Alembic Series II

Was purchased new in 1990 through a store in Perth which no longer exists. Mine was a 34" scale. Don't remember all the woods but other reviewers sound about right. active electronics but so long ago I forget all the details. LED position markers.

Here's the rub. This bass had so many sounds it was extraordinarily difficult to get the right one. I was playing in a blues rock trio at the time, and the Alembic just didn't cut it. And yes, I do know how to use Active electrics, as I had a B.C.Rich Bich bass before which was just as complicated, but had much more usable sounds. My American Spector and 70's Ibanez Jazz Bass got far more use.

Can't complain - considering the bass was ordered from a different country, the set-up was perfect.I was a little disappointed in the quality of the finish, not very smooth. Hardware was excellent.

Bass was built like a bombshelter. B-U-T anybody who gigs without a backup is a total idiot and disrespectful of the people who pay the wages.

Alembic were excellent - there was nothing wrong with the axe - just didn't suit me.

I've been playing 33 years, since 9 y.o. Have owned Spectors, Schecters, BC Rich, Ibanez (14 different models - new ones are crap), Aria, Fender, Gibson, Yamaha, Cort, Conklin, ESP, Rickenbacker,Tune Bass Maniac, Shergold, Burns, Hofner to name a few. Still have 12 of them in collection, but use G & L L2000, G & L Tribute L2500, and Cort Curbow 6 to gig with. Amp is Gallen-Krueger 800 RB with Hartke 210 and 115 cabs. I have never played basses or guitars better than G & L!!! I gave up using the Alembic in 1991 and sold it in 1992 when I went back to New Zealand. I sold it for AUD$2000 which meant I lost $9000!!!!!!! Unfortunately gear like this tends to be a money pit, and the fact that I couldn't use it live made it a very expensive experiment. I loved playing it, but hated the sound. I understand that some of the cheaper models have more accessible sounds - I'll try one one day. My rating of 6 is in my use, but really it's 1 9 or 10, just not suited to me.

Made in 1984.
34" scale fretted neck-thru four string.
Omega body style. Hollowed mahogany body, Walnut top and back with maple veneer between each layer.
7 piece maple neck with purpleheart stringers. Koa headstock laminate. Custom star inlays with crescent moon at 12th fret.
Two Alembic pickups with dummy humcancelling pickup between them.
18 volt stereo preamp and red LED position markers powered by external power supply.
Controls: Master volume. Volume, low-pass filter and continuously variable Q switch for each pickup. Pickup selector with stand-by ("off" position).
High gloss polyester finish.
Chrome-plated brass hardware, including cavity cover.
Adjustable brass nut.
20' 5-pin cable was included.
Four trim pots are accessable through the cavity cover (removal not necessary).
Straplocks are standard.
Hard case with three compartments, including space for power supply.

Any number of tones can be coaxed from this bass, from earth shaking to smooth and mellow without getting muddy. I prefer dialing in the well-known Alembic piano-like tones. It cuts through the live mix with ease.

I record direct into the board with board EQ flat and get a wonderful, clean, well defined sound.

Quick live tone adjustments take a little time to master (each pickup has three controls), but it's worth the effort.

I set my basses up moderately low. I raised the treble side of both pickups slightly to balance out the string volumes (I do this with all basses). It worked.

The finish is beautiful. High-gloss polyester. Almost no neck drag.

I had the frets dressed once since I bought it three years ago (I tend to play a little aggressively sometimes). I polish the bass with Alembic polish about once a month.

Finish is still flawless after 18 years. No wear or checking.

I added a shim to one of the strap buttons to tighen the screw.

The 5 pin cable stopped working after 17 years of service. I had a few inches of the cable removed and the jack reattached and it works fine again.

Contact with Alembic via email can be hit-or-miss, but Mica was great over the phone (and later via email). She has answered all my questions (no matter how silly) and offered help when needed - even though I bought both of my Alembics used!

Alembic makes the absolute best basses and this is their top model. If my bass was stolen I think I would cry. I'd have a tough time finding another Series II in this condition with custom inlays for this price, and I'm still a few years away from having one custom made.

The craftsmanship in this bass is unequaled anywhere. Other manufacturors copy Alembic's techniques and ideas. My band calls my bass "The Lamborgini."

Complaints:
The bass weighs 12 pounds! A Comfort Strap helps a lot.
The case is huge (it has to be). The case, bass, power supply and cable all together weigh about 25 pounds. Loading out at 3 am and carrying it all up 18 stairs when I get home can get old, but it's a small price to pay.
Better latches on the case would be nice. It has the old-style latches with the sliding button release. Many times the release buttons have gotten caught on something while loading and the latch opened. Luckily it's never happened to both at the same time.

I bought a Series II, four string that was custom built in 2000. It is a short scale- 30.25 inches. It has walnut facings over purple heart and maple - 13 layers, with 3 ebony stringers mated to maple in the neck. The finish is polyurethane. Gold plated hardware, with Gotoh tuners, and an alchemy inlay. I also had Alembic add an egyptian eye at the first fret. The appearance of the instrument is incredible. The Walnut has colors that are unexpected and they have a meriad of woods to choose from. I highly recommend visiting the factory to select your options. The standard Series II electronics are deep - treble and bass volume and input and "Q" pans as well as a master volume. These provide a complex and diverse output range. Visit the Alembic home page for specifics of the instruments they offer.

