Bass Direct is the New UK Alembic Dealer

[Bass Direct]

38 minutes ago, Misdee said:

There's something very special about Alembic basses. They've got a history and pedigree no other custom bass builder can match. 

 

Alembic have always been a bit more expensive than most other custom bass makers. Unfortunately nowadays they are proportionately much more expensive than they've ever been. Even allowing for inflation, by any metric you use to measure it, Alembic basses have become even more costly than they used to be. The terrible exchange rate for the pound against the dollar doesn't help either. It's a shame, but it would be even more of a shame if Alembic had ceased trading, like so many other bass builders have. That's the alternative.

 

It's testament to the prestige of Alembic basses that they are still in such demand. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the instruments Bass Direct have on order are sold before they actually arrive in the UK. Kudos to them for adding Alembic to their roster. I'm really glad there's a UK dealer again. 

 

They are amazing basses, the build quality is just off the charts and the range of tones from one bass is pretty much unmatched (to me, we are all different of course)

 

I can't wait to be displaying these basses here, I dreamt of owning an Alembic for years as a kid, and had one myself for a few years, which is just dreamy!

 

Hope to share some Alembic love with all the UK guys!

 

Cheers for the comments

[fretmeister]

On 12/01/2025 at 21:11, binky_bass said:

A 6 string Classico Deluxe with front and back buckeye is $62,000 according to Alembic's current price list. 

 

That's £51,000 without shipping or import taxes, WITH those it'd be £64,000.

 

Sixty. Four. THOUSAND. 

 

A Series II under the same basis as the above would be £45,000. Pocket change really...

 

 

Weirdly I'm less surprised about the Classico as it's basically a double bass, and that's not even halfway up the double bass price scale.

 

But the rest... damn.

 

I'd really like a Europa 5 string but that will never happen without a lottery win.

[Hellzero]

I had a few Alembic's over the years including some Series One, which were all neck diving, and other models too, but the koa top Spoiler I owned was really amazing on all aspects, too bad it was a 32 inches scale or I would still own it.

 

They were all on the heavy side, which is also a negative point for my broken back.

 

But these are extraordinary instruments built the same way.

 

Congratulations Mark for importing them in the U.K. 👍👌

[Bass Direct]

58 minutes ago, Hellzero said:

I had a few Alembic's over the years including some Series One, which were all neck diving, and other models too, but the koa top Spoiler I owned was really amazing on all aspects, too bad it was a 32 inches scale or I would still own it.

 

They were all on the heavy side, which is also a negative point for my broken back.

 

But these are extraordinary instruments built the same way.

 

Congratulations Mark for importing them in the U.K. 👍👌

Hi - I have only ever felt neck dive on the small body basses, I personally have a Series II in 32" which is balanced, but very heavy (even with the chambered body)

 

It was me (Marcus), who spoke to Alembic and got them in, I have been passionate about this brand for as long as I can remember, so I am extremely excited about this 

 

Have a great day

[Leonard Smalls]

17 hours ago, Misdee said:

Alembic have always been a bit more expensive than most other custom bass makers

Aye! back in '91ish when I went to Allbang and Strummit (RIP!) in Covent Garden they had 3 beautiful 2nd hand basses...

There was a Jaydee for £400, a Wal custom for £500 and an Alembic Series 1 at £600...

I loved 'em all with the Alembic and Wal being very close and the Jaydee just behind. But the fact that the bank loan I'd got was for £500 and I had no extra meant I bought the Wal!

[Bass Direct]

1 hour ago, Leonard Smalls said:

Aye! back in '91ish when I went to Allbang and Strummit (RIP!) in Covent Garden they had 3 beautiful 2nd hand basses...

There was a Jaydee for £400, a Wal custom for £500 and an Alembic Series 1 at £600...

I loved 'em all with the Alembic and Wal being very close and the Jaydee just behind. But the fact that the bank loan I'd got was for £500 and I had no extra meant I bought the Wal!

All great basses, had the pleasure of having all of those through the shop over the years! 

[fretmeister]

I just saw the estimated weights on the Alembic site.

