Bass Gear Review

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%