lozbass

Wow, the Ric sounds wonderful - a bit more hollow and honky than a bic to my ears but very pokey. Nice to see a vistalite kit too

[quote name='4000' post='1082819' date='Jan 9 2011, 12:22 AM']Wish I could've kept my Triple O though.....[/quote] and I wish I'd bloody bought it (even though I couldn't play it) - the most beautiful piece of walnut on the planet

Met up with Clarky yesterday to hand over a rather special instrument. My only regret (apart from passing on a fantastic bass) was that we didn't have longer to talk - Clarky is a pillar of the BC community with an incredible enthusiasm for - and knowledge of - bass. He's also a fantastically accommodating and very understanding buyer. Despite a few problems at my end, the deal was concluded extremely rapidly and Clarky made the funds transfer within minutes of our telephone conversation. Utterly honest, extremely friendly and a gentleman player of our instrument. Thanks for everything! I would recommend Clarky without reservation to any buyer or seller.

Just go for it - I get a massive thrill from playing a lovely bass at home. I gigged solidly for 15 years before it became clear that I could make a much more acceptable living doing something very different. I haven't gigged for 20 years and don't miss it at all (hassle, grief and hard work punctuated by the odd laugh). My gear now is massively superior to anything I had when I was hoping to make a living (though I still have my two 'career' basses) and it gives me a fantastic smile every time I get a chance to play. £3.5k is a lot of cash but a small price to pay for mental well-being...and the Dingwall, though not to my taste, looks to be beautifully built and finished

Very lovely. Nice to see something unusual too. Finishing looks excellent!

I managed to pop into Dawsons in Manchester today and they have two of the shortscale Limited Edition 1960s EB3s (black and cherry) on display. Both are in the sale at £209 (until 9th January I think). I didn't have a chance to play either bass but they appear to be well put together and neatly finished. There's also a blue (Pelham?) and a cherry EBO and a couple of long-scale EB3s - all Epiphone. At £209, I'd say the shortscales are worth a punt

I'll be at my local Dawsons later and will have a go on one of the Epiphone EB3 short-scales (I think they had three in stock when I last looked) - I'll report back.

I'm a big fan of the EB0 and EB3 aesthetic and have tried a lot of the Gibson - and alternative - variants over the years. There's an EB3 shortscale available from Epiphone at the moment (black, white or cherry) - nice basses that appear to be decently set-up out of the box. The various models can vary enormously in terms of balance and ergonomics (as many other posters have indicated) - the spectrum of tones across the models is also extremely broad. It's probably a good idea to try as many as you can if you have some decent shops in the vicinity. I do find that neck dive can be an issue - especially on basses with the strap pin behind upper frets on the rear of the body. If you're feeling a bit flush, have a look at the small standard Alembics (and SC models) - a slightly different take on the EB0 styling with an incredible and unique tonal palette. They're also 'racing machines' as a friend commented recently and with serious accuracy.

Chris2112 - there is an Alembic dealer in the UK - American Guitar Centre at: [url="http://www.americanguitarsuk.com/bassshop/alembicB.php"]http://www.americanguitarsuk.com/bassshop/alembicB.php[/url] IMO they're very expensive (one of my SCDs was purchased there as a commission - I have the eye-watering original receipt). I think that the Gallery has a dealership too - indeed, the Gallery has three lovely Alembics in at the moment (two SCDs and a MK Sig)

