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Alembic Series basses-experiences?

8

82Daion

Nov 14, 2006
1,407
21
43085
#1
I might be coming into some money here pretty soon, and I've found an Alembic Series I for an excellent price. I know about their reputation from surfing several internet review sites, but, as a result of living in OH, I've never had the chance to play one.

If anyone here has some experience with them, good or bad, let me know. Thanks a lot!
 
#3
I have an '82 Series 2 (short scale), and think it's pretty nice.:smug: The short answer is, not everybody likes them but those of us that do would rather part with a vital organ than our Alembic(s). They tend to be very heavy compared to other designs and some models aren't known for balancing well, but on the plus side they're built to last and the customer service has been excellent in my pinion, especially considering I didn't buy the bass new.
If you want, PM me and I'll try to send you a few sound samples.
Whereabouts in Ohio are you? I have family near Youngstown.
 
#4
I have a 1980 30.75" Series 1 and I love it. Before I got it it'd been toured all over the place and doesn't have that pretty boy look that a lot of Alembics have, eg my Clarke and is quite plain in the selection of timbers used including unfigured maple facings on the body. The bass is capable of a wide variety of tones and is more expressive than any other instrument I own and it fits my hand and body like they were designed together.

Play it, and if you like it, buy it especially if you can get it for a good price pre loved. I pretty much agree with what Sheriff said, and I have a couple of dozen bases that I regualrly compare mine to and it always wins. My XL2 is second to give some idea of my generally non traditional preferences.

When you get it, you must post pics.
Here's a pic of mine.
 

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#5
KUNGfuSHERIFF said:
I have an '82 Series 2 (short scale), and think it's pretty nice.:smug: The short answer is, not everybody likes them but those of us that do would rather part with a vital organ than our Alembic(s). They tend to be very heavy compared to other designs and some models aren't known for balancing well, but on the plus side they're built to last and the customer service has been excellent in my pinion, especially considering I didn't buy the bass new.
If you want, PM me and I'll try to send you a few sound samples.
Whereabouts in Ohio are you? I have family near Youngstown.
Click to expand...

I'm at Ohio University right now, although I live about 45 minutes west of Columbus. Probably a little out of your way...

I'd be interested in the sound clips, though.:)
 
#7
82Daion said:
I'd be interested in the sound clips, though.:)
Click to expand...
A little out of my way indeed...redneck country!
Check the link below for clips of our demo, which I recorded direct into ProTools through an old Walter Woods head. If you PM me your e-mail addy I'll try to send you some better-sounding stuff we recorded this summer.
Link Removed
And if you post details about the bass you're looking at, we'll all tell you what to look out for, I'm sure.:D
 
#8
Thanks for the support, guys.

It's a 1976 Series One that's been well cared for-it still looks reasonably fresh. I'm guessing that it's a maple top and back with a walnut core, although I could be wrong. It also has the red side LED's.

Pics:

26155.gif


26152.gif
 
#10
KUNGfuSHERIFF said:
A little out of my way indeed...redneck country!
Check the link below for clips of our demo, which I recorded direct into ProTools through an old Walter Woods head. If you PM me your e-mail addy I'll try to send you some better-sounding stuff we recorded this summer.
Link Removed
And if you post details about the bass you're looking at, we'll all tell you what to look out for, I'm sure.:D
Click to expand...

Sounds good-you can definitely hear a hint of that "Alembic" quality coming through on those tracks. Love your band, BTW.:)
 
#11
Thanks!
I know that bass...the guy selling it just got back from military duty, right?
At the risk of being jerk-like, I'd advise you to hold off on selling the tuba and offering him $2500, as that bass has been up for a while with no buyers.
Judging from the logos on the pickups the bass looks like it's had the electronics upgrade, which older Series basses are said to benefit from to block out noise from cellphones, etc.which is a $1500 to $2K proposition. The cable is also new, which is like $250.:eek:
Other than that, if you're ready to shoulder a 14-pound bass that makes you stretch for a first-position F but sounds like God, I think you're golden. Let us know what you think when she arrives.
 
#12
KUNGfuSHERIFF said:
Thanks!
I know that bass...the guy selling it just got back from military duty, right?
At the risk of being jerk-like, I'd advise you to hold off on selling the tuba and offering him $2500, as that bass has been up for a while with no buyers.
Judging from the logos on the pickups the bass looks like it's had the electronics upgrade, which older Series basses are said to benefit from to block out noise from cellphones, etc.which is a $1500 to $2K proposition. The cable is also new, which is like $250.:eek:
Other than that, if you're ready to shoulder a 14-pound bass that makes you stretch for a first-position F but sounds like God, I think you're golden. Let us know what you think when she arrives.
Click to expand...