The sound is breath taking and harmonics and sustain are beyond compare. Coupled with an Alembic SR-2 preamp, there is not a sound attributed to a bass that cannot be dialed in. One can find a dull wooden fender P bass tone to a crisp clear Gaussian metallic. I have noted that a sub-harmonic - a metallic bell tone occurs in certain configurations with the Sr-2 and the Series II electronics. The string harmonics - plucked intonation - are full bodied and the sustain just hangs in the air until a new note is applied. I play through an Ashdown 500, I can use the Ashdown electronics and they produce a stunningly clean tone unless I force a duller bottom sound, but even then the instruments leans towards a clean intonation. I recommend the SR-2 to achieve the maximum variety of sounds.

The action at setup was extremely low but in the upper register fret buzz was present. Alembic worked to correct the condition but it returned a few days later. I again went to them to correct the problem but again the fret noise retuned. I finally adjusted the neck and bridge myself and removed the problem. The action is higher on the E string and gradually tapers down toward the G. This alteration is not a problem necessarily. The fretability of the instrument is superior even in the elevated configuration. The finish is perfect..... Mirror like and as perfect as I have seen. Beautiful!

It will last a lifetime. The instrument is bullet-proof. It weighs a lot but the sound is well worth the weight.

They are great in providing you with adjustment info and other extraneous support. Be aware....the time to deliver the instrument will be grossly exaggerated. I was originally told three to four months - it took a full year. This aspect was most annoying. I would have gladly waited a year if I had been told that initially. I cannot believe that any instrument as complex and finely crafted as the Alembic could be produced in 3 months. The wait and excuses were very aggravating. However, the instrument is beyond my expectations. I played a 25th anniversary issue when I visited the factory and I was afforded the opportunity to try any instrument they had available while I was there which gave me a good working understanding of what I would receive when the instrument was completed.

I have been playing for 25 years. By far, the Alembic is everything it was cracked up to be. It is without peer. IF you enjoy playing and you can at all afford to buy an Alembic, don't hesitate. You will not be disappointed. I can honestly say that my playing has improved as a result of playing the Alembic. The sounds can NOT be found elsewhere.

This bass is a small body, medium scale (32") 4 string bass. It has a mahogany core and Bocate top and back laminates. It has a control for everything. Eight knobs!! And I use them all! There's a pick up selector, a master volume, a separate volume control for each pick up, tone filters for each pick up, and a continuously variable Q switch for each pick up. The pickups are the Alembic soapbars with the dummy humcancellor placed between them. The finish is a high gloss. The tuners are chrome Schaller and the bridge is the Alembic brass sustain block with the brass bird tailpiece. The nut is an adjustable brass piece. It is a thru neck design with 7 laminates of maple and purpleheart. The fingerboard is ebony with mother of pearl fret markers. It also has red side LEDs. The bass came with the external power supply and a 20' 5 pin power cord for operating the bass in stereo mode. The bridge pick up and the LEDs only operate when the 5 pin power cord is connected.

With all the knobs, you can pretty much dial in any type of sound you want, especially in stereo mode. It takes a little more care and patience to dial in a deep rumble, since the bass naturally wants to have more of a bright ringing sound. I primarily play this bass through an SWR Redhead and occasionally biamp it through a 100 watt crate. When I biamp it, I often run a Zoom effects pedal through the Redhead. Of all my basses, this one tends to fight more with the Zoom. The Zoom is inherently noisy and the Series II seems to accent and amplify that characteristic.
In terms of fitting my style, this bass does it all, from in your face thumping and popping to tight fingerstyle light jazz to gospel. The only time I don't use this bass is when a piece calls for 5 strings. The Series II 5 string I have on order will fix that problem.

I bought this bass used from an instrument retailer. It arrived with lighter gauge (and deader) strings than I normally use so it's hard to judge the setup. Changing to my strings I had to adjust the nut height and the bridge. Piece of cake. The wood is in flawless condition, which is encouraging for a 21 year old instrument. The tint of the high gloss finish is yellowing and shows spider webbing from a previous owner subjecting it to temperature shocks. From 5 feet away the first thing you see is the striking appearance of the wood. From 18 inches away you start to see the finish cracks. One of the knobs was cracked and replaced.

There is no doubt that this bass is ready for several more decades of consistent use. I would definitely take this bass to any gig without caring about having a back up. The only limitation for my uses is that I often find myself needing a 5 string. The finish does have the spider web cracking, though it is not thinning noticeably and is defintely not peeling or flaking. The hardware (except the knobs) are darn near bullet proof.

As far as support, it's great to deal with a company that is legendary in the industry, but who's owners and employees are on a first name basis with every customer. This bass has not needed repair, but I've talked with Mica about options for repairing the finish. Alembic has also been very helpful in assiting me in restoring an even older Series I.

I've been playing for about 20 years, though I don't consider myself a professional (music doesn't pay the bills, it causes them). Until recently I've played primarily '70s and '80s era funk and soul music. I've recently gotten into more smooth jazz and some gospel. This bass handles all of it very well. The only thing I wish it had is another string. I also prefer the point style body. My only dislike is that it's heavy. Especially compared to my light as a feather Ken Smith Burner. My other basses are a '74 Alembic Series I and a Ken Smith Burner Deluxe 5. I like my Alembics so much that I'm buying a new one. I expect to receive a Series II 5 string in June.