Bass Gear Review

Reviewer	Paul Bolin
Manufacturer	Alembic
Model	Stanley Clarke Signature Standard
Price	$1500 (Memorial Day sale price on this one bass at Guitar Center) reg $
	3800

Neck Type	5-piece neck through 3 maple laminates 2 walnut pinstripes
Fingerboard	thick ebony slab with 24 medium jumbo frets
Body Type	Mahogany back, mnaple accent laminate, flame walnut top
Finish	clear gloss
Pickup(s)	2 Alembic AXY soapbars
Controls	Master volume, pan, two Alembic tone filters, each with its own
	"Q" switch.

This is unquestionably the finest bass guitar I've experienced in my twenty-seven years of playing, and I've owned Warwick, a vintage Rick and a small boatload of Fender Jazzes. I'd lusted for an Alembic for years, and stumbling into Guitar Center's sale finally made it possible. There are many wonderful custom basses, but there is only one Alembic. They invented the concept of the High End bass guitar back in 1972 and their vast experience shows in every bass they make. The overall quality of the instrument is so outstanding as to be indescribable - it can only be experienced. Breathtaking woods exquisitely assembled and perfectly finished - this bass is so gorgeous that if it were a woman, it would be Katarina Witt.

There is no sound, from reggae thump to that hi-fi Stan/Stu sound, that the bass cannot produce with a couple flicks of the tone filters and Q switches. If the action was any more responsive it would fret itself when you thought hard at it. Overall playability is simply superb. The pickups are extremely sensitive, so you'd better work on good muting technique with both right and left hands or you're gonna sound sloppy. A virtuoso instrument.

Like the old Porsche ads said, "Nothing else even comes close."

P.S. Alembic's customer service is the best I've ever experienced ANYWHERE. Incredibly friendly and helpful, they go well out of their way to make you feel a part of the Alembic family.

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