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broncofantum
Junior
Username: broncofantum

Post Number: 23
Registered: 8-2006
Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 4:32 pm:   Edit Post

There's only two kinds of bass players - ones that own Alembics and ones that want to. Unfortunately, I'm currently in the latter category. I had an Epic 5 string and it was stolen. I replaced that with a Rogue 5 string and after a couple of years I fell on really hard times and had to sell it (sob!). I'm back making good money again and would love to own another Alembic 5 string but need to stay in the $2,000 range. Anyone care to make me an offer I can't refuse on a nice Alembic 5 string axe? Whatcha got? You can contact me here or at zkmobass@fastmail.fm.
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2890
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 11:59 pm:   Edit Post

I hope you find something suitable to re-instate your alembic ownership status.

jazzyvee
slawie
Advanced Member
Username: slawie

Post Number: 393
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2012 - 12:24 am:   Edit Post

What about this one;

http://alembic.com/club/messages/395/129132.html?1334841217

Slawie
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 1473
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2012 - 9:51 am:   Edit Post

Or Danno's- it's in the right ballpark. Slightly more expensive, but not by alot

http://alembic.com/club/messages/395/118137.html?1336408624
wishbass
Advanced Member
Username: wishbass

Post Number: 244
Registered: 5-2011
Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2012 - 9:55 am:   Edit Post

You know,the problem with going from WANTING an Alembic to GETTING an Alembic,is then you want MORE Alembics.......
broncofantum
Junior
Username: broncofantum

Post Number: 25
Registered: 8-2006
Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2012 - 3:57 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks, boys. I can tell you feel my pain. My Epic always seemed just a tad big for me so another wouldn't be my first choice. The black Essence is interesting, although I wish it was still the origional finish. With the amazing wood tops Alembic provides, it seems almost unholy to paint one black or any solid color. I've sent Danno a request for more details and pics and I have to admit (although it may sound a bit cheesey) LED markers are what got me interested in Alembics a few decaces ago so, maybe we can work something out.
broncofantum
Junior
Username: broncofantum

Post Number: 26
Registered: 8-2006
Posted on Saturday, May 12, 2012 - 9:43 pm:   Edit Post

PM Sent
broncofantum
Junior
Username: broncofantum

Post Number: 28
Registered: 8-2006
Posted on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - 8:31 am:   Edit Post

It appears the void in my life has been filled! (God, I'm so shallow.) My payment is winging it's way to Danno as I write. Thanks tbrannon for pointing me in the right direction. I've not used that configuration of electronics, so any pointers on useful variations of settings on an Essence would be much appreciated. I'll be using it with either a Mesa M6 head or an Eden WT550 head (depending on size of the gig)and through a variety of 112 speaker cabs. (Love those lightweight cabs.)
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2904
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - 8:53 am:   Edit Post

Nice choice of amps to let the bass sing through. Mesa and Eden are used by some members here with great results.

Jazzyvee
wishbass
Advanced Member
Username: wishbass

Post Number: 257
Registered: 5-2011
Posted on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - 9:11 am:   Edit Post

Congradulations!
artswork99
Moderator
Username: artswork99

Post Number: 1729
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - 11:17 am:   Edit Post

Congratulations Zeke!
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 1478
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - 6:06 pm:   Edit Post

Congrats! That is a very unique Alembic, plus it has the LEDs.

