FT Feeler - 1981 Alembic

adam clinton · #1 12-08-2009, 05:33 PM

This is a very specific feeler only. Recently picked up this 1981 Alembic - it is Distilatte electronics, but with a Stanley type body shape so kind of a unique combo. It is a 32 inch scale which I should have tried a long time ago as I really love it.

What I am looking for is pretty specific - a nice high end 32 inch scale bass with PASSIVE pickups. The Alembic is pretty much perfect except it is active only, and I really do prefer the sound of passive. Carl Thompson, Browne, Hilton, etc are a few that come to mind. I can add cash as needed.

If nothing comes along will happily keep this since it really is a cool bass.

adam clinton · #2 12-11-2009, 08:55 AM

Bump...

cosmicevan · #3 12-11-2009, 09:41 PM

what are the electronics on it like?

banditcosmo · #4 12-12-2009, 08:43 AM

How much does it weight ?

adam clinton · #5 12-12-2009, 08:45 AM

Better than my playing deserves!! Kind of say that seriously, they are very clean and precise Hi-Fi pickups. The knob on the horn is a 4 way pickup selector (mute, bridge, both, neck). The knobs are volume and Q-filter which is like the tone control. 3 switches are bass (boost/cut), treble (boost/cut), and one that makes the Q-filter more prominent in the tone shaping.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmicevan

what are the electronics on it like?

adam clinton · #6 12-12-2009, 08:47 AM

I can try and get a weight on it later...I would guess around 10lbs give or take, it is not a featherlight bass for sure. Thx

Quote:

Originally Posted by banditcosmo

How much does it weight ?

adam clinton · #7 12-12-2009, 11:00 AM

9.50 lbs on a digital scale at UPS store

Quote:

Originally Posted by banditcosmo

How much does it weight ?

cosmicevan · #8 12-12-2009, 07:28 PM

wow kind of heavy for a short scale? but then again, alembic is all about those stunning woods and the heft of the tone (that Abe I got from you is a bit on the heavy side too, but the tone...oh the tone).

so are the electronics a custom package or a series I, series II (or other model) type of thing? i've always gas'ed for a sick alembic, but i am not sure if i could bring myself to part with the hilton.

adam clinton · #9 12-12-2009, 08:30 PM

Evan you know I always like doing bass deals with you

But wouldn't blame you too keep your Hilton. The electronics are Distilatte electronics, but on a more custom made bass, mainly the Stanley type body which is not what a normal Distilatte has. The electronics are a tweakers paradise, you can get a billion different tones. Kind of why I am poking around, I usually stick with one type of tone, usually warm and passive. I really don't use all of the options.

alembicguy · #10 12-13-2009, 09:52 AM

Just to chime in on the weight I have 2 Stanley Clarkes and although they are 30.75 scale they are both 10.5 and 11 pounds each but the weight is worth the sound!
free bump

adam clinton · #11 12-13-2009, 07:30 PM

Thx Alembicguy for bump - here are some better non-cell pics....

adam clinton · #12 12-13-2009, 07:31 PM

few others

adam clinton · #13 12-17-2009, 12:50 PM

Going to close this for now as a trade thread, may pop back up as a FS thread depending on what I find. Thx