| Author | Message | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 993 Registered: 7-2004 |
Hey everyone! I played my newly acquired Series 1 guitar with my band last night for the first time. Since this is my first experience with a Series guitar, I thought I'd jot down a little review. This thing is awesome. It's also almost a whole different instrument from electric guitar. The punch and dynamics of this instrument make it seem almost as if I were playing a piano/guitar. It cuts right through the band WITHOUT increasing volume! The clarity is really amazing, especially on the D,A,& E strings. The definition of the sound on the lower strings is like nothing else I've ever experienced. Single note runs, like the repeating signature phrase in "Bird Song", are out there and super articulate. The guitar really lends itself to playing parts of chords, 2 or 3 strings only ala Bob Weir. Even against the full band and playing only 2 or 3 strings, the sound of this guitar is easily discernible - all while playing at even lower volume than I usually do! Surprisingly (at least to me) the guitar seemed to like all of my pedals, even the Teese RMC Wah that my Electrum never got along with. The tone of this guitar is soooooo present that I find myself at times being tentative in my playing! The axe places so much power in my fingertips that it's almost frightening. And the flexibility is astonishing. Between the two filters and the 3 way Q switches, I believe this guitar is capable of almost any tone you could imagine, at least on the clean side of the tracks. At one point last night, I was playing on the neck pickup, flicked the Q to 3rd position (max) and got a brilliant acoustic-like ring - so much so that the other guitarist looked up and asked me if the Series had a piezo in it! It's going to take a little while to really learn how to play this instrument, but the journey will be well worth it. Bill, tgo (Message edited by lbpesq on February 17, 2006) | ||
| glocke
Intermediate Member Username: glocke Post Number: 102 Registered: 9-2002 |
nice Bill! Alembics are simply tone monsters...I have a series I bass that lends itself to a nice assortment of tones....and also a skylark that I dont get to spend that much time on, but when I do I am amazed at the different sounds that guitar is capable of... | ||
| jalevinemd
Advanced Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 338 Registered: 12-2003 |
Bill, All right...I'm convinced. I'll give you $2485.99 for it. That's quite a tidy little profit! Seriously, congratulations. You've found the guitar we've both lusted for. I'd love to try a Series instrument, but am not willing to come up with somewhere in the neighborhood of $10,000 just to experiment. I always keep my eyes out, but if you ever should see another vintage Series I guitar in as immaculate condition as yours, PLEASE let me know. Again congrats on a spectacular acquisition. Regards, Jonathan | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 3240 Registered: 5-2002 |
Nice report Bill! Thanks! Bird Song; that's a cool tune! | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 677 Registered: 12-2002 |
that's that "BEYOND CUSTOM" Sound! | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 981 Registered: 11-2003 |
Bill, thanks for the report. Congratulations on your find. Sounds like a match made in heaven. Sam | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 516 Registered: 10-2002 |
Nice report Bill. Almost makes me want to play an Alembic with thin strings. (almost but not quite!). The pics look superb too. Graeme | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 600 Registered: 6-2002 |
Bill, I understand EXACTLY what you are talking about. I don't know why the Alembic Series guitars were not more popular. They are incredible. That is just how I feel when I play my Series II after playing my non Series basses. | ||
| tom_z
Advanced Member Username: tom_z Post Number: 291 Registered: 7-2004 |
Thanks Bill - nice first impressions. I hope you'll keep us updated from time to time as you discover what the S1 is capable of. Also, I'm very curious to hear how you feel it compares to the Further. Tom (another guitar one) | ||
| bassdr
Junior Username: bassdr Post Number: 43 Registered: 10-2004 |
I just wish I could talk Dave my incredible guitar player into an Alembic, he just won't consider an active instrument! Of course he raves about my Essence- go figure- Michael | ||
| jazzyvee
Advanced Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 359 Registered: 6-2002 |
I've just this weekend come back from the states after doing a festival gig with my Alembic Orion guitar. It's first trip back to the states :-) On a big stage the sound was awesome very crisp, sparkly and astounding. I can only imagine how much better a series guitar is to hear and play. You are correct when you mention its acoustic like tone. Mine has that sound too. Fantastic instruments. Jazzyvee |
