| Author | Message | ||
| white_cloud
Advanced Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 362 Registered: 11-2007 |
A crazy guy on youtube is currently touting his Fernandes Series 1 copy for sale on youtube ( look up Fernandes Alembic ) for, wait for it, the princely sum of 1600 euros (1100 or $2200) It is, according to him "as good as a real series 1" and much better than a real Alembic "inferior" spoiler model GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! I think this guy is crazy and deluded! John. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 709 Registered: 5-2006 |
Here it is for sale: Clik here | ||
| sweets
New Username: sweets Post Number: 1 Registered: 6-2008 |
Hellow, i am the crazy guy. ^^ what people(and especialy alembic owners) persistently forget is that this bass is a collectors item. if you forget that this is a alembic copy for a minute and just objectively look at the bass you will see a good qualilty build bass with good electronics which isnt any less then a jay dee for example. anyhow, if no one wants to pay the price i have in my mind the bass stays mine. The bass is up for bidding....doesnt mean at all the bass gets sold for 1600,- | ||
| kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 693 Registered: 8-2003 |
No offense, but I bought an identical bass for $625 US a few years ago. Maybe I got a fantastic deal, but I don't think so. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5338 Registered: 6-2000 |
I think it's even a collector's item for some Alembic owners. These basses are rare, and despite the rumors, we didn't sue Fernandes for making these (glad to say we never sued anyone). I agree that the woodworking is done well. Nearly every one I've seen was the same wood combination and body shape, so they never seemed to be into the idea of a custom instrument. The execution in the electronics area I can't speak of as highly. (Message edited by mica on June 19, 2008) | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3127 Registered: 7-2004 |
I have a Fernandes "Alembic inspired" Masterhand guitar. ( See it here). The wood work is very good, though rather mundane when compared with all the options offered by Alembic. With the addition of Alembic electronics, this is one of my favorite guitars. Bill, tgo | ||
| neyman
Member Username: neyman Post Number: 65 Registered: 7-2002 |
I have a Fernandes Series 1 copy (not the SC copy). Good quality, nice woods, eletronics...meh. They work the way they should. Nothing to write home about. Collectors item? Maybe, if it came with the power supply. More of a novelty, IMHO. I paid $800US for mine with the original case. That's about average for these. See it here Fernandes FAB 180 | ||
| sweets
New Username: sweets Post Number: 2 Registered: 6-2008 |
That indeed is a nice FAB180, you got it cheap even without the power supply (mine has it btw). This gives me something to think about the price i had in my mind. Although i still probably wont sell it below 1100 to 1200 Euro's. | ||
| white_cloud
Advanced Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 363 Registered: 11-2007 |
Dont get me wrong - for someone who is desperate for a series 1 but cant afford it the Fernandes looks great and is a compromise of sorts.. However I totally disagree that a fernandes series copy is better than a genuine Alembic Spoiler, persuader, essence, epic etc. This is unrealistic. I would MUCH prefer to wake up in the morning and look at that genuine, magical, hand reaching down from the cloud to grasp the Alembic logo on my headstock no matter what the model! It is what I aspired to for literally decades! Im not shocked with the decent comments Mica pays to some of the finer points of the Alembic copy - after all being copied is the best form of flattery! Best of luck to the seller. If you get the price that you want then all is fine and well, but a hefty price I think it is my man! John. | ||
| bishopqdog
Member Username: bishopqdog Post Number: 81 Registered: 7-2003 |
IMHO An Alembic copy is NEVER as good as an Orignal Alembic, unless the copy is being made by Alembic. | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 1428 Registered: 12-2002 |
 Trade???.......Not my cadillac! | ||
| 0vid
Intermediate Member Username: 0vid Post Number: 141 Registered: 4-2003 |
I have to say that Mica's comment has to be the most benevolent I have heard from a musical manufacturer about a copy. Compare and contrast with RIC's live and let live EBAY policy in 500 words. Submit essay to John Hall. BTW, I have 3 lefty RICS and love them, and after years of badgering JH, they even relented and you'll finally see the 2008 version of the 4003 with proper lefty triangle fretboard inlays. Bless you Mr Hall. | ||
| elwoodblue
Advanced Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 382 Registered: 6-2002 |
I agree, Mica ...you have a wonderful way with words.Pretty and potent! cheers | ||
| neyman
Member Username: neyman Post Number: 67 Registered: 7-2002 |
There's a Fernandes copy on ebay now. Looks a little rough around the edges, no case or power supply. Might give a good baseline on what these instruments are worth in the market today. Fernandes eBay | ||
| eligilam
Intermediate Member Username: eligilam Post Number: 113 Registered: 2-2006 |
Begging off-topic forgiveness, but 0vid, in post 141, what is the ebay policy of Mr.Hall? I hadn't heard this before. | ||
| texangerbil
Junior Username: texangerbil Post Number: 24 Registered: 11-2007 |
RIC are very agressive in their pursuit of ebayers using the R-word about copies. They regularly get listings pulled for such "infringements" | ||
| white_cloud
Advanced Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 370 Registered: 11-2007 |
I would like to clarify: Im a big admirer of Japanese built instruments, hell - I had a Tokai "hard puncher" precision copy that was better than ANY of the actual Fender precisions that I have owned, and that included a couple of vintage models! Aria, Ibanez, Fernandes and Tokai etc have contributed a lot to modern instrument manufacture - especially when offering value for money. I guess the point I was trying to make was that its all very well making sublime copies of factory produced Fenders & Rics etc but accurately mimicking something hand crafted like an Alembic, and making it of equal (or superior) quality, is an entirely different ball game. In fairness to Fernandes, all things being equal, they actually did a remarkable job - to a point! John. | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 481 Registered: 8-2005 |
