Alembic started off as a customising workshop in the late 60's around the Haight Ashbory area of San Francisco. They specialised in electronic modifications and provided services to local Bay Area bands including the Grateful Dead. Their relationship with The Dead proved to be key in raising the profile of Alembic nationally, and soon the workshop went from customising to producing their own instruments in the early 70's.

One of the defining characteristics of Alembic instruments was the use of multiple laminates in the neck to enhance rigidity. The company's design approach involved isolating the string as much as possible from any sources of dampening, including the wood! This construction technique together with the custom electronics resulted in Alembic gaining a reputation for super hi-fidelity sound, versatility, superb sustain and eye-watering prices!

Alembics reputation as the rolls royce of instruments was more or less established by their relationship with Stanley Clarke, a jazz fusion bassist who played initially with Horace Silver on upright but switched later to electric bass. Stanley's playing is well known for virtuoso, lightning speed fingerstyle solos and for taking the slapping technique one step beyond the style originally invented by Larry Graham.

Alembic offer three levels of instrument. Entry level instruments include the Epic, the Essence and older instruments such as the Persuader and Spoiler which are no longer made. These instruments feature fewer laminates and a less sophisticated onboard eq.

Mid level 'professional' instruments include the Rogue, Elan and the Signature series (named after Mark King and Stanley Clarke). These instruments make full use of laminates in the neck and feature filter based onboard equalisers.

The top of the range level of instruments are called the Series basses. These instruments not only feature elaborate levels of lamination but stereo electronics with one filter per pickup and one pickup per side of the stereo spectrum. There are other features including silver and gold plated logos, inlays and rare exotic wood facings.

Alembic also specialise in doing custom work. The body shapes of all the Alembic models can be swapped around as can the electronics package. However expect to pay very high prices. For example, the option of Series 1 or 2 electronics will cost $2500 on a non Series bass. Its not uncommon for Series basses with custom features to cost $30,000 and more. The only limit it seems is the size of the customers wallet.