Alembic Explorer “Exploiter” Bass 32.5” in Zebra Wood ~ Entwistle!

For your consideration,

A true Rarebird here! An Alembic Explorer!
My British bassist bud Warwick (from Finchley) loved The Who as we all do! Quite Rightly So! He treasured this unique Alembic Exploiter bass inspired by the 50’s Futuristic korina limba wood trio.

Some Gibson Explorer bass and Entwistle background here:

During the early seventies I restored the original 1959 Gibson Explorer bass after buying it from Wayne Bullock, Lonnie Mack’s bassist. While it was still natural limba wood (Wayne had it green then blue!) I put it back together to show John Entwistle during our 1973 Quadrophenia interview in Westwood CA. He talked about his uiiq approach to lead bass playing with Pete’s great rhythmic style, and all his variety Fender, Gibson and custom basses. John thoroughly enjoyed playing the real Explorer bass that day and even smiled for me for his portrait!

John soon got his very first Alembic bass from our longtime Westwood music friend Fred Walecki that was in zebra wood! Eventually John had four amazing Explorer style Alembic basses Including an eight string. A few of them our buddy tech Alan Rogan had me photograph backstage.

“Alembic Zebrawood basses typically use Mahogany as the complementing body wood. Benefits of This Combination

• Balanced Tone: The combination of Zebrawood and Mahogany helps achieve a balanced tone.
• Rich Low-End Response: This pairing enhances the bass's low-end response, making it suitable for various musical styles.

This choice of woods contributes to the overall sound quality and playability of the instrument.”

This early eighties version from Ron Wickersham“s shop in Santa Rosa Is a great instrument and a true sculpture to behold. I first visited their original San Francisco shop in 1971 meeting Ron and began my longtime dear friendship with Rick Turner. That day I got a good look at Neil Young’s Gibson Flying V on the workbench!

This bass features the medium 32.5” scale length, 1.625 nut width, twin AXY4 hum canceling low-Z pickups, Q vocal-wah switch and Schaller gears. It plays incredible with great action… and sounds tremendous! There is one slightly damaged area just on the laminated zebra wood top near the input jack that has been repaired. I imagine a straight end cord got got pulled hard at some point.

“Key Characteristics & History

• Body Design: Alembic shaped the body similar to an Explorer—often playfully named the "Exploiter" to sidestep potential trademark or legal issues with Gibson. 
• Famous Association: The model gained legendary status when it was famously adopted by John Entwistle of The Who during his transition phase between his custom Fenderbird and Buzzard basses. Entwistle ordered custom Explorer-shaped models after spotting and playing a second-hand Alembic.
• Electronics & Hardware: Like other classic Alembic instruments, the Exploiter features pioneering low-impedance active pickups, onboard active preamps, low-pass filter controls with Q-switches, and heavy-duty custom solid brass hardware.
• Build & Materials: Built with high-end exotic wood laminates (such as walnut or zebrawood) and custom neck-through or multi-piece neck construction.
• Collector Status: Due to their low production numbers and iconic rock heritage, vintage Exploiter models are rare, highly sought-after, and command significant value on the collector market.”

Comes with the clean original black, blue plush lined hard shell case. Available for pickup in San Fernando Valley where I’ll meet you. Shipping this bass is fine too if you’re not in the Southwest.
Thanks for looking!