| Author | Message | ||
| glocke
Member Username: glocke Post Number: 64 Registered: 9-2002 |
Does anyone ever get the impression that alembics scare people? Ive shown up for auditions with my Series 1 bass, and people admire the looks and sound, but often times I get the impression they want someone who plays "one of those fender basses", and I dont get called back even when everything sounds right and the groove feels right.. Unless its the grateful dead tshirts I like to wear....hmmm.. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 507 Registered: 10-2003 |
Certainly. Frustrating, it is, but then I understand that these are probably gigs I wouldn't enjoy playing anyway. Check out the "Bass Discrimination" thread for more on the same topic... John (Message edited by 811952 on September 20, 2005) | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 789 Registered: 7-2003 |
Musicians seem to be just as prone (if not more so) to insecurities as others. I guess, despite the time some folks spend on stage in the public eye, they never really get over themselves. I found when I was younger that I embarassed pretty easily. Now that I'm older (or at least, not as young...), I think I've revealed about every stupid, clumsy, ugly and embarrassing side of myself on stage at one time or another. Afraid of Alembics? That's nothin...Wait'll they see my tuba! | ||
| dannobasso
Advanced Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 307 Registered: 3-2004 |
Yes......yes they are.....very frightened indeed. | ||
| glocke
Member Username: glocke Post Number: 65 Registered: 9-2002 |
ha...that bass discrimination thread is great... It really does amaze me what types of concerns alot of bands have when it comes down to what people are playing... I didnt get a recent gig with an alt.country band (whatever that is), I thik because I brought my S1 instead of my jazz bass... One comment from the audition I got was "geee..too bad your not more interested in playing your fender, we could have been an all fender band"...the two guitar players played strats.... | ||
| george_wright
Junior Username: george_wright Post Number: 20 Registered: 3-2005 |
Herd instinct isn't limited to stringed instruments. I've played saxophone since 1960, and I've seen brand prejudice up close and personal. You ain't jack unless you play a Selmer Mk VI. Check eBay prices on Mk VI's sometime! (From a proud player of a 1932-vintage Conn 12M.) | ||
| 88persuader
Intermediate Member Username: 88persuader Post Number: 150 Registered: 5-2004 |
Actually I think bass players who play more than just the root scares many people. 1st some people think anything more than the root is overplaying (and in some styles it is) and secondly many many guitarist are intimidated by ANY stringed instrument that might heaven forbid take away some of their spot light. There is a lot of EGO in music. We ALL have one and historically, in rock at least many bass players are just failed guitarists. And even if they're wonderful players they get overlooked. Look at Led Zep! John Paul Jones was an amazing player and did some wonderful stuff to push that band but he's largly overlooked. Everyone talks about Page, Plant and Bohnam but listen to the support Jones creates for the band. Listen to the Lemon song, Good times Bad times, the list goes on. So i think in the rock culture bass players are suppose to "know their place" and that place is in the background. I don't know if this is YOUR problem but i know i've come up against it on occasion. Maybe because they can HEAR you they don't think you fit? Something to consider. Maybe you should bring cheap gear to the audition and bring your Alembic after you have the gig. That would give you a clue anyway if the bass has anything to do with the problem. | ||
| gare
Advanced Member Username: gare Post Number: 254 Registered: 11-2003 |
Fear is a good thing..use it to your advantage ! Play an Almebic,then they will fear you ! LOL I agree with what Ray said, over time I've encountered more than a few guitarists that can't seem to count to 4 (no offense to those of the higher persuasion),if you're not playing roots and fifths it's easy to loose them. Ok, cheap entertainment. | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 602 Registered: 4-2004 |
i played out with the wolf last night at a blues open mic night. scared? my girfreind told me 2 bass players walked out the door after i started playing the wolf.... about 6 people came over and were gawking at him... this place is a musician hangout- they all new it was an alembic those who dont know- well there is always fender...... yuck | ||
| slapbass
Member Username: slapbass Post Number: 60 Registered: 3-2005 |
I understand the intimidation when you pull the Alembic out or any high end "boutique bass" for that matter. I have been shunned, turned down, picked, poked, and prodded for the simple fact that I have good gear and the rest of them don't! I like how I got my current jazz gig. The audition was going great except that I was playing a 5 string and I should have brought my upright and I had the newly acquired series 2 5 string. When the wife of the saxophonist comes out side to say hi and tell me how well it sounded (the rest of the guys didn't want to here this I could sense the tension from the beginning). She stayed outside until we started playing again I pulled the bass back out of the case and strapped up and she said " Dam son with a bass that good looking you get all the women" LOL. I cracked up and said "but with a bass habit like this I can make run for cover" she cracked up. But after that comment the rest of the guys accepted me and know we play a couple of weekly dinner shows. | ||
