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thumbsup
Intermediate Member
Username: thumbsup

Post Number: 111
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Monday, September 06, 2010 - 10:03 pm:   Edit Post

I noticed a SC 5 string on the "seen on craigs list" thread. I currently have a Rouge 5 but have been looking for a SC 5. I am very interested and the bug has bit.
I checked and it's still listed on UK basschat. I've sent e mail.
I do have some concerns. I've had an Alembic spolier exploiter and wasn't comfortable with the feel and balance due to no horn.
Would this SC have a similar feel?
Also, I've never played a 32" scale but I think that would not be a problem.
I have no experience buying out of US.
Any sugustions or comments appreciated.

Thanks Bro.....Peace
Steve
willie
Intermediate Member
Username: willie

Post Number: 164
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Tuesday, September 07, 2010 - 5:39 am:   Edit Post

Most Spoiler Exploiter's were 32" scale. I know the one I had was. And they don't make SC signature Deluxe with a 32: scale. It has a small standard body and they only make them with short scale necks. 30.75"
Willie
karl
Intermediate Member
Username: karl

Post Number: 176
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Tuesday, September 07, 2010 - 5:54 am:   Edit Post

Yes, I'd imagine the SC probably does have a similar feel to the hornless bass you've already tried. In fact, probably more so. At least, that's my experience. A lot of people who've tried my SC, with no previous experience of Alembics, describe it as feeling neck heavy and unbalanced, precisely because of the lack of a long horn. To be honest, I find the feel of Alembics suits me just fine - I tend to play with the body of the bass shifted a little to my right side, and the neck somewhat in front of me, rather than the usual 'straight across the body' stance. So short-horned basses, such as my Alembic, my Steinberger and my Status Kingbass all feel nice to me. In fact, the more traditional long-horned basses now feel somewhat awkward ... It's something you just get used to, I guess.

As for the scale, the shorter the scale, the easier it feels, I find - lighter string tension and less of a stretch between frets. With most basses, there's a loss of quality of tone with a shorter scale, but the quality of Alembic electronics seems to counteract that in my experience, so the sound of an Alembic never seems compromised by a shorter scale.

Incidentally, most SCs are 30.75" scale, I think. While you may not actually notice too much of a difference in feel from a 34" to a 32", you definitely will notice it moving from a 34" to 30.75"!

Finally, regarding buying outside of the US: if you're in the US, surely the shipping charges from the UK, and the fact that the UK owner will have had to pay a premium for the bass in the first place (pound versus dollar, and international shipping charges from the US), would probably mean that you'll be paying over the odds for this and could probably find a better deal closer to home. But that's for you to decide - a bass is worth whatever you're prepared to pay for it, after all.

Good luck, and I hope you find what you're looking for soon enough, if this doesn't turn out to be it!

K.
clarkybass
Member
Username: clarkybass

Post Number: 67
Registered: 4-2010
Posted on Tuesday, September 07, 2010 - 6:55 am:   Edit Post

I believe the bass in question is in France. I am guessing you would have go pay some form of import duty/tax to bring it into the US. Here in the UK it costs us c.20% extra in import duty to bring in a bass from the US. ouch!
speicky
Senior Member
Username: speicky

Post Number: 414
Registered: 3-2005
Posted on Tuesday, September 07, 2010 - 7:45 am:   Edit Post

IIRC, then goods being re-imported to the US may not be subject to import duties and taxes... but then, I turned 46 last week, and memory is not getting better :-)

Good luck with your quest, Steve, that SC is gorgeous !

Christian
thumbsup
Intermediate Member
Username: thumbsup

Post Number: 112
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Tuesday, September 07, 2010 - 8:54 am:   Edit Post

Thanks for the info and your right its a 30.75 scale. I've been looking periododicly for a usded SC 5 string and haven't located one in the states. Did Alembic make basses other than SC with a 30.75 scale?

Thanks Bro...Peace
Steve
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 9586
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, September 07, 2010 - 4:37 pm:   Edit Post

There have been other bodies matched up with a short scale neck, but the SC is the only model that comes standard with a short scale neck.
thumbsup
Intermediate Member
Username: thumbsup

Post Number: 116
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Wednesday, September 08, 2010 - 3:13 pm:   Edit Post

Wow.. what a wake up! pounds verses dollars & import will probably kill this deal! Whats up with the dollar?

Later Bros...Peace
Steve
brorzg
New
Username: brorzg

Post Number: 1
Registered: 9-2010
Posted on Monday, September 13, 2010 - 4:15 am:   Edit Post

Hi,
The SC5 is mine and I'm located in France.
Clarkybass asked me about Alembic Club, then I registered on.

Philippe
glocke
Senior Member
Username: glocke

Post Number: 762
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Monday, September 13, 2010 - 4:21 am:   Edit Post

"IIRC, then goods being re-imported to the US may not be subject to import duties and taxes.."

I bought an alembic bass located in the U.K. a couple of years ago, you dont have to pay import duties to bring items manufactured in the US back home.
clarkybass
Member
Username: clarkybass

Post Number: 78
Registered: 4-2010
Posted on Monday, September 13, 2010 - 4:25 am:   Edit Post

Hi Philippe, I think it would help potential buyers on this site if you put up a detailed For Sale ad in the Swap Shop and Wish Lists forum. If you have problems with pictures, just flag this up and someone will be able to re-size them for you. Good luck, Clarky!
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 9599
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 - 4:27 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Philippe, welcome to the board!
brorzg
New
Username: brorzg

Post Number: 2
Registered: 9-2010
Posted on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 - 5:50 am:   Edit Post

Hi Dave
thanks
I've another deal with my others basses and I think I will probably keep the SC at home ; I don't want to regret it and miss this excellent bass.
I'm just waiting the confirmation of my other deal to delete the ad.

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