the laminates are reminiscent of a Triple-O. Maybe it did start its life as a Triple-O, was damaged and the Maple sides and horns added later. If so, whoever created that did a helluva job. Perhaps with its serial number Mica can retrieve its build history and we can know for sure.

Rami

jazzyvee · « **Reply #21 on:** November 01, 2012, 12:00:25 PM »

Everytime I look at it, it makes me think of a waiter with his arms up up.

jazzyvee

rami · « **Reply #22 on:** November 01, 2012, 03:44:05 PM »

I agree. Those laminates make the Bass look like it's wearing a brown apron!!!

FC Bass · « **Reply #23 on:** November 01, 2012, 04:33:45 PM »

At closer look, the horns do seem to be attached later, you can see the original body lams in this picture.

(Message edited by fc_spoiler on November 01, 2012)

dfung60 · « **Reply #24 on:** November 03, 2012, 06:18:36 PM »

Definitely an odd beast. I wonder if this started out with a regular body pattern but the owner didn't like the balance and (gulp) had the body wings removed and replaced? I'm trying to think of a more expensive retrofit and I'm having a hard time doing so.

David Fung

wookie · « **Reply #25 on:** November 30, 2012, 12:19:19 PM »

Who would ruin an Alembic with that rediculous Fodera butterfly?! I'm I alone in this sentiment? Maybe the Duracell logo inlaid on there too, like NASCAR or something. Lame.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #26 on:** December 01, 2012, 06:03:44 AM »

I'm just surprised that Fodera would want to have their logo on an instrument that they didn't create themselves. I'm pretty confident Alembic wouldn't readily put their logo on another instrument.

Jazzyvee

klinkepeter · « **Reply #27 on:** December 01, 2012, 11:55:58 AM »

I?m wondering who would spend nearly 9000$ for a chimera..., the seller even can?t tell, which model it is (has been ?), the fact that there is no history about the bass makes me suspicious, who knows something about former damages and finaly: replaced alembic pups, this is rediculous, even the sound might be great. Aesthetically i don?t like it at all.

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #28 on:** December 01, 2012, 01:14:29 PM »

"I'm pretty confident Alembic wouldn't readily put their logo on another instrument." Check out these Guilds, Jazzy:

And because it's hard to see on the last one, here's its headstock:

Peter

tubeperson · « **Reply #29 on:** December 01, 2012, 01:48:58 PM »

I just noticed that the bass in question is listed for sale in the Edison, NJ GTR Store, which is owned by Steve Pisani, a well known salesperson who had worked on Music Row in NYC (48th Street) for over 30 years. The website is www.gtrstore.com