Bass Direct Posted January 14 Posted January 14 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 4 Quote
fretmeister Posted January 14 Posted January 14 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. 1 Quote
Hellzero Posted January 15 Posted January 15 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. 👍👌 2 Quote
Bass Direct Posted January 15 Posted January 15 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 7 Quote
Leonard Smalls Posted January 15 Posted January 15 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! 2 Quote
Bass Direct Posted January 15 Posted January 15 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! Quote
fretmeister Posted January 15 Posted January 15 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... Quote
Bass Direct Posted January 15 Posted January 15 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 1 1 Quote
Terry M. Posted January 18 Posted January 18 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 😳 Quote
binky_bass Posted January 18 Posted January 18 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... 3 Quote
jazzyvee Posted January 19 Author Posted January 19 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. 😂 1 Quote
NickA Posted January 19 Posted January 19 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. Quote
tauzero Posted January 19 Posted January 19 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... 1 Quote
binky_bass Posted January 19 Posted January 19 My personal favourite Alembic*: *built 'off the books' by an Alembic luthier at the Alembic workshop as I understand it. 3 Quote
Mrbigstuff Posted January 19 Posted January 19 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. 1 Quote
Bass Direct Posted January 20 Posted January 20 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... 2 Quote
Bass Direct Posted January 20 Posted January 20 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 1 Quote
jazzyvee Posted January 20 Author Posted January 20 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. 2 Quote
Bass Direct Posted January 21 Posted January 21 22 hours ago, jazzyvee said: 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. Agreed on all counts, incredible instruments Quote
NickA Posted January 21 Posted January 21 On 20/01/2025 at 09:41, Bass Direct said: certain type of customer dentists! Quote
gjones Posted January 21 Posted January 21 I once got the chance to play the Alembic of a bassist from a big (ish) heavy rock band from the 70s and 80s. It had an action like a crossbow, flatwounds fitted and he played it with a pick. Frankly he probably would have been better buying a Precision and using the money he would have saved to buy a Ferrari. Quote
Bass Direct Posted January 22 Posted January 22 11 hours ago, NickA said: dentists! haha... not as true as some may think NickA Quote
Bass Direct Posted January 22 Posted January 22 11 hours ago, gjones said: I once got the chance to play the Alembic of a bassist from a big (ish) heavy rock band from the 70s and 80s. It had an action like a crossbow, flatwounds fitted and he played it with a pick. Frankly he probably would have been better buying a Precision and using the money he would have saved to buy a Ferrari. Whatever works for the player I always say 1 Quote
BigRedX Posted January 22 Posted January 22 11 hours ago, gjones said: I once got the chance to play the Alembic of a bassist from a big (ish) heavy rock band from the 70s and 80s. It had an action like a crossbow, flatwounds fitted and he played it with a pick. Frankly he probably would have been better buying a Precision and using the money he would have saved to buy a Ferrari. A P-bass wouldn't have looked as interesting. 1 Quote
NickA Posted January 22 Posted January 22 9 hours ago, Bass Direct said: haha... not as true as some may think NickA seriously they're great basses and reasonably priced 2nd hand. I had a go on one of Jazzy Vs Europas once, a really good, solid, no vices bass with a good range of tones..(think it had series 1 electronics?). I started to consider trading in my MK2 Wal. Not done it tho ( not yet) too expensive new ($19k) even with a Wal to trade! 1 Quote
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