"Entry-level" Alembics, how are they?

[Wandering Bastard]

Spoiler will be closest to the signature models, neck profile is most likely the same (Classic taper) and they have the filter based electronics (with double preamp so you can set the gain for each pickup)
Most Spoilers are medium scale (32 inch), price wise they are at the same level as the current Rogue.

Orions are set neck and have the comfort taper (Fender neck dimensions) they feel quite different and don't have the filter (though the electronics can easily be upgraded by adding a filter module)
The bass and treble setup gives you powerful control and Alembic electronics are some of the quietest active electronics around
I did miss the filter on my Orion, so I did the above upgrade thingy (EMW electronics)
Epic/Orion/Excel also have a satin finish, not the high gloss polyester finish that's on neck through Alembics.

Build quality is the same across the entire range of Alembic

The (almost) most expensive next to the least expensive and a Spoiler:

Well, to be honest, you and your amazing collection are one of the reason I want an Alembic, I had seen a few video on your band's yt channel and, honestly, it pretty much convinced me that wanted one. As I only had seen Slap videos, I really had no idea of their sound while plucking, so your Orion cover really helped me out!

Also, thank you for all the information, I'm currently on the look out for any information on those basses to settle on a single one, the fretted Alembic to end all (of my) fretted basses...

For now, my objective is to find out if I like 32' scale basses, as I am used with 35' on my fretted 5 and 34' on my fretless 5... But most Fenders I played with 32' felt perfectly ok to me.

 

[GBassNorth]

Love my Essence...

I'd consider it an entry level full scale Alembic. I'd consider the Spoiler to be an entry level shorter scale Alembic. Orion's and Epics are very nice basses but they take a slightly less Alembic and more traditional approach to construction and tone control. I personally like the speed and ease at which I can dial in the right tone for any given situation on the filter supplied Alembics vs the v/p/t/b control method. So I've never even considered buying a non-filter equipped Alembic.

Bottom line - any Alembic will be a great bass that you will pay a premium to own. They may or may not be right for you but if you buy one used at a reasonable price it will hold or appreciate in value. So if it turns out to not be all that you thought it could be you can usually sell it for what you bought it for or better.

 

[Berniez40]

They are the real deal. Unless you know everything down to the very finest detail as to what you want in a custom build job, then that entry level Alembic is going to be all the bass you will need for years to come. My number one go to bass is outfitted with Alembic Electronics. The live sound guy loves it, and I haven't run into a studio engineer yet that doesn't love this thing for its low maintenace instant plug and play professional quality tone.

 

[wvbass]

The thread title is funny. I know that used prices are often fairly manageable, but calling any instrument that lists at $6400 before options is a bit comical. I own a beautiful Orion that I got for a song, and I know about how much it originally sold for, but that same instrument would now list at $8000. IMO, that is not entry level, although I agree it is an entry level Alembic.

IME, manufacturers cut certain corners on their lower priced instruments. These cut corners almost never include attention/time spent on fretwork or anything that affects playability. The cut corners are usually options, customizations, and things that add to build time. Often "entry level" boutiques are closer to production-line instruments than one-off builds. As previously mentioned, Alembics lower-priced instruments have a more conventional active circuit.

My Alembic Orion is beautiful and sounds great. It does not, however, look or sound like a Series instrument.

 

[sstillwell]

Epic 4 and Epic 6 - sustain for DAYS and like everyone else has said, the build quality does NOT suffer for being a "lower-end" model...but for rock-and-roll I still find myself playing my Ray34 more than anything else.

*EDIT* Why did I say Epic 5? It's a six-string. Derp. Fixed.

 

[Eminor3rd]

I've only had the opportunity to play an Alembic once -- there was a used Stanley Clarke-bodied one at GC when I was on vacation in LA. It sounded awesome, but I gotta say, I was shocked at how super fat the neck was. It was really uncomfortable for me, and disappointingly cemented the fact that I'll never be an Alembic owner. There are a lot of basses I've played that have necks I don't necessarily LIKE, but that aren't extreme enough to stop me from getting it if everything else is great, but this one was so uncomfortable it was like a deal-breaker.

Not a knock on the brand or the basses at all, but just an observation since you asked specifically about the neck characteristics.

 

[GBassNorth]

I've only had the opportunity to play an Alembic once -- there was a used Stanley Clarke-bodied one at GC when I was on vacation in LA. It sounded awesome, but I gotta say, I was shocked at how super fat the neck was. It was really uncomfortable for me, and disappointingly cemented the fact that I'll never be an Alembic owner. There are a lot of basses I've played that have necks I don't necessarily LIKE, but that aren't extreme enough to stop me from getting it if everything else is great, but this one was so uncomfortable it was like a deal-breaker.

Not a knock on the brand or the basses at all, but just an observation since you asked specifically about the neck characteristics.

Just to be clear - Alembic basses are hand built custom instruments. As such, anyone buying a new Alembic bass can spec the neck dimensions to their liking. I'd imagine the previous owner of that Alembic SC you played specifically requested the neck to be that way. I have an Alembic Dragon Wing bass that darn near has an Ibanez spec neck, very narrow and thin. So what you experienced isn't necessarily indicative of that model much less the entire Alembic line. But it does raise an excellent point for the used bass buyer that might be buying sight unseen. Make sure you check with the seller first to see if the neck dimensions are suitable to you.

 

[Imaginary Pony]

The live sound guy loves it, and I haven't run into a studio engineer yet that doesn't love this thing...

Can't be true; everyone knows sound guys only know how to deal with Fender P basses!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Love my Essence...

I'd consider it an entry level full scale Alembic. I'd consider the Spoiler to be an entry level shorter scale Alembic. Orion's and Epics are very nice basses but they take a slightly less Alembic and more traditional approach to construction and tone control. I personally like the speed and ease at which I can dial in the right tone for any given situation on the filter supplied Alembics vs the v/p/t/b control method. So I've never even considered buying a non-filter equipped Alembic.

Bottom line - any Alembic will be a great bass that you will pay a premium to own. They may or may not be right for you but if you buy one used at a reasonable price it will hold or appreciate in value. So if it turns out to not be all that you thought it could be you can usually sell it for what you bought it for or better.

That was the same as mine except it had darker top wood.

 

[wideload]

From my view, all Alembics are fantastic instruments. The Series I and II electronics are what really set the standard, but the other "lesser" setups are still wonderful. I consider my Rogue a lower mid-line, with that nice filter affecting both pickups together. I tried real hard to play my other basses (Peavey TL-5, Yamaha BB300), thinking I could move the Alembic. I found that the other just can't measure up!

 

[Kmonk]

I would hardly call any Alembic "entry level". New, the least expensive models are Excel and Epic and sell for a $6,400 before upgrades. You can usually find them used for around $2,000 to $2,500. Occasionally, you can find one for less than that. I own a 4 string and 5 string Epic. Both are great playing and sounding. When I first tried and Alembic, I was amazed at the clarity. I heard things I had never heard before, especially mistakes so it forced me to work on technique and muting.

 

[NecroticImbecil]

The comment about build quality echoes my own experience. I can't objectively say the lower priced Alembics are inferior to the ones priced north of a starter house. Simpler construction and controls, but some no doubt prefer that.

 

[CrUiSeR]

I was offered a spoiler back in '89. I guess the owner wasn't that impressed; neither was I.
Lookin' back on it, I should of bought it. HaHa

 

[40Hz]

I've never once met an Alembic bass I didn't like.

I owned a Spoiler for a number of years. One of the absolute finest basses I've ever played. Everything good you've ever heard about an Alembic bass is true.