• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Alembic price list: HOLY $#%*!!!!!

#81
I got my Spoiler for $800 at GC in 85. Consider myself fantastically lucky still.
Besides the playing like butter factor and sounding amazing, I fell in love with
the 32" scale neck. Small hands make this instrument perfect for me. I just
got a Danelectro Longhorn reissue and have no trouble with the short scale neck.
 
#82
wideload said:
I have a Rogue 5 now, and it balances well, doesn't weigh too much, and plays better than I do. Series electronics would be the schnitz - nothing else comes close, IMO. However, the Rogue electronics are good, and I am able to quickly change when I switch from fingers t pick, so I'm generally happy with it. Buying used means you don't get just what you want, but you get what you need (or you pass).
Click to expand...

I can imagine I'd be happy with the Rogue electronics. I've liked the Series electronics, but generally don't like the ergonomics on the basses I've seen. My left hand might be a little upset with me on them for a few songs.

It's a little hard for me to justify Alembics at the time since I'm able to get Stambaughs and CBs relatively inexpensive. Since the electronics of Alembic and Wal are proprietary, I'd make an exception if I had the $.
 
#83
Nothing against Alembic in particular but sometimes I wonder if these boutique shop increase the delivery time and reduce availability just to be able to increase prices, not saying the do it, just wondering... There also that thing called high price policy where companies mark up their products just to make them more appealing to their targeted market, again, just wondering ...
 
#84
These neck through body mega multi laminate hippie sandwiches ironically don't even sound like wood - more like glue and plastic and metal. There is nothing organic about them. If they are your thing fine. But better find your sound if you are going to pay that kind of money.
IMO
Tom Halversen
 
#87
zcwilkes said:
I've always felt Alembics were on a different level. I had a 4-string essence I sold about 20 years ago that I regret to this day. Anyway if I paid that much for one I don't know If I could even gig with it. Most of my gigs are in bars so....Even if I had the money I couldn't justify getting one because I couldn't make myself play it.
Click to expand...

I would gig the bejesus out of an Alembic. :hyper:
 
#88
Here's how it works unless you're rich...some stuff you will be able to afford, some stuff you won't. Whining about it like these companies owe it to you to make something in your price range only leads to general dissatisfaction, anger, and depression.
 
#89
Here's how it works unless you're rich...some stuff you will be able to afford, some stuff you won't. Whining about it like these companies owe it to you to make something in your price range only leads to general dissatisfaction, anger, and depression.
Click to expand...
+1 It isn't fair. It doesn't have to be. It's as simple as this: If you can't afford one or don't want to spend the money - don't. Don't blame Alembic (or Fodora, or Ritter, Rolls Royce, Ferarri, or...). Nobody has the right to expect everything at a price they personally consider reasonable.
 
#90
Personally I don't get the whole Alembic thing. The shapes are all to weird for my taste, and they all sound kind of anemic to me. I'm sure they are built to a very, very high standard but there is no bass in the world that should cost that much money, but if they can stay in business selling them at that price, more power to them.

Personally, I think Carl Thompson and Ritter make better looking instruments that sound better.
 
#92
Its partly for this reason that I'm such a huge fan of used and vintage instruments. I got my'86 Spoiler and my '77 Series I both used (and paid nowhere anywhere near the prices of the new ones) and I couldn't be more thrilled with either of them. However, its the Series I that just still blows me away. I have a big soft spot for vintage instruments. The '77 that I have is within one of the first 900 instruments Alembic ever made during the time that really put them on the map in the '70's. For some strange reason, that kind of stuff just grabs me. I truly believe that even IF I could afford to have a new one built just for me, I would STILL choose a 35-40 year old vintage masterpiece instead. As the cover of that Stanley Clark album, states about his Alembic, I often think to myself "If this bass could only talk".
 
#93
I love the original body styles that the series I and II made famous.

This is one of my fave bass pics eva:

1990AlembicMarkKingDeluxe025.jpg
 
#96
I have an 86 Persuader (32" scale)...bought it used for $1000, my wife bought a custom flight case for $300 and I put FretFX lights on the top of the fretboard for $100 and have played it on every gig for the past 5 years.
I priced one out built to my specs but I can't justify $9000 as a weekend warrior. So, the Persuader will probably be my only Alembic...
 
#97
I have a couple of Alembic basses and love them both. They are fantastically built and worth every penny I paid for them, although I bought both used. My Essence is a great gigging bass and the Dragon Wing really shines in studio work. If you can find one used at a good price give it a spin you might just see what you've been missing.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back