Recently found myself taking a liking to the Alembic Essence. All based on pics, so I’m wondering if anyone could share their opinions on the sound/feel of these basses. Thanks in advance!
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Alembic Essence
- Thread starter jbl71004
- Start date
I remember trying them out when the music store I worked at was debating becoming an Alembic dealer. Interesting bass - I would consider it (for me personally) but it wasn’t right for the time/place for the store - early 90’s, right before Nirvana hit it big.
If you can find a good deal on one then yes, if your going to spend a considerable amount then maybe find a good used series I. There was a nice Koa top Essence recently on reverb for $2500, good deal that didnt last long, but I've sen some asking north of 4K and more, that seems a bit too high in my book.
Thanks much guys! Do you know how the sound compares to a Stanley Clarke?
I owned an Essence ( and three other Alembics). It was a good bass. Played well, sounded great. My only issue was it had very small side position dots that were hard to see on stage. This isn't necessarily an issue on all Essences, but it was on mine.
Stanley Clarke is a series I electronics, but your going to be right in the ball park with an Essence, Alembic is Hi Fi whatever model you choose
I have not played one yet, but the Alembic build I'd request would be an Essence upgraded with the Balance K Heart body.
Awhile back, I contacted Mica about the most economical way for me to have this. The guys in the shop relayed the body is only possible with a neck-thru. My option would be an Essence upgraded with the Balance K Heart body, which is about a $1000 add-on. This is on my wishlist but time will tell if I'll be able to realize this someday.
An example of the Balance K Heart body, which is more commonly associated with Series II instruments. I know I would not have all the additional electronics options, but I'm ok with the Essence package.
Awhile back, I contacted Mica about the most economical way for me to have this. The guys in the shop relayed the body is only possible with a neck-thru. My option would be an Essence upgraded with the Balance K Heart body, which is about a $1000 add-on. This is on my wishlist but time will tell if I'll be able to realize this someday.
An example of the Balance K Heart body, which is more commonly associated with Series II instruments. I know I would not have all the additional electronics options, but I'm ok with the Essence package.
I don't have an Essence, but I do have this '96 Epic. Basic principles still apply, though...- Kinda hard to say what "an Alembic bass" will sound like. Alembics are probably the ultimate Custom instrument. They make pretty much everything but the tuners and the strings, and if you're willing to spend the $$, you can have any kind of wood, in any combination, and any kind of electronics, that your heart desires. So, within pretty broad parameters? Every Alembic bass will not sound like any other Alembic bass; each one is sorta unique...
- Alembics are all active - all the time. There's no passive mode. The basic Essence electronics replaces the Bass & Treble boost/cut circuits on my Epic with a Bypass Filter - which does essentially the same thing, but with just one knob. But, you can make either one sound pretty much however you want. Will it sound like a Stanley Clarke model? See my first point. Plus, a Stanley Clarke bass is a short scale; an Essence is a long scale. There are differences - dictated by Physics - that make short scales sound different from long scales. The electronics can make up most of the difference, but they will be different. The strings you use, and what the bass is made of (and how it's made) will make them different, too.
- How does it feel? That's very subjective. My Epic is just about the most "neutral" feeling bass I own - out of 23. Not particularly light @ 9.12 lbs., but not particularly heavy, either - for me. It's nicely balanced - again, for me. Basically, when I hang it on my shoulder, it's just... there; and I can concentrate on simply playing it. However, some Alembic models are known for being a little neck heavy, and some folks find some of them to be a little... awkward... to play. Again, that's pretty subjective. I also own multiples of two basses that are considered pretty terrible to play - Gibson Thunderbirds, and Rickenbacker 4001/4003s. I have no problems at all playing a T-Bird; and a Rickenbacker fits me like a surgeon's rubber glove. I can play one all day... Like I said; feel is subjective.
Bottom line? If you want an Alembic, and you can get a good deal on an Essence? Even a base model - which is what my Epic is (no options) - will be a very nice instrument. I sure do like mine...
Sweet bass man! Appreciate all the info. I’m seeing new ones running close to $10K, while a couple built around 91-92 are around $3K. Trying to avoid the Alembic page, once I see all those custom options 
. CME has a buckeye burl that’s stunning.
. CME has a buckeye burl that’s stunning. View attachment 3922572 I don't have an Essence, but I do have this '96 Epic. Basic principles still apply, though...
- Kinda hard to say what "an Alembic bass" will sound like. Alembics are probably the ultimate Custom instrument. They make pretty much everything but the tuners and the strings, and if you're willing to spend the $$, you can have any kind of wood, in any combination, and any kind of electronics, that your heart desires. So, within pretty broad parameters? Every Alembic bass will not sound like any other Alembic bass; each one is sorta unique...
- Alembics are all active - all the time. There's no passive mode. The basic Essence electronics replaces the Bass & Treble boost/cut circuits on my Epic with a Bypass Filter - which does essentially the same thing, but with just one knob. But, you can make either one sound pretty much however you want. Will it sound like a Stanley Clarke model? See my first point. Plus, a Stanley Clarke bass is a short scale; an Essence is a long scale. There are differences - dictated by Physics - that make short scales sound different from long scales. The electronics can make up most of the difference, but they will be different. The strings you use, and what the bass is made of (and how it's made) will make them different, too.
- How does it feel? That's very subjective. My Epic is just about the most "neutral" feeling bass I own - out of 23. Not particularly light @ 9.12 lbs., but not particularly heavy, either - for me. It's nicely balanced - again, for me. Basically, when I hang it on my shoulder, it's just... there; and I can concentrate on simply playing it. However, some Alembic models are known for being a little neck heavy, and some folks find some of them to be a little... awkward... to play. Again, that's pretty subjective. I also own multiples of two basses that are considered pretty terrible to play - Gibson Thunderbirds, and Rickenbacker 4001/4003s. I have no problems at all playing a T-Bird; and a Rickenbacker fits me like a surgeon's rubber glove. I can play one all day... Like I said; feel is subjective.
