| Author | Message | ||
| deepwood
Junior Username: deepwood Post Number: 18 Registered: 1-2011 |
Hello Alembicians! I'm hoping someone out there might be considering selling an Alembic 4 string fretless. I currently own two fretted Rogues (4 & 5 string versions). My mid-'90s fretless Warwick Corvette was recently stolen, and I really need a replacement fretless. I'm looking for something in the $1,000 to $3000 range. I'm also open to other quality brands if there's something in your closet that needs to be played and given a good home (but I LOVE my Alembics). The fretless would be used in electric jazz combo work, and backing-up singer/songwriters. It has been awhile since I've been on the forums, but thanks ahead of time! | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 1580 Registered: 3-2004 |
Like this? But more expensive.  | ||
| deepwood
Junior Username: deepwood Post Number: 19 Registered: 1-2011 |
Well, sort of, except that your photo is a seven string, fretted (?), work of art well out my price range... I figured someone might have a 4 string Excel, Orion, Essence, Rogue, or Europa fretless looking for a good home. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4743 Registered: 5-2009 |
I want one too ! I can see a lined fretless Elan with Series I/II Electronics . OR ; a lined fretless Elan with 2 AXY's Volume/Volume/ Filter . Where do I see them ? ____ Floating out of a cloud in a dream with me manifesting these instruments in my sleep . ( it seems to work )  | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 2363 Registered: 2-2005 |
Danno's 7 string in the picture is a lined fretless. Keith | ||
| rockerdebassman
Member Username: rockerdebassman Post Number: 56 Registered: 8-2015 |
What is default tuning on the 7th? And how frigging huge must your hand be to play bar chords? Deepwood, sounds like you might need to save a bit more, but who knows. | ||
| deepwood
Junior Username: deepwood Post Number: 20 Registered: 1-2011 |
Sonicus describes manifesting the fretless vision through dreams (good advice indeed). So, when someone tells you, "You're dreaming man!," polite agreement is the way to go. And, Wolf's notion of double AXY's (volume/volume/filter) helps me walk the "fretless dreamscape" as it all comes together. I just have a good feeling about this... | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 1581 Registered: 3-2004 |
BEADGCF It just takes some practice. My point was that the mothership can make viturally any dream come true. This was a birthday present to myself and an excellent example of an Alembic fretless in cocobolo. They also made me a custom Exel shape fretless 5, lined w/leds. http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/36334.html?1215114170 Again, best of luck in your search! | ||
| ed_zeppelin
Advanced Member Username: ed_zeppelin Post Number: 247 Registered: 2-2010 |
Trip Wamsley uses an 8-string Alembic.  Here's a video of him playing it (there are quite a few more of his on YouTube) : http://youtu.be/J6cDv_Cwgd0 Luckily, that gorgeous bass was a Featured Custom on this site, so we can get a very detailed look at it. (I love the P-bass-ish pickup arrangement.) I've been obsessed with the song "Finally" from "It's Better This Way" for a long time. The whole album is just him on bass(es) and I love the way he emulates everything from toy music boxes to orchestral string sections. I hope that helps with ideas and possibilities. | ||
| stephenr
Intermediate Member Username: stephenr Post Number: 169 Registered: 9-2014 |
There is a maple four-string lined fretless Essence on Talkbass for $1,600. Also a nice looking 81 Series I short-scale lined fretless up for auction on Ebay. Bass is located in Australia though. Starting bid (0 bids so far) is around $3,100. Two days left on the auction, you might be able to swoop in and get it for the minimum bid at last minute. Good luck with the search! | ||
| deepwood
Junior Username: deepwood Post Number: 21 Registered: 1-2011 |
