I was in Norfolk, VA at the Guitar Center off Military Hwy.  They were really proud of their Alembic.  They did not know the Model (Essence) or any info.  The headstock has a large heel at the base.  The bodyslab is FAR below the quality of any Alembic I have ever seen.  The serial number plate had been removed and replaced by a copper plate.  It did however have Alembic electronics on it, so there is some value there.  This thing looks iffy.  I told the sales guy, but I bet they were taken on the trade-in and feel the need to trade on the Alembic name to get their money.

You usually see a volute (large heel at the base of the headstock) only on set-neck models, not on neck-throughs. Of course someone might have ordered a neck-through with a volute.
 
Some pictures might help ...

Tell them you want to check the wiring, take the back plate off.  When you do, get the serial number (stamped in the wood at the edge of the cavity) and Santa Rosa can tell you WHAT you're looking at.  
 
J o e y

Joey,
 
Noticed that your post here is #666...hmmm...

Yes, and now it's 667 . . . how could I possibly have had that much to say since I've been here . . what a motormouth!  
 
J o e y