| Author | Message | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1403 Registered: 5-2006 |
Just saw this one on Talkbass:  Link | ||
| count
Member Username: count Post Number: 67 Registered: 10-2003 |
That looks like a Viking helmet! haha, cool! Is it an actual Alembic?? Those PUs don't look like anything off the shelf though... | ||
| that_sustain
Member Username: that_sustain Post Number: 67 Registered: 8-2012 |
Maybe they're finally trying to convert Anthony Jackson over to Alembic?? It would be pretty cool if he joined the team... | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2666 Registered: 5-2009 |
I think it's KOOL ! That 36" scale might really kick. | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1533 Registered: 11-2004 |
Hmm- alembic pickups (and presumably electronics) have been replaced with Fodera pickups, but the originals are included with the bass. Not my style- at all- but it's pretty cool. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2667 Registered: 5-2009 |
It would be more desirable with the Alembic pickups and electronics for sure in my opinion. | ||
| bluplirst
Intermediate Member Username: bluplirst Post Number: 146 Registered: 12-2004 |
looks like mr potato head wearing a cardigan :^] | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3190 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hmmmm........I can see why It's not a standard Alembic model. I bet it sounds great though. I wonder if there are any sound clips anywhere? Jazzyvee | ||
| 5a_quilt_top
Junior Username: 5a_quilt_top Post Number: 31 Registered: 6-2012 |
5 ebony neck lams + 36" scale = SPENDY! And I'll bet it's pretty heavy. A workout for both your wallet and your body, now that's value! | ||
| xlrogue6
Advanced Member Username: xlrogue6 Post Number: 232 Registered: 8-2002 |
5a got it right--if you figure what it would cost you to join a gym for 20 years, it's probably a wash. Score! | ||
| gtrguy
Senior Member Username: gtrguy Post Number: 517 Registered: 9-2004 |
Wow, that's pretty! | ||
| oujeebass
Intermediate Member Username: oujeebass Post Number: 191 Registered: 10-2002 |
Tomahawk like | ||
| dfung60
Senior Member Username: dfung60 Post Number: 570 Registered: 5-2002 |
I'm curious what the real story is on this instrument. The "core" looks like an Alembic build, all Alembic hardware and a crown peghead and neck joint. But the body wings with the inlayed top is something I've never seen on a factory Alembic before. And both logos? David Fung | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 5256 Registered: 7-2004 |
I suspect the top and back laminates were sanded away from the horns post production. But you never know (or at least until Mica chimes in!). Bill, tgo | ||
| xlrogue6
Advanced Member Username: xlrogue6 Post Number: 234 Registered: 8-2002 |
I suspect you're right on the post-production body mods. I'll bet they were a weight reduction attempt, probably without significant success since those multiple ebony neck lams are the primary culprit in the likely considerable weight of this baby. Looks like it started life as a Rogue with a crown peghead to me. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7871 Registered: 6-2000 |
I'm pretty sure this was a Triple Omega shape with a custom extra long upper horn originally. | ||
| rami
Senior Member Username: rami Post Number: 988 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hey guys, When I look at it, the front and back laminates appear as almost perfect mirror images of each other. The contouring looks very professionally done. I'm thinking that it may have been originally made like that. If it had originally been a Triple Omega, wouldn't the side cutaways be much closer to the center? On all the Triple O's I've seen, the side cutaways go almost right to the pickups. As such, you (I) can't play one sitting down. My skinny legs slip right into them. What's a "Stock" or "Factory" Alembic anyway?  (Message edited by rami on October 31, 2012) | ||
| rami
Senior Member Username: rami Post Number: 989 Registered: 6-2002 |
See how deep the side Omegas go:  | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1404 Registered: 5-2006 |
I kinda agree (sorry Mica)  The lower horn looks way longer than any Alembic model I've seen. Serial number is 02C12822. Maybe some alterations done by Fodera to a custom bodyshape? My guess is it came with Essence electronics + side leds (only three knobs and a switch for the leds) Rami: I bet Alembic can make you a "stand" (curved wooden strip) for the omegacut to make it easier on your legs while sitting. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10932 Registered: 5-2002 |
