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jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 1233
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2008 - 3:55 am:   Edit Post

Yesterday afternoon I took a trip down the UK Alembic Dealer in Tonbridge.

Thankfully it was open and I managed to try out some of the higher end alembics they had.

First was a Series II MK shape bass through an Ampeg bass rig.
I was blown away at the clarity that bass had and it has made me desire one even more but in the SC body or Europa body shape.

Next was the dragons Wing. That bass has so much mid range crispness and not as much meat on the bottom end as the SII or the Orion bass which was astounding in sound. That Orion should have left the shop with me... considering it didn't have any filters on it, the sound was amazing. Much better than one I'd been to look at a few years ago as a second hand purchase.


I then tried the Lil Darling which again is pretty much what I expected and sounded very clean and sparling in sound and thankfully not thin and weedy. It does look quite tiny.

My decision not to take my credit card with me, was I think a very sensible idea.

if you get a chance to visit, it's worth it.
here is a link to their page.

http://ccgi.psstpsst.force9.co.uk/php/alebass.php
speicky
Advanced Member
Username: speicky

Post Number: 323
Registered: 3-2005
Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2008 - 11:07 am:   Edit Post

cool report, Jazzy, thanks a bunch... now, you're telling us that the maple DW is still up for sale in their shop ? man, I think Oliver (senmen) once posted a pic of the body closeup to this board. That was my pc wallpaper for eons. GAS... here it comes again !
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 809
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2008 - 11:25 am:   Edit Post

Christian, Jazzy,
yes you are right. It is that particular DW and it is still for sale there as well as a Spyder.

Oliver (Spyderman)
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 1235
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2008 - 5:00 pm:   Edit Post

yep sure are, and beautiful they look too.to
The dw looked amazing in the flesh so to speak.

jazzyvee
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 1872
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 8:06 am:   Edit Post

I'd intended visiting the shop when I was on my way down to France a couple of years ago but by the time we'd negotiated greater London the shop would have been shut. Shame, as I ordered my rogue through Graham so I was keen to meet him.

Graeme
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 1237
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - 12:23 am:   Edit Post

Unfortunately Graham was not there, he'd been to USA and wasn't due back into the shop till Tuesday.


I got my SF-2 from him a few years back.
Jazzyvee
briant
Advanced Member
Username: briant

Post Number: 227
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Friday, August 29, 2008 - 1:36 pm:   Edit Post

I wish there was a store near me that had that many Alembics in stock - or any Alembics in stock for that matter.
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 1239
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Saturday, August 30, 2008 - 12:33 pm:   Edit Post

Here is a photo I took of part of the Alembic Collection in the shop.


I had a blast on the Dragons wing, the Series II and the quilted maple fretted Orion far right.

To be honest I want all of them excluding the fretless as I've never played fretless bass. I have enough problems with my fretless guitar hahaha.

Jazzyvee
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 6974
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, August 31, 2008 - 12:34 pm:   Edit Post

That's some inventory!

The fretless looks like a neck-through Orion with Spalted Maple (?) top and Essence electronics with Q switch. Nice!
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 730
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Sunday, August 31, 2008 - 2:23 pm:   Edit Post

It looks like a C in the serial number, body and headstock are Europa shaped.
Very, very nice
jakebass
Junior
Username: jakebass

Post Number: 46
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2008 - 8:09 am:   Edit Post

Hey Jazzy,
I too have visited that shop, it was there that I became convinced that Alembic was the way to go, although I eventually bought from Beaver in Bass Central. Dave the Fretless Orion is indeed a neck through and is a very lovely instrument.
Jake
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 810
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Tuesday, March 03, 2009 - 11:13 am:   Edit Post

I think she's on her way to Holland now :-) :-) :-)
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 7677
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, March 03, 2009 - 1:19 pm:   Edit Post

Now why would you be thinking that???
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 811
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Tuesday, March 03, 2009 - 1:59 pm:   Edit Post

Mainly because of the $$$ written of my bank account and the adress I left at Bass World UK (my adress)

My first new (nos) Alembic! :-)

When she's in, I will post loads of pictures.
From the BW UK site:




Me is happy :-)

(Message edited by fc_spoiler on March 03, 2009)
olieoliver
Senior Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 2155
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Tuesday, March 03, 2009 - 2:13 pm:   Edit Post

Alright FLIP! Very cool.

