This post was very informative in the beginning, but people got rhetorical toward the end.  
 
Thanks for the honest discussion, for those who participted with substance. Alembic is a wonderful brand, but in order for them to keep pushing quality, the competition must be (like in the mirror) objects are closer than they appear.

Personally, I'd eschew the parts bass manufacturers and have my own built. Warmoth supplies alot of the hi-dollar parts bass guys...you can mix/match whatever you'd like from them, or spec your own. You can either put it together and set it up yourself, or have a luthier/guitar repairperson do it for you. While Warmoth isn't necessarily cheap, you can get a nice axe for considerably less than you'd pay for a name brand custom shop job. Just my $0.02.
 
Cheers,
 
Kevin  
 
http://www.warmoth.com/

Someone else makes a Bass?
 
Chuck

I confidently dare to say, even in these surroundings, that my Benavente equals my Alembic in every comparable way. Luckily they both have many unique features, so it's perfectly justifiable to have & keep them both...
 
Wilfred

I like my 1978 Fender Jazz and my 1976 Precision but my Alembic is by far my favorite. If Alembic didn't exist I would look at Lakland, Pedulla, Modulus, Warwick Thumb Neck Through, and I recently saw a Zon that I really liked.

I've never played one, but Wal basses just looked like they should be killer.

I adore my 1986 Transition StingRay 4, and gig mostly with my 2000 Swamp Ash StingRay 5. They are just proven workhorses. I also use a great Warrior Signature Soldier 5, a very well-made, handbuilt bass that sounds wonderful and plays almost TOO easy.
And, when I use a 4 string, I generally reach for my Simmons Echo. It's a neck thru, very similiar in quality to Alembic. A very nice Bass.
 
           BCooool, Mike   (the 'Ho...)

I really like F basses. They make a very solid bass. The electronics are great and it plays incredibly easy. I have an AC5 being shipped to my house now, actually. Should be a pretty amazing bass..
 
Brent

Well, after I cornered the market on BB5000's, try as I might, I can't warm up to the TRB's, they just look funny and the electronics on the several I tried just didn't float my boat.
 
If I just HAD to have a Fender (God Strike Me Dead), I'd find a mint Roscoe Beck Five, since those idiots discontinued them.  Or I'd go with KMH to Warmoth and spec my own (more likely).
 
For a 'store-bought' bass, I WILL have a TUNE Bass Maniac Five one day.  The original, smallish, hot-rod bass from the 80's, and my one unquestioned yield to buying a bolt-neck axe.
 
The TUNE could be had for far less $$$$, but I will find another used Alembic Five one day.
 
J o e y

Yeah, I picked up a Roscoe Beck 5-string once, and it was actually pretty impressive -great tone and feel.
 
Hey Joey, I've often wondered what the Big Red Bass looks like, and even looked for it in showcase.  I couldn't seem to find it, maybe I just overlooked it.
 
I'd like to see it, could you post a link if I missed it... or post a picture or two?
 
Thanks, Mark

Fish, you're my new hero.  In my guit-army, the general is the Alembic and the ground troops are Rickenbackers.
 
Will

Fender Jazz bass.

To me Alembic is what inspired me to play bass from the begining.  If Alembic never existed, I would not be playing bass today.  That is a fact.  Would all of these other boutique bass makers be around today if it were not for Alembic?  I have never owned a Fender or any other bass of that type.  All my instruments are Alembics, or made by people who once worked for Alembic; Hyak, BecVar, Turner, etc.....
 
I did own a Rick early on, but sold it right away!
 
Michael

I also like the Peavey TL and Rudy Sarzo models.  They seem to me to be very Alembic-like in build theory and would be a great bass with the right electronics.  Of course, these are among the instruments that might not exist in a world without Alembic.

This thread saddens me.