| rockbassist
Junior Username: rockbassist Post Number: 29 Registered: 8-2005 |
I'm not sure that the reason some musicians have a problem with bassists using "Boutique" basses is due to the fact that we have good gear and they don't. I think it really comes down to lack of product knowledge on their part. Recently, I was having a conversation with a Berklee grad. When I told him that I use Alembic basses, he responded with "Who are they? Are they any good?", another person who was standing close by mumbled "Garbage". I was fortunate that I had a computer nearby and showed them the Alembic website. Their attitudes changed completely. So many people have been brainwashed into thinking that if it's not a Fender, Ibanez or Musicman it must be junk, otherwise they would have heard of it. I also have a vintage Fender but I hardly play it since I bought my Epics. The fact is that many "Boutique" manufacturers do very little if any advertising. They also do not cater to mass merchandisers. When I am auditioning players or going on auditions myself, I'm concerned with whether or not the other guys can play. Not what type of gear they have. I have heard Fender Squiers sound great in the hands of accomplished players and "Boutique" basses sound like crap in the hands of someone who cannot play or is full of himself. The bottom line is that we have to find what we like and use that regardless of what other people think. Isn't music also supposed to be about self expression? | ||
| jetbass79
Member Username: jetbass79 Post Number: 100 Registered: 2-2005 |
Tone comes from the fingertips...John McLaughlin and Chet Atkins cannot be wrong about that. However, the fact that there are so many conservative guitar players and sound engineers and producers make people afraid of something that looks "weird" to them. BMWs and Mercedes Benz' don't scare people so why should a high end instrument that is truly high end (e.g. not a $5K Les Paul that really is just...well...$5K) scare people? That's messed up. I would still rather own a really expensive Series II bass before I would spend the money on a fancy boutique automobile, even if I had the money for both since the bass represents higher utility to me... | ||
| howierd
Junior Username: howierd Post Number: 42 Registered: 8-2004 |
I remember going to a jam session about 25 years ago and some members of some big named local bands in the Washington DC area were there and one guitar player saw me pull out my Series I and all he said was "an Alembic I'm scared"..... Very sarcasticlly... So some people just think that if you play an Alembic you are trying to be better than everyone else just because of the Instrument you play. They will eventually get over it somehow. Howierd | ||
| beelee
Member Username: beelee Post Number: 93 Registered: 11-2004 |
I here echos of the bass discrimination thread here.........LOL To me I never cared what kind of instrument a person plays, brand, what it looks like or the number of strings it has etc. As long as you can play, are dedicated, reliable and proplerly maintain your gear Those are some of the things that should really matter. I've been playing more than a four string bass since the mid 80's, do I always use every string on the neck ? no I play for what the song requires first, but its nice not to have to tune a string down and have the other options a extended range instrument gives you NO LIMITS..... All the instruments I own/play were purchased cause I like the way they look, sound and feel, not for brand name, I've never owned any Gibsons, Rickenbackers and just bought my first Fender a few years ago ( a P bass that was customised with EMG pup and a Kahler Trem, ( it realy sounds and plays great) that now I'll be selling cause I found an Explioter w/ a Kahler Trem, I hate to part with it but I don't need both). What instrument you choose to play is to me a very personal choice. If someone doesn't like you cause of what kind of instrument you play, that's just so foolish and narrow minded....... You should see some of the looks I've gotten and heard the comments when I take my 7 string bass out, I just laugh and smile.......and after they hear me play it their attitude turns completely around. Bruce | ||
| ajdover
Advanced Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 238 Registered: 11-2003 |
I think that once you pull the Alembic out of the case, expectations are raised. Truth be told most folks can't afford an Alembic or other high end instrument (those that aren't in demand pros, anyway). The only reason I can is the fact that I have no children and am fortunate enough to have the disposable income available to support the Wickersham family business. When you take an Alembic out of the case, the look and quality alone impresses. Most folks I've run into automatically assume I must be a good player (I consider myself a fair player, but of course, I've heard guys with technical skills that make me sound like all of my fingers are taped together) because I have such an expensive bass. I guess it goes with anything expensive, e.g., one must be doing well if one can afford a Corvette, Mercedes, etc. It's not necessarily true, but there's the perception. I haven't scared anyone with my Alembic (with the possible exception of my Spyder - singers are oddly terrified that I might skewer them or something with the V shaped headstock). I have scared them with my looks. I guess if I had to choose, I'd rather have it be my looks than my bass. I can always put a paper bag on my head ... I've never been told to put my Alembic away by anyone anytime I've used them, so I don't think it's so much fear as intimidation because of the "mine's better than yours" mentality some folks have. As has been noted, I've heard guys play cheap basses that sound phenomenal, and others play the nicest Fodera you've ever seen sound like a total catastrophe. It's in the fingers, heart and head. A quality instrument helps, but there's no substitute for ability and feel. My two cents, Alan | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 473 Registered: 9-2002 |