The Alembic Forum is a truly strong group! Many thanks to all who are helping me w/ this quest, and sharing their knowledge & experience. I truly appreciate the "heads up" on those two basses, Stephen! The Essence is located in Ontario, and though I did have a bass shipped from Canada about 10 yrs ago, I can't remember how the import tariffs/duties apply. I'm hoping some folks might share their experience(s) with shipping from Canada to the US? Or, there may be a posting on the Forum regarding this topic that I've missed? That Series 1 in Australia is gorgeous! After shipping, and whatever tariffs might apply, it is likely out of my reach- even if I was successful on the swoop. Unfortunately, I've sold a lot of gear to get to the $3K ceiling for replacement & upgrade of my stolen fretless. SXSW will be in here in Austin soon, and fretless is needed to cover a couple gigs. I've also enjoyed the seven & eight-string element of this thread! Expansion of tonal palettes foster re-interpretation of an instrument; and, as the instrument itself changes (5, 6, 7, 8 strings) that re-interpretation is, I believe, exponential. (Hope I didn't geek-out to badly right there...blame it on Ethnomusicology...Ha!) Thanks again for the continued help! When an Alembic fretless does come my way, you bet I will share those photos. | ||
| rv_bass
New Username: rv_bass Post Number: 8 Registered: 8-2014 |
Here is one on Craigslist... http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/msg/5444839725.html | ||
| deepwood
Junior Username: deepwood Post Number: 22 Registered: 1-2011 |
The Elan Fretless 6 is getting closer, thanks for the heads-up... if it were a fretless four string Elan, well, done deal. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1861 Registered: 5-2006 |
Here's one for sale (thanks to Jazzy for the link) https://www.zikinf.com/annonces/dispannonce.php?annonce=1240862 | ||
| deepwood
Junior Username: deepwood Post Number: 23 Registered: 1-2011 |
Yes! Thanks Jazzy & Flip! At today's exchange rate it is about $3,343.00US. Any tips (or redirects) about shipping from France to US are appreciated. After shipping & tariffs, it might be beyond my immediate reach, but we'll see. So, thanks again to all for keeping my quest in mind- Any Alembic 4 string fretless for about $3000US, or less, will be considered. A Rogue 4 fretless would be cool... | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1863 Registered: 5-2006 |
Maybe send him an offer of about 1600 Euro, in todays market that would be reasonable. (thats about $1750, I would stay south of $2500 incl shipping on this one) | ||
| rv_bass
Junior Username: rv_bass Post Number: 11 Registered: 8-2014 |
Here's one, you could probably have the fretless fingerboard permanently installed if you prefer, http://m.ebay.com/itm/Alembic-Spoiler-4-String-Bass-Fretless-Stainless-Steel-Fingerboard-/151972324688?nav=SEARCH | ||
| rv_bass
Junior Username: rv_bass Post Number: 16 Registered: 8-2014 |
This looks nice... http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/msg/5454537166.html | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1831 Registered: 6-2002 |
yes it does! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1866 Registered: 5-2006 |
Yeah very nice! Upgraded electronics, most likely Elan or Essence +Q (2 preamps is Elan, one preamp is Essence) and maybe upgraded finish? (hard to see but looks like high gloss finish) Info on the preamps: http://alembic.com/club/messages/16271/24781.html Stay away from the multi fretboard bass, unless you're prepared to spend some $$$ on the restoration. | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 2368 Registered: 2-2005 |
Yes it is best to stay away from the interchangeable neck spoiler. I recall reading somewhere on the site that there is a twist in the neck due to the modification. My guess is it would be fairly expensive to bring it back to original specs and likely exceed the resale value. The Orion looks like a nice bass. I suspect it is the Essence w/Q switch package as that was a pretty common upgrade back when this bass was made. This is the same electronics I have on my fretted 5 string Orion and they work well. Looking at the hardshell case it appears to be a G&G who is the same company that makes the cases for Alembic. The price seems reasonable and is less than the street price from a dealer was in 2004. Around that time several of the East Coast dealers were selling them for $2350 with a hard sided gig bag (or would you call it a semi hardshell case?). Keith | ||
| rv_bass
Junior Username: rv_bass Post Number: 17 Registered: 8-2014 |
I have an Orion 4 and the same electronics, it's a great bass! The electronics are effective and easy to use live, the bass is light and comfortable to play, and it sounds great! | ||
| deepwood
Junior Username: deepwood Post Number: 24 Registered: 1-2011 |