Pete - I'm near Manchester (and work fairly central). If you're around, just give me a shout and we can try to sort something out (and I understand entirely where you're coming from). Pete Academy's experience is a serious concern. I'm a really big fan of Alembics but I'm not here to defend the company, and its behaviour in Pete's case is indefensible. As indicated, the faulty pickups should never have made it out of the factory, the fix should have been immediate, and customer service should clearly have been much better. The dealings I've had with Alembic have been much more positive (and I'd be very disappointed if they hadn't been). Quickly, on the issue of Anniversary electronics, I've noticed that my SCD (Ann) has an extremely burpy tone with the back pickup soloed. I absolutely love it - I was shocked at just how burpy it is following a re-string and set-up last week (Martin at the Gallery): maybe it's something to do with the cocobolo or possibly the short scale length. Good point on the side markers - all my short-scales have LEDs in silver rings so no problem with the lights on or off. However, I can imagine that the small brass markers on some basses aren't that easy to see on a dark stage (I have the brass markers on the Series I). I agree too on the balance issues with the SCs - some people don't find the balance a problem at all. Personally - the buckeye burl SCD apart - small bodied Alembics don't balance well for me on a strap - not an issue as they balance and sit extremely well in the lap (and I stand to play very rarely). I realised following my last post that I hadn't really addressed Pete's original question. As others say, in the non signature and series categories there are some great bargains to be had. Even in Sig and Series territory, there are some well-priced instruments around. It really is all relative (as hundreds of BC and TB threads attest and discuss at length). I've had a crazy list of basses in the past 5 years or so - from the trendiest high-end builders, to the tiny boutique luthiers, and through to the highest-end of the production companies. Nearly all of them were staggeringly well built and sounded great. Sei, Celinder, Fodera, AC and Fender Masterbuilt were probably the standouts (IMO the Sei flamboyant is the most beautiful bass design ever conceived and Martin is a genius - a very lovely one at that). Again, IMO there is no 'best bass' or 'best builder' - certain types of bass suit certain types of player, at certain stages in their career. Alembics are expensive (undoubtedly) but if you want one, you can find one that really 'works', and you can get the money together, then go for it. Nothing else plays or sounds like an Alembic, and if you really want the ergonomics, feel and sound, then you have to pay for it. I could get Martin or many other brilliant luthiers to build a beautiful, incredibly playable, superb bass for me but it wouldn't have the tone, feel or aesthetic of an Alembic. It's the difference that - personally - I find is worth the premium...and to be honest, that 'premium' doesn't have to be too big. The 'calculator' prices of Alembics are extraordinary, however, factor in the 'specials' and dealer discounts and you can easily get down to 60% of the original calculator price (I've no idea why companies persist with MRSP and street etc. - I find it confusing and quite unhelpful). In reality, the higher-end Alembics aren't any more expensive than higher end Foderas, Thompsons, Lawrences, Ritters etc. (or those from other exotic boutique builders). Indeed, if you're willing to look around and wait for a very recent, almost unplayed high-end Alembic, you can find a good deal. All of my Alembics are second-hand, nearly new and were nearly unplayed when I acquired them. I paid between 45% and 65% of the original purchase price (and that includes importation fees for two basses). You just need to be watchful and highly selective - there are some great bargains to be had. Most of the basses I have came in at prices that would rival a new Wal, GB, Sei or GUS etc. I'm not suggesting in any way that they're 'better' than such basses, just similarly priced and have the features and tone that I prefer. Indeed, I'm selling a perfect, entirely 'as new' Series I bass for £3100 as I move towards short-scale almost exclusively (just an example, not an attempt to hijack the thread!) So, I realise it's another short essay, but I hope I've remained reasonably objective and that my experience and (reasonably informed I hope) opinion is of help.

The Celinder vintage P that I've just sold has an Agi 2 band pre (paired with a Nordstrand P pickup) - really easy to use and one of the best tones I've ever heard - as Molan suggests (and as with the Greengrove), bass cut and boost and treble roll-off. The bass is the best long-scale fretted four that I've ever played and sounds phenomenal. I really wouldn't have sold it if I wasn't moving almost exclusively to short-scales

Hi GreyParrot and all, great to see a bit of appreciation for Chas and Dave - massively underrated (ignored really) but both fantastic musicians and bass players. I've been listening to them for years and admiring their talent. Great feel, precision-playing and musicality - it's a shame that the music hall styling of C and D implies that the audience is a bit circumscribed. Lovely looking old P that Dave plays too. About time we heard more of the band