That's the one, and I think that $3600-his current price-is high.

I think that the Daion has been adequate preparation-it's no shrinking violet as far as size is concerned, and it's also a 35" scale, which makes things kind of exciting.:p

I don't play much tuba anymore, since I feel like bass is more of a natural instrument for me, and I could use the money anyway.

I still need to do some thinking.:hmm:
 
#13
I waited a looooooong time to get my first Alembic. It's not a Series bass, but I'm guessing that if you were to get your hands on that Series I, you wouldn't be disappointed. I've played lots and lots of basses- a good range of cheapo's all the way up to some very nice boutique basses. I'd take my used Alembic over any of them. I love the Alembic sound and I sincerly respect the work they do and the way they run their company.

I got a used Rogue 5 that has been updated with Signature electronics. You can find it here- I could spend hours just fiddling with the low pass filters- truly amazing designs. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#14
tbrannon said:
I waited a looooooong time to get my first Alembic. It's not a Series bass, but I'm guessing that if you were to get your hands on that Series I, you wouldn't be disappointed. I've played lots and lots of basses- a good range of cheapo's all the way up to some very nice botique basses. I'd take my used Alembic over any of them. I love the Alembic sound and I sincerly respect the work they do and the way they run their company.

I got a used Rogue 5 that has been updated with Signature electronics. You can find it here- I could spend hours just fiddling with the low pass filters- truly amazing designs. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

Love that Rogue! Next to the Standard Point, that's one of my fave Alembic body shapes.

Even if I do get the SI, I think I'll hold on to my Bongo and Daion-they have their own character about them that I don't think could be replaced.
 
#15
Dharmabass said:
I have a 1980 30.75" Series 1 and I love it. Before I got it it'd been toured all over the place and doesn't have that pretty boy look that a lot of Alembics have, eg my Clarke and is quite plain in the selection of timbers used including unfigured maple facings on the body.
Click to expand...


I don't care what you say, that thing is gorgeous!

It looks very much like one that Stanley used on The Old Grey Whistle Test with George Duke.
 
#16
we should turn this thread into the graphite necked Alembic owners club :) Jazzbo58 - whats the serial on your 79? I'm curious to see how far apart ours are.

Alembics are idiosyncratic instruments. Those who like the positive aspects of the instruments (the frequency response for starters) usually find a way to live with the slight niggles (headstock dive as has already been mentioned). I've always wanted to own an Alembic and I like mine a lot although it couldn't become my main bass at the moment as I use 5'ers.
 
#17
Alembics are GREAT basses!! Yes, a bit heavy, but there is a lot of weight in the hardware, bridge, electronics, and other quality items. They tend to have a modern tone, so if you prefer the tone of a p bass with flats, you should probably look elsewhere.
Here is my '92 Elan 5
DSC_0099.gif
 
#19
82Daion said:
I might be coming into some money here pretty soon, and I've found an Alembic Series I for an excellent price. I know about their reputation from surfing several internet review sites, but, as a result of living in OH, I've never had the chance to play one.

If anyone here has some experience with them, good or bad, let me know. Thanks a lot!
Click to expand...

I guess this qualifies me......

Link Removed

I've had a number of Alembics over the years, including Series I and Series II. They can be heavy but they don't have to be. My 5 string Series II weighs about t 13 1/2 pounds. Coco bolo is a heavy wood. But my 4 string walnut Series I only weighs about 9 1/4 lbs. About the same as the Bongo 5 string I recently sold.

As for the reach thing. As you can see, I ain't that tall. The 5 string that I have strapped up has been my main bass since I got it in 2000. I strap it up fairly high, yet I have no trouble with the reach. The main reason is that I play with the bass body at about a 45 degree angle to my right hip, so the headstock is a little in front of me, not off to my left. This really works out great on dark stages, because the neck is positioned in a way that I don't have to change my field of vision to see the LEDs.

As for the tone.....As suggested, they are not for everyone. And getting used to how to tweak the filters can sometimes take a while. It's easy to get sounds you like. It's also easy to get sounds you don't like. Play the one you are considering buying if you have the opportunity. If you are ever in the Detroit area, I'd have no problem with meeting up with you at a Guitar Center or Low Down Sound and having you goof around with one of mine for a while.

Peace,

James
 

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