Reviewer Brian Gregor
Manufacturer Alembic
Model Epic
Price List around $1200

Neck Type 3-piece rock maple, zebrawood veneer on headstock, glued in
Fingerboard 2 ovtave fretted with ebony fingerboard
Body Type 2-piece mahogany, zebrawood top
Finish polyurethane type, almost feels oiled
Pickup(s) 2 Alembic humbuckers, active electronics
Controls Volume, pan, bass cut/boost, treble cut/boost
The Epic is very well made, with fine attention to detail such as a thin layer of walnut between the fingerboard and the neck. The pickups provide a wide range of tones, with the neck PU very deep and full sounding and the bridge PU tighter and more treble-sounding. The neck is somewhere between a Precision and Jazz shape, and is very playable. All of the frets are perfectly done. The sound cuts thru quite well in a band, and it works for many different styles. (So far, funk, big-band jazz, and alternative jazz).

On the down side, the bass is a tad neck-heavy. The electronics are put out a fair amount of white noise, which is surprising considering the rest of the instrument. Slap playing is a bit tough, since there is not a lot of room between the fingerboard and the neck PU. The neck also responds a little too much to temp/humidity problems, although consistent oiling of the fingerboard seems to be helping this. Overall, these are minor, and I am very happy with this bass. I paid a mere $550 for it used!

Construction 95%
Playability 95%
Appearance 100%
Sound 100%
Value 0%
Cust. Service 0%
Overall 95%
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