Hi Barrie, Greeneking and all, sorry for the delay - 'been running around a bit! I'll have to keep this short too - more running around today. First, Greeneking, you're more than welcome to try my Alembics if you're around the North West anytime. I'm very clearly biased - please bear this in mind! I currently have four Alembics. I'll try to remain objective. As Crazykiwi suggests, Alembics are idiosyncratic instruments. The company pioneered some of the design features that we see in many high end basses today - the original designs have remained fairly stable in the past couple of decades but Alembic remains highly committed to R&D and is constantly tweaking designs, processes, electronics etc. where it feels improvements can be made. Feel and ergonomics - hmm...some say Alembics feel 'rigid' and strange - I'd agree - they take a bit of getting used to. The balance on some models (for me) is simply awful. I have three short-scales (two SC deluxe models, one with Anniversary electronics, and a small bodied Series II custom) and they really don't balance at all well for me. Maybe I'm doing something wrong. The lightest - a buckeye burl faced SCD - isn't too bad as it's reasonably light and manoeuverable. Balance isn't really an issue anyway as I play seated more than 95% of the time. The Series II isn't playable on a strap - it's massively heavy - I used it for 15 minutes on a Comfort Strapp about a month ago and it hurt. Indeed, weight can be a big issue with Alembics - my two cocobolo basses are very heavy. The Buckeye burl SCD and Koa Series I are much lighter. The latter was completely re-furbed to 'new' by Alembic in May of this year - it was also slimmed down to just over 9lbs (some really clever weight reduction tricks - Alembic people really are clever and committed). The Series I is a long-scale point body too and balances perfectly (for me) - maybe any dive has been eliminated by the factory fitting of hipshot ultralites Fit, finish and hardware - I doubt many would dispute that the timber choice, hardware, quality of craftwork and construction is about as good as it gets (this isn't to say that other high-end builders do a similarly good job - for example, the build quality of the Fodera and the Seis that I've owned were on a par with high-end Alembics) Tone and electronics - there's much argument on TB and Alembic club but in my opinion, Alembics do have a characteristic and core tone - very grand piano like and pure with very complex fundamental. The first Alembic I had any time with left me shocked - the biggest, fattest, most complex bass tone I'd ever had with almost unbelievable sustain. Alembics are however, versatile - the signature, Anniversary and Series electronics are almost endlessly tweakable. It's easy to get some scary, cutting solo tones, or to achieve a nice fat tone that sits in a band mix - see for example, the youtube vids of Stanley Clarke and Jimmy Johnson for a comparison. The electronics are pretty sophisticated and again, take a bit of getting used to (but the experimentation is fun!) I do really sound biased here, but for me, the tone (and range of tones) is simply perfect Styling - well, you either like it or you don't. I'm a big fan of the small-body shape and love the omega cuts (plain, heart and stinger). I also really like the Balance K body. Alembic will do pretty much anything in terms of timber facings, inlays, finishes and the quality of finishing/custom options on every Alembic I've seen has been simply staggering. Reliability - Alembics are a bit weird and have some features that you won't find on any other bass - I've not had any real problems but I've heard of some complaints. As a result of the sophistication of the electronics (and all the extras that get stuffed into the various cavities), things can go wrong. Switches and pots can get squeaky and unreliable, LEDs sometimes get a bit intermittent, and the dual truss rod system - whilst highly tweakable - is single action only. Given the idiosyncracies, problems do emerge. However, there's an incredibly knowledgeable and helpful community on Alembic Club that can and will help owners to sort out pretty much any issue (Alembic staff are also extremely helpful and responsive - they've seen all the problems and have a range of fixes - they'll gladly impart any necessary information) For anybody seriously thinking about an Alembic, I'd say spend some time with a few. They are unusual and may not suit everybody. For me they're the perfect instrument - the most staggering tone and unbelievable playability (complemented by exquisite design and finishing). As I say, I'm biased. Indeed, I'm selling pretty much all of my other basses to concentrate on the Alembic short-scales. The Koa Series I is for sale too - after three or four years of buying and selling loads of superb basses, I've realised that it's Alembic short-scale fretted fours that really just have everything that I'm looking for.

That is just absolutely gorgeous! Is it Sonic or Daphne (it looks like the latter but it's probably just the light/images)?

[quote name='Clarky' post='1066075' date='Dec 21 2010, 07:50 PM']How on earth people manage with some of the 12-13 pound Alembic Series basses I just do not know, unless they bench press![/quote] I don't benchpress (certainly) but I do sit down. I love the look of small bodied short-scale Alembics but they can be hellishly heavy - especially the cobobolo faced versions - and the balance is weird...for me anyway. I don't let it stop me, I simply play sat down. Alembic will undertake some very smart work that significantly reduces the weight of a Series bass (I have one that's been done and it's incredibly light!)

I just sold a Wal Mark II fretless to Mark. A fantastic guy with whom to do business - totally honest, committed, sensible and accommodating. Mark did everything possible to make the deal an easy and hassle free one. Delivery of the bass was delayed as a result of very bad weather but Mark was entirely relaxed about the situation. We managed to meet for a handover and an extremely good discussion of vintage instruments! In sum, a perfect deal with a fine and upstanding member of the BC community.

Excellent news Geoff - and no problem on the advice (I'm pleased that it worked out!) I'm very tempted myself at £68 for the Status branded version. I don't actually carry my Status SII around much (partially as a consequence of the weight of the case) but it would be nice to have the lighter option. As you say, if you ever come to sell the bass, having both cases would be a good selling point (I understand what you say about holding on to it though!) Our basses are extremely close - mine is 251 so probably mid '86 - that kind of fits with my memory: I should go and take a look at the original spec card and confirm the construction date. Good luck - I hope the new case works out well (let me know if you decide to go for a re-foam and I can give you the details) - cheers, Lozbass