Alembic vs Warwick

[Noseferatu]

Which do you prefer, and why?? Discuss.

 

[M0ses]

Carrots.

 

[Radical Edward]

Schecter. Fender. Though, really.. it's a matter of taste and how it feels and sounds to you.

 

[Exploiter8]

I'm sure if I had a Warwick instead, I would have voted for it!

X8

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

I've owned Warwicks and own an Alembic. I don't prefer one over the other. Two different monsters...both are great.

 

[Shy Guy]

Well here's my run down as I've played a decent share of both- Get a warwick if you want that signature growl, don't mind weirdly balanced basses, and want a nice U neck (pre 2009 necks). Get an alembic if you can find one as "cheap" as a wick and prefer slightly more versatile instruments with different wood tops and mildly better balance. Otherwise both instruments are very heavy except for the ash and maple wicks. If I were to recommend anything I'd say get an ash warwick corvette $$ and call it a day.

 

[JimiLL]

Warwick for me. Love that low-mid signature

 

[Tommygunn]

Warwick Corvette all the way!

 

[Noseferatu]

Warwick Corvette all the way!

Agreed. I'd kill for a double buck.

 

[splitcoilsenior]

Agreed. I'd kill for a double buck.

I'd kill two for a double buck.

 

[Webtroll]

I can only compare what I owned; Epic 5er vs. Streamer LX5. The Epic was prettier and played like a dream, but I found the tone to be sterile and not to my liking. The LX plays almost as nice, the contours feel better, and it has a grind that reminds me of my old Precision with EMGs that I should have kept. I liked the fretless LX5 enough to sell the Epic and a Spector Euro 5 (EMGs) to get a fretted LX5. Both LX5s have MEC Jazz pickups and preamps (I leave them flat). No regrets, but there are other Alembic models I'd like to try.

 

[malthumb]

Alembic.

To me they are just better basses. As much as I've liked the tone of the Warwicks I've played (never owned one) I could not get past the chunky neck.

The Alembics I've played and owned, however, have (imho) better tone and more versatile tone and you can get the neck however you want it.

If you're buying new, Alembics are wildly expensive, so Warwick is probably a better value, but line for line, note for note, I find Alembics to be better basses.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Depends on whether we're talking 4 or 5 string. If 4, definitely a pre '99 Streamer Pro M or LX 4.... or something along that line. I don't care for the Warwick fivers.

Riis

 

[jumbosilverette]

They're different enough so it's hard to choose one over the other. I think they're both boss.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

I've had Alembics that could cop Warwick tones, but have yet to play a Warwick that could sound like anything but a Warwick.

 

[bucephylus]

Which Alembic!!???? I mean a Series bass is going for something like 15k$ now. Isn't this like comparing a handmade Shelby Cobra versus a BMW?? Both totally different animals and not even in the same price universe.

IMO, the Alembic Series electronics remain without equal in the bass universe. Not to say you can't make a lot of great tone and music with other pup/electronics designs. The Warwicks have a wonderful sound. Buy the instrument that works for you.

 

[bass_snake]

I' d go for Warwicks but would love to own an Alembic one day.

Fred

 

[flipper_gv]

Warwick.

But honestly, apples and oranges.

 

[dave2]

I can only afford a Warwick so I chose Warwick. I own a Thumb 5 string. The older Warwicks are probably the best.
The one Alembic 6 string I played was great but I cant afford them. They are probably "better" in ways but it's all a matter of opinion and choice.
I'm interested to see other opinions. Maybe one day I will own an Alembic.

Dave

 

[MaddAnthony_59]

This like saying do you prefer a BMW or a Maserati. Both are Great, but there is a BIT of a gap between Price & Quality between the 2 brands. Plus one is built on an Assembly Line, and one is Hand Crafted.


That being said, I have an Alembic Epic, and a Fleet of Warwicks. The Alembic is a superior instrument in just about every aspect. But I prefer to play 2 of my Warwicks over it. They are my Fortress Masterman & Streamer ProM. These are identical basses electronically, just different bady shapes. Why do I like these over the Mighty Alembic? Because they Growl so Violently that it's almost a Scream! The tone makes the Hair stand up on the back of my Neck, and I can Feel the Music Pumping through the instruments as I play them. Plus they're about 3 - 4 lbs lighter!

BMW Masterman

BMW ProM

Maserati