Never played an Alembic bass but listening to Rocho Westmoreland and his incredible playing and tone with Santa Fe & the Fat City Horns. Would love to play one sometime.
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Alembic Basses
- Thread starter brocco
- Start date
I would but I'm not worthy yet. 
a couple of friends have one. One time I was at a bar listening to one of them play his and he asked if I wanted to come up and do a couple of songs with the band. I had never played one before. I'm used to a five and his was a four string bass so it felt a little odd. But DAYUM that thing sounded amazing. Even if I had the money I probably wouldn't buy one, but it was an awesome sounding instrument.
BnB
BnB
I own a Series II and Alembics are everything they're said to be. Both good and bad.
yes, they are truly amazing instruments!
they can do just about anything you need/want, almost to a fault in some cases.
they can do just about anything you need/want, almost to a fault in some cases.
They ARE on the heavy side, but if you can get past that, tone MONSTERS!!!
i had a Series I and its the only bass I have regrets parting with
I own an "entry level" 6 string fretless Epic. Everything FunkintheTrunk says is true, especially the good and bad part. when I bought mine (new) it was WAY too much bass for me. It took about a year of woodshed until I felt like I was playing it rather than it was playing me.
Way out of my price range but the tone is to die for. Stanley Clarke really did a lot to turn people onto these wonderful instruments.
The only other gripe I have with Alembics is the neck width/string spacing, too narrow for my bear paws. If it weren't for that and the price tag I'd have one myself.
The only other gripe I have with Alembics is the neck width/string spacing, too narrow for my bear paws. If it weren't for that and the price tag I'd have one myself.
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I have this '95 Epic; 4 string base model, with no options. Yes, it IS a very, very nice bass. Especially if you like active basses; which, to be honest, I don't, particularly. But, that's just because I've played passive ones for 50+ years, and until very recently, I didn't have an amp/cab that did the Epic justice. Now, I do - and it's getting played a lot more... Disregarding the electronics? My Epic is... a nice bass. Not particularly heavy or light; well balanced (for me); the neck is.. not the best one I own (surprisingly, that honor goes to a '90s MIK Dano DC59 Pro), but not the worst, either. I have basses that fit me better, and some that fit me worse. Construction-wise? Well, it's an Alembic; It's pretty much flawless. The only real problem I've ever had with it - other than my old amp not liking it - is getting distracted, and just standing there, looking at it - instead of playing it...If you want one? Well, there are always used ones - and very few people who own an Alembic, abuse them. Yeah, the list prices for Alembics are scary - the last MSRP for an Epic, IIRC, was $7200. But, people don't pay that - there's usually a 20-30% discount if you buy from an Alembic dealer. And, I bought mine used, about 10 years ago, for around $2300. Which, of course, included the usual Lefty Premium... If it had been a righty, it would have been about $1800 or so. So, just snoop around; you'll find one that makes you happy eventually...
As well you should!
GREAT video post there op. Play your next Alembic like a combo between Stanley and Anthony - my advice
GREAT video post there op. Play your next Alembic like a combo between Stanley and Anthony - my advice
They aren't all heavy. I have an Alembic Epic that weighs just under 9lbs. Great bass! Sounds fantastic, plays like a dream and is very well balanced. They are a bargain at this time. You can get a well used one for around $1400 or a really nice clean one for around $2000.
That's around $7,300 in 2019 dollars. You'd still be out a lot.
Hm. On Reverb, used Series Is are around $7-10K, used Series IIs around $13k. I don't know what they go for new, but I could be convinced.
Great clip! Thanks!
Bass tone AND playing are awesome. Hard to see the instrument. Maybe a Spoiler 5?
Please, do tell! I didn't know there was anything "bad" about Alembics...
