I've been wanting a "beater" Alembic with a more conventional body style to go along with my pristine Distillate Exploiter. This one came up on Reverb and it was relatively local (1 hour and change during rush hour) so I jumped on it. Price was right, and the maple top is pretty awesome. There was something funky with the electronics, but I narrowed it down to a dead bridge pickup. Not a huge deal. It's sounding great as-is, but I will definitely be installing a replacement. This one was made in 1984.
Nice! That's a great looking bass.
Very cool! I saw your electronics issues on the Alembic forum. Glad you sorted it out!
My first Alembic was a Spoiler Exploiter, kind of a mix between the two of yours!
Beauty!
Beautiful. My favorite Alembic because of the body shape.
Quote from: gearHed289 on June 19, 2025, 07:55:31 AMbut I will definitely be installing a replacement
I'd send it to Alembic for a rewind.
Cool bass. What's the weight?
That's lovely, congratulations! I've always been a fan of Alembics. :)
Thanks everybody! I'm really liking this bass. Great neck. And it's a lightweight at just 9 pounds. So now I have two 32'' Alembics. I plan on selling a few things after summer's over. 8 string Ric, Blue Royale Epi Rumblekat, Bag End 2x10... I already sold my beloved 1981 Moog Taurus pedals.
I don't think a pickup rewind is possible since they're encased in epoxy.
9lbs. alembic? That's a keeper.
Quote from: gearHed289 on June 20, 2025, 08:06:57 AMThanks everybody! I'm really liking this bass. Great neck. And it's a lightweight at just 9 pounds. So now I have two 32'' Alembics. I plan on selling a few things after summer's over. 8 string Ric, Blue Royale Epi Rumblekat, Bag End 2x10... I already sold my beloved 1981 Moog Taurus pedals.
I don't think a pickup rewind is possible since they're encased in epoxy.
32" is nice; a bit easier on the left hand. I have a couple of 32" basses, a Dean "Cabbie" and a Gretsch 5123.
I managed to get a 5123 , it turned into a favourite thing.
Quote from: morrow on June 20, 2025, 04:56:38 PMI managed to get a 5123 , it turned into a favourite thing.
Is yours also that lovely orange? That was one of the reasons I bought mine sight unseen. However, I've never played a Gretsch I didn't like. Those are very nice hollowbodies; I need to sell some basses, but that's one I'll hang onto.
Quote from: Pilgrim on June 21, 2025, 10:27:30 AMIs yours also that lovely orange? That was one of the reasons I bought mine sight unseen. However, I've never played a Gretsch I didn't like. Those are very nice hollowbodies; I need to sell some basses, but that's one I'll hang onto.
Mine's orange too. Liked it so much I picked up a 6128 Thunderjet after some recommendations. It's a beauty too.
(https://i.postimg.cc/wTGB0ndM/IMG-0571.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Quote from: morrow on June 21, 2025, 11:31:41 AMMine's orange too. Liked it so much I picked up a 6128 Thunderjet after some recommendations. It's a beauty too.
(https://i.postimg.cc/wTGB0ndM/IMG-0571.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
I may have been one of those recommenders! The Thunderjet is a gem of an instrument!!
Thunderjet looks awesome.
Pilgrim , I think you were one of the ones suggesting the ThunderJet. It took some time , as they are no longer in production , and not that many were made. One finally turned up in Kentucky , at first the seller wasn't all that interested in shipping to Canada , it eventually was sold to me. I love it. I've only seen one come up for sale since , in Norway recently.
Quote from: morrow on June 22, 2025, 06:31:40 AMPilgrim , I think you were one of the ones suggesting the ThunderJet. It took some time , as they are no longer in production , and not that many were made. One finally turned up in Kentucky , at first the seller wasn't all that interested in shipping to Canada , it eventually was sold to me. I love it. I've only seen one come up for sale since , in Norway recently.
Nice! I hope yours was in super condition. The craftsmanship and finish in mine is superb.
Just the slightest signs of light use. Beautiful condition , and the build is simply gorgeous. It's still the big orange 5123 I drag out to gigs though.
I reviewed an orange Gretsch 32" with TV Joneses once. A special Run. That's THE bass I regret not buying.
So my dead pickup situation... I got a quote from Alembic for a "FatBoy" in a "classic" cover. The FatBoy has a wider aperture than their AXY and MXY (which are the same pickups, the MXY being in a skinnier cover). $650. :o That's a big no for me. The classic cover was an extra $100, so I COULD get one for $550. :rolleyes: So until a deal comes up on a used pup, I found a Bartolini in the same size and shape as an AXY. For $132 new, I'm gonna try it out. Should arrive Saturday.
Bass is looking good. I went over the frets and fingerboard with steel wool and lemon oil. The body was treated to Scratch X and Turtle Wax. Cleaned up the brass. Installed a Hipshot D tuner... It sounds great as-is - loud and aggressive, but still very responsive to touch. Looking forward to the sacrilege of installing an aftermarket pickup! 8)
That's a ridiculous price. Hopefully the Bart will do for now.