Alvarez AEB4BC

[BroughtMyOwnBombs]

First off, I just want to start by saying hi because I'm new, and feel that its only proper. I've lurked for awhile,but was just to lazy to register. I figured a good way to make friends would be to be helpful and do a review. I've been playing bass seriously for about 2 years..enough of that.

Today, I'm going to review my one and only bass,(other than my starter Johnson..don't get one of those by the way,) the Alvarez AEB4BC.

To start, the specs on it are as follows (taken directly from the Alvarez homepage):

AEB4BC
Body - Type Contoured Double Cutaway - Wood Solid Alder w/ Quilted Maple Top.

Neck - Joint Bolt-on - Material Maple - Graphite reinforced

Fretboard - Rosewood - Scale 34"- Radius 10" - 22 frets

Electronics - Pickups 2-Custom Alvarez HB - Controls 2-Volume, 1-Tone
Switch n/a

Hardware - Bridge High Mass - Tuners Die Cast, Finish Chrome

Color - Black Cherry on Quilted Maple

Here's a picture by the way..

http://www.alvarezgtr.com/bigguitarspgs/AEB4BCbig.html Beautiful.

Anywho, on to the review:


Sound - 4 of 5

First off I'll start by saying this bass is equipped with Elixers, and I don't know if it's those or this bass, but I'm finding it hard to get a really good sound for slap/pop, double thumbing, ect. However, i think the tone is beautiful and can work good in a wide range of music, i play everything from Metallica to Rufio to Jaco tunes, and it sounds great for all of them. I've been told by my dad (who played bass in a local band for 13 years) that the sustain isn't so great. So I'm inclined to believe him. On another note, I have a Boss ME-50B, and it seems that this bass "takes" all the effects/synths very well. It can push out some balls to the walls distortion/overdrive, but It also retains clarity and a nice high 'ring' when i have it set to thing such as chorus and delay. If you want to hear a song that I believe uses this bass, listen to "mudshovel" by stained..you only need to hear the first 10 seconds to get an idea of the sound, so don't bother downloading the whole thing.

Looks (or secksieness) - 5 of 5

I just think this bass looks beautiful, the rosewood fretboard goes perfectly with the quilted paintjob. Not a whole lot else i can say about it..chrome hardware, the neck also has a nice glossy look to it.

Playability - 4.5 of 5

I have smaller hands than most guys, and while this isn't a short scale bass, I still find myself getting around quite easy on this. But in terms of how 'fast' the neck is, it's no Jazz bass. Also, because of the way one of the horns is shaped,when im up on 20,21,and 22, although rarely, my hand gets kinda cramped. I imagine someone with bigger hands would have even more problems.

Construction/Craftsmanship - 4 of 5

This bass is pretty solid, except when i bought it I purchased a floor model so it felt a little "used", and the nut needed some MINOR filing on the E string. Other than that, its tip top (or it feels so to me.) The action is great, not to low, not to high. But again, it's no jazz, which I think are the best playing basses for the price.

This bass was purchased for me, so I dont know the EXACT cost, although the tag said $469.99 (so you do the math.)

All in all, this is a great bass that offers a little something different. Though, if i could go back in time(lol) I probably would have picked up a Jazz instead.

NOTE: When I got on the Alvarez website to get these specs, I noticed this at the bottom of the page: "The Alvarez electric guitars and basses are no longer in production. However, limited quantities may still be available at your Alvarez Authorized Retailer." So, good luck finding one!

Fin.

[Liberty View]

I owned one of these basses about a year ago, in the cherry finish. It is a gorgeous looking bass that also has great tone. I sold it and i wish i hadn't. It was also very well balanced. I wish i could get it back.

[groundzero]

It's definitely not the Elixirs making it hard to get a nice slap/pop tone.