I saw this and just about cried.

[CYoung]

Why, why, would someone do this?!?!?!

Kawai FIIB (Alembic copy) / Peavey Cirrus bass guitar ! | eBay

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Because people mod their basses all the time? It was a Kawaii- it's not like he found a lost Vermeer painting and painted a monster truck on it.

 

[capnsandwich]

Yeah, I agree. This is an Alembic copy, not an Alembic. It was a cheap bass that the owner wanted to sound better. While it looks bad with the pickup routs being too big, it probably sounds much better with the new Cirrus pups and Millennium pre.

 

[Porkbun]

Careful now. Im pretty sure I saw this in the classifieds. Buy it and restore it to its former "glory" if it bothers you that much

 

[gjbassist]

The thing that offends me the most is the fact they are asking $649 for it!

 

[capnsandwich]

Careful now. Im pretty sure I saw this in the classifieds. Buy it and restore it to its former "glory"

Yeah, I saw it too. I saw the filled holes and thought, "This is definitely a recording bass. This is a bass that you play for tone, not looks."

 

[droo46]

If you watch his video it actually sounds pretty cool. Certainly not a pretty bass though.

 

[CORBS]

Give it some wood filler or pickup surrounds and a nice solid color refinish and I bet it would be a sweet looking and sounding bass.

 

[TheBasicBassist]

This bass does in fact belong to a TBer, and it sounds FANTASTIC.

 

[anonymous122511]

Yeah, I agree. This is an Alembic copy, not an Alembic. It was a cheap bass that the owner wanted to sound better. While it looks bad with the pickup routs being too big, it probably sounds much better with the new Cirrus pups and Millennium pre.

Even if it were an Alembic it's still just a bass. A fairly well known player in these parts has been playing an Alembic modded with EMGs for years.

 

[BananaKing]

Because people mod their basses all the time? It was a Kawaii- it's not like he found a lost Vermeer painting and painted a monster truck on it.

This is awesome. That would definitely be something to see.

 

[CYoung]

While I respect what the seller was trying to do, the Kawaii only looked like an Alembic; sound wise it was a much simpler animal and did not have the Alembic sound (and was not marketed as such). I have wanted one for years on its own merits.

I do not doubt it sounds amazing - the Cirrus' electronics are amazing (I have a Cirrus myself), but the somewhat unrefined mods to what was a beautiful bass leave me at a loss for words!

 

[john_martin_sai]

Probably makes him want to cry too - that's why he's trying to get rid of it.

 

[Aussie Player]

Even if it were an Alembic it's still just a bass. A fairly well known player in these parts has been playing an Alembic modded with EMGs for years.

EMG's in an Alembic??? What a down grade. The synthetic copy contaminating the original form.

Alembic bases have a quality that most Alembic bassists do not know. Alembic pick ups cut through a mix even when you think they aren't.

What this means is that the warm smooth sound of the pick ups can often make you think you are not cutting through from where you stand on the stage, but when you get out on the floor or even at the back wall you will learn what few know, that Alembic pick ups carry the notes including the separation on complex runs you may be playing.

Alembic invented Active basses and no-one has emulated them.

 

[smcd]

While I respect what the seller was trying to do, the Kawaii only looked like an Alembic; sound wise it was a much simpler animal and did not have the Alembic sound (and was not marketed as such). I have wanted one for years on its own merits.

I do not doubt it sounds amazing - the Cirrus' electronics are amazing (I have a Cirrus myself), but the somewhat unrefined mods to what was a beautiful bass leave me at a loss for words!

I would save my angst for something more meaningful. Those Kawai basses are neither rare nor expensive. If you want one, check ebay. They come up for sale all the time, and usually sell in the $450 range.

 

[CYoung]

I am waiting patiently to score a zebrawood FIIB, but it will take a while to have the $ and opportunity at the same time. Besides, my Peavey Cirrus, Millenium USA, and Dyna-Bass Unity may not play nice with any other brand of basses. May have to ease them into the idea of an outsider.

 

[bolophonic]

EMG's in an Alembic??? What a down grade. The synthetic copy contaminating the original form.

Alembic bases have a quality that most Alembic bassists do not know. Alembic pick ups cut through a mix even when you think they aren't.

What this means is that the warm smooth sound of the pick ups can often make you think you are not cutting through from where you stand on the stage, but when you get out on the floor or even at the back wall you will learn what few know, that Alembic pick ups carry the notes including the separation on complex runs you may be playing.

Alembic invented Active basses and no-one has emulated them.

Get a room.

 

[Josh Pelican]

Because people mod their basses all the time? It was a Kawaii- it's not like he found a lost Vermeer painting and painted a monster truck on it.

You might not want to visit my place anytime soon...

 

[anonymous122511]

EMG's in an Alembic??? What a down grade. The synthetic copy contaminating the original form.

No, they sounded better to the guy who did it which makes it the right thing to have done. Maybe you should fill out your profile; without knowing your background it's hard to take you seriously...especially when the guy I'm talking about has done a dozen or so albums with a successful band and has worked with the likes of Stephen Fearing and Sarah McLachlan among many others. You're listening with your eyes pal.

 

[jbybj]

EMG's in an Alembic??? What a down grade. The synthetic copy contaminating the original form.

I, for one, am going out of my way to install Alembic electronics on as many non-Alembic basses as I can. I love the sound. But it's different, and NOT for everybody.

Why should someone deny themselves the awesome feel of playing an Alembic, just because they don't like the sound of the electronics?

Besides, it's fine folks like this that make used Alembic pups and guts available to guys like me