I don't know about the rest of you but since 94' when I bought my first Alembic(Epic 4),probably 90% of all gigs I have done,somebody comes up to me and say's,What kind of bass is that?.  
And I say,It's an Alembic.  
And then,always the response is,  
Huh?  
And alway's I have to repeat,  
IT'S AN ALEMBIC.  
Somebody needs to issue bumperstickers or T-shirts or something with that slogan.  
Especially now since the arrival of my 03'Rogue 5.  
People are real curious about that one.  
Everybody digs the Alembic sound.  
 
(Message edited by Smokin Dave on September 15, 2003)
 
(Message edited by Smokin Dave on September 15, 2003)

It's really funny but whenever I pull any of my Alembics out of their cases, all conversation in the room stops.
The question I always get is, What the heck is that?.  Once I start going into the details, then begin the Oooohs and Aaaahs.
Just like beholding a work of art - which is what they are after all.
 
Rami

Well ...2 possible reactions I got  
1. The Huh + admiring one: similar to the Brother Rami and Dave story. People surprised by the tone, by the looks.  
I go to the bar, we have some beers and talk bass and craftmanship, and soundaholic wabble.  
 
2. (In the time I got still my Fender JB as a back-up on the side of the stage) The huh + why-don't-you-play-that-fender-it-will-sure-be-better reaction.  
I go to the bar alone and have a couple of lonely drinks with a big ***sigh***.  
 
Paul the bad one
 
PS: about a year ago there was a Brother (I think it was Stoney) who told another reaction:
huh ...what ....oh ...oh yeah ...'Olympic' ..yeah I heard about these.
Suuuuuuu-ure they did!!!
 
(Message edited by palembic on September 16, 2003)

Hi Paul,
 
in the second case your lonely beers will taste better if you answer them with an arrogant smile because I'm worth it, guys.

Yep Paul, it was I who posted the Olympic remark. It's still my favorite!
 
Stoney

An elephant never forgets
 
Paul the bad one
 
I think I should stop these running gags, in the end nobody knows what the hell is goin'on

I've found that maybe 1 in 10 who approach me about my bass will ask Is that an Alembic? Of course it is always another bass player. The other 9 have to have it patiently explained to them. And most of those are bass players too..... so they say.
 
Paul the John one

I've had people come up to me and ask about the 5 string even though it was the Epic 4.Funny thing about the Epic,after playing the Rogue for a couple of weeks now,I pulled out the Epic and it was as much a thrill to play it as always.
And,after poking around a European web site with a HUGE Alembic inventory,I'm on a new quest to own a Series 2 with a Rogue body style.
 
May God help me as well as my bank account.
 
I am now a helpless addict.

This may be a hapless attempt to balance the not everyone lives in cave scale...last year after buying my mine, I was talking to my former guitar player over the phone. With as much casual bravado as I could muster I told him I picked up an Alembic; he answers, Yeah?! Which one?
 
Ah, there is hope....

I have been playing Alembic's for almost 30 years, and I bet no more than 10 people have ask me about my bass, then I bought a Westone Rail as a joke and a line formed on every break to ask me about that piece of crap, that pissed me off and I sold it and got another Alembic

Ya know, Dave, I can almost taste your displeasure all the way down here in Texas. LOL.
 
I have to admit that when I bought mine, I didn't think I was really good enough to own it. In fact, I can say that for the past year it has owned me, and for the better.
 
Mike

Yep. I have had the Olympic comments before too, but most people have no clue.
 
BUT, one gig I had a guy that actually knew what my bass was.  He nailed it good.  He said Oh my god! A series II Alembic bass with a graphite neck!
 
He made his wife take a picture of him holding it too.

Great story, Michael!

well we do have the finest bass instruments that look as wonderful and unique as they sound. I too am always being complemented on the sound of my bass and on my bass playing too on occasions....  the most insulting thing was when someone (jealously i'm sure) dared to suggest it was an Ibanez copy....!!!!!! If it wasn't so expensive I would have shoved the 2 octave neck where the sun don't shine... tuning pegs included........
 
What is the must insulting thing an ignoramus has said about your bass?

Q: Why can't you play a Fender like everyone else?
 
A: Because I don't want to sound like everyone else. (moron)