I've never owned an Essence equipped bass, but with Vol, pan, filter, you should be able to get a pretty wide palette of tone without too much fuss. If I were you, I'd start with the filter wide open, pan to the neck pickup and then slowly roll off the filter as you play for a bit. That should give you a pretty good indication of the variety you can find there- then pan back to the bridge and repeat. Then the fun starts, which is finding your own sweet spot filter/pan combo.
broncofantum
Junior
Username: broncofantum

Post Number: 29
Registered: 8-2006
Posted on Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 8:50 am:   Edit Post

Thanks all you guys. Gotta admit - I've got a some of that "little kid on Christmas Eve" feeling right now. tbrannon, I appreciate the specifics of your suggestions. Directions that I can understand, I like it. Sounds like the Essence is just right for me in terms of getting useful sounds dialed in. Jazzyvee, thanks regarding the amps. The Eden and the Mesa couldn't be more different in alot of ways but they both do a great job of cutting through the mix in live situations. The Eden's a bit more 'hi-fi', the Mesa's in-your-face reserve power with a quicker response than previous Mesa's that I've tried. Again, thanks to all for the encouragement. It's great knowing that there's a community of guys out there that love this sh*t as much as I do.
dannobasso
Senior Member
Username: dannobasso

Post Number: 1442
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 7:49 pm:   Edit Post

All packed up with a set of Zon strings, polishing cloth, straplocks, extra nut and saddles for eadgc stringing and an Alembic t shirt. (black of course.)
Will ship as soon as the envelope gets to me.
Enjoy. I won't order a bass without leds, cheese or no cheese!
broncofantum
Junior
Username: broncofantum

Post Number: 30
Registered: 8-2006
Posted on Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 1:13 pm:   Edit Post

Come to pappa!
broncofantum
Junior
Username: broncofantum

Post Number: 31
Registered: 8-2006
Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - 1:00 pm:   Edit Post

Danno came through again. The Essence is one sweet bass and just about perfect for me. And so, my status as an Alembian citizen has been restored - I feel whole again. I realize that compared to many of you and especially Danno, I am a mere dabbler in these wonderful works of art.

My one question for Danno is, if you own that many Alembics with LEDs, do you own stock in Rayovac or Eveready? That's quite a wad of 9v batteries but you saved me enough money to by a lot of 9v's. Thanks again for everything Danno
dannobasso
Senior Member
Username: dannobasso

Post Number: 1444
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - 4:22 pm:   Edit Post

Glad you got it safe and sound. I still have 7 axes with leds. 5 Alembics and 2 Status. The batteries last a good long while so no fear. Play it in health and inspiration. And remember we all start with just one. I've had 20 at a time and now I'm down to 10 and thats more than enough for anyone.
broncofantum
Junior
Username: broncofantum

Post Number: 32
Registered: 8-2006
Posted on Monday, June 04, 2012 - 10:39 pm:   Edit Post

To put (as they say) closure to this transaction, I've held off reporting on the lil' black Essence until I had time to get the setup just right. The shipping must have affected the setup (or the altitude or temperature or all three). It wasn't really playable when it got to Denver with bad fret rattle on the B string side and the pickups about 1/8" to 5/32" too high. As usual, it took me 2 - 3 trys to get the Alembic combo of adjustments right but once I did - man! What a nice sounding bass with many useful sounds. It's already my favorite of the three Alembics that I've owned. Nice! Thanks again, Danno and all the rest of you that joined in on this post.
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 1490
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2012 - 6:46 am:   Edit Post

Good to hear you've got it dialed in! Denver gets dry enough in the winter and warm/humid enough in the summer that I imagine you'll need to make seasonal tweaks to keep things the way you like.
broncofantum
Junior
Username: broncofantum

Post Number: 34
Registered: 8-2006
Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2012 - 5:45 pm:   Edit Post

You are probably right but with "Joey's Post" instructions even I can get it right. I dunced out the first try on the Essence and tried to raise the bridge by turning the adjustment screw clockwise (probably not a good idea trying setup after a long, long week at work). The fret rattle just got worse (for good reason) but I was too tired to think of why so I gave up for the time being. The next time I got the bridge figured out but the nut was still too high on the B string side.

The thing that I've noticed about all the used Alembic basses that I've bought or seen in stores is that the pickups are always too high, leaving a gap far less than the recommended 1/4" nominal dimension. The fastest way to make your long desired Alembic bass sound just loud and harsh is to raise the pickups too close to the strings.

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