Jump to content
Why become a member? ×

Alembic - show us your pics


marcus bell
 Share

Recommended Posts

  • 4 weeks later...

Hello,

I have lurked and read loads on these forums so I thought it was a about time i posted something....best way to start is my Custom Alembic Essence...

Walnut core, Tulip wood top laminate, 5 piece neck, Signature Electronics, side LED's. Purpleheart and maple laminates around the neck and body. Note cone shaped peghead has a narrow cut to it, front laminate on peghead is mahogany.







I love it to bits best bass i have ever had. However atm i'm in love with my fretless Jazz and i don't get to play the Alembic as much as i should. It's going in for a full service so I know im bound to start playing it again.

Edited by DiscoDave
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='DiscoDave' timestamp='1317478541' post='1391136']
Hello,

I have lurked and read loads on these forums so I thought it was a about time i posted something....best way to start is my Custom Alembic Essence...

Walnut core, Tulip wood top laminate, 5 piece neck, Signature Electronics, side LED's. Purpleheart and maple laminates around the neck and body. Note cone shaped peghead has a narrow cut to it, front laminate on peghead is mahogany.







I love it to bits best bass i have ever had. However atm i'm in love with my fretless Jazz and i don't get to play the Alembic as much as i should. It's going in for a full service so I know im bound to start playing it again.
[/quote]

Loving that tulipwood....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

[quote name='lozbass' timestamp='1321189428' post='1436205']
Was re-stringing this yesterday (managed to get an hour to myself) and got a couple of shots - Alembic know where to get some nice timbers
[/quote]

Absolutely stunning, loz, loviest cocobolo top I've seen on any bass.



At least 6 control knobs too many for me though.......

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I love the Alembics shown in this thread. I've always wanted one since learning Stanley Clarke had one. I got his album 'Stanley Clarke' back in 1974, and I was sold.

Still saving up :) I envy you guys....

Slightly off topic...Can Someone tell me why these basses often have so many knobs and switches? I think I've read about some unique filters on Alembics. What are they all for ???

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Shaggy - thanks very much, it's a lovely bit of wood - the facing isn't really bookmatched, it's a piece that Alembic were saving for a small bodied Series II.

Badass, thanks too - the electronics on Alembics are mainly filter based - there's a really good explanation of controls at the link below. Take a look at Threads on Series I and II controls. The electronics are very powerful and provide a great deal of flexibility. The bass with the cocobolo top in my photographs is a SII - it's stereo which adds to the complexity - essentially, there's a volume, filter and continuously variable q for each pickup. Anniversary and signature electronics are similar but not quite so variable.

http://alembic.com/club/messages/16271/16308.html?1307664475

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='lozbass' timestamp='1321209827' post='1436528']

[b]Badass[/b], thanks too - the electronics on Alembics are mainly filter based - there's a really good explanation of controls at the link below. Take a look at Threads on Series I and II controls. The electronics are very powerful and provide a great deal of flexibility. The bass with the cocobolo top in my photographs is a SII - it's stereo which adds to the complexity - essentially, there's a volume, filter and continuously variable q for each pickup. Anniversary and signature electronics are similar but not quite so variable.

[url="http://alembic.com/club/messages/16271/16308.html?1307664475"]http://alembic.com/c...html?1307664475[/url]
[/quote]

[b]lozbass[/b] Massive thanks for the heads up. I'll be checking that link when I get home.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thought it was about time I posted up some pictures of my beloved Orion 5. Gets used for practice, gigs, the works. Lovely shallow neck, which despite having a fret board like an aircraft landing deck, makes it really easy to play. Has a wonderfully growly tone to it, and plays with an uber low action. It's built like a tank, and feels ultra solid, and rigid. The low B string is really focused, and clear.





Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cheers Loz. It is indeed purpleheart. The body is a laminate of mahogany, maple, purpleheart, and zebrawood. The mahogany has a weird holographic effect to it, which looks amazing. The neck is a multi laminate of maple and I think walnut.

You're right about the clarity, and complexity of Alembic's. The sound is sort of a woody growl, and not really much colouration from the pickups or pre amp at all. Really easy to get a great sound through most amps. Most of the time the Orion is tuned ADADG, and the clarity and punch remains on the low B when dropped to low A. Recently used it for a few spots of double tracking on a recording session, where I wanted some low A. Sounds immense!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I thought that I had posted my Persuader in this thread already but I can't find it! My lovely wife got it for me for my 50th, I've wanted an Alembic since the '70's and the Persuaders/Spoilers are just right for me, 32" scale and not too many controls, and still with enough of the feel and quality of the more expensive Series and Signature basses, all in all very playable and giggable and sounds fantastic! Only weighs around the 8lbs mark as well so my back likes it as well!

