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Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive: 2008 » Archive through November 01, 2008 » A perfect non-custom Alembic « Previous Next »

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basstard
Advanced Member
Username: basstard

Post Number: 233
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Monday, September 22, 2008 - 1:11 pm:   Edit Post

Hi again, I was pondering upon one thing: if you were to buy a non-custom Alembic (I wouldn't use the word "stock" in refference to any Alembic instrument ;-) I simply meant one without extra options, inlays, superfancy woods, with standard elecs, hardware, body, and headstock for a given model etc) what it would be?

In my case - a Rogue 5 with a zebrawood top, thankyouverymuch :-) Actually, it could be my lifetime main bass. I would search no more if I could find (and afford) one.

How about you?
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 1117
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Monday, September 22, 2008 - 1:49 pm:   Edit Post

My main bass is currently a standard Brown Bass. It will most likely stay the primary bass I take when going out to jam or for a quick pickup gig.

After I receive my custom Series 1 I expect it will be the main gigging/rehearsal bass with my band. If I need a fretless then it will be my fretless Orion. The Brown Bass will be the backup bass I take with me.

Keith
basstard
Advanced Member
Username: basstard

Post Number: 235
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Monday, September 22, 2008 - 1:59 pm:   Edit Post

Keith - but your Series I is going to be a custom-made bass (congrats BTW!) whereas I was asking about what would you choose if you were to buy a NON-CUSTOM Alembic :-)
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 1118
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Monday, September 22, 2008 - 2:12 pm:   Edit Post

Jarek,
I have already made that decision. It's a Brown Bass and as I said it is currently my main bass and will most likely stay a major go to bass. You've got to keep in mind many of us have already purchased standard models so answers will be past tense.

Keith
bsee
Senior Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 2019
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Monday, September 22, 2008 - 2:34 pm:   Edit Post

I like a slightly narrower than typical string spacing and shorter scale lengths. Any short or medium scale Alembic five string with the classic neck taper would be perfect for me right off the shelf. While I play almost exclusively four strings of late, neither stock four string spacing really works for me so I had to have that customized. About the only other feature that is important to me is to have some dense woods in the neck for tone. A couple purpleheart stringers in the neck really make a difference in the solidity of the tone.

As much as I would love a Series bass, the electronics don't matter as much to me. Everything Alembic makes is just so good that even a lowly Persuader kicks butt tonally over every other manufacturer.

Right now, I would have to say an old Distillate five string would be the absolute best "stock" bass for me. Anyone have one to let go of for $2K or less? An SC Deluxe five string tuned EADGC would be great too, but they're about as common as the Easter Bunny in the real world...

-bob
basstard
Advanced Member
Username: basstard

Post Number: 236
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Monday, September 22, 2008 - 2:48 pm:   Edit Post

Keith - oh how I wish it were past tense for me, too... It was close but no thanks to UPS... :-/

Bob - doesn't Hieronymous have a SC fiver tuned exactly that way?
bsee
Senior Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 2020
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Monday, September 22, 2008 - 3:09 pm:   Edit Post

Maybe, Keith, I remember seeing an SC standard floating around on the market recently, but I have to have that dense neck wood so I didn't go after it.
keurosix
Advanced Member
Username: keurosix

Post Number: 370
Registered: 10-2005
Posted on Monday, September 22, 2008 - 9:04 pm:   Edit Post

For me, it is my 6 string fretted Europa. The 5A Quilt maple top is the only non-standard feature on the guitar.

Europa6

Kris
andbassforall
Junior
Username: andbassforall

Post Number: 19
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 - 1:27 pm:   Edit Post

I just ordered my first Alembic. The first Alembic I ever played was a Rogue with a Vermillion top in a store. I would have bought it back then if I could. You asked if you bought a Alembic off the shelf "What would it be?" I'd say "Freakin' awesome", just like all the others off the shelf. Why do you think I ordered a custom? Let us know how it turns out.

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