Rami and Flip; following Mica's suggestion of a Triple-O, if you don't look at the Maple but just look at the Walnut, I think you can see it. Notice the contouring in the Walnut where the side omegas would normally be. Notice how the bottom of the contour turns up toward what would be the bottom tip of the side omega; and the contour turns back in as if it were going to turn toward the top tip of the omega, before it is taken over by the Maple. And yes, that contouring is on the front and back, as it would be on a Triple-O. For another comparison, see Val's bass here, which was also based on an Essence. I'm wondering if perhaps the bass was damaged somehow, and the Maple horns were added to salvage the instrument. | ||
| rami
Senior Member Username: rami Post Number: 990 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hey Dave, I agree that the laminates are reminiscent of a Triple-O. Maybe it did start its life as a Triple-O, was damaged and the Maple sides and horns added later. If so, whoever created that did a helluva job. Perhaps with its serial number Mica can retrieve its build history and we can know for sure. Rami | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3196 Registered: 6-2002 |
Everytime I look at it, it makes me think of a waiter with his arms up up. jazzyvee | ||
| rami
Senior Member Username: rami Post Number: 991 Registered: 6-2002 |
I agree. Those laminates make the Bass look like it's wearing a brown apron!!! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1405 Registered: 5-2006 |
At closer look, the horns do seem to be attached later, you can see the original body lams in this picture. (Message edited by fc_spoiler on November 01, 2012) | ||
| dfung60
Senior Member Username: dfung60 Post Number: 571 Registered: 5-2002 |
Definitely an odd beast. I wonder if this started out with a "regular" body pattern but the owner didn't like the balance and (gulp) had the body wings removed and replaced? I'm trying to think of a more expensive retrofit and I'm having a hard time doing so. David Fung | ||
| wookie
Intermediate Member Username: wookie Post Number: 135 Registered: 8-2010 |
Who would ruin an Alembic with that rediculous Fodera butterfly?! I'm I alone in this sentiment? Maybe the Duracell logo inlaid on there too, like NASCAR or something. Lame. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3239 Registered: 6-2002 |
I'm just surprised that Fodera would want to have their logo on an instrument that they didn't create themselves. I'm pretty confident Alembic wouldn't readily put their logo on another instrument. Jazzyvee | ||
| klinkepeter
Member Username: klinkepeter Post Number: 86 Registered: 2-2008 |
Iīm wondering who would spend nearly 9000$ for a chimera..., the seller even canīt tell, which model it is (has been ?), the fact that there is no history about the bass makes me suspicious, who knows something about former damages and finaly: replaced alembic pups, this is rediculous, even the sound might be great. Aesthetically i donīt like it at all. | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1346 Registered: 10-2006 |
"I'm pretty confident Alembic wouldn't readily put their logo on another instrument." Check out these Guilds, Jazzy:    And because it's hard to see on the last one, here's its headstock:  Peter | ||
| tubeperson
Advanced Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 396 Registered: 5-2005 |
I just noticed that the bass in question is listed for sale in the Edison, NJ GTR Store, which is owned by Steve Pisani, a well known salesperson who had worked on Music Row in NYC (48th Street) for over 30 years. The website is www.gtrstore.com | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 5286 Registered: 7-2004 |
If I'm not mistaken, haven't these Starfires had their necks replaced by Alembic - more than just an electronics mod? Bill, tgo | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1347 Registered: 10-2006 |
At least new headstocks (at a steeper angle, I think) - I don't know about necks. But would a new neck warrant a new logo more than major body surgery? I dunno. I do know I'd rather have an Alembicized Guild than a Foderadized Alembic! (Damn I love the tailpiece on Crosby's 12!!!) Peter | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3241 Registered: 6-2002 |
Ok I stand corrected. :-) But those instruments were way back in the early days of active electronics. werent those instruments modified before alembic started being an instrument maker in their own right ? if that is the case then the logo was maybe a branding thing to get the name known for their electronic upgrades. maybe someone can enlighten me. :-) Jazzyvee |