[attachment=93201:70166.jpg]

[attachment=93202:70167.jpg]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Retroman - the Orion looks gorgeous - I don't think there's anything that sounds like an Alembic, the clarity and weight of the notes is a thing of beauty! I'd love to hear yours down-tuned to A - I suspect that's a bit scary.

Dave C. you clearly have a very wonderful wife. I'm a massive fan of Persuaders and have wanted one for ages - as you say a bit of simplicity with all the quality of build and most of the tonal variation of the sigs etc. Yours is a particularly beautiful example - love the maple.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[b]Thanks again Loz. There really is nothing like an Alembic, which kind of caused me some problems! I wanted another fiver in my arsenal, and tried loads of basses, and kept going away empty handed thinking "that's not a patch on the Alembic". eventually found hapiness with a Vigier Arpege though.[/b]

[b]The EP with the Orion tuned drop A is nearly finished. Will let you know :) [/b]

[b]Dave C, that Persuader is lovely mate :) [/b]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='retroman' timestamp='1321380526' post='1438519']
[b]There really is nothing like an Alembic, which kind of caused me some problems! I wanted another fiver in my arsenal, and tried loads of basses, and kept going away empty handed thinking "that's not a patch on the Alembic". eventually found hapiness with a Vigier Arpege though.[/b]


[b]Dave C, that Persuader is lovely mate :) [/b]
[/quote]

Thanks, it really is a great instrument! I think the Persuaders are a bit underrated but I love it! Mine seems to be much lighter weight than a lot of Alembics.
I've also turned to Vigier basses ( a pair of Passions) as I feel they have a similar solid feel and clarity to them and the build quality is also outstanding,. Had my eye on an Arpege but someone got to it just before me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Loz, I still have to see yours in the flesh, but it's about as nice as it gets in pictures!

Considering the Orion is a low-end Alembic, if you'll excuse the pun, you'd never guess it looking at Retroman's. Really lovely and as Loz says, gorgeous multiple laminates.

Edited by 4000
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks 4000 :)

[quote name='dave.c' timestamp='1321381810' post='1438539']
Thanks, it really is a great instrument! I think the Persuaders are a bit underrated but I love it! Mine seems to be much lighter weight than a lot of Alembics.
I've also turned to Vigier basses ( a pair of Passions) as I feel they have a similar solid feel and clarity to them and the build quality is also outstanding,. Had my eye on an Arpege but someone got to it just before me.
[/quote]

Link to the Arpege I just snapped up :) [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/160340-more-vigier-porn/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/160340-more-vigier-porn/[/url] Loving the Arpege, been using it at band practice tonight. beautifully built, clear sounding, with plenty of low end, and bite.

Still hoping to add another Alembic to my stash at some point though. Really quite taken with the Rogue and Essence models :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 months later...

[quote name='lozbass' timestamp='1279884285' post='903076']
+1 - oh dear me! I feel euphoric and slightly nauseous at the same time...an absolutely staggering bass. I'd love to hear this one. I can see that Jazzyvee's acquisition is going to make me want another Alembic (one I don't need and can't justify). Unusual to have the standby switch - extremely useful on a 'live' bass - I think we should see more of these
[/quote]

As it happens the standby switch didn't last too long. I use right-angled jacks at the instrument end and when I put it down on the stand the jack must have connected with the switch and broke the lever off. I recently got a replacement from Alembic which has a much shorter lever which is short enough for the right-angled jack to pass over without connecting so this is a much better option.

Still loving the bass. The maple gives the bass fast attack and wonderfully big piano like envelope to the note. The other thing is that this is the only bass I have with a narrow string spacing so the feel of it is noticeably different to play on both the fretting and plucking hands, so swapping basses takes a bit of adjustment.

Edited by jazzyvee
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='lozbass' timestamp='1321189428' post='1436205']
Was re-stringing this yesterday (managed to get an hour to myself) and got a couple of shots - Alembic know where to get some nice timbers
[/quote]

Yummy....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

Picked this Brown Bass up recently, just a couple of quick shots (iphone) from the polish and set-up until I can get something better. I'm exceptionally pleased - another testament to the craft and vision of the Alembic people

Edited by lozbass
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...