Yes. J o e y | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 836 Registered: 11-2003 |
Alan, I love my Epic and can't imagine putting it down, but you hit the nail on the head. There is a local player here named Al Reshard, some of you may have heard of his son Jon. If you haven't, you will. Anyway, my wife and I were listening to him one night playing fretless. He sounded great. I didn't recognize his bass so asked him about it. It was a $300 Samick. The player can definately make the instrument. Or as Joey put it so concisely, Yes. Sam | ||
| ajdover
Advanced Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 240 Registered: 11-2003 |
Sam, Look at Jaco. He played a Fender Jazz, and there's thousands upon thousands of them out there, fretted, fretless, active, passive, etc. I've yet to hear someone sound like him. Same goes for Stanley Clarke, or Chris Squire, or Geddy Lee ... It doesn't have to be expensive to be good in the hands of the right player. A quality bass helps, but it isn't the determinant in the end. Ability, skill, talent, feel, etc. is. All this being said, I do feel a quality instrument helps one play better simply because they are more adjustable, easier to set up, etc. One can do the same with a less expensive instrument, but it takes more work and patience. I know my Alembics help me play better, as does my Musicman Bongo and Fender Jazz. Alan | ||
| rockbassist
Junior Username: rockbassist Post Number: 30 Registered: 8-2005 |
I don't know about about anyone else, but I take exception to John's (jetbass79) assertion that tone comes from the fingertips. I think that saying that has become the cliche of the day. It's like saying the difference between the ride in a Hyundai and a Mercedes is the way you drive. I'm not sure if he was just over simplifying his argument or not. Since he is obviously a very intelligent person (afterall, he he does play Alembic), I will give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that he realizes that tone comes from a combination of things. The type of material that a bass is made from, the way the neck is attached, fretboard material, maintenance, pickups, strings, string height, string gauge, preamps, brand of amplifier, speakers, using a pick versus fingers the way we play the note and of course fingertips all effect tone. Even atmospheric conditions and the type of venue can effect tone. If tone was simply a matter of fingertips then why did all us spend thousands of dollars on Alembics when we could have bought a $150 Rogue from Guitar Center or Musician's Friend. I am proud to be able to pull out my Alembics as well as my 76 Precision. If someone doesn't like them, too bad! They are not the one's playing them. I never judge anyone on their gear. I only hope that they can play and have a professional attitude. Having said all that, I do agree with Alan (ajdover) that a quality instrument can help one play better simply because they are easier to setup and once setup they tend to stay that way. | ||
| kungfusheriff
Advanced Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 392 Registered: 8-2003 |
When I was a boy, some guys in my neighborhood tried to gang up and get tough with me because I had a better bike (an orange Schwinn 10-speed I bought at a yard sale) than they did, and tried to get me off of it so they could wreck it. That attitude, combined with another which says the bass player should play a Fender because those sound like what other players are used to hearing, is probably behind that static, which we should ignore because WE ARE THE BASS PLAYER AND WE KNOW WHAT WORKS FOR US. FWIW, I rode that ugly Schwinn until metal fatigue snapped off the handlebar. | ||
| rockbassist
Junior Username: rockbassist Post Number: 31 Registered: 8-2005 |
Was that the infamous Schwinn Orange Peel! I had one too! Eventually, I bought a Schwinn Continental 10 speed. That was the bike back in the day. You do realize that we are showing our age with this discussion! | ||
| rockbassist
Junior Username: rockbassist Post Number: 32 Registered: 8-2005 |
Or was it called Orange Crate? I'm so old I can't remember! | ||
| 88persuader
Intermediate Member Username: 88persuader Post Number: 151 Registered: 5-2004 |
