Quadzilla
Supporting Member
No, I had an Elan years ago. Really digging this Spoiler though. Thanks again
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Alembic Club at Talk Bass
- Thread starter victorlion
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Quadzilla
Supporting Member
Does anyone know approximately how much this would cost me now to order this bass w these specs from Alembic?
Again, an Alembic Spoiler with koa top, mahogany body, maple neck and ebony fingerboard. This is a rare, optional, short scale (30.75") that is no longer made. Also, she was ordered with another rare option, a crown headstock. Lastly, the fat boy in the bridge position.
Thank you
Again, an Alembic Spoiler with koa top, mahogany body, maple neck and ebony fingerboard. This is a rare, optional, short scale (30.75") that is no longer made. Also, she was ordered with another rare option, a crown headstock. Lastly, the fat boy in the bridge position.
Thank you
Does anyone know approximately how much this would cost me now to order this bass w these specs from Alembic?
Again, an Alembic Spoiler with koa top, mahogany body, maple neck and ebony fingerboard. This is a rare, optional, short scale (30.75") that is no longer made. Also, she was ordered with another rare option, a crown headstock. Lastly, the fat boy in the bridge position.
Thank you
List would be;
12000 for an essence 4 string
2500 Koa top
300 for the crown headstock.
400 for the Spoiler body
250 for the fatboy
BTW, nothing rare about your bass except someone ordered a spec that most don't. They are a custom shop so they will make whatever you want. Including short scale 30.75 inch.
Quadzilla
Supporting Member
Thank you for the pricing and also, for the education on Alembic and how it seems that pretty much everyone orders custom. I wasn't aware that most are.
You don't see a lot of short scale Spoilers, or ones with a crown headstock. I would consider this pretty rare FWIW.
I didn't know that either, Fred. I do know that for a time in the 80s or 90's Alembic made catalog basses for Guitar Center. That must've been really amazing to see a wall of Alembics over the other basses.
Oh, by the way, my Excel has an Epic body, and a crown headstock, too so I know what you mean. Something about those that I just adore. They look awesome and feel as good as they look to play.
By the way, there is a lefty Mark King on GC Used. Not many of those.
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I didn't know that either, Fred. I do know that for a time in the 80s or 90's Alembic made catalog basses for Guitar Center. That must've been really amazing to see a wall of Alembics over the other basses.
I have a photograph from GC in Dallas 1993. Epics and Europas all in a line. Some of Mike's handy work as well!
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Quadzilla
Supporting Member
Hopefully most won't be appalled by thus, but I did a tuner swap on my Alembic.
I thought that the original chrome tuners looked odd and mismatched with the rest of the hardware (which is brass). So I bought a set of new Gotoh tuners in gold and with the "ear" shape that I prefer (and is a bit smaller which I like). I also prefer the larger (in diameter) string post on the Gotoh.
The "upgrade" is completely reversible and required no modifications to the headstock.
Below is a shot of the original chrome tuners on the headstock, then a shot with just one Gotoh on and then finally, the new tuners mounted.
An improvement or not? What say you?
I thought that the original chrome tuners looked odd and mismatched with the rest of the hardware (which is brass). So I bought a set of new Gotoh tuners in gold and with the "ear" shape that I prefer (and is a bit smaller which I like). I also prefer the larger (in diameter) string post on the Gotoh.
The "upgrade" is completely reversible and required no modifications to the headstock.
Below is a shot of the original chrome tuners on the headstock, then a shot with just one Gotoh on and then finally, the new tuners mounted.
An improvement or not? What say you?
Well, if you want my personal opinion, I would stick with the chrome ones. In fact, if I ever end up with a bass with gold tuners, I'm changing them to chrome. 
Just my preference, despite the brass hardware. I've read that Alembic originally used chrome because it's far more durable than gold.
Just my preference, despite the brass hardware. I've read that Alembic originally used chrome because it's far more durable than gold.
Quadzilla
Supporting Member
Great info. Luckily, I can go right back to the stock ones in about 10 minutes should I choose to do so. Thank youWell, if you want my personal opinion, I would stick with the chrome ones. In fact, if I ever end up with a bass with gold tuners, I'm changing them to chrome.
I prefer those tuners too, Fred. I have them on most of my basses. The shape of the tuners is what I like. I don't care about the color. I have mismatched colors on my Cirrus and it's MINE, so I like it.
Quadzilla
Supporting Member
Made perfect sense to match the nut, bridge and logo on headstock with brass/gold color.
Quadzilla
Supporting Member
It's your bass. Do as you please to it.
I think both sets look great. I mean you're putting them on an Alembic!
I'm kind of partial to the gold ones... maybe just because that's what I have
Alembic Series II bass spotted on middle England television commercial.
Wow, that's cool. Casting must've used a real bass player. I saw a Ken Smith on another commercial in the US.
