Can anyone tell me that type of wood this series 2 is? This is one of the best-looking Alembics besides the flame Koa basses.
It's zebrawood. It looks different to most zebrawood tops because of the way that the wood was sawn, this is known as "flat-sawn".
Then i like the flat sawn method. As a matter of fact, i think my 90' Distillete was a zebra wood flat sawn. Iiss that bass.
That is is pretty Series II for sure.
This Stanley Clarke bass that sold on Reverb recently has a similar look but has a Tulipwood top. I have really liked the look of the few Tulipwood instruments I have stumbled upon over the years. I remember Mica saying Tulipwood is in the Rosewood family, dense wood. For some reason I find it subtly appealing.
Stephen, I think Tulip tees are in the Magnolia family (Liriodendron tulipifera).
Mlazarus, flat sawn zebrawood is really nice, I have a Series I similar to the Series II in your photo and love it.
I'll trade you as long as its a 32' or 34' scale series 1 with good finger space between the neck pickup and 24th frett. Lol.
Thanks, but it's a short scale and a keeper :)
ok. Send a pic.
Quote from: rv_bass on September 21, 2022, 02:27:48 PM
Stephen, I think Tulip tees are in the Magnolia family (Liriodendron tulipifera).
Hey Rob, I am very familiar with the Tulip trees on the East Coast, there were a lot where I grew up, huge trees and loved the flowers. The tulipwood that is used by luthiers comes from Bazil and is a different tree. If you read through the link in Joey's old post it takes you to an article about a car made of tulipwood and describes the two species. If you missed Joey's post the first time the car in the article is really amazing and worth a look.
https://club.alembicguitars.net/index.php?topic=27133.msg275680#msg275680
Stephen, thanks very much for the clarification, I'll check out Joey's post..a car made of tulipwood, cool! :)
I also just located Mica's post about tulipwood from 2008...
"Tulipwood is a premium wood. As a member of the Rosewood family, it sounds pretty much like Rosewood, Coco Bolo, etc.
I have Tulipwood in stock that is wide enough only for an Essence bass. It's generally available in only narrow widths. I buy wide stuff when I can find it with nice figure, which is usually only ever 2-3 years.
Other woods are marketed as Tulipwood that are not Rosewood. Commercial names get confusing. There's a tree in the US called Tulip Tree and it's wood is sometimes sold as Tulipwood but it's not the wood I'm talking about."
Nice, thanks, Stephen, common names can be confusing :)
I have a tulipwood Essence 5 that I bought from a club member awhile back and am kicking around selling it, but only to you folks. It's has only seen 2 gigs since I've had it. Thinking around $4,900.