three

Admired the Supros for some time and this post hasn’t done anything to relieve that. I’ll admit to some bias here, I’ve played a Gibson Ripper for much of the last 40 years. It’s a beautiful thing though not for everybody - a very big bass indeed. I’ve also played very many EB0s and EB3s – just a word of caution to try before you buy. The much discussed balance issues are very real. I play an Alembic Brown Bass too (an EB3 clone) and it’s almost impossible for me on a strap (though lovely if playing sat down). Some of the high-end Epiphones are worth consideration and should only swallow half of the budget (change for a hipshot bridge!)

You can get a short-scale Alembic to sound like that (honestly) but probably less expensive to simply buy the Burns

Reduced again to £20 - I just need this out of the way (down the tip if it doesn't go at this price!)

If it's possible, I'd try the cabs paired with a Berg B Amp (with and without the amp's CN profiles).  I think Berg are certainly on to something with the B Amp - there's a very versatile drive in the software too if necessary.  I think that Dood's words are wise ones - the B Amp could be an excellent solution, and great cabs if you can get them to work for your needs.

Thanks all for the very kind comments and all PMs should now have a response.  I've replaced the original (awful and blurry) images with improved versions but if you need anything specific or have any questions, please just ask

Absolutely gorgeous - I lusted after these back in the day

SOLD - Final Price Reduction to £1450 - shipping at cost (though I'll reduce by a further £20 for collection in Manchester)

There is no way that I would be selling this if it wasn't for a serious HMRC glitch - one that will be rectified in time but is currently causing serious cash-flow problems.  

A Masterbuilt Warwick Thumb BO bass - built in February 2018 (around 6 months old).  It is entirely indistinguishable from new and almost un-played (just a few hours noodling and certainly no rehearsals or gigs).  My intention was to work with it over the summer but I haven't get got around to it and the bass has sat in its beautiful, €400 full leather bag.

Basic details (with much more at: http://www.warwickbass.com/en/Warwick---Products--Instruments--Customshop---Masterbuilt--Basic-Bass-Models--Thumb--Thumb-BO--Thumb-BO-4-String--Thumb-Bo--4-string--Features.html):

Bubinga curved body (Masterbuilt timbers - nicely figured with a 3D effect, particularly on the back of the body)

Wenge 3 piece neck and wenge board (the latter is polished to a ceramic-like sheen)

Nut width 1.5"

20" radius

Brass JAN III

34" scale

Illuminated (fluorescent) side-dots

2 band eg

Wooden tuning pegs

Weight is around 9lbs (sorry that I can't be more accurate)

Premium leather case (as above €400 on its own)

All unused case candy - with Masterbuilt extras (charger pack, red velour cover, images and data stick)

I try to avoid hyperbole in adverts but the quality of build, fit and finish and the attention to detail on this bass is as good as anything you'll find on an Alembic, Fodera or Wal (and I know whereof I speak).  Seriously, this is a good bass.  Playability, as you'd expect, is exceptional - this can be set-up however you want it.  Typical and classic Warwick Thumb tones.

These are €3689 new (so £3284 at current rates).  I got a very good deal on this and I'm selling at what I consider to be a very attractive price.  Essentially, this bass is indistinguishable from new: it is un-played, around 6 months old and just about about half-price (with no build-time and waiting for delivery).

I've replaced the original very blurry images but if you need anything specific, please just ask (the same with any questions).

I can ship, at cost and at the buyer’s expense, to the UK, Europe and the US, though collection from Manchester would be preferred.  Thanks but no trades and no offers

As noted above, if HMRC problems are resolved, I'll need to withdraw this and get back to playing it as intended. 

Ah...that explains it - a good move on Kawai's part in my opinion.  Not an Alembic type bridge unfortunately but a high quality option.  I'd love to try this - is it a 32" scale?

1 hour ago, VedranPU said:

The bridge is not original? 

It does look non-original (though I wasn't a fan of the original) but I've seen a few of these with Schaller replacements

Apparently, even Alembic thought that the wordworking on these was of a high quality

I'm sure that Markorbit will respond but the posts were in late 2016 - I'm pretty sure that the Millennia is now sold

I’d strongly recommend Bow Finishing in Surrey - specialist finishers that work for some top UK luthiers. They did some difficult refin work for me and the results were remarkable. Friendly, professional, realistic prices and will ship. You could send the body over very cheaply. https://www.bowfinishing.co.uk/contact/

The workshop number is: 01883744391

Good luck

This used to be mine and I can say in all honesty that it’s one of those rare amps where you really can believe the hype. Utterly outstanding in every respect. I can honestly claim too that greenolive is an outstanding member of this community!

Love the slide show - a beautiful bass and what immense creative talent!  I'm seriously impressed...if this was fretted, I'd buy it.

Thanks Fretmeister, I'd agree that the scope is usually an important arbiter - I can definitely hear the distortion but nothing appears on the scope.  I've tried all the permutations - different preamps, different cabs, leads, different tone settings on amps and bass but still it's there.  I'm getting to the point of selling for spares or repair - I'd love to have the amp fixed - the techs have commented on what a brilliant, over-engineered amp it is but I don't really want to throw any more money at it.

My favourite valve pre and DI by a very significant margin!

I'd have concurred with the Status Hotwire flats - lovely strings and those that I've had have the black silks

Is this a B width nut (1.625") and do you know the weight of the bass? 

I've had a Warwick Hellborg pre and power rig for around 18 months (bought on here).  The pre is outrageously good, as is the power amp when it works properly.  In my opinion, the power amp introduces some distortion behind each note - it's not a massive amount but to me it's there.  I've had this at two of the top amp gurus in the North West and both say there isn't any distortion.  Indeed, on a scope, there's no visible distortion whatsoever.  I've spent a fair amount of cash on getting this sorted but to no avail.  I've even been told that my bass settings (mid scooped but with a lot of bass and bridge pickup favoured) could be part of the issue.  I don't buy the latter as it doesn't seem to be a problem with other amps.  I know that the Hellborg principles are a little unusual - transformer in the power amp output - but any advice on what might be introducing distortion would be very welcome.  I've tried various pres into the power amp and various basses and cabs and to me, the distortion is always present.  Any advice too on a brilliant tech near Manchester that might deal with SS amps would be helpful (I've tried two of the big names in the ongoing list but the results haven't been great).  Any opinions or advice are very welcome - I'm coming to the end of my patience with this! 

Lovely facing - Alembic really do manage to source some of the world's most beautiful timbers!  I'm sure you'll appreciate too the care that goes into the build of every Alembic - the attention to detail is astonishing - lovely to behold and to play!

Just completed a transaction with Benoit on an Overwater.  The bass is beautiful - exactly as described (essentially new) and was packed brilliantly and shipped very rapidly.  Communications throughout were superb and all information re: tracking was provided within an hour of despatch (pictures of the packing process were a bonus but raise confidence).  It was a three-way deal in the end - this can be a cause of some nervousness but Benoit's orchestration was superb.  I'd highly recommend as a very trustworthy member of the BC community.

1 hour ago, Woodinblack said:

Ahh - so one with a processor in too - makes sense. Don't think I would use one of those on a bass!

I like that. I probably wouldn't play it live, but only because it had a string too few!

In fact the only thing I am not so keen on on that is the XLR on the front.

I don’t think that’s an xlr, it’s the socket for the Alembic cable to the DS5.  This will carry power to the bass (lights and actice circuit) and signal back to amp/FoH.

Phil P - what an outsatanding bass - looks like 13 piece wings - unusual and beautiful cocobolo (if that’s what it is - I’m on a phone).  On topic again, I’m not a fan of front of board lights but Alembic will supply pretty much any configuration and I’ve not had any problem with unevenness. The little silver circles that surround side of board lights are a lovely and very subtle touch

I've had them in a couple of Alembics but only really use the side markers - very useful (IMO) for finding your way around in dimly lit setttings (including studios, rehearsal rooms and on stage).  I'm not a massive fan of LEDs in the front of the board, though yours Dood are extremely tasteful (testament to what can be achieved with some creative thought).  I have laser lights on the face of an Alembic - these really are super-bright and need power from the DS5 - it's not a bass that I spec'd and don't use them.  I too think that they're over the top.  The bass itself is outrageously good - a tone like no other (SII).  The lights in the board add nothing for me.  

Another vote for the Bass Gallery - I've been a regular customer for many years (though tend to work less in London now so don't have so much chance to visit).  Unparalleled expertise, genuinely lovely people and an amazing selection of instruments and amps.  Martin is a genuine genius - I would trust him with basses that I wouldn't let others touch.  Wunjos too - always a friendly welcome and knowledgeable staff in an otherwise rather grim part of the city - some of the other shops on Denmark St don't really shine

A very cool-looking bass!  Who did the nitro re-spray and relicing job?