lozbass

Dingus, Bassman344 - thank you gentlemen - your words are appreciated. I hope my views are reasonably balanced

I really only play short-scale Alembics these days (well those and a Status Streamline). I've had pretty much everything and find that Alembic shorties really work for me, above and beyond all else. I don't want to get involved in the hype around these things, but for me, Alembics have some stand-out features - especially the unique tone and attention to detail. The innovative components and build philosophy are well documented above and I'd agree with most of what I've read. I do find however, that Alembics are fairly high maintenance basses. Necks need regular tweaks and electronics can be idiosyncratic. Then there's the ergonomics - neck dive is frequently an issue, and the small-bodied basses don't balance well on a strap (for me, though I'm used to it now). Also, I would like to see Alembic move to dual action truss-rods - just a lot easier (though I'm sure the company has its reasons). Fittings and finish on all my Alembics have been superb - genuinely beyond anything else I've owned (Wal, Fodera, Celinder, Alleva, Overwater, Nordy, Sadowsky, Pangborn...you get the picture). I've kind of voted with my feet - expensive yes, but not stupidly so in the second hand market. Reassuringly, I picked up a less expensive Alembic a few months ago - soon to be sold, watch this space, it's 34" scale - and it was every bit as lovingly built as my other Alembics. There is a professional pride at Alembic that is reflected in the quality of the instruments that bear the company's name

Just picked up a very nice Hiscox case from John - the whole deal couldn't have been easier - extremely accommodating and friendly

[quote name='Wooks79' timestamp='1356965641' post='1915726'] I found the set up I had done there to be unplayable and took it elsewhere to be sorted out ever since. It's always horses for courses though I guess. [/quote] thanks! Useful to know

Of those I've tried in the area, I'd rate Ged Green highly (if he's still doing set ups, i know he was aiming to focus on building). I've had decent results with Steve Robinson once and a bit let-down on another occasion. I haven't tried the guys at PMT in Salford but hear good reports. All this said, nearly everything I want doing goes to the Gallery - 'kind of speaks for itself. I'd rather pay the train fare to London. If you have five basses that need attention, it's probably a good idea to get to Camden.

A bit late this, but thanks Martin for another fun deal (and a peak at the Status Kingbass) - I met Martin in Manchester to hand over a Zoom H2 and enjoyed his company as ever. Utterly trustworthy in all dealings - a pillar of our community

I've neither seen one of these nor played one but they look fantastic - it appears that Fernandes were trying to clone Alembics and did a pretty good job from construction to electronics to aesthetics. I'm sure there's a lot written on the Alembic Club site but I haven't checked - prices do appear to be reasonably high though (I suspect that Fernandes are a lot more rare than Alembics and to get one in good condition with fully functioning electronics is probably not easy). The bass in main photograph looks very much like a pre 2006 Alembic Brown Bass (neck dimensions, nut, construction etc.) - very lovely!

Sold an old Columbus Jazz to Martyn - an incredibly easy and straightforward deal. Fantastic communications and Martyn did everything he could to accommodate. A true gent!

To answer my own question, Nate Jones apparently, a man with some pedigree

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1352307883' post='1861429'] I was about to dismiss it as that until the next act, Trey Songz, came on. Now that was a bass tone that made my ears prick up, really nice. [/quote] Me too - fabulous tone (to my ears) and a staggering player. Who is the guy? Some kind of octaver in theree too? On topic, love the look and feel of Ps but never found the core tone something that suits