Alembic Series II II-MB-4 1998

Alembic has been building high-end instruments since the late 1960s and is closely linked to the birth of modern active bass electronics. The company’s early work with low-noise pickups, onboard preamps and studio-minded wiring helped set the template for today’s boutique bass market. Alembic basses have been used by players such as Stanley Clarke, Jack Casady, John Entwistle and Phil Lesh, and are still famous for their clarity, wide frequency range and absolute pinnacle of build standards.

The Series II is Alembic’s long-running flagship. Instead of a conventional passive tone circuit, Series instruments use filter-based tone shaping and an external power supply, keeping noise low and headroom high. This design gives very direct control over the usable frequency range, and it suits players who want detailed note definition and repeatable settings in the studio or on stage. Many Series II basses were also ordered with options such as illuminated side dots, which this one has.

This 1998 Alembic Series II II-MB-4 was completed in 1998 is a medium scale 4-string with a clear gloss finish. It features a cocobolo top laminate with matching cocobolo veneers, a maple accent layer, and a mahogany body. The neck is maple with purpleheart laminates, paired with an ebony fingerboard and oval inlays, plus gold tuners. Weight is 6000g.

It has standard minor playwear with frets at 95%. An Alembic DS-5R rackmount power supply is included and is required for Series II operation. Connection is via the 5-pin output, feeding the DS-5R, which provides separate bass and treble outputs. It also powers the light-up side dots, which are great for clear position reference on dark stages, but mainly look absolutely awesome. The original case is included and is in good condition.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Brand: Alembic
• Model name: Series 2
• Model number: II-MB-4
• Year: 1998
• Strings: 4
• Scale: Medium scale
• Body wood: Mahogany
• Top laminate: Cocobolo
• Accent wood: Maple
• Veneers: Cocobolo
• Neck: Maple and Purpleheart
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Inlays: Ovals
• Tuners: Gold
• Finish: Clear gloss
• Electronics: 3 volume, 2 tone
• Side dots: Light-up LEDs powered from external supply
• Power supply: Alembic DS-5R rackmount unit included
• Outputs via DS-5R: Separate bass and treble outputs for mono or stereo use
• Condition: Standard minor playwear
• Frets: 95%
• Weight: 6000g
• Case: Original case, good condition