Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Bahh... I bloody love that bass. I bet she plays fantastic, not to mention sounds darrrk.. very nice.

Cheers mate! Yeah, she's not bad..not bad at all . Plays bl**dy amazing to be honest. I can play everything twice as fast on that bass even though it's got heavier strings (45s)on than anything else I've got, except for my 4000. I dread to think what it'd be like with anything less than 40s on !

NICE
!

Huh-huh, he said "wood"....

Looks a little like a Baby Buzzard bass

No debating the quality of the Alembics but to me they never fall easy on the eye like a Ric does. There is an element of OTT about them sometimes.
Still a nice Series 1 with an aged Maple top preferably fretless would be high on my wish list.

The "triple omega" body styled Alembics are my fave. I was a big ELP fan back in the 70's and always wanted one. I couldn't afford it then and still can't!

I'll bet that bass does play and sound nice but it looks like you could inflict some serious damage on yourself or others if you weren't careful.

Just playing one will inflict serious damages on your back. I had an Alembic Essence that must've weighed about 11 pounds. I know some of their SINGLE NECK basses weigh as much as 13 pounds! All those dense woods laminated together and the glue make them quite heavy.

Ooh! A triple Omega with a Scorpion upper horn!!

Andrew, I'm aware that they're not to everyone's taste, as I posted (although I know some guys who don't like the look of Ricks either; I'm just lucky enough - IMHO - to like/have both!). I think they look fabulous though. OTT? Definitely ....I remember the first time I saw a pic of John Paul Jones' 8 string Triple O; it was on a Zep poster in a store and I must've stood there for about 10 minutes with my mouth hanging open. My immediate thought was "I don't know what that is but I want one!!" Took me 20-odd years to get it, but it was worth every minute, and every penny! (Dane, I didn't think I could afford it either but it's amazing how desire can focus the mind, AND the wallet! Plus I shifted a couple of basses...no change there then!).

Bob, it looks a lot sharper than it feels! I was lucky enough to get to play one before I ordered mine and I was amazed by how comfortable it was. In fact ergonomically I find it just about bang on. In terms of weight, I have some back/neck problems so I had the bass made hollow; I guess it probably weighs about 10 lbs or so. Nowhere near as heavy as you'd think. I've played many basses that are far heavier; in fact my old Stanley Clarke was as heavy and that was half the size. A typical Mark King Signature or Series bass is normally a few pounds heavier, although they do vary greatly depending on spec. I've even played a few Ricks that were heavier. Sorry to hijack the thread BTW, but couldn't resist Henny's prompting...

I've always had a soft spot for Alembics. I had a Mark King signature 5 string that was a dream to play, but my god,,,was it heavy! I sold it, and someday will own another.

I really like your triple O .

Thanks Scott! Yeah, the MKs are pretty heavy (up until fairly recently they were all solid; I think many still are, but I'm not sure). The 5s will be even heavier obviously. The Triple O I tried before ordering mine was significantly lighter than 2 MKs they had in the same shop, and mine is even lighter than that. If you ever manage to get another, just get them to hollow the wings out; makes all the difference!

Shaun, I am a big fan personally of Alembics. As a Jazz/Funk/R&B guy, that tone sits right in there as far as I'm concerned.
I just wish they appeared a little more visually to me as dark woods don't particulary appeal to these eyes!
If only Alembic would make a Cheyenne type bass with 24 frets and an ebony board...
If only Ric MADE the Cheyenne with 24 frets and an ebony board.....

... In Trans-Red...
...........uggggggggggggh. *drool*