cocco

[quote name='jazzyvee' timestamp='1396280502' post='2411761'] You are correct, i went to the one of the annual alembic gatherings in 2012 in California and had a chance to try out most of the basses in their range, and the large body classic basses are quite heavy and whilst I'm 5'11" it was still a stretch to comfortably play at the first fret and reaching the tuners is still more of a stretch. Some owners go for a medium scale bass in that body style and specify lightweight tuners which does help the balance and and stretch. The short scale basses also have a tendency to neck dive and lean forward from the top of the bass but I've had mine for 12 years now and have got used to this and hardly notice. The ones I've tried that balance the best are the Elan, Europa, Orion and rogue body shapes. Jazzyvee [/quote] Are you the same jazzyvee off the alembic forum? If so your purple elan is gorgeous! I like the elan, Orion, and Europa shapes the most. I wouldn't have the patience to wait for a new one though. What do these generally sell for? I'm not after a museum piece, just a players bass, the more maple the better and the less coffee table looking the better, preferably a solid or trans black finish.

So I'm developing an obsession with Alembic basses, more notably the lower end of the range. Orion, Elan, Persuader etc. Just wondering what they are like to live with? What are the pros and cons? How easy are the filter preamps to get on with? And most importantly how are they in a live situation? I'm a rock player and I need something that keeps up with loud guitars, Jason Newsted playing one gives me hope, but then I don't have his budget.

Peavey T-40?

Fodera? Ritter? Sue Ryder?

Some sort of classic Ibanez?

I certainly do! No finer sound exists than T-40 into sans amp bddi (the talent enhancer) into AD 200. Have a go, they tick all the boxes for me!

Maple and black

Squier Matt Freeman is worth a look.

Peavey T-40s can be had for under £300 and are built like tanks by Americans with an incredible array of sounds for a passive bass. Ibanez Blazers too, not forgetting nearly all the westone range.

Seafoam green, sonic blue, fiesta red, maybe burgundy mist? I think it needs to be a Surfy colour.

Aria SB would be my first port of call! Fantastic value for money these days. Especially if you get something like an elite 2 or a 900

I adore my Bob Glaub skyline. If you're looking at one of their actives my recommendation would be the MM/J one, does everything the soapbar one does but also does more. Also the skylines are incredible value. I've never played a US one but I can't see how it can be much better. My skyline feels better put together than most things.

Have a look at the Yamaha trbxs aswell. Can't go wrong with Yamaha and Ibanez.

I prefer the double cut BTB. This looks odd to say the least.