A few added thoughts. I agree and disagree with rockbassist about the fingers and touch getting the sound. It's fairly obvious that an Alembic Stanley Clark short scale going through an ampeg SVT rig (my favorite combo) sounds different than a Fender Squire P bass through a Peavy 50 WT combo with a 12" speaker. However ... if I play the SC through the ampeg and 15 other people play my exact same rig we'll all sound a little different from one another because of our TOUCH, DYNAMICS, (or lack of) and taste. A great player can make bad equipment sound passable but a bad player can also make top equipment sound bad. It's not one or the other (touch VS equipment) that makes a player sound good, it's both, it's everything! Equipment, touch, dynamics, acoustics of the room, the soundman, everything. One little added thing about people's preception of Alembics. I'm a gigging musician and know LOTS of players. Only one of the more than 30 bass players I know recognized my Alembics, others said "what's that?" All thought they looked great and one person said (speaking of my SC standard) that's beautiful, must have been expensive. One thing they ALL had in common is when i told them what it retailed for and what I actually spent they gasped and said I was F-in crazy to spend that much! But then again, when ever they come to see me play they all drool at my bass line-up. And believe it not, not only were my Alembics not recognized, neither was my Modulus. I live in southern NH only 45 miles from Boston MA, I would have thought with all the big music schools around the players would be more UP on the higher end gear. But for most players i know ... it's Fender or nothing. To each their own i guess. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 510 Registered: 10-2003 |
I think tone comes from everything, but mostly from the heart via the hands (both of them). Chris Squire, for instance, got an awesome sound out of a Thunderbird (Release, Release and Does It Really Happen) and you can tell after 1 note that it's definitely him. He sounds like himself on a cheap-sh*t Electra MPC bass, for cryin' out loud. And Geddy sounds like Geddy no matter what bass he's playing. I suppose I shouldn't go there, but Sir Paul got a tone out of that POS Hofner that endures (some would argue that it has yet to be matched) today. Having the right instrument helps for all the obvious reasons (obvious to us because we own Alembics), but if you're gonna suck, you're gonna suck no matter what you're holding. To me, and I'm probably in outer space on this, tone is more than timbre and derives from tessitura (did I spell it right?) and what the player does with and within the envelope. I may be a hack, but if you listened to my playing much you'd be able to identify (I didn't say "like") my *tone* fairly easily I think, regardless of instrument (except probably for the 12-string, which is a monster unto itself). And of course, we all play the same notes in different places on the neck (high notes on the fat strings vs. low note on the skinny ones), which injects quite a few more cc's of personality. So my vote, if I have to choose, goes with the fingers, fwiw... And sometimes my Alembic scares ME!!! John | ||
| rockbassist
Junior Username: rockbassist Post Number: 35 Registered: 8-2005 |
Hi Raymond (88Persuader) I'm not sure that you understood the meaning of my posting. If you had scrolled up, you have would have seen that I also addressed the issue of accomplished players making lower end gear sound great and average players making great gear sound like crap. By the way, I live 25 miles south of Boston. I agree with you 100% that with all of the so called prestigious schools as well as the bands that came out of Boston that players should not be as ignorant about "Boutique" basses as they are. I clearly stated in a previous posting that unfortunatley, many people feel that if it's not Fender, Ibanez or Musicman that it must suck. This is due to a lack of product knowledge. This opinion is also based on the fact that they haven't heard of anything other than those names that I mentioned previously, so in their opinion, it can't be good. I addressed the fact that "Boutique" companies do not advertise and mass merchandisers do not carry them so the average player does not have any information about them. They get bombarded by Fender, Ibanez, Musicman, etc and never get the chance to experience an Alembic, Zon, Pedulla, or Modulus, etc. I have been playing bass for over 30 years, yet I have only seen 3 Alembics in person and I bought 2 of them. Like I said previously, I will never judge a player by what they play. We all have our budgets. I just do not want anyone telling me what I should play. I will play what I want and if someone doesn't like it thay can find someone else. It's obvious that anyone who plays Alembic is an accomplished player. Why should we care what anyone else thinks. Play what you like. I wouldn't tell a guitar player what he should play and I don't expect anyone to tell me what I should. Music is supposed to be fun. Like I said earlier, music is supposed to be about self expression. Isn't teling somebody what we should or should not play going against the very reason why we all started playing in the first place? | ||
| 88persuader
Intermediate Member Username: 88persuader Post Number: 152 Registered: 5-2004 |
Well Kevin I do agree with the points you brought out. In New England Daddy's Junky Music and The Guitar Center seem to rule. (At least they do in my neck of the woods) and they carry exactly what you've mentioned for gear. Also personally I know MANY people who not only think an American made Fender is the only bass worth playing but they also think if it's 30 years old and beat to hell it's better than new. I'm not an antique collector, I think a 30 year old Fender is simply an old bass. Have you seen the price of some of these "collector's items?" Makes a new Alembic seem cheap! But when Glocke 1st started this interesting thread the question was "Do Alembics Scare People." And I guess after reading many of the replys and replying myself I think my opinion to that blunt question is NO. I don't think Alembics scare people because most people don't even know what an Alembic is. I think the only people who are scared of Alembics are the spouses or girlfriend/boyfriends of people who spend small fortunes buying Alembics! :-) I personally had to widdle my collection down to one Alembic (I sold my Epic and Persuader, I'm keeping my SC) because of financial reasons. I couldn't justify owning a $1,500. Epic (used) and a $1,200. Persuader (used) when i played my Stanley Clark 99% of the time. I own a few "cheaper" basses as back-ups ......... The only person i know personally who's afraid of Alembics is my wife, she's afraid I'll buy another one! ;-) That's my story and I'm sticking to it! :-) | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 687 Registered: 7-2004 |