Bottom line? If you want an Alembic, and you can get a good deal on an Essence? Even a base model - which is what my Epic is (no options) - will be a very nice instrument. I sure do like mine...
The filter based tonestack is very different than what you’ll find on most other active basses and can take some time to get your head around if you’re only familiar with the standard boost/cut shelving type EQs. But once you do there’s virtually no tone you won’t be able to dial in. And do it quickly.
Build and workmanship on any Alembic is absolutely stellar. You may find as good with other boutique basses. But it’s doubtful you’ll ever find anything better.
Only caveat is weight. Alembics tend towards the heavier side of the weight spectrum. Not super heavy like an all maple Gibson RD or a Peavey T-40. But I’ve yet to pick up an Alembic that doesn’t have some quality feeling heft to it. So if weight is an issue for you, be sure to ask about its the weight before buying.
Build and workmanship on any Alembic is absolutely stellar. You may find as good with other boutique basses. But it’s doubtful you’ll ever find anything better.
Only caveat is weight. Alembics tend towards the heavier side of the weight spectrum. Not super heavy like an all maple Gibson RD or a Peavey T-40. But I’ve yet to pick up an Alembic that doesn’t have some quality feeling heft to it. So if weight is an issue for you, be sure to ask about its the weight before buying.
That’s one thing about the Essence that caught my eye. Supposedly lightweight compared to their other styles.
You could check out a Spoiler as well. Same general price range (or perhaps a little lower) and has the filter control and Q switch with neckthrough design. Good luck, DM
I've been effusively praising Alembic Essences for some years now. As far as I'm concerned, discovering them opened up new horizons for me as a player.
Most people associate Alembic with the Series I and Series II models, which are cathedrals of tone but can also be unwieldy, on the heavy side, and intimidating with a forest of knobs. They're magic in the right hands, but bringing one to a roadhouse gig can seem like bringing a Bentley to a drag race.
The Essence is the result of a conscious effort to move away from that kind of reputation. It's not a cut-rate, corners-cut model--you can easily spend as much on a custom Essence as on any other Alembic. It's not even a "model" per se, but a set of options geared toward a streamlined, lightweight instrument that's still the "essence" of Alembic.
I own three Essences at the moment--two quilted maple (one natural, one in a stunning sapphire blue) and one in cocobolo and mahogany. Even the heaviest one clocks in at around 8.5 pounds, which makes it a comfortable all-day player. The ergonomics are stellar. The body is about one-third smaller than my Fender Jaguar, and feels perfectly balanced. The one criticism I've had is the same one @Skokiaan shared: the side marker dots are small and hard to see. I've corrected that by having larger dots installed.
Good luck on your quest, @jbl71004. If there's anything else I can add, feel free to DM me.
Most people associate Alembic with the Series I and Series II models, which are cathedrals of tone but can also be unwieldy, on the heavy side, and intimidating with a forest of knobs. They're magic in the right hands, but bringing one to a roadhouse gig can seem like bringing a Bentley to a drag race.
The Essence is the result of a conscious effort to move away from that kind of reputation. It's not a cut-rate, corners-cut model--you can easily spend as much on a custom Essence as on any other Alembic. It's not even a "model" per se, but a set of options geared toward a streamlined, lightweight instrument that's still the "essence" of Alembic.
I own three Essences at the moment--two quilted maple (one natural, one in a stunning sapphire blue) and one in cocobolo and mahogany. Even the heaviest one clocks in at around 8.5 pounds, which makes it a comfortable all-day player. The ergonomics are stellar. The body is about one-third smaller than my Fender Jaguar, and feels perfectly balanced. The one criticism I've had is the same one @Skokiaan shared: the side marker dots are small and hard to see. I've corrected that by having larger dots installed.
Good luck on your quest, @jbl71004. If there's anything else I can add, feel free to DM me.
Agree.
It’s the Alembic pickups and preamp that are the soul of the sound and constitute the bulk of the Alembic experience. There are other high end limited production basses from small shops that can rival it in workmanship. But, much like Wal, it’s the unique electronics package that gives Alembic (and Wal) something nearly impossible to get elsewhere and separates it from the select herd of other fine boutique builder basses.
Unless you opt for additional electronics, such as a boost/cut switches, etc, you’ll probably still look to a pedal or a Preamp to finish off “your tone.” A single Alembic filter is somewhat limited for an active bass. Rolling off the highs provides an EQ “peak” at the cutoff point, but overall diminishes volume a bit towards the bottom end. It’s not like a 2 or 3 band instrument where you can simply turn up the bass or drop the mids. Adding a Q Switch will allow it to work a bit more like a traditional tone control, with no increased signal and the cut off point.
I personally like to keep the filter wide open, or very close to it. IMHO the beauty to an Alembic is the clarity it produces. I’ve never heard another bass sound quite like one. I’ll usually scoop that a bit with a NE1 or Markbass filter.
Good luck with your search.
P.S. my band demo, found at the link below, was all recorded with an Essence.
[This invalid link has been removed]
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Yeah, that would be totally over my head too. The picture is one of Phil Lesh's basses. I would not be getting that electronics package with the Essence.
. And you’ve given me some things to dig in on. Thanks, for real 
Just to be clear, the bass with the lightning inlay in post #7 is not one of Phil's. Also they recently squeezed the Series II package into an Essence that ended up being lightweight even for an Essence. And the controls are only over your head if you keep the bass above your head.
