New Alembic owner Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive 2006 » Archive through May 08, 2006 » New Alembic owner « Previous Next »

Author Message
steve4765630
New
Username: steve4765630

Post Number: 1
Registered: 3-2006
Posted on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 10:37 pm:   Edit Post

Hey guys. I am a new Alembic convert and so is my guitar player. He freaked more about my bass than I did. I got a used Epic 6 string with a burl walnut top. I had no clue that walnut could get so messed up and amazing. I have yet to put a new set of strings on it, but even with the dead ones it sounds amazingly clear and powerful. What kind of strings do you use on your basses? What seems to cut through the best with your Alembics? Thanks, Steve
jazzyvee
Advanced Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 386
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 11:01 pm:   Edit Post

I'm gonna say this before anyone else does.
Pictures matey :-)
Apart from that, do a search on strings and you will get loads of advice and opinions as to what works best etc etc.
Loads of reading and maybe expensive choices.
I have an sc deluxe and have only put Alembic strings on it.I'm happy with those. On my Europa I have not changed them since I bought the bass last summer. So I'll be checking here when the time comes.
All the best. You will be come addicted..... be warned :-)


Vince
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic

Post Number: 2356
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 11:24 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Steve!
Like brother Vince pointed out so well: PICTURES is a must do!
Strings ...gosh ...in this club of civilised low sounding (brother Vince is a little "ambigu" on that point) gentle men and women it is a frequently boarded issue!
I can't recall one brand/type that is really unanimously loathed or liked.
There is a HUGE fanclub of Thomastik Infeld strings here. But you have Roto-heads, Boomer-happies, Maximalists, Daddarists and they come in flat, wounded or grounded ways.
It allseems to work on an Alembic.
What I like to stress is something that Mica one said: Alembic neck throughs seems to be very explicit and rich in low and high tones. I am not saying they "overdoing" it ...let's say they are "strong" in that sounding field.(BTW: she added that for that reason the Alembic strings are not "wounded" like other wounded strings but the windings are more ""flattened" for a softer feel).
I know a lot of people who really love their Alembic with flatwounds.
I am now experimenting with the SIT silencers who are halfwounds (or groundwounds)and are inexpensive with the mail-order company I Buy strings from.
JUst some idea's!
Enjoy your bass and being here!
You'll like it!

Paul the bad one
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 582
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 1:07 am:   Edit Post

Hi Steve and welcome to the club. You're going to get as many different answers as there are club members - everyone has their own preference. For example, I have Alembic strings on my fretless and DR Fat Beams on my fretted. Love the sound of both. Having said that, when I got the fretted epic back in '96 it came with alembic strings and I loved the sound then too! It was just alot harder to ship strings to the UK in those days.
and as paul and vince have said - PICTURES!!!!

Graeme
olieoliver
Intermediate Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 153
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 6:26 am:   Edit Post

Welcome Steve. I posed this same question a few weeks ago and got several answers. I personaly have never liked Flatwound strings. While they do feel better and do less damage to your neck and frets, they just don't have the brightness that I like. But that is my preference. I love the growl and bite of new round wounds, I even use round wound strings on my fretless. As for brand, same thing goes, depends on the players particular taste in sound.
rockbassist
Member
Username: rockbassist

Post Number: 70
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 8:50 pm:   Edit Post

In the past 30 years I have tried just about every string on the market. I currently use Curt Mangan Strings. Curt worked for Dean Markely for 17 years before going out on his own. The strings have great tone and last at least as long as anything else I have tried. They are available in Nickel, Stainless Steel, round wound, flat wound and phosphor bronze. Their strings are "fusion matched" meaning they use the same batch of wire for the core that use for the windings. They make it very easy to get an endorsement/sponsored artist deal and shipping is free if you spend $20 or more. I live on the east coast and usually receive my order within 2-3 business days. They also sell picks, shirts chairs, straps and other accessories. I currently pay less than $10 for 4 string sets and around $12.50 for 5 string. The guitar strings sets are less than $3 for sponsored artists. I have had a deal with them for over a year now and love them. I get more compliments on my tone than I ever did before. I use them on both of my 5 string Epics, my 76 Fender Precision and my 78 Fender Jazz. I LOVE these strings. Give then a try.
bigredbass
Senior Member
Username: bigredbass

Post Number: 713
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 11:21 pm:   Edit Post

Steve

Congrats on your new Epic. You think it sounds good now, just WAIT till you get new strings on it, ya better be sittin' down when you start to wail.