The instrument & rig define the potential tone. The brain, heart, spirit, and fingers determine to what extent that potential is reached. My 2 cents. Bill, tgo | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 515 Registered: 10-2003 |
Bill, Extremely well put. John | ||
| glocke
Member Username: glocke Post Number: 67 Registered: 9-2002 |
wow..I didnt realize I would start such a cascade of responses...Bill sums thigns up nciely in terms of potential... 88persuader has a point on people putting alot of stock into fenders, especially beat up fenders..While I have a couple of vintage fenders, including a 72 that has alot of "soul" (i.e. its beat up), my Alembic sereis 1 gets the most use, and once I get done "purging" my house of some excess gear Ive bought over the years will be the only bass I never sell... As for the thread topic (scary alembcs), alot of good poitns were made, but I think the bottom lin e is that people are afraid of what they cant control, and dont understand... People dont often see Alembics, so when someone shows up with one they probably dont think will fit in well beacsue everyone else is playing fenders or gibsons.... | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2388 Registered: 5-2002 |
Gregory said "people are afraid of what they can't control and don't understand". An excellent observation, and one that goes a long way in illuminating much of human activity throughout history. | ||
| indigo
Junior Username: indigo Post Number: 24 Registered: 6-2005 |
Man...I hope you don't have to be a good player to own an Alembic. I just started playing bass (former alto sax, flute, clarinet guy) about a year ago. I love my new found instrument and try to soak up all of the info and knowledge possible. I was drawn to Alembic when I saw tom_z's coco bolo skylark. Stunning! I treat them as functional pieces of art. And as a bonus, my wife loves it as well! Praticing on my Alembic is GREAT! A much more enjoyable experience than my Dean or Ibanez. I can run through modes and arpeggios until my fingers fall off. :-) Some day, my Alembic may intimidate someone...but my playing won't...and I don't care. There is a big grin on my face every time I play a note on this beauty. Troy | ||
| locutusofborg10
Member Username: locutusofborg10 Post Number: 75 Registered: 11-2002 |
I play in a 4 piece band. Lead, rhthym, drums and my epic. The rhthym guy is not the best musician but it's his band. When our lead guy takes a solo my epic fills the void and we don't sound as if there's something missing. When I used my Fender there was a defenite void when the solo kicked in. After a while the the guys begged me not to use the Fender anymore as it made the overall sound of the band lousy. Even though I don't play alot of notes and try to keep things simple the other guys consider me their 'lead bass player'. All I can say is screw the idiots who think Fender is the only good bass out there. We who own and play Alembics know what it's all about. | ||
| oujeebass
Member Username: oujeebass Post Number: 60 Registered: 10-2002 |
My surprise is how many of the younger than me guys don't know what an Alembic is. My opinion is that this can correlated to the level of soul in current music. It used to be that a typical musician would try to draw in as much information about all things musical as much as possible. During the eighties when metal was the thing,it was sad to see people skipping the knowledge thing and going toward the look. It went only down hill from there. I remember being looked down on for playing a Les Paul. That was around 1984. If it wasn't a superstrat, it wasn't cool. What does cool get you anyway? | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1060 Registered: 9-2003 |
Who cares what you play, as long as you can play...remember, Frank said "Shut Up and play yer guitar!", LOL! Cheers, Kevin | ||
| rockbassist
Junior Username: rockbassist Post Number: 36 Registered: 8-2005 |
Isn't that what I said originally? I will never judge anyone by the gear they play. We all have limits to our budgets. Many players have been brainwashed by mass marketing. My concern is can you play and are you easy to get along with. Nothing more, nothing less. You can always get better gear. | ||
| the_8_string_king
New Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 2 Registered: 9-2005 |
Fun thread! And fun stories! I can definitly relate! My custom 8 string Alembic -which they dubbed "8 strings of power"- is, with its stunning bocate top, flame maple body, 8 strings and 31 frets has intimidated more than one guitar player, with its range being 1 note higher than a 24th fret high e. This, and the 16 controls surely intimidate any who are insecure! It's funny sometimes... most people just go "whoa", and/or "wow, that's really awesome", or something, but it's amusing to see how some people can just get a cave-man like fear of the unknown, like the fear of confronting some great and powerful beast (which, to be fair, it is) when they see it. Again, fun thread... a lot of laughs! | ||
