Thes guys don't answer nor return calls nor e-mails. Does anyone know what is up with them?
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Alembic?
- Thread starter stevensivak
- Start date
Small company. I’ve generally had the best times for connecting between 11A and 4P PST.
If that doesn’t work, Mica is regularly active here:
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What kind of information do you want? Are you thinking of ordering a new Alembic bass? If so, you'll probably get better service by contacting one of their authorized dealers. If you need support or general information, you can pose your question here or go to the Alembic Club that is linked on their website. Lots of really friendly folks out there who can be super helpful. If I personally can provide you information, I'd be happy to do so.
As bucephylus mentioned, they are a small company and don't have the bandwidth to field random questions from the general public. There are many resources out there to obtain information about Alembics.
I hope this helps.
Best,
Bones
As bucephylus mentioned, they are a small company and don't have the bandwidth to field random questions from the general public. There are many resources out there to obtain information about Alembics.
I hope this helps.
Best,
Bones
Some emails may go unanswered but generally they are on the ball. Mica is a very nice person too.
when you have years long backlog of $10k-$20k instruments, you focus on the building part. 
I called Alembic a couple of weeks ago, about some info on my 95 Essence, Mica answered, was helpful, friendly, & promptly emailed me with further details spec information about my bass. Very positive experience in my case! They seem to really have a passion about their basses, and I was very impressed.
I'm at 7 years and counting in their backlog at this point. I've tried contacting them for an update on where I might be in the que or current build times and nada.
when you have years long backlog of $10k-$20k instruments, you focus on the building part.
True, but part of the job is customer service (or at least responding to requests for an update after 7 years of waiting), otherwise those $20k buyers will and can go elsewhere. Brand loyalty and customer experience likely becomes a more important aspect of doing business in this specific (and more expensive) corner of the market.
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So you've waited 7 years just to get in queue? That's nuts.I'm at 7 years and counting in their backlog at this point. I've tried contacting them for an update on where I might be in the que or current build times and nada.
True, but part of the job is customer service (or at least responding to requests for an update after 7 years of waiting), otherwise those $20k buyers will and can go elsewhere. Brand loyalty and customer experience likely becomes a more important aspect of doing business in this specific (and more expensive) corner of the market.
Mica was responsive a few years ago when I needed a replacement power supply for an Alembic rackmount unit either the Preamp or the Superfilter. It's not an excuse really, but my sense of the arc of history is Alembic was building things back in the early 1970s and the original folks at the helm (Ron & Mica, and??) are getting up there in age and may not be quite up to customer service response as the used to be, in that effort to keep Alembic "family-oriented/family-guided" in the tides of global product availability.
I dunno. Just a thought. I hope you are able to get the service and communication you need.
Jeez Louise on the 7 years. I havent talked to Paul in a while but he was always pretty prompt in comparison. I think there are only a few people working there, if that, and with that kind of backlog you dont have alot of bandwidth to answer people. Did you talk to him at some point and they put you on a waitlist? Did you put down a deposit or anything?I'm at 7 years and counting in their backlog at this point. I've tried contacting them for an update on where I might be in the que or current build times and nada.
True, but part of the job is customer service (or at least responding to requests for an update after 7 years of waiting), otherwise those $20k buyers will and can go elsewhere. Brand loyalty and customer experience likely becomes a more important aspect of doing business in this specific (and more expensive) corner of the market.
If you are near San Francisco you could sign up for their monthly tour 
'Our regular factory tour is the first Wednesday of each month at 11:00 am. We request you call at least 1 week in advance of your visit to reserve an appointment. We appreciate your understanding, as our primary goal is the making of our wonderful instruments.'
'Our regular factory tour is the first Wednesday of each month at 11:00 am. We request you call at least 1 week in advance of your visit to reserve an appointment. We appreciate your understanding, as our primary goal is the making of our wonderful instruments.'
We were in the area in May '07 with time to kill before meeting someone at the editorial offices of Ross Periodicals (B&W, Forza, Bimmer, etc.) in Novato, so we took a chance and drove over to Alembic. The front door was open so we wandered in and was eventually greeted by Mica. She gave us a very nice personal tour of the joint.If you are near San Francisco you could sign up for their monthly tour
'Our regular factory tour is the first Wednesday of each month at 11:00 am. We request you call at least 1 week in advance of your visit to reserve an appointment. We appreciate your understanding, as our primary goal is the making of our wonderful instruments.'
Front foyer.
Waiting/reception area.
No description required for this one.
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My post about the tour was a bit tongue in cheek. I got it the info from their website which looks ancient. Do they still do tours?
Alembic is indeed a small family-run business, I'd be surprised if there were more than 8-10 people there most days. It's very elevated work, and the artisans they employ can't be temporarily augmented by a quick call to a temp agency. And as Thunderthumbs pointed out, the founders are dealing with age (aren't we all . . . . ) and sometimes it's tricky to reach them.
The website, particularly The Alembic Club users forum (at www.alembic.com) is just full of all the details of these instruments which can take a while to absorb (pay attention to the FAQs and MUST READ tabs), but well worth the effort if you're considering one of these masterpieces. They are different in the pickups/electronics than most anything else out there, and for most first-time owners, there's usually a bit of a learning curve.
In the meantime, let me recommend Will Gunn at www.willgunnguitars.com. , (615)708-7783. Will is a longtime Alembic-only dealer and player, and has the next best encyclopedic knowledge of them next to the Wickershams, and is a real go-to when it's hard to get a call back from Santa Rosa. Plus, WG is brilliant at these axes and as honest and forthright as you'd hope someone would be should you step up to buy one. I can't recommend him highly enough, and was who I consulted when I had my Elan Five built.
The website, particularly The Alembic Club users forum (at www.alembic.com) is just full of all the details of these instruments which can take a while to absorb (pay attention to the FAQs and MUST READ tabs), but well worth the effort if you're considering one of these masterpieces. They are different in the pickups/electronics than most anything else out there, and for most first-time owners, there's usually a bit of a learning curve.
In the meantime, let me recommend Will Gunn at www.willgunnguitars.com. , (615)708-7783. Will is a longtime Alembic-only dealer and player, and has the next best encyclopedic knowledge of them next to the Wickershams, and is a real go-to when it's hard to get a call back from Santa Rosa. Plus, WG is brilliant at these axes and as honest and forthright as you'd hope someone would be should you step up to buy one. I can't recommend him highly enough, and was who I consulted when I had my Elan Five built.
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Ron & Susan are the original original folks at the helm; Mica is their daughter.
What I need is the schematic for the F1-X. Micah, on the forum, says to send an e-mail to someone else @ Alembic for that and while no one pics up the phone (tried again on Thursday at the recommended time) nor does she respond to phone messages nor e-mails....
I can understand why Wal is that way, but Alembic? Alembic has at least 3 people on the payroll who do NOT work in the shop...
They have no idea if my calls/e-mails are for a 35k bass or a hat.... Definitely not the kind of customer service that as noted above is so critical and certainly when it comes to ultra, ultra high end gear......
I maintain that they have shut their doors or who knows what...
If anyone reading this has made contact with them over the past two weeks, please let me know!
I can understand why Wal is that way, but Alembic? Alembic has at least 3 people on the payroll who do NOT work in the shop...
They have no idea if my calls/e-mails are for a 35k bass or a hat.... Definitely not the kind of customer service that as noted above is so critical and certainly when it comes to ultra, ultra high end gear......
I maintain that they have shut their doors or who knows what...
If anyone reading this has made contact with them over the past two weeks, please let me know!
