its not hard (somewhat), the best way to tell is, if the filters are wide open (and) or the type of strings being used,(crispy round wounds)& if the player is using a 'pic' and especially if the player is plucking & thumping, and then the overall mix,. after 25yrs of playing alembics, the sound is unmistakable

the brains inside #12

I agree.  I can hear an Alembic.  There is a song called Fresh Air by Quicksilver Messenger Service.  Remember them?  Anyway, I have always thought that the bass track on that song was an Alembic.  One day in my conversation with Susan, I asked her about that band.  She said that they were definately Alembicized.

hey man, alembics are unmistakable,they can be spotted a mile away by ear! (crystal clear!!!) another good CD to check out is gino vanelli,s 'brother to brother'album(1978) the whole cd is alembiced out! the bassplayer is in series I heaven!

What a conundrum! Alembic advertises its basses as sounding like anything, and us Alembic players always spot'em as sounding like Alembics. :-0 I love mine. Have fun,  Reid

The Alembic sound is unmistakeable. There is a clarity in the low end that is very powerful sounding. I've played/owned many basses. Nothing can replace my Alembic!