This is serious apples and oranges. Back in the day, I would have picked Alembic in a heartbeat, but now I think I would prefer a nice Streamer or Thumb Broadneck five.
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Alembic vs Warwick
- Thread starter Noseferatu
- Start date
I never owned an alembic but i have demo one before...it wasnt my cup of tea. But my wicks are hard to beat. People including my bandmates and friends LOVE that signature growl. And every 5 string i pick up or owned has the super tight sounding B string. I JUST LOVE THE WICKS especially the $$
I vote for the Wick!!
I vote for the Wick!!
This is a dream bass thread. If you're asking what's "best" there is no best and you need to get out and play more basses.
Roy Vogt
Supporting Member
- Sep 20, 2000
- 4,433
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- Endorsing Artist: Kiesel Basses, Ampeg Amplification, Hotone Ampero II effects
I've had both a classic Series I Alembic and a Modulus/Alembic 5 String with Alembic electronics. I've played numerous Warwicks that my students have owned. Personally, I can dial in tone much easier on the Alembic basses due to the mid-range sweep that the Q switch allows. I've never really liked the feel of oiled wenge necks or the U cut so the Warwicks just don't feel as comfortable. If you select a dark wood they can also be extremely heavy.
A new Warwick is significantly cheaper than a new Alembic and they're both nice basses. I have to go with one of the earlier posters-it's like comparing a Porsche and a Lotus Europa. Both great sports cars but one is slightly more expensive.
A new Warwick is significantly cheaper than a new Alembic and they're both nice basses. I have to go with one of the earlier posters-it's like comparing a Porsche and a Lotus Europa. Both great sports cars but one is slightly more expensive.
I've have owned my Series 1 for 34 years, I've Played in Elvis act, Hair bands, Pop bands, Country bands and Classic rock bands and The sound that my Alembic makes has always done the job, I almost bought a Warwick once, I was making the deal When I found a Alembic Epic for under $1000 and got it. if I found a good deal on a Warwick, I'd I would think about,............ real hard,..........then another Alembic would show up and it would all over again
David T
David T
Although I don't own either, I picked Warwick. Reason being I like the looks of the Warwick better, they (Warwicks) seem easier to use, and they are cheaper. Don't get me wrong, they are both very good basses but for me Warwicks seem to be a little more user friendly.
Neither. IME they both leave much to be desired in terms of ergonomics, both tend towards the heavy side, and IMHO Alembic prices are too high (I believe they like it that way and are happy with smaller volume). Tone is subjective, but I like the Alembic sound and eq
I voted for the Warwick. I've owned an Alembic Elan 5, which had a pretty narrow string spacing, less that 16mm. My Thumb is 17mm, which is perfect. Both are not light weight.
owned alembic orion 5...great bass.... owned wick's... great bass too... very different instruments... boths great, in different ways...
Bit of a broken record here, but both are great basses that take different roads to get there. Personally, I prefer the more organic Warwick sound. It doesn't hurt that, to me, 'Wicks are gorgeous and have the exact tone I go for 
Owned both I had a Thumb Bleached Blond very nice but no where as near an Alembic of which I own a Triple Omega
Warwick. Too many of the alembics to me are just gaudy ugly examples of poor taste in jewerly display. At least with warwicks it focus is squarely on it being a music instrument.
Alembic. German made Warwicks are solidly put together, but I prefer an instrument I can comfortably play, with a sound that isn't lost in the mix the instant the guitarist starts playing.
I've played both but I've only owned Alembics, so I guess that points to my vote.
You can get an Alembic that is much more plain than a Warwick (an 83 Spoiler I owned ) or you can get an Alembic that's over the top bling. All comes down to what the buyer specifies. None of the bling subtracts from the tone which can range from piano-like to pure thunder.
