Smith or Fodera or Alembic?

[esa372]

Alembic... by a wide margin.

 

[bassbenj]

I think there are more outstanding bass companies out there besides the big 3. None of them have Alembic pickups and electronics though.

Tune Japan

A while back Sam Ash got in a bunch of Tune basses that were really priced RIGHT! I got a huge gas attack and was really impressed with them. The ones I looked at were very nice Alembic clones. A HUGE bargain for the money. I was ready to buy and then came to my senses. Hey. I already own the Alembic, so why should I fork out for a clone no matter how great the deal? So I didn't buy it. But you know every now and then I kind of wish I had bought it... just for grins...

 

[OldDirtyBassist]

I don't think of Tune Japan as a bargain company, and I wouldn't have mentioned them knowing they were doing actual clones. My bad.

The MIJ clones of the 70's looked good, but didn't have the neck angle thing like Alembic does. I don't think you can mass produce that neck angle.

 

[BassHappy]

Being exclusively a medium scale 4 string player, I would have to say Alembic.

Not sure Smith or Fodera have ever - or would even consider - building a medium scaler with only 4 strings. Of course, I could be wrong. For whatever reason, neither have aesthetically appealed to me enough to find out. I mean, how do you do that: "Can I check out one of your medium scalers and take it for a spin? Uh, no, I don't have any here, but we can build you one if you want."

When I need to go deep I use drop D tuners or my Roscoes triggering midi. Have enough trouble keeping track of four strings.

It's true, you can't teach an old dog new tricks!

BassHappy

 

[nostatic]

At this level, no right or wrong answer. Just depends on what you bond with and what your needs/wants are. This one continues to slay all other basses that come into the house (and eventually go)

 

[radmin]

Every alembic I've tried was too heavy. Every fodera I've ever tried was too expensive.
I've owned two smiths but gave them up for Roscoes. I'm over the dual coil sound these days.

If money were not a factor I'd do a monarch pj.

 

[SRFSterling5]

Had a Smith and have a Fodera. The Smith is a well made bass, just the tone didn't get it after a while. I'd love to try an Alembic but the left hand reach looks like it would be uncomfortable for me. But The tone that Jimmy Johnson gets on his 5 string is incredible.

 

[My name is Mudd]

I'd choose an Alembic, just 'cause of what it is.

 

[MisterMagician]

I have played an Alembic before.


To quote the internet:

"It was k"

 

[Baird6869]

I am not a Smith fan at all and Alembics don't do much for me. And yes, I have played lots of them over the years. I just don't like the tone, but YMMV.

Smiths sound like Smiths and depending on the Alembic, they also can have a distinctive tone. Foderas are much more versatile IME.

 

[Nidan]

All good , however of all the basses I've made and played , Alembic's are still my favorite .

 

[zortation]

Alembic, no contest.

 

[BluesMan84]

Alembic for me. I've never liked Ken Smiths at all. Sure they are amazing, just don't like the shape or look.

Fodera's really are the creme de la creme but Alembics are just something on their own plateau. So unique in looks and tone.

 

[Emanuel Apascaritei]

Out of the three I´d go Fodera.

But take a serious look at Adamovic basses also. Top notch!
Link Removed

 

[Schlyder]

Jerzy Drozd.

 

[allenhumble]

Of the 3 I would go fodera. ......but I chose elrick for the same reasons I would have gone with fodera.

 

[hands5]

If you had a choice. Which bass you would like to have or have. I haven't played many Fodera's, but Ken Smiths and Alembic have their own sound. A lot of people say Smiths are one trick pony. But, as a owner of a Smith, you can get a hi fi P Bass sound with the neck pickup and a Jeff Berlin sound with the bridge pickup. Or close.

A Room addition to my house the these things cost as of late.

 

[Baird6869]

I love some of these responses. Too funny.

Question: Do you prefer Gibson or Fender?
Answer: Musicman

Question: What do you like better, steak or chicken?
Answer: Salmon

 

[iriegnome]

I would love to play any of them. I had a brief encounter with an Alembic, but it was very short lived. I have never played a Fodera or a real Ken Smith. It would be a cool thing to play them and compare..

 

[allenhumble]

I love some of these respoinstruments funny.

Question: Do you prefer Gibson or Fender?
Answer: Musicman

Question: What do you like better, steak or chicken?
Answer: Salmon

They are all very different but other companies offer the same calibur of instruments.