| jazzyvee
Advanced Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 243 Registered: 6-2002 |
i haven't found anyone intimidated by my bass ( nor my bass playing for that matter). At the end of one of my last bass playing gigs in the middle of this year, another local bass player whom I have previously seen playing a Yamaha TRB 5, came over to me as I was putting the bass into my case, lightly touched the body of my alembic bass, put his hands together in a prayer like manner, bowed and walked off with a smile. | ||
| the_mule
Senior Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 554 Registered: 1-2004 |
I believe that bass players in general are more open minded than guitar players, but a surprisingly big part of the bass playing community still thinks that a 4-string Fender bass is the only way to go. Many people know of Alembic, but the general opinion unfortunately is negative: furniture/wall art, too heavy, too sterile sounding, too expensive and the owner must be an arrogant spoiled brat who looks down on other people. Reactions like that originate from frustration, jealousy and fear. So, yes, in my experience Alembics scare people. This doesn't stop me from promoting Alembic as much as I can, telling people about the important role Alembic played (and still plays) in the history of our beloved instrument and people who are seriously interested are always allowed to play my bass. That always helps to change opinions tremendously. It's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it... ;-) Wilfred | ||
| gare
Advanced Member Username: gare Post Number: 259 Registered: 11-2003 |
Gee..anyone happen to have a fretless Jazz bass they want to unload ? LOL | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 609 Registered: 4-2004 |
sometimes i think that when you whip open an alembic, people think or anticipate that you are a more accomplished player because of the money spent getting one.obvisouly this is not the case. but it may raise the bar in their itty bitty heads. as for me. i am not the best, but i know what i like and i like what i play. i personally hate fenders and always have and would never play one.alembics for me and i have been playing and concerting for 40 years, sound different and in my humble opinion? better i like to think of us as "enlightened" not better. nothing else sounds like an alembic. we love this particular sound- plain and simple-we arent buying them to impress anyone- we cant help it if they are so darn pretty-we just like the way they speak bass | ||
| 88persuader
Intermediate Member Username: 88persuader Post Number: 157 Registered: 5-2004 |
Well personally I love Fender Jazz basses, I think of them as industry staples. But i play Alembics because I've played for a long time professionally and decided it was time for me to treat myself. Like buying a high end sports car rather than another Ford. The Ford will do the same job as the sports car unless you're really breaking the speed limits but when you do it with the sports car you do it with a big grin on your face. I can play my gigs just as well with a $600 Fender Jazz bass or a $300 Ibanez as I do with the Stanley Clark i paid over 10 times more for but when I strap on my SC I can't help but grin from ear to ear. (And of course the sound is superior) But does it scare people? Like I said in one of my earlier posts, Generally i don't think it does because most people "I" know don't even know about Alembics. But I can tell you when they find out how expensive they are they think i'm crazy. But then again, I feel an Alembic is a luxury item, not an industry staple. If you can afford it what's wrong with a little self indulgence every now and then? And if anything scares people about Alembics i think it's that the people who own them are not afraid to invest in their craft. Are we crazy to spend 3 grand and up on a bass? (or Guitar) Maybe ... but then again you'll never accuse an Alembic player of not taking their craft seriously. Anyone can spend $600 on a Mexican Fender, if you're spending 10 times that amount you really have to be serious and that kind of dedication can be frightning to people who possibly aren't as dedicated themselves. | ||
| 88persuader
Intermediate Member Username: 88persuader Post Number: 158 Registered: 5-2004 |
Oh One other thing i think has already been touched on. I think when you buy something that's fancy and expensive some people are going to think you're just showing off and that can definitely put people off. When I 1st got my SC I was so into it and proud of it i told everone who would listen everything about it. Well that didn't do much to endear me to these people who felt i was just boasting. And you know something ... I was and it wasn't attractive. Luckly it hasn't cost me any gigs but I've also learn that people don't want to hear about my toy. I don't think having high end equipment will frighten people but having an "attitude" at an audition will definitely frighten people. | ||
| mpisanek
Member Username: mpisanek Post Number: 63 Registered: 1-2005 |
I find here in Scotland that there are two types of bass players. Those that know Alembic and those that don't. These instrurments seem to be few and far between in these parts, and an awful lot of bass players, and good bass players at that, have never seen an Alembic instrument. What I find is that many people comment on three things about the instruments. Firstly they comment on the way they look. Secondly, they comment on the craftsmanship. Thirdly they comment on the sound. I consider myself very lucky to not only have heard of Alembic, but to actually own one. It is never my intention to stand out or be the centre of attention, so I never "show off" when I play, I just play. It occurs to me that other players are attracted to an Alembic. There must be a process that takes place in their minds combinining the looks, sound, and quality of an instrument in a comparison to their own instrument. Most people are not "scared" of an Alembic, but curious, inquisitive, and at the end of the conversation, usually converted to loving an Alembic! | ||
