http://cgi.ebay.com/Alembic-4-String-Bass_W0QQitemZ160021713814QQihZ006QQcategoryZ16222QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

That's a strange one.
 
-Jim

That bass is a set-neck.
 
Are there many other Alembics with a string-through bridge?

Looks like a regular Alembic bridge to me ... The tail-piece is the standard bar style, perhaps more associated with the Rogue model, and 5 or 6 string basses.
 
The body looks like an Orion with a rounded bottom - nice! and easier to put on a stand, I might add.

Looks like STB to me... This is something I'd like to have on my dream custom, only with the 'classic' Bird tailpiece
 

 
Edit: STB = Strings Through Body
 
(Message edited by fc_spoiler on August 21, 2006)

Snagged a few more pictures before the auction goes away.  Set neck? Well I see the joint on the back, but without seeing the bottom end, it still could be neck-thru. The top is bookmatch to center.  

 

 

 

  EffClef

The joint shown in the close up of the rear (second from the bottom above)looks like a set neck to me.

Any ideas on the neck? Looks like Mahogany...
The black truss rods cover and the lack of 'fancy' laminates on the back of the headstock suggests a set neck, though me is not shure... Also it looks like the serial number is on the back of the headstock
Unique bass indeed. (but aren't all Alembics unique?...-LOL-)

the tailpiece isn't a standard bar. if you look at the second picture you can see that the strings pass through it into the body and have no place to hook into in the back of the tailpiece.
 
the wood colour match for the back of the headstock is very poor for an Alembic. as well it looks to be a either a non-scarfed neck with no volute or a scarf joint with no back laminates. that's not just strange, Mica's reply in this article implies it's something they just would not do.
 
it's a little suspicious, but that doesn't mean much. the page doesn't mention the serial # anywhere, does it?
 
(Message edited by bigideas on August 21, 2006)

Anyone with eagle eyes here?:
 

 
Looks like it starts with an 0 and I think I can see USA at the end...
 
(Message edited by fc_spoiler on August 21, 2006)

@ Bigideas: We're on the same wave length (is that proper english?) I've edited my post with the second picture to make it clearer...
Cheers!

Tuners are right, logo and script are right, brass adjustable nut, and hey, I just noticed the bridge has recessed hardware, doesn't it?
 
Highly custom, highly odd!
 
EffClef

I can see the A on the tuner

the wood colour match for the back of the headstock is very poor for an Alembic.
 
I was thinking the same thing. Custom or not I don't see the folks at Alembic letting something like that get out of the shop with their name on it.
 
Maybe it's another employee project that somehow ended up with an Alembic logo on it?
 
- Jim