An update of sorts... While that perfect $2500 to $3500 Alembic fretless 4 has yet to find me, Warwick made a German Corvette fretless 4 that is doing a standup job for me at present- it's a clone to the one that was sadly stolen. Yet the dream still must manifest: a fretless Essence 4, Fretless Europa 4, Fretless Rogue 4, or a Fretless Orion 4.... Many thanks again to people on this forum. Much Respect! Ps. My Warwick was built mostly by robots, and that concerns me at some level. (-;/ They are not alien robots though, so I guess it's all good. I mean, hey, I support interplanetary immigration, and specifically the legal immigration of alien robots to Earth, as much as the next guy. But will American robots lose their jobs to alien robots? Only a tear in the time vortex will tell us. Until then, we wait for an Alembic to appear. | ||
| deepwood
Junior Username: deepwood Post Number: 25 Registered: 1-2011 |
An update of sorts... While that perfect $2500 to $3500 Alembic fretless 4 has yet to find me, Warwick made a German Corvette fretless 4 that is doing a standup job for me at present- it's a clone to the one that was sadly stolen. Yet the dream still must manifest: a fretless Essence 4, Fretless Europa 4, Fretless Rogue 4, or a Fretless Orion 4.... Many thanks again to people on this forum. Much Respect! Ps. My Warwick was built mostly by robots, and that concerns me at some level. (-;/ They are not alien robots though, so I guess it's all good. I mean, hey, I support interplanetary immigration, and specifically the legal immigration of alien robots to Earth, as much as the next guy. But will American robots lose their jobs to alien robots? Only a tear in the time vortex will tell us. Until then, we wait for an Alembic to appear. | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1850 Registered: 6-2002 |
LOL (-! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1884 Registered: 5-2006 |
Dang!: Elan fretless | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4948 Registered: 6-2002 |
Step away from that bass Flip..... :-) | ||
| moongerm
Advanced Member Username: moongerm Post Number: 363 Registered: 8-2013 |
Thermy may hear you so be careful what you say about American robots. We need a happy and healthy Thermy to help the Elves with custom pickup routing and fingerboard sloting https://www.instagram.com/p/47iQVdgNJb/?hl=en | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 883 Registered: 6-2014 |
Tyler, have you considered having Alembic do a fretless conversion on your Rogue 4? It's not cheap, but not prohibitively expensive either. It might be worth a discussion with Mica. FWIW, I hear she has a few Elven Robots working there... | ||
| deepwood
Junior Username: deepwood Post Number: 26 Registered: 1-2011 |
Ahhhhh!!! Now the Elan fretless shows up... Wish me luck on negotiations with my financial planner! (-; I hadn't considered a fretless conversion. My Rogue 4 is so sweet, hard to envision it going into elective surgery. With my preference for unlined fingerboards, I wonder what the subtle inlay options might be? | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 2382 Registered: 2-2005 |
I had maple sidelines put in my fretless Orion. I didn't want them to stand out too much so Alembic tinted them. Here is a link to a picture of them. Keith | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 886 Registered: 6-2014 |
Pearl inlay in fretless fingerboards is problematic... if that's what you meant. The notes unavoidably sound different when they terminate on wood versus pearl. Regarding "lined" fretless, I'm pretty sure Mica (or possibly Susan) told me once they use white holly for the ghost frets, because it swells and shrinks at close to the same rate as ebony with given conditions of humidity. If you like that "unlined" look but still want some reference points, I *highly recommend* the fret sidelines. (I swear there's a picture of them on this Board somewhere, but I cant find it) Another thought - if you're replacing the fingerboard anyway, maybe think about doing LED's. Once you get to that point though, you might have crossed back over into square one, "cheaper-to-find-an-already-fretless bass" territory. =) | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 887 Registered: 6-2014 |
AH, ^THERE^ it is - Thanks Keith... you beat me by 5 minutes! (Keith's Orion Nebula bass is what turned me onto sidelines) | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 2383 Registered: 2-2005 |
I didn't come up with the idea. I actually decided on sidelines after talking with Susan about why they didn't like inlaying fretless fingerboards and seeing the fingerboard on this bass. I highly recommend anyone considering a custom take the time to look at the Featured Custom archive. Not only will you see ideas you might not have thought of but can see how many of the features you are considering actually look. Keith | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4832 Registered: 5-2009 |
Nice! |
