Alembic weight (other brands welcome ... Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive through January 07, 2011 » Archive: 2009 » Archive through October 16, 2009 » Alembic weight (other brands welcome for comparison) « Previous Next »

Author Message
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 969
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Friday, October 02, 2009 - 9:43 am:   Edit Post

Has there been a topic on the weight of Alembics yet?

If not, get out yer scales and post yer findings here please :-)

Starter:

'83 Spoiler: 4180 gram - 9.2 lbs (Koa body, Maple neck)
'88 Spoiler: 4425 gram - 9.8 lbs (Coco bolo on Mahogany body, Maple neck)
'90 Elan: 4490 gram - 9.9 lbs (Quilted Maple on Maple body, Maple neck)
'06 Orion: 3955 gram - 8.7 lbs (Mahogany, Maple, Purpleheart and Spalted Maple body, Maple neck through with 2 Walnut veneers, fretless custom model)

4 Strings and Ebony fretboard on all.

'91 Fender Prodigy: 3525 gram - 7.8 lbs (4 string, Poplar body, Maple neck, Rosewood fretboard, Alembic electronics)

Edit: specified woods and number of strings

(Message edited by fc_spoiler on October 03, 2009)
toma_hawk01
Intermediate Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 117
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Friday, October 02, 2009 - 10:23 am:   Edit Post

Great thread!

1976 Series 1 Shorty is:
11.0lbs pure muscle mass!

Strong enough to hold my 225lbs of raw power!

(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on October 02, 2009)
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 8813
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, October 02, 2009 - 11:30 am:   Edit Post

Flip; what are you getting after here?
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 970
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Friday, October 02, 2009 - 11:52 am:   Edit Post

There's an Alembic topic on a dutch board and someone mentioned the weight of a MK Signature causing pain in his back.

Since weight can be an issue for some, it could be helpful if there's a list to use as a reference.

plus it's fun! :-)
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 8814
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, October 02, 2009 - 6:10 pm:   Edit Post

Well, you've already started out with body styles and woods, but shouldn't you include number of strings since a six string neck is significantly heavier than a four string; and even neck taper may make some difference in weight. Back plates; brass is much heavier than plastic, and an MK with LEDs will have two plates. Oh, and LEDs means four more batteries; of course they're displacing wood. The different electronics will vary in weight. And then of course some bodies are chambered. Etc.

But all that makes it much more difficult to make comparisons; so basic models and woods, like you've listed, are probably easier to compare.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 8815
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, October 02, 2009 - 6:19 pm:   Edit Post

According to my very old and somewhat less than accurate bathroom scale, my bass weighs around 13 lbs (5897 gram).

(Message edited by davehouck on October 02, 2009)
3rd_ray
Advanced Member
Username: 3rd_ray

Post Number: 215
Registered: 2-2008
Posted on Friday, October 02, 2009 - 7:23 pm:   Edit Post

I was curious so I weighed mine...

MK - 11 lbs (with LEDs)

Essence - 9 lbs

Excel - 12 lbs (with LEDs)

Mike
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 1701
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Saturday, October 03, 2009 - 1:55 am:   Edit Post

I was surprised to find that my Series I Dragon Magic guitar weighs in at 11.5 lbs
Although i have to say it doesn't feel heavy when it's on as I have a wide leather padded strap and it balances perfectly.

Jazzyvee
krystoof
Junior
Username: krystoof

Post Number: 48
Registered: 1-2009
Posted on Saturday, October 03, 2009 - 2:31 am:   Edit Post

Hi, folks!
My 5 string MK Sig is 5 kilos, about 11.2 lbs... Of pure pleasure, of course!!! ;-)
Xtof
enzo
Intermediate Member
Username: enzo

Post Number: 140
Registered: 4-2009
Posted on Saturday, October 03, 2009 - 8:53 am:   Edit Post

My '88 Distillate 4 strings, mahogany/maple body is 9.6 lbs ( 4.36 Kilos ).
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 1085
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Sunday, October 04, 2009 - 9:10 am:   Edit Post

MK weight almost 14lbs(uk)..bloody heavy!!!
pauldo
Advanced Member
Username: pauldo

Post Number: 295
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Sunday, October 04, 2009 - 7:00 pm:   Edit Post

I have a very poor scale.
My '84 Distillate, 4 strings, zebrawood is approximately 10lbs.
jbybj
Advanced Member
Username: jbybj

Post Number: 230
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Sunday, October 04, 2009 - 8:37 pm:   Edit Post

[img]http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll349/jbybj/Europa/DSCF3883.jpg[/img]
92 Europa 5 string 12 lbs.

[img]http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll349/jbybj/bass%20collection/DSCF2393.jpg[/img]
96 Epic 4 string 9.5 lbs

[img]http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll349/jbybj/bass%20collection/HipperVariax11.jpg[/img]
LIne 6 Variax 4 string 10 lbs

[img]http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll349/jbybj/DSCF3030.jpg[/img]
Viola custom 4 string 8.5 lbs

[img]http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll349/jbybj/PurpleheartScarab861-1.jpg[/img]
Wishbass Purpleheart Scarab 4 string 9.5 lbs

[img]http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll349/jbybj/FenderWear-2.jpg[/img]
69 Jazz 4 string 9 lbs.