 

Well, that's me out. And to think I nearly just found £15,000 in the takeaway money jar...  

[Bass Direct]

45 minutes ago, fretmeister said:

I just saw the estimated weights on the Alembic site.

 

Well, that's me out. And to think I nearly just found £15,000 in the takeaway money jar...  

Get a decent strap and some weights

[Terry M.]

On 12/01/2025 at 21:11, binky_bass said:

A 6 string Classico Deluxe with front and back buckeye is $62,000 according to Alembic's current price list. 

 

That's £51,000 without shipping or import taxes, WITH those it'd be £64,000.

 

Sixty. Four. THOUSAND. 

 

A Series II under the same basis as the above would be £45,000. Pocket change really...

More than I paid for my flat. Just as well they're not my cup of tea 😳

[binky_bass]

57 minutes ago, Terry M. said:

More than I paid for my flat. Just as well they're not my cup of tea 😳

Alembic Tea is £1,200 a cup by the way... 

[jazzyvee]

On 18/01/2025 at 10:56, binky_bass said:

Alembic Tea is £1,200 a cup by the way... 

Phew.... good job i don't have milk and sugar in my tea. 😂

[NickA]

They're amazingly beautifully made instruments .. but oh the price! £15k for a new Stanley Clark... But one 2nd hand on for "only" £5750 ( bass bros)

 

Strange they don't hold value, unlike Wals which, much as I love mine, are not really the same level of work but MK1 and MK2 currently priced at £7k+ 2nd hand. Even a passive pro1 reissue at bassbros is £5500.

 

Hard to justify buying a new alembic with relative bargains around 2nd hand.

 

 

[tauzero]

On 18/01/2025 at 10:56, binky_bass said:

Alembic Tea is £1,200 a cup by the way... 

 

1 hour ago, jazzyvee said:

Phew.... good job i don't have milk and sugar in my tea. 😂

 

Sugar is a free optional extra. Milk comes as standard, no milk is £200 extra.

 

Well, if Fodera can do it for not putting frets in...

[binky_bass]

My personal favourite Alembic*:

 

 

*built 'off the books' by an Alembic luthier at the Alembic workshop as I understand it.

[OliverBlackman]

1 hour ago, NickA said:

They're amazingly beautifully made instruments .. but oh the price! £15k for a new Stanley Clark... But one 2nd hand on for "only" £5750 ( bass bros)

 

Strange they don't hold value, unlike Wals which, much as I love mine, are not really the same level of work but MK1 and MK2 currently priced at £7k+ 2nd hand. Even a passive pro1 reissue at bassbros is £5500.

 

Hard to justify buying a new alembic with relative bargains around 2nd hand.

 

 

That’s still probably more than what was paid for it new. As with everything the prices have shot up recently. Luckily bass bros tend to be more reasonable with their prices, I guess to shift items quickly.

[Bass Direct]

11 hours ago, OliverBlackman said:

That’s still probably more than what was paid for it new. As with everything the prices have shot up recently. Luckily bass bros tend to be more reasonable with their prices, I guess to shift items quickly.

We are also as reasonable as we can be with our prices, for example a pre-owned Series 1 in stock at £5500.00...

 

 

[Bass Direct]

13 hours ago, NickA said:

They're amazingly beautifully made instruments .. but oh the price! £15k for a new Stanley Clark... But one 2nd hand on for "only" £5750 ( bass bros)

 

Strange they don't hold value, unlike Wals which, much as I love mine, are not really the same level of work but MK1 and MK2 currently priced at £7k+ 2nd hand. Even a passive pro1 reissue at bassbros is £5500.

 

Hard to justify buying a new alembic with relative bargains around 2nd hand.

 

 

Interesting observation, my only counter to this is that still sell well new and a demand is there from a certain type of customer

[jazzyvee]

Exactly, i was fortunate to squeeze in a factory visit in 2023 whilst in the states, i had also been to their Santa Rosa facility. On both visits there were loads of basses there at various states of build. Many with really personalised custom options such as inlays, electronics and exotic woods at prices i can only imagine. So whilst they are not cheap, there is still a healthy new build market for them even with the bargains to be had on the used market.