In a word, Stanley.
 
Preceding that was the original Hofner, and the then current dream bass, the '72 all maple Jazz later upgraded with DiMarzios. I played that until I wore the finish off the underside of the neck (and still have it).  
 
Then RTF debuted in the '70s. I was hooked. Ordered a 34 small body SII. And waited... 6 mos. later after a medium scale small body arrived at the music store, we called to inquire about mine. Someone there (unknown to us now) casually replied Oh we didn't like the way it was turning out so we scrapped it and started over. Wow. I waited patiently and continued gigging with the Jazz sounding very Sadowsky-like, long before he rose to prominence. Six more months later I received a call from the store that my bass had arrived. Being like family, we all eagerly gathered around as I opened the packaging. I can still recollect the smell as I opened the case. We all just gasped in silence.
 
Through all these years later I am still rewarded every time I play no matter what environment I find myself in. I discovered early on that unlike most of its neighbors Alembic has no boundaries. You don't discover that until you play one and then play something else. I feel truly fortunate.  
 
...but then, I'm preaching to the choir, yes?!

Graet sermon Lenny.

Loved your story, Lenny!

The question. Why do I play an alembic?
 
Answer. Because I can.
 
Chuck.

I waited over 20 years to get my MK Signature, I remember seeing RTF on a rock show  here in the UK 'The Old grey Whistle Test' and Stan was playing something I did not recognise, I was 14 or 15 years old and was just getting interested in playing music, the only makes of guitar and basses I knew of were Fenders & Gibsons. I had not a clue what he was playing but it was the sound..it cut through like a knife. This was around 1972 and as the decade wore on I found out about Alembics but they were extremely scarce in the UK and I could never afford one. Norman Watt Roy alledgedly played on one on the Ian Drury video 'Hit Me With Your Rhythym Stick' and one was used by Dexie's Midnight Runners.
Eventually in 1998 whilst on holiday in New York I bought the MK from Rudy Penshur's Music Stop for a mere $1500.
It is a great bass but I don't think I will be able to afford multiple Alembics unless I win the lottery

Terry!
I have (99% sure) the Dexy's bass played by Georgio Kilkenny.
It now resides in Scotland, and is spoiled and pampered as all beautiful women should be.
I waited 25 years to find her. We have been together for 11 years and her birthday is today!!
 
George

I heard of Alembic from tales of the Grateful Dead and Owsley. Then I saw some pix of Alembics and that whetted my appetite. Years later I saw one on Craigslist for an irresistable price so I got it. I play one now because it plays like buttah and sounds great!

georgie...so that's where it ended up..you lucky man..it was on an episode of 'The Young Ones' back in the early 80's which I posted on here a couple of months ago..Lucky man you are

To paraphrase a friend of mine on Talkbass, I play my Alembic because it plays like butter dipped in liquid Jesus.

It's like the Harley slogan...If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand! The first time I rode a Harley, I got it, & the 1st time I played an Alembic (which I bought mail order sight unseen) I was hooked & nothing else compared! Alembics are so much more than a bass or guitar, they are the ultimate instrument with a rich history full of amazing people & players who changed the music world forever. For those of us lucky enough to own one or more of these amazing intruments, we are truly blessed!

Amen to that Rusty!!!

Thanks Bill!

Wow...how did I miss this thread!
 
Alan, your intro post was just beautiful...a C major chord on a sunny day.  Thanks!

I played bass for 25+ years before I bought my Alembic in 1999.  It was the first bass that ever talked back to me.  Playing an Alembic - any Alembic - is for me an immersive and interactive experience.  Nothing else, as the Porsche commercials used to say, even comes close.
 
Add to that the family atmosphere of the Alembic community and the extraordinary support of all the folks at the Mothership and you have something unique.
 
A good friend of mine in the audio industry has owned Ferraris for years and we've swapped stories about that special sense of understanding that arises among a group of people who not only appreciate the best, but WHY it is the best.  We understand each other's passion for our toys on a profound level.  And he even let me drive his Maranello once.  He looked over the Alembic site once or twice and got the crux of the biscuit immediately even though he does not play any instruments.  Game recognizes game.

The apostrophe?!?