We all use EVERYTHING. I would say there's lot of Thomastik guys, though.

Me? I use GHS Boomers; not the sexiest strings out there, but I can always find them, and reasonably priced. Would love to try the Alembic strings, though.

J o e y
olieoliver
Intermediate Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 166
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 7:28 am:   Edit Post

I agree about the Boomers Joey. They aren't the longest lasting strings but they are reasonably priced and everybody has them. And lets face it, if you change your strings pretty often it really isn't that big of a deal as long as they are decent, at least not to me. Before I retired I changed my strings every week. I LOVE the sound of fresh new strings. That bright growling sound is awesome. I've never tried the TI's but I am going to (not the flatwound though, never liked flats). I checked their web site and I found that they also sell John Pearse strings. I've been looking for them for years. Thats all I used to use. They (used too anyway) outlast the others by weeks on the NEW sound.
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 1823
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 8:00 am:   Edit Post

Kevin (Rockbassist):

Stupid question...How does one become a "sponsored artist" in order to get in on the Curt Mangan deal?

Cheers,

Kevin
keith_h
Advanced Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 375
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 10:09 am:   Edit Post

Steve,
As I'm sure your noticing just about ever string manufacturer is represented here. To throw my stuff into the mix, I use Alembic strings on my short scale Brown Bass, GHS Brite Flats (ground round wound) on my 5 string Orion and D'Addario Chrome Flats on my fretless Orion.

Keith
rockbassist
Member
Username: rockbassist

Post Number: 71
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 5:14 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Kevin,
Sorry it took so long for me to respond. If you go to www.curtmangan.com there is a form to fill out. It was very easy. I love the strings. I am currently using Stainless. I was using Nickel but have found the stainless to have more punch and growl.
the_8_string_king
Intermediate Member
Username: the_8_string_king

Post Number: 125
Registered: 9-2005
Posted on Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 6:20 pm:   Edit Post

Congrats on the Epic!
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 1831
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 6:54 am:   Edit Post

Thanks!
richbass939
Senior Member
Username: richbass939

Post Number: 598
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 6:57 pm:   Edit Post

Steve, congrats on the Epic. I love mine. I am a D'Addario half-round minority around here. I love the feel and the tone is just what I'm liking right now.
Rich
cosmic
Member
Username: cosmic

Post Number: 53
Registered: 5-2005
Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 9:10 pm:   Edit Post

Hey rich, add me to your minority list. I love the D'Addario half wounds.
olieoliver
Advanced Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 209
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 6:27 am:   Edit Post

I remember when the D'Addario half wounds first came out. It was all I'd use. They are still great strings, my taste in sound has just changed a little. I like a little brighter sound than the D'Addarios give me.
On a side note, just to show how confusing the English language is,"wound" can be, "I have a bullet wound in my leg" or "these strings are round wound".
Or how about, THEY'RE going to move THEIR stuff over THERE!
Things that make you go "HMMMMMM"!
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 3581
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 5:51 pm:   Edit Post

We're going to move Weir's stuff over where?
bracheen
Senior Member
Username: bracheen

Post Number: 997
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Friday, April 07, 2006 - 4:45 pm:   Edit Post

Where did Steve go?
hankster
Junior
Username: hankster

Post Number: 31
Registered: 6-2004
Posted on Saturday, April 08, 2006 - 7:55 am:   Edit Post

Olie, are you going to unwind that bullet?
cosmic
Member
Username: cosmic

Post Number: 55
Registered: 5-2005
Posted on Sunday, April 09, 2006 - 10:07 am:   Edit Post

Interesting Ollie -- I like the half-wounds for the exact reason you have chosen others. I prefer them because they are not so bright! One man's pleasure....
tbrannon
Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 57
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Sunday, April 09, 2006 - 12:11 pm:   Edit Post

Cosmic-
I'll go one step further. I've just replaced the halfwounds on my fretted bass with flatwounds. I love the sound I'm getting.
steve4765630
New
Username: steve4765630

Post Number: 3
Registered: 3-2006
Posted on Sunday, April 09, 2006 - 2:36 pm:   Edit Post

I put on some D' Addario XL rounds and am really digging the sound of them. I work at a music store, so I'll be trying some different sets in the next few months. Thanks for all of your posts and suggestions.

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration