jakenewmanbass Posted June 16, 2008 Posted June 16, 2008 I was browsing the Factory to Customer section over at the Alembic club (the other forum I am a member of) and I came across this rather lovely bass and was interested to see it in the various stages of construction, and then I went on Alembics main page to find it's this months featured custom. So for anyone who is interested in seeing the build process here are the links. Enjoy! Jake Featured custom from Alembic site [url="http://www.alembic.com/info/featured_custom.html"]http://www.alembic.com/info/featured_custom.html[/url] Factory to Customer thread from the Alembic club [url="http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/40196.html?1213247442"]http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/40196.html?1213247442[/url] Quote
Bilbo Posted June 16, 2008 Posted June 16, 2008 I have visited this forum before. That article is a great read and that bass is a credit to all involved. I wonder what it sounds like? Quote
Thunderthumbs Posted June 16, 2008 Posted June 16, 2008 That's bloody beautiful. Nice post Jake. Quote
BigRedX Posted June 16, 2008 Posted June 16, 2008 That certainly is attention to detail when the initials on the inlay are done a specially selected font and the builder even links back to the type designer to give credit! (Sorry I'm a bit of a typography geek, and Jeremy Tankard is great type designer) Quote
jakenewmanbass Posted June 16, 2008 Author Posted June 16, 2008 [quote name='bilbo230763' post='219740' date='Jun 16 2008, 11:38 AM']I have visited this forum before. That article is a great read and that bass is a credit to all involved. I wonder what it sounds like?[/quote] I've got a signature electronics coco bolo Alembic and it's f***ing jaw dropping. That bass has the series II electronics so I would imagine it's pretty stellar as they are considered the best Alembic do. Quote
Bilbo Posted June 16, 2008 Posted June 16, 2008 If it sounds like Jimmy Johnson's, it's fine with me! Quote
lowhand_mike Posted June 16, 2008 Posted June 16, 2008 [quote name='jakesbass' post='219847' date='Jun 16 2008, 02:03 PM']I've got a signature electronics coco bolo Alembic and it's f***ing jaw dropping. That bass has the series II electronics so I would imagine it's pretty stellar as they are considered the best Alembic do.[/quote] i bet the price is f***ing jaw dropping too cant deny the fact it looks awesome though. Quote
Buzz Posted June 16, 2008 Posted June 16, 2008 I'm not one for flashy instruments or wood but cor blimey, that's a stunner. Quote
jakenewmanbass Posted June 16, 2008 Author Posted June 16, 2008 [quote name='lowhand_mike' post='219913' date='Jun 16 2008, 03:04 PM']i bet the price is f***ing jaw dropping too [/quote] expensive yes, but put in perspective a fraction of what I earn playing it, and it's allowable for writing down or capital allowance against my tax liability. Quote
wayne58 Posted June 16, 2008 Posted June 16, 2008 [quote name='bilbo230763' post='219873' date='Jun 16 2008, 02:25 PM']If it sounds like Jimmy Johnson's, it's fine with me![/quote] +1 Nothing quite like that awesome tone (apart from another Alembic) Still I ain't got 10K to spare and my back would soon start complaining. Quote
Hit&Run Posted June 16, 2008 Posted June 16, 2008 It looks tasty indeed, but dropping new PP3 batteries in before every gig would wear thin with me very quickly. Quote
BassBod Posted June 16, 2008 Posted June 16, 2008 If you could afford this new, batteries wouldn't be an issue..... I think Alembic do some great things, and much as I like to oggle the custom stuff ... I'm more than happy with my modest Epic. Maybe one day...but I doubt it. Quote
jakenewmanbass Posted June 16, 2008 Author Posted June 16, 2008 (edited) [quote name='BassBod' post='220179' date='Jun 16 2008, 08:11 PM']If you could afford this new, batteries wouldn't be an issue..... I think Alembic do some great things, and much as I like to oggle the custom stuff ... I'm more than happy with my modest Epic. Maybe one day...but I doubt it.[/quote] Thing is BB an Epic is by no means modest by the standards of other basses, only when compared to high end Alembics. Edited June 16, 2008 by jakesbass Quote
jakenewmanbass Posted June 16, 2008 Author Posted June 16, 2008 [quote name='bilbo230763' post='219873' date='Jun 16 2008, 02:25 PM']If it sounds like Jimmy Johnson's, it's fine with me![/quote] I can get that tone exactly Quote
steve-soar Posted June 16, 2008 Posted June 16, 2008 The Bugatti Veron of the bass world. Holy cow, what a great piece of work. Totally impracticle. You take it out of the case, and it's already worth £4000 less. Quote
jakenewmanbass Posted June 16, 2008 Author Posted June 16, 2008 [quote name='steve-soar' post='220197' date='Jun 16 2008, 08:30 PM']Totally impracticle.[/quote] I think Impractical is an unfair comment, I use mine on every gig (except just upright gigs) Quote
mcgraham Posted June 16, 2008 Posted June 16, 2008 [quote]Totally impracticle[/quote] I so disagree. I did have something else written out here, but I think there's a multitude of threads arguing this back and forth to no real resolution. Nice bass! After discovering their 'Featured Custom' section I spent about a year frequenting their section to check out any new additions. Did anyone else get hooked like that. Mark Quote
BassBod Posted June 17, 2008 Posted June 17, 2008 [quote name='jakesbass' post='220191' date='Jun 16 2008, 08:22 PM']Thing is BB an Epic is by no means modest by the standards of other basses, only when compared to high end Alembics.[/quote] Absolutely - the Epic contains many of the Alembic features and design philosphy, but a bit simplified. Its the best sounding active bass I've ever played, and has a "natural" sound that works well in every setting I've used it. I was a bit concerned when I bought it (used) that the unusual electronics could be a problem, but they are very well put together and seem very reliable. I've also found out that Alembic themselves are good at helping out (truss rod adjuster, mains transformer for 30 year old F2B preamp..) once you get their attention. [attachment=9712:DSCN0732.JPG] Only two negatives. When I first picked it up the Epic felt like an 80's Aria, but of course that's because they were copying the general style back in the late 70's and early 80's. Plugging it in resolved that one straight away. Also the five string Epic is heavy, and the balance isn't great - but no worse than many others, including a few Wals I've played. BB Quote
jakenewmanbass Posted June 17, 2008 Author Posted June 17, 2008 (edited) [quote name='BassBod' post='220411' date='Jun 17 2008, 10:25 AM']Also the five string Epic is heavy, and the balance isn't great - but no worse than many others, including a few Wals I've played. BB[/quote] That is an issue that Alembic have addressed: [attachment=9713:resized_20.jpg] This body shape, which has gathered huge popularity amongst Alembic buyers, balances perfectly sitting or standing and that in turn helps with the weight along with a wide strap. Thats my Alembic BTW Edited June 17, 2008 by jakesbass Quote
Bilbo Posted June 17, 2008 Posted June 17, 2008 Looks great. Don't you wish there was one place where you could go and try out all these beautiful instruments. I have only ever SEEN one Alembic never mind played one. Same with Fodera. Quote
ped Posted June 17, 2008 Posted June 17, 2008 I love Alembics. I had an Elan 6 for a little while which I then sold on to Kiwi. The bass sounded great in the studio, but less so live (partly because I wished it had two Q filters - If I had kept the bass it would see lots of action now that I do more studio than live playing... but at the time it was the opposite) Here is a sneaky piccie and sound clip: [url="http://media.putfile.com/Two-Moons"]http://media.putfile.com/Two-Moons[/url] Quote
ped Posted June 17, 2008 Posted June 17, 2008 [url="http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_monty.html"]http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_monty.html[/url] This is a really interesting Alembic custom, completely different to everything else I have seen from them. Quote
jakenewmanbass Posted June 17, 2008 Author Posted June 17, 2008 (edited) Hi Ped, I saw that over at the Alembic site, it must have one hell of a bottom end with all that ebony. Your old Elan looks nice too. 11 neck lams!!! Edited June 17, 2008 by jakesbass Quote
ped Posted June 17, 2008 Posted June 17, 2008 Yeah, quite unusual from what I could gather at the time. It was very heavy though! Quote
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