| moonlinermusic
New Username: moonlinermusic Post Number: 10 Registered: 3-2005 |
Don't get me wrong, I own and love alembics, but I agree that much of a players tone comes from how they play, not what they play. | ||
| jseitang
Member Username: jseitang Post Number: 100 Registered: 6-2002 |
totally true with current music trends... now working in a recording studio, you see young bands rocking vintage or in particular, peculiar vintage instrumnets that nobody has, like a rickenbacker 3000 bass or a epiphone coronet guitar, i have yet to see kids these days rock alembic. i do, but then again im not like everyone else. i thought about it more and more, but eventually id like to have all my basses be alembic, or alembic modified basses!! | ||
| xlrogue6
Intermediate Member Username: xlrogue6 Post Number: 103 Registered: 8-2002 |
If you really want to scare people, try an Alembic 6 string bass..... | ||
| richbass939
Senior Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 410 Registered: 11-2004 |
Yo, Jimmy. Don't tell me that you used to have a Rick 3000, too! You almost NEVER hear anyone mention one of those. Rich | ||
| 88persuader
Intermediate Member Username: 88persuader Post Number: 159 Registered: 5-2004 |
Actually the only time I've really "scared" people was when i walked in with an 8 String (not double strings like a 12 string guitar, 8 single tuned strings) Conklin bass. The neck was as wide as a surf board! | ||
| jseitang
Intermediate Member Username: jseitang Post Number: 101 Registered: 6-2002 |
richbass939- i dont used to have, I HAVE ONE... and im usung one now, untill i get my next alembic! | ||
| richbass939
Senior Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 411 Registered: 11-2004 |
Jimmy, I bought a dark brown one new in Jan 1975. Sold all my instruments (including the 3000) in 1978. A couple of years later when I was getting back into playing I found one just like it (not the same instrument, though) but passed it up because of the price. I didn't know how rare they are until the 1990s. Were the 3000s the ones they only made in 72 and 73, with the 3001s a few years later? I have a pretty sketchy knowledge of the history of the 3000 series. I would love to see a few pictures of yours. Nothing can replace how I feel about my Alembics but it was love at first sight/play with my 3000. Rich | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 2091 Registered: 9-2002 |
a CONKLIN 8 string!?!?!? Phew! Well I would like to try a 7 string once ...when I'll be a grown up ...and rich and wealthy ...and more self-confident ...huhhuu ... "When I'm sixty-four" HA! Paul TOBO | ||
| 88persuader
Intermediate Member Username: 88persuader Post Number: 162 Registered: 5-2004 |
I'll tell ya Paul .... I couldn't get comfprtable with the 8 string. My fingers were full out stretched to reach the B string and after doing a few gigs with it my wrists were killing me from the angle I had to play it at to reach the strings. It was quite the conversation piece though, and very pretty. The neck was purpleheart and the body was maple colored red. A few years after I traded it in I got another one, a 7 string, because i thought i may be able to make peace with it, it was used and it was a steal at the price. But again it hurt my wrists to play it so i think I'll stick with 4 and 5 string basses from now on. Unless my hands grow another 4 inches that is! | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 521 Registered: 10-2003 |
Paul, My experiences echo Raymond's. I had a Conklin 7-string for a couple of years, and while it was quite the conversation piece and sounded great it was killing me to play it. I lovingly dubbed it "The Tendonitis Machine" because it made my left wrist sore for days after a gig. I flirted with the idea of stringing it with a low F# to change my hand position to something more reasonable, but never got around to doing it. I loved that bass and miss it in many ways, but it was destroying my body.. John (who can handle about 5 strings max, excepting the 12er...) | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 2094 Registered: 9-2002 |
I don't want to hurt anyone by saying this but, were you playing this 8 or 7 string monster the same way you play a 3, 4 or 5 string??? It occurs to me that you have to change dramatically your playing technique??? Other ways to walk, other spreads to make with your fingers, another path from low to high ...i dunno ...just wild guesswork. I never touched one. Paul TBO | ||
| beelee
Member Username: beelee Post Number: 98 Registered: 11-2004 |
I have 2 Conklin groove tools 7's, still play em on and off, I've been playing my Tobias 6 lately, still waiting for my Alembic 6 to be finished, but I found a used Modulus fretless 7 prototype, it has a smaller width neck than the Conklins and is quite comfortable to play, it was custom made for Karl Hill that played with Ginger Baker at one time. Bruce | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 522 Registered: 10-2003 |
