Played an Alembic Yesterday...

[jemaholic]

Actually, it was a 5-string bass -Mark King model -at G-Guitars in New Haven, CT.
This was BY FAR the best playing and sounding bass I've ever held in my hands, but it was also $12,500.00 sell price.



Cocobolo Top and Back
Balance K Body w/ Heart Omega
7-Piece Maple and Purpleheart Neck w/ Ebony Center Laminate
Ebony Fingerboard w/ Abalone Oval Inlays
Anniversary Electronics
Red and Amber Side LED Markers

The LED side markers were multi-colored and very cool too, but I've never heard anything like this guitar before. Wow. I don't know how they do it, but man this guitar is worlds apart from the rest of 'em.
Anyone else know about Alembic?

~j

[toneboy]

Originally Posted by jemaholic

Anyone else know about Alembic?

I was in a band for about 3 yrs. and the bass player had an Alembic and it was a really low end one. Back in the early/mid 80s, it cost about $2k and the thing sounded like a piano. It was the best sounding of all his basses.

[DavyH]

Never heard anything but excessively fawning praise for Alembic. I got a cheap soundgear last year for the hell of it, but it's the first time I've really looked at basses, and I couldn't believe the prices on the high-end ones. Absolutely magnificent workmanship, really progressive designs and first class materials though. Offhand, worth every penny.

Maybe we should get a thread going: Why are expensive basses so expensive?

[HeavyMetal4Ever]

I've never seen one in the flesh, but they always look spectacular in the ads. It's good to know their craftsmanship matches their looks.

I'd like to see a six string (or a seven for that matter) with a finish like that bass. Do Alembic even make six/seven strings, or ERG's?

Rock on!

[jim777]

I love Alembics, and would probably play them if I could afford them. The Smith Elite series basses are crazy amazing as well, so it would be a tossup. Right now I have a Carvin BB75 and a Bongo6, and while they both play very well and have a wide range of available tones, Alembics are in a different class altogether.

I do think that given the choice (in a 'money is no object' way), the vast majority of bass players would play either Sadowsky or Fodera, so you can usually find used Alembics in the 2 to 5 grand range.

[newbieguitarmaker]

Tastey, I would really love one. I haven't had the opportunity to play one yet though

[Foulacy]

there are a few alembics at a local shop next to me. I suppose they are good playing guitars but not ones that I drool over. craftsmanship is excellent.