[img]http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll349/jbybj/DSCF4040.jpg[/img]
Wishbass Cherrywood Hipper 4 string 8 lbs
mario_farufyno
Advanced Member
Username: mario_farufyno

Post Number: 301
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Monday, October 05, 2009 - 4:43 am:   Edit Post

Oh, nice Viola!
jbybj
Advanced Member
Username: jbybj

Post Number: 231
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Monday, October 05, 2009 - 9:54 am:   Edit Post

Thanks,

It is a true joy to play, and I love the EMG TW pup. If AXY/MXY's are a 10, then I rate the EMG's an 8.5.
12stringwilson
Junior
Username: 12stringwilson

Post Number: 23
Registered: 12-2008
Posted on Tuesday, October 06, 2009 - 12:04 pm:   Edit Post

My Wal Pro IIE bass circa 1980 weighs 11 lbs.
It balances well though.
funkyjazzjunky
Senior Member
Username: funkyjazzjunky

Post Number: 489
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Tuesday, October 06, 2009 - 2:02 pm:   Edit Post

If we go to a gym and complain about 12lbs we will be called a sissy
bigbadbill
Senior Member
Username: bigbadbill

Post Number: 519
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Thursday, October 08, 2009 - 5:40 am:   Edit Post

There's a big difference between 12lbs being lifted in a fixed press (or whatever) and a 12lb weight being dangled around one side of your body. I used to be able to bench 250 easy, heck, even curled 50-oddlbs dumbells for 10 reps, but I had to sell my approximately 11lb Alembic because it aggravated the 2 prolapsed discs in my back. Anybody who called me a sissy because of that would have found said Alembic inserted where the sun don't shine. I sincerely hope you never find out what it is to have chronic back problems. When your back is fine it's easy to dismiss such things, but my quality of life is getting worse all the time and I had to sell a bass I waited 20-odd years to get because of back problems. Anyone who can still wear a bass over 9lbs, just think yourselves lucky.
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 1103
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Thursday, October 08, 2009 - 7:49 am:   Edit Post

bigbadbill...yep I agree there..one gig with my MK(almost 14lbs UK) and my back is telling me to remove said bass.
Gym work is different..you are using other muscles and limbs..carrying a weight close to your centre of gravity causes strain.
A lot of soldiers who carry large amounts of gear eventually suffer with spinal problems.
benson_murrensun
Intermediate Member
Username: benson_murrensun

Post Number: 181
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Thursday, October 08, 2009 - 1:07 pm:   Edit Post

I have chronic back pain, too. I lift weights in order to mitigate the problem. I can lift a good amount of weight, but don't care much for a heavy instrument around my neck. My Warmoth P-Bass is the heaviest one I have; it will have to be the first one to go when weight becomes the deciding factor.
malthumb
Senior Member
Username: malthumb

Post Number: 464
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, October 10, 2009 - 8:42 am:   Edit Post

Well, according to my NEW bathroom scale, my Alembics have been doing some late night snacking! I remember using one scale and getting just under 9.5 lbs for my 4 string and just over 13.5 for my 5 string. Here's the new "official" weights for all my basses......

Alembics & Roscoe

Series I 4 string (Walnut/Mahogany/Walnut) 11.5 lbs
MK / Series II hybrid 5 string (Coco / Maple / Mahogany / Maple / Coco) 15 lbs WOWZER!!
Roscoe LG-3005 (Maple / Spanish Cedar)10lbs

My others are....
1980 Music Man Sabre (Maple) 10 lbs
http://s590.photobucket.com/albums/ss348/martinjlm/Music%20Man%20Basses/?action=view&current=MusicPictures001.jpg


Marchlewski 5 string (Amboyna Burl / Maple / Amboyna Burl w/ Bloodwood in some trim) 9.5 lbs
http://s590.photobucket.com/albums/ss348/martinjlm/Marchlewski%20Basses/?action=view&current=Marchlewski5String.jpg

(Message edited by malthumb on October 11, 2009)
malthumb
Senior Member
Username: malthumb

Post Number: 465
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, October 10, 2009 - 8:46 am:   Edit Post

Probably should have mentioned that I've had both Alembics for a bit over 9 years now and the 5 string has been my primary instrument all that time. Although I notice the weight difference between that and all my other basses, it's not objectionable as long as I wear a wide strap.
serialnumber12
Senior Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 543
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Sunday, October 11, 2009 - 3:42 am:   Edit Post

11.5 pounds!
serialnumber12
Senior Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 544
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Sunday, October 11, 2009 - 4:26 am:   Edit Post

12 pounds!
enzo
Intermediate Member
Username: enzo

Post Number: 147
Registered: 4-2009
Posted on Sunday, October 11, 2009 - 7:35 pm:   Edit Post

Keavin, 11.5 pounds headed or headless version ? :-)
oddmetersam
Junior
Username: oddmetersam

Post Number: 24
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Monday, October 12, 2009 - 12:37 am:   Edit Post

MK Signature Deluxe 5-string. 35" scale, bookmatched cocobolo top, cocobolo back w/continuous wood backplates and truss rod cover. One ebony neck laminate and bird of prey tailpiece. 11 lbs. (I prefer to play sitting down.) More pics at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2013756&id=1244010328&l=0f2e68b112
MK Sig Deluxe
gtrguy
Advanced Member
Username: gtrguy

Post Number: 249
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Monday, October 12, 2009 - 10:19 am:   Edit Post

Yeah, every time I turn my back they are at the fridge again. Don't know what to do. Time for a Beatle bass.

Dave

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration