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Alembic V Warwick

#21
bassman10096 said:
To each his own. If you have an Alembic built (by far the most costly way to come by an Alembic), you can get virtually any scale, radius, board width, neck thickness you ask for. This applies to all Alembic models. That could be why the Series 1 necks you played felt different. The other difference is that the standard high end Alembic basses come standard with a neck that doesn't taper much from nut to heel. The newer and lower cost models come standard with pretty much the same taper as a Jazz bass. :ninja:
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You are saying that the epic and essence and orion have the same profile as a jazz? Or is taper different? (just verifying lingo, not what I remember at all, but it could be different)

Edit: now that you say that, I had a fender jazz am deluxe V, and I fel that neck was a little chunky, and I do remember them being kinda similar. Maybe what I am thinking about.
 
#22
I am a huge Alembic fan and player, so take this with that bias in mind: comparing an Alembic, even one of the less-expensive models, to a Warwick is really not fair to either bass. Alembics are beautifully hand-made in a high-skill low production shop, while Warwicks are cranked out assembly-line fashion. It's a little like comparing Budweiser to a fine Bordeaux.

That comparison is more than a slap at Warwick (and it is that). It's also true in that there are people who will take the Bud over the finest wine every time, and there are situations where the Bud is the right choice. Alembics and Warwicks really don't sound at all alike, and you wouldn't be "wrong" to think that either is perfect for you, or for the gig. It's all a question of what you like, bro. Play 'em both and then decide!

Know this, though: Alembics are highly customized basses, and so there is no such thing as a "standard" neck dimension, or for that matter a standard set of features for a given model. For instance, for no extra cost on any of their models Alembic will vary the neck width and thickness and radius to suit your tastes. When I ordered my first Alembic I shipped them out an old Tobias with a neck that I loved and they copied the dimensions exactly - for no extra cost. (I'll bet Warwick won't do that.) So, when someone tells you that he/she didn't like the shape of an Alembic neck all that means is that the player didn't like that particular bass. Alembic will also let you play around with wood choices, electronics and hardware to an amazing degree.

Feel free to contact me off line if you want more info.
 
#23
lamarjones said:
You are saying that the epic and essence and orion have the same profile as a jazz? Or is taper different? (just verifying lingo, not what I remember at all, but it could be different)
....
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The way I interpret taper, it can be looked at as fingerboard width from headstock to body. Series I and Series II Alembics have very little taper, unless you order them to a specific profile.

The way I interpret profile, if you chopped the neck at the 12th fret and then looked at the shape, what would you see? Something shaped like a D....? Something shaped like a flat board? Something shaped like 2/3 of a baseball bat?

I recently played an Alembic Epic back-to-back with a Pedulla Thunder-something and a Pedulla Rapture at the Southfield, Michigan Guitar Center. I would have had a difficult time making a decision between the Epic and the Thunder-something, if I were in buying mode. I would have taken either over the Rapture. I'm a bit biased towards Alembics, but considering that my current Alembics are top of the line, I was still very impressed by the Epic's playability and tone.


Peace,

James
 
#24
Malthumb, the poly-ticks thing is a Bill Maher line. Not to be a smug ass, but he is my favorite comedian :)

Haven't played an Alembic ever to be honest, but like a few other posters have said, I'm glad they run their buisness the way the do. Just like Boogie and Demeter too. At least theres some dignity left in american buisnesses!!! Never been a big Warwick fan, always thought they were muddy, but the Alemics I've heard are class A, un-obstructed tone!
 
#26
You are saying that the epic and essence and orion have the same profile as a jazz? Or is taper different? (just verifying lingo, not what I remember at all, but it could be different)
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Not the same full neck profile - the same taper to the fingerboard width (from 1.625 nut - closer to a P, down to 2.360 at the 24th fret - may be 2.5 at the bridge like a Fender). The back profile is a bit deeper than most J necks. Sorry - I should have been more specific. Those are standard dimensions. Custom dimensions are available in most cases at no extra on new basses.
 

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