Reviewer Paolo
Experience 20
Review date May 25 2003
Manufacturer Alembic
Model Essence 5
Price 1300
Item owned for 1-2 years

Bass type 5 string fretted
Neck join Neck Through
Neck construction 7 pcs maple
Fingerboard ebany 24 frets
Body 2 figured maple wings and flamed maple top
Finish natural
Pickups 2 alembic MXY active humbuckers
Hardware milled solid brass
Electronics volume, balance, filter

All maple axe, not the standard Essence with walnut pinstripes and mahogany body. Construction shows beautiful details and some not-to-pardon coarse finishes: you can well feel the gap in between the neck pieces and some frets end at the upper edge projects over the neck profile! The neck is real wood: it allows even extreme set up, but you will need to adjust it according to temperature and humidity ... B string is good, though not to compare with some 35 inches or more rigid necks. Given that, the bass is real Alembic, with personality and versatilty, though the simplicity of controls. Take it if dig the Alembic character and be prepared to use it with adequate, high end amplification. My Baby blue seems to be a perfect match for tone exploration.


Construction 85%
Appearance 100%
Playability 95%
Sound 98%
Customer Service 25%
(not obtained answer to one e-mail to have detail on construction)
Value 95%
Overall 95%

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