Have to agree John!! I owned a long scale Fernandes with a superb walnut top back in 1986. Great bass!! Sorted out a J D Mark king no probs!! NOT however the sound and sweetness of my 76 Sereies 1 Just my 0.02 G | ||
| white_cloud
Advanced Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 371 Registered: 11-2007 |
Thanks George, I have never played a Fernandes Alembic copy but the fact a seasoned pro like yourself preferred it to a (handmade) J D says a lot about the qualities they must have had! Having said that I always felt that J D Mark Kings were as much of a fashion statement as anything else during the eighties when Mark burst onto the scene! Everybody wanted one to slap the hell out of lol!! I adored the look of the damn things (probably as they looked like Alembics) but I never actually liked the feel or sound too much! I owned a Supernatural model and the neck was wildly unstable - have spoke to others though who loved them. John. | ||
| andrew_o
New Username: andrew_o Post Number: 1 Registered: 7-2008 |
i'm looking at this bass, (the one that is on ebay). what does the power supply do? also, whats the significance to the 5 pin connector? i'm a newb to alembics, the only thing i really know is stanley clarke plays 'em. | ||
| ghostyhead
Junior Username: ghostyhead Post Number: 44 Registered: 5-2008 |
bro if you want a nice alembic stanley clarke model WITH leds... go to our for sale sectionhttp://alembic.com/cgi-bin/alembic-club/show.cgi?395/53373 its a good price... lovely bass, and its sold through the club. I bought a Mark King sig standard from someone here at the club and had it shipped to me in NewZealand. Great club to buy through... just a thought. Cheers Ben | ||
| andrew_o
New Username: andrew_o Post Number: 2 Registered: 7-2008 |
$5000 compared to maybe $500? i'm also planning on using the fernandes for my school bass (i play in the jazz band at my school). Still, can anyone answer what the significance of the 5 pin connector and power supply? | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 442 Registered: 6-2002 |
I'm guessing it's an 18 volt system , so it could be a +9 volt pin, a -9volt pin , a neutral(ground) pin , and a pin for each pickup hot signal if it's stereo. someone here might know for sure | ||
| 82daion
Intermediate Member Username: 82daion Post Number: 167 Registered: 5-2005 |
(double-post) (Message edited by 82Daion on July 05, 2008) | ||
| 82daion
Intermediate Member Username: 82daion Post Number: 168 Registered: 5-2005 |
Since the Series electronics in a real Alembic go through batteries like hotcakes (in most cases), the point is to provide a reliable source of power to the bass. The 5-pin cable is simply the chosen means to connect the power supply to the bass. Elwood describes the wiring correctly, for the most part, although I think that it's wired 18V +/-. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3151 Registered: 7-2004 |
Andrew: The Fernandes system is similar to Alembic - after all, it is an Alembic copy. Like an Alembic, the electronics have two single coil pickups with a dummy hum cancellor in the middle. The system runs at 18 volts. The 5-pin connector hooks up to a power supply that has both mono and stereo outs (one pickup for each channel). When used without the power supply, the batteries don't last long at all - only a few hours. Also, if this is wired like the old Alembic Series instruments, when using the 1/4" jack (battery power) instead of the 5 pin, you'll only get the output of one pickup. If this is the case, it can easily be re-wired to provide a mono output (both pickups) from the 1/4" jack. Running this without the power supply is a major disadvantage, IMHO. I haven't seen a Fernandes Power supply since they came out in the late 70's (mine came without one also), but an Alembic DS-5 or DS-5R ($550) and 5 pin cable ($190) should work with it. Be aware that while the woodwork on the Fernandes is similar to Alembic, the electronics were not nearly as successful a copy. Bill, the guitar one | ||
| andrew_o
New Username: andrew_o Post Number: 3 Registered: 7-2008 |
is it possible to have a 5 pin connector into a quarter inch jack, so i can just plug it right into an amp? | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3152 Registered: 7-2004 |
Andrew: You can plug into the amp in two different ways. 1. With the 1/4" jack, or 2. With a 5-pin cable through the power supply. It's one or the other, not both. You either plug a regular 1/4" phone plug cable between the bass and amp or the 5-pin between bass and power supply unit, and then either one (mono) or two (stereo) 1/4" cables between the power supply unit and the amp. The wiring at the 1/4" jack in the bass can be re-wired to allow both pickups when using the 1/4" cable, if you want. Bill, tgo | ||
| room037
Advanced Member Username: room037 Post Number: 224 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi All, We often call Fernandes copy as "Ferbic". Our "Alembic Fun Club" in Japan member checked original power suply "PS-5 for Ferbic".(Not DS-5) It supplys "}9V"! I belived Ferbic is totally same construction, but it runs "}9V".  In empirical knowledge, It runs with DS-5(}18V) by both owners. Eiji | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6772 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks Eiji! | ||
| white_cloud
Advanced Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 378 Registered: 11-2007 |
In retrospect my original post looks very insulting to SWEETS (the guy who was selling the Fernandes FAB 170.) He is, of course, entitled to his opinion in regards to comparing his FAB 170 and certain models of actual Alembics. He is, also, entitled to try and sell his bass for any price he deems suitable! I would like to offer an apology to him for being insulting in my original post! I dont know what it is but as Im getting older Im getting really grumpy - jeez! Hope this sets the record straight. John. | ||
| andrew_o
New Username: andrew_o Post Number: 4 Registered: 7-2008 |
i didn't get it, i thought 900 was too much for a bass that didn't have all the original stuff, and i would have to spend a ton more money just so i could use it... | ||
| white_cloud
Advanced Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 393 Registered: 11-2007 |
Hi Andrew, Dont worry about it, there are always more fish in the sea. It wasnt in great shape and you may have been inheriting problematic issues! John. |
