| Author | Message | ||
| rockbassist
Member Username: rockbassist Post Number: 78 Registered: 8-2005 |
I just returned from playing "Bike Week" in Laconia, NH. We did 9 shows in 10 days. Even though I have had my Epic for about 1 year, this was the first opportunity I had to play it live as I have been working on various recording projects. I have never received so many compliments on my playing, tone and overall sound. The Epic is so clear that I had to concentrate exra hard on my playing because if I didn't mistakes would be noticeable. I am running a 97 Epic 5 string through a Gallien Krueger 1001RB-II with GK 410RBH and 115RBH cabs. I had compliments from bass players, guitarists, drummers and even the general public. I have also been asked to do "Bike Week" in Sturgis, SD with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blue Oyster Cult, Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent, Alice in Chains, Kid Rock, David Lee Roth and others. My keyboard player is a graduate of Berklee College of music and he was stunned at how good my tone was. Thank you Alembic for making me sound better than I actually am. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 3996 Registered: 5-2002 |
Cool! 9 shows in 10 days sounds like fun! | ||
| dean_m
Senior Member Username: dean_m Post Number: 414 Registered: 7-2002 |
RB, Where were you playing? I was up there all week. Lotsa great bands and a heck of a lot of fun!!!! This is the first time in 9 years I didn't have a gig up there. Peace, Dino | ||
| 88persuader
Intermediate Member Username: 88persuader Post Number: 196 Registered: 5-2004 |
I live in NH ... what's your band's name? Did you see the kid band Mindwalk play? The guitarist I work with's son is the drummer ... 11 years old and they play covers from Rush and UK and progressive rock originals. Awesomely talented kids. I believe they opened up for Pink Void, the Pink Floyd tribute band. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 741 Registered: 10-2003 |
Sounds cool. It's always nice to play an instrument that lets them actually hear what you're doing! John | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1924 Registered: 9-2003 |
Kevin, Good deal! Hope to see you in Sturgis. Do you ride? Cheers, Kevin | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 484 Registered: 2-2006 |
I'll be in Sturgis the first weekend. Let me know if ya'll are playing. | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 856 Registered: 9-2002 |
I always find it interesting that you could show up with just about any bass or amp and the band never looks up. But every time I play with someone new who's never heard an ALEMBIC, they ALWAYS notice the difference in tone, then the axe. And that also happened to me as well: I had to tighten up some on technique as I could now hear a LOT more than before. I sometimes practice with the Q in and the filter wide open: THAT surely tells me how much homework I need to be working on! When I get a motor, I'm sure gonna have to figure where I can go for a rally, etc., as I just look stupid in black leather vests and Frye boots. And I'm not old enough for Aspencade! J o e y | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 485 Registered: 2-2006 |
Joey, the rallies are cool but the rides are the best part. And my prefered "ensemble" for riding, blue jeans and a t-shirt but got to have me boots. Everybody looks good in denim! And the "dew" rag is a "don't". The only negative thing I can find about riding my Harley is the saddle bag is not big enough for my BASS. | ||
| dean_m
Senior Member Username: dean_m Post Number: 415 Registered: 7-2002 |
Olie, That's why you need to get yourself a sidecar. Joey, there are two types of bikers.... Ones that own dressers and ones that will eventually. I had a choice between a Series and this. I couldn't resist......  | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 490 Registered: 2-2006 |
Nice bike dean. Allow me to show mine off a little. The Raod King is mine and the Springer is my wife's.   | ||
| dean_m
Senior Member Username: dean_m Post Number: 416 Registered: 7-2002 |
Damn man..... Very cool. We need to start a Harley/Alembic thread now. Two great American legends. You've done quite a bit of work to both bikes I can see. I just got mine last year so I'm still tryign to decide which way I'm gonna go. I might just leave it stock and "ride it like I stole it" Thanks for the pics Olie!!!!! Peace, Dino | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 491 Registered: 2-2006 |
Dino, leaving it stock is cool, BUT!, I will say one thing.........pipes man , pipes. I ride my Harley like I play my Alembic, LOUD & PROUD! (more loud than proud though. pride can be a dangerous thing) | ||
| dean_m
Senior Member Username: dean_m Post Number: 417 Registered: 7-2002 |
Ya know I have to say though. All of my previous bikes have had aftermarket (LOUD) pipes up until this one. I really dig the quiteness of stock pipes when my wife and I are riding. Especially on these beautiful New Hampshire back roads in the early morning. This is why I need two bike now. One loud and proud and my quiet dresser. Ride Safe!!!! | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 747 Registered: 10-2003 |
I hate to do this to Joey, but here goes: http://adventuresidecar.com/dauntlessdualsport.htm John | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 493 Registered: 2-2006 |
Next thing you know someone will put a Rolls grill ona VW.  | ||
| groovelines
Advanced Member Username: groovelines Post Number: 314 Registered: 4-2003 |