The issue I had with the Conklin was that I didn't play in the higher registers all that much (you see, I'm a bass player) and the reach to play the lower registers is significant. My left hand position had my fingers so flat simply to reach the big strings that there was little I could do, short of playing everything up an octave or two. The initial 20-minutes or so (before the pain) were always a lot of fun though. It also dispelled any illusions I may have been under about being one of those "extended-range bass virtuoso" guys... John | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 2095 Registered: 9-2002 |
Yep ...got it! | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 697 Registered: 7-2004 |
Maybe you could play it with a slide? Bill, tgo | ||
| dannobasso
Advanced Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 308 Registered: 3-2004 |
My Cocobolo Spoiler lined fretless 7 has Jazz spacing and is very wide so I have to play it up high. It is very scary to those who don't venture out of the off the wall herd. Lately my black Excels with led's get nothing but compliments, though only 1 guy knew what an Alembic was. My latest Excel plays like a dream and has sustain like crazy. But to each his own. People here, (myself included) have very solid opinions about things but in the end it's all just ether. Please enjoy what you have and share your joy with your audience, even if it is your pets at home. Life is too short to quibble about music and gear. (esp. when we can be playing) I'm at work so that's why I'm typing and not practicing. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2409 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hi Bill; play it with a slide huh? I supposed if you tuned it up a step or so to get the strings really tight and raised the nut and bridge a good bit. And then maybe add a generous helping of distortion. Danno; "it's all just ether". I like it!! | ||
| byoung
Intermediate Member Username: byoung Post Number: 124 Registered: 12-2004 |
Alembics don't scare people, people scare people. If Alembics are outlawed, only outlaws will have Alembics. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 523 Registered: 10-2003 |
Bill, Interestingly enough, I play quite a bit of slide bass. Really... John | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 699 Registered: 7-2004 |
Back in the early '70's I saw Martin Mull & His Fabulous Furniture open for Tom Waits at the Troubador in L.A. In the middle of his set, Mull took out a vibrator (yes, that kind of vibrator) and started playing slide with it. Then he turned it on and went into "Purple Haze", looked up at the audience and said in pure deadpan "so that's how Jimi did it". So slide bass? Heck, why not! Bill, tgo | ||
| richbass939
Senior Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 412 Registered: 11-2004 |
Bill, tgo. I don't know of very many people who have heard any of Martin Mull's music. Do you have any of his albums? His stuff is hilarious. Also, it shows the wide range of musical styles he writes and plays. Rich | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2417 Registered: 5-2002 |
Now that you've mentioned it, I remember there was a copy of Fabulous Furniture in a house where I was living, probably in '73. But that's all I remember about it. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 701 Registered: 7-2004 |
Most of my albums were destroyed in a flood in about 1977. I do remember a song called "Normal" with the lyrics something like: "We'll be once a weekers and get some lousy speakers, let's you and I get normal for a change". Very funny stuff. Another little known gem from that era was Harry Nilsson with such wonderful songs as "You're breakin' my heart, you tore it apart, so f**k you" or a chorus of elderly residents of an old folks' home singing "I'd rather be dead than wet my bed". Bill, tgo | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 524 Registered: 10-2003 |
"I used to be plastic, but now I'm elastic. I'm flexible" was his I believe... | ||
| richbass939
Senior Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 413 Registered: 11-2004 |
Honey, it'll change us sexually. From now on we'll just be once a weekers. It'll change us even musically. We'll get our records through the mail And a set of lousy speakers. We'll see who can be most boring. You do the dishes, honey, I'll start snoring. Get a mower; do some mowing. Spend all morning getting it going. We'll show everyone in town we're not deranged. Why don't you and I get norml (that's for you, Bill, tgo) for a change. Rich Yes, "Flexible" is his, too. (Message edited by richbass939 on September 29, 2005) | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 702 Registered: 7-2004 |
To quote Paul, tobo: hehehehehehehehe! Bill, tgo (Message edited by lbpesq on September 29, 2005) | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 468 Registered: 6-2002 |
The Suburban White Boy Blues... "Well I got so upset this morning, I threw my drink acroos the lawn" ... (repeated three times but I forget the rest)  Mike | ||
| alembic76407
Advanced Member Username: alembic76407 Post Number: 396 Registered: 5-2002 |
Bill , I thought I was the only Martin Mull fan, I still have most of his albums, what a player Martin is, But I know that it's just licks off of records that he's learned, LOL and I love the upright bass solo in "they never met" David T (Message edited by alembic76407 on September 30, 2005) | ||
| george_wright
Junior Username: george_wright Post Number: 25 Registered: 3-2005 |
As I remember it, it went: Woke up this morning, both cars were gone (repeat). Felt so mean/downhearted, thew my drink across the lawn. |
