Stanley Clarke Deluxe Bass

Deluxe in Coco Bolo with optional side LEDs

Stanley Clarke Signature

Quite possibly the most iconic of all Alembic shapes, the Stanley Clarke Signature basses are fashioned after the Series I basses that Stan has performed and recorded with since 1973. The Signature models are designed to share the physical characteristics with these Series I basses, with electronics that offer simpler operation and a lower price.

The first thing you notice when you pick up a Stanley Clarke Signature bass is how easy it is to play. That's largely due to something small, the short scale length. At 30.75 inches, the scale length is exactly what Stan plays, to the surprise of many. When the frets are closer together, your fretting hand can enjoy a less stretched postition at the lower frets, which is a joy for those with small and large hands alike. There is also the added benefit that playing quickly can be even quicker when you have nearly four inches less space to travel compared to a standard long scale bass. That can make it possible to play some music that before was only in your head.

The Stanley Clarke Signature basses are also natural choices when you want to tune tenor or piccolo style. But don't think for a minute that this little bass can't handle standard tuning like a champ. Any preconceived ideas you may have about short scale basses through your past experience with other makers will be reset once you play an Alembic short scale. It's an entirely different beast, and it's a beast of tone to boot, with plenty of low-end and sustain.

The Standard and Deluxe versions are similar - the pickups, electronics, feel and size are in fact identical. Where they differ is in the wood choices and lamination patterns. There's no better Alembic value than the Signature Deluxe if you are a fan of our house wood, since that model has Coco Bolo on both the top and back. The Standard model does not sport a back laminate. The necks are the same size, and both have Maple as their primary wood. The Deluxe model adds two laminates of Purpleheart that run the length of the neck.

Brown Basses are a nod to Stanley's original Alembic bass, serial number 80. It's the bass that started his love affair with short scale. There are decorative departures from the other Signature basses, like the 1970s template for the body and the placement of the pickup selector on the lower horn. Just like serial number 80, Brown Basses use Mahogany as the primary neck wood for a more rounded and warm tone. Simple three-piece body construction is elegant paired with the traditional hand-rubbed oil finish. You'll notice the electronics are different from the Deluxe and Standard versions, with individual volume controls and a stereo/mono output.

Alembic is the original custom shop, and these standard features are but a springboard for your own ideas. Every aspect of our basses are made under one roof, and nearly any feature can be custom made to your specifications.

EXAMPLES - DELUXE

Flame Maple Quilted Maple Spalted Maple Chocolate Quilted Maple Curly Redwood Flame Walnut Superb Walnut Buckeye Burl Quartersawn Coco Bolo Coco Bolo Coco Bolo Rosewood Dark Buckeye Burl Macassar Ebony Templar Secrets The Little Giant Twilight
Note: Some examples include custom options. Start exploring your own custom Stanley Clarke Deluxe.

EXAMPLES - STANDARD

Quilted Maple AAA Maple Burl Zebrawood Buckeye Burl Vermilion Walnut Redwood Burl All About Color
Note: Some examples include custom options. Start exploring your own custom Stanley Clarke Standard.

EXAMPLES - BROWN BASS

Walnut Myrtle Inside Out Style Blonde Bass Grand Master Featured Custom
Note: Some examples include custom options.
STANDARD SPECS 4-string Deluxe 4-string Standard Brown Bass
Scale length 30.75 in 30.75 in 30.75 in
Neck woods 5-pieces: Maple with Purpleheart laminates 3-pieces: Maple with Walnut pinstripes 5-pieces: Mahogany, with Birch and Walnut laminates
Fingerboard Ebony with mother of pearl inlays Ebony with mother of pearl inlays Ebony with abalone inlays
Nut width 1.5 in 1.5 in 1.5 in
24th fret width 2.15 in 2.15 in 2.15 in
Peghead Alembic Crown Alembic Crown Alembic Crown
Truss rods dual, body adjust dual, body adjust dual, body adjust
Top and back Coco Bolo or Quilted Maple Quilted Maple or Flame Walnut (top only) Walnut
Body wood Mahogany Mahogany Mytle
Sandwich Coco Bolo, Maple, Mahogany, Maple, Coco Bolo Quilted Maple, Purpleheart, Mahogany Walnut, Myrtle, Walnut
Body depth 1.55 in 1.55 in 1.75 in
Finish Polyester gloss with satin neck Polyester gloss with satin neck Hand-rubbed oil
Pickups Alembic AXY Alembic AXY Alembic FatBoy
Controls volume, pan, filter x2, 2-position Q-switch x2 volume, pan, filter x2, 2-position Q-switch x2 volume x2, filter x2, 2-position Q-switch x2, pickup selector switch, stereo/mono mode
Tailpiece Solid brass bird Solid brass bird Brass and Ebony bird
Nut height adjustable solid brass height adjustable solid brass height adjustable solid brass
Machine heads Gold Alembic-Gotoh Gold Alembic-Gotoh Gold Alembic-Gotoh
Average weight 10.75 pounds 10 pounds 9 pounds
Overall dimensions About 43" x 13.5" About 43" x 13.5" About 43" x 13.75"
Origin 100% Made in Santa Rosa, CA USA 100% Made in Santa Rosa, CA USA 100% Made in Santa Rosa, CA USA