It's here!

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:26 pm

Well, for me, it was all the folks (Brian included IIRC) harping about the MB at POR that had been there for a year. There were two or three threads about that bass. Excuse me, MY bass!!!!

ajish4 · Post by **ajish4** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:28 pm

Charly,

I can't tell you HOW often I looked at that (YOUR) bass! IF it had been the lighter shade of Monty.........

Glad it all worked out for the best.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:45 pm

Guys, I know I'm in the minority on this one.

Those Alembics are nicely-finished, it's true. But the "design" is some of the ugliest stuff ever. They look like toadstools or maybe some other stools, to me.

Gluing together contrasting layers of salad bowl wood and then carving them into tortuous, Middle-Earth forms might be a point of distinction for Alembic, but the whole thing just smacks of Bilbo Baggins (or Jerry Garcia, his anointed-Son-on-the-planet's-surface) when finished. That double-neck is the stuff of nightmares, and the inlays...well...

And you say $25K for this? That's just nutz.

Why do they lose so much value once used? Because rabid fanatics pay those prices, and practical people (albeit taste-challenged practical people) buy 'em used.

Nothing personal meant here, and you guys are too polite to flame-throw. I do realize that Alembic is a legendary name, but besides being iconic, it's also ironic--they turn tortured wood into gold.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:59 pm

I see fractals in their design.I'm with Paul on this one, though not as strongly. I'd already thought that about their resale value. I have no interest in owning an Alembic.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 3:07 pm

I was recently considering a used one, but the resale value stopped me. Also, a local shop has had the same two sitting in their store for years.

ajish4 · Post by **ajish4** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 3:17 pm

LOL!

C'mon Paul, yes, some of these designs are EXTREME and I've shown some of the most bizarre. But they are well constructed, beautiful instruments, albeit very EXPENSIVE.

Here are some of the more traditional models.

To each his own, and between RIC's and Alembics, I'm a happy man. I've never purchased one new. I'd much rather let someone else take the initial loss and pick up a bargain myself. But they are wonderful instruments even if the are a bit odd at times, and the customer service is amazing.

green_us90 · Post by **green_us90** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 3:21 pm

That's bass porn. I am really jonesing for an Exploiter.

http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_spyders.html

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 3:31 pm

I love your charactorisations of Alembic Paul! The funny thing is, I totally agree with you on every point, except I actually like like them!

elysrand · Post by **elysrand** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 3:32 pm

OK, no more Alembic talk! Peter will move the thread to the "Others" area of the Forum if you don't stop! This part of the Forum is for Rickenbackers ONLY

So let's start a thread under "Others", guys!!!

woodyng · Post by **woodyng** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 3:34 pm

i was wavering between the 4004 and an epic-i really like the look of the epic,but am more familiar with ricks.

ajish4 · Post by **ajish4** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 3:41 pm

I've owned a few Epics Woody, and I KNOW you made a wise choice.

You really can't compare the two for SO many reasons, but the EPIC is a SET NECK. The sustain couldn't compare to my standard 4003 RICS. It was a good work horse, but it was really lacking in the sustain department.

I'd suggest a Spoiler or Persuader over the Epic.

Back on the thread, 4004's, can I seem some sweet pictures of the WALNUT sandwich? I LOVE WALNUT!!!

woodyng · Post by **woodyng** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 3:53 pm

i have several set necks,tony,a 74 4000,67 epiphone embassy,and a much more recent ibanez artcore. they all sustain like crazy,well,esp. the rick! but there is definitely a different quality of sound with neck-throughs-seems like more clarity-no, i am really happy with my choice!

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 4:19 pm

double post

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 4:19 pm

Here Tony:

woodyng · Post by **woodyng** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 4:24 pm

sorry- the pix are posted here now in a new thread "it's here-part 2"....i am a stranger in a strange land when in cyberspace......