OO
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 996
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Tuesday, March 03, 2009 - 3:50 pm:   Edit Post

Awesome stuff Flip!!!
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 7678
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, March 03, 2009 - 6:04 pm:   Edit Post

Gorgeous!!!

Wow! What a great bass!
Orion neck-throughs are cool!
alembicfan
Junior
Username: alembicfan

Post Number: 26
Registered: 10-2007
Posted on Tuesday, March 03, 2009 - 11:28 pm:   Edit Post

Wow. Congratulation.
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 816
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Wednesday, March 04, 2009 - 11:07 am:   Edit Post

Thanx all!
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 1235
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Wednesday, March 04, 2009 - 12:11 pm:   Edit Post

I like spalted maple fretless basses. ;-)

Congrats on the new bass.

Keith
olieoliver
Senior Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 2157
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Wednesday, March 04, 2009 - 12:28 pm:   Edit Post

I didn't even notice it's a fretless, WAY COOL.
Have you played fretless much Flip?

OO
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 817
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Wednesday, March 04, 2009 - 1:11 pm:   Edit Post

I've had a Fretless Gibson The Ripper for a while and loved it, did some gigs with it but had to sell to get some cash for the "Wall of deaf"

Btw: this bass can also be seen in the Alembic movie on the Futures channel. (I think it's in the beginning, can't open it right now)

@ Keith: Spalted Maple fretless basses are tha bomb!
I love your Orion, lost some keyboards watching yours :-)
adriaan
Senior Member
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 2127
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, March 05, 2009 - 12:13 am:   Edit Post

Flip - have you lost your mind, or just a fistful of dollars? I thought you were saving up for a custom. Ah well, this one sure is an eyecatcher - enjoy it!
funkyjazzjunky
Advanced Member
Username: funkyjazzjunky

Post Number: 377
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Thursday, March 05, 2009 - 7:00 am:   Edit Post

I love the sleek shape and the top
pierreyves
Advanced Member
Username: pierreyves

Post Number: 384
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Thursday, March 05, 2009 - 8:46 am:   Edit Post

Jazzy, your link does'nt work: "file not found" !
I try with www, or allbass, nothing...
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 818
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Thursday, March 05, 2009 - 9:04 am:   Edit Post

The custom quote is on Mica's desk ;-)

I've been planning for a fretless and a 5 string, I did consider 2 customs for a while (when the Dollar was ultra low) but that's just too much right now.
This one is a little over the budget, but hey... She's awesome!

I will open a topic in the showcase tonight. (tonight in Holland that will be)

Bass world site: http://www.americanguitarsuk.com/bassshop/alembicB.php

If Mica reads this: The Link on the Alembic main site is also broken ;-)
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 997
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Thursday, March 05, 2009 - 9:27 am:   Edit Post

Flip,

What's the plans for the custom?! inquiring minds want to know...
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 820
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Thursday, March 05, 2009 - 9:59 am:   Edit Post

Newsted Elan 5 with either the JPJ + custom electronics or Anniversary, prepped for series (incl dummy hc) and the big must have: Ebony lams :-)
olieoliver
Senior Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 2160
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Thursday, March 05, 2009 - 10:05 am:   Edit Post

MAn Flip, what'd you do knock off a few 7-11's. LOL

I can vouch for the Ebony lams, they're smokin'.

OO
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 821
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Thursday, March 05, 2009 - 10:26 am:   Edit Post

Almost right, you have the number 7 there :-)

I've saved up for the Custom for seven years now, that seems like a nice symbolic number of years to me so I decided I've waited long enough.
olieoliver
Senior Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 2161
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Thursday, March 05, 2009 - 10:29 am:   Edit Post

Good for you Bro! I look forward to watching this one in progress.

OO
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 998
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Thursday, March 05, 2009 - 10:36 am:   Edit Post

Awesome Flip- you're gonna love those ebony neck lams. Looking forward to watching this one happen (assuming you request a FTC thread).

What body/top woods are you going with?
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 822
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Thursday, March 05, 2009 - 10:50 am:   Edit Post

I love the attaque (:-)) of my Elan, so Maple + Flame Maple top it will be.

Custom electronics (for the JPJ option) will be: on/off switch and filter + 2 way Q-Switch for each pickup plus a master volume and mono output.

If I'll go for the Anniversary package, there will be a mastervolume added.
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 1367
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Sunday, March 08, 2009 - 3:16 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Pierreyves try this link, it is the same place.

http://www.americanguitarsuk.com/guitarshop/alembic.php

Jazzyvee

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