My best Alembic is the one I have in my hands and am playing at any given moment.

I have had my Essence since buying it new direct from alembic in 93. Play other basses but always want to get back to my alembic as soon as possible. The neck in paticular is just so good to play on. Has almost an inbetween feel of a P and a J bass both. Too narrow to be an actual P bass but a little wider than an Jazz. Just a  smooth taper that works with no matter what I am playing, and the balance is perfect.

I didn't see anyone mentioning the Excel body shape, I don't feel the neck dives on it and they are generally less expensive than other models.