I'm not a rider, I'm typically cursing the crotch rocket jockies that zip on by at 80 in a 35 zone. I know, my bother is one of those hooligans. Glad to see that your tastes are more "refined", lol. I will say that two years at the Superbikes championship (PPIR - now a parking lot) watching this man destroy the competition did elevate my pulse and caused me to briefly entertain two-wheeled moments of fancy. Eric Bostrom, the King of Pike's Peek. Still, there's no room for my bass.  | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 859 Registered: 9-2002 |
The Mighty E-Boz ! ! And of course the Hayden Brothers are from Eastern Kentucky not far from Nashville. I love to watch the motorcycle races. I'm afraid the arms race amongs the GSXRs, Rs, Ninjas, etc., have resulted in motorcycles that are just TOO fast for casual riders. I watch the classifieds in the paper and once or twice a year I always see an ad along these lines: "2006 (fill in your rocketbike here), less than a thousand miles, helmet, armor jacket and gloves, like new $(WAY less than the 6-months ago purchase price)". I imagine after using Jesus for his braking marker for the last time, he decided to walk away while he still could . . . and then some people just don't think ALL the time: Would you ride a supercharged (!) Hayabusa with no helmet or license? A sidecar KLR . . . that's just wrong. Those are beauts, Olie and Dino. But they're just not me. Though those ads for that silver VTX1800 really stops me in my tracks. One of these days after I get the KLR out of my system, a GoldWing or an FJR1300. I can't imagine the 2 lanes through New Hampshire on a 'Glide, must be wonderful, and I like them quiet, too. And we're not alone, Dino: Valentino Rossi runs Termignonis on his MotoGP M1 Yamaha, says the roar disturbs his concentration. J o e y | ||
| rockbassist
Member Username: rockbassist Post Number: 79 Registered: 8-2005 |
Sorry for the delay in responding. I didn't expect this type of response. The band was The Dan Lawson Band. We did originals and covers. Mostly blues mixed in with classic rock. We played at The Broken Spoke which is on the corner of route 3 and Watson Road just up from Weirs Beach. Some dates were outside on the main stage and others were inside. I was filling in with my old band. Dan Lawson is the guitar player and is very difficult to deal with. He reminded me of why I left the band in the first place. He was so loud that the sound man actually took him out of the mix and he was still louder than everyone else. He also brought in a drummer whom I had never met and constantly criticized the guy on stage. This drummer was very good but didn't have enough time to learn everything. The keyboard player is a good friend of mine and a graduate of Berklee. He thought that drummer and I locked up well despite not having met before the first gig. Dan was so sloppy that at times the keyboard looked at me and asked if we were in the right key. It's kind of weird but Dan received some negative feedback and tried to blame the rest of us. He told people that the drummer, keyboard player and I were not ready and also told several people that he and his manager thought that we sucked. I spoke with his manager and he told me that the Dan never sounded so good and the only comment he had was that the originals sounded better tahn the covers. I received a lot of compliments on my tone and my playing. Several people commented on how much they loved the sound of my Alembic. Overall I had a good time but I'm not sure I want to work this guitarist again. I have been asked to play Sturgis but haven't decided if I want to deal with him again. As far as the question about whether or not I ride. I have a motorcycle license but haven't ridden in 15 years. I want to get a bike next summer. Thanks, Kevin P.S. Nice bike Olie | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 748 Registered: 10-2003 |
Yes, a sidecar KLR isn't exactly something I think I would enjoy either. KLR by itself is a scream though, especially in the boonies where roads go through streams occasionally. Taking mine to Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and possibly Labrador in 3 weeks and can't wait to leave! The local Harley dealer has an old military Harley sidecar setup that looks like it would be fun to pilot, although the noise of those things really turns me off (it's official: I am an old fart). For what it's worth, I don't like loud Japanese, English or Italian bikes either (or loud Chevys, etcetera), but then I also live in the serene countryside and enjoy sleeping in when I can (and when the 4-wheelers aren't tearing up my woods). Loud rumbly Alembics suit me just fine though, so feel free to indulge me whenever the muse hits. Kevin, when you get the bike, take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Basic Rider Course. Even if you already ride, there are things you will learn in the course that WILL save your life one day. It's a fun way to spend a weekend, but you need to sign up early or they tend to fill up. Obviously you'll need to keep us all posted when you take the plunge.. I play in a situation with one band that, while different from yours in many ways, is still similar in that it's just rewarding enough to keep me from jumping ship. For now. Tough call, but playing Sturgis might just be enough fun to make up for it. If he truly wasn't happy, he wouldn't want you to play. If he didn't think you made his band sound good, he wouldn't want you to play. Could be worse - he could want to move in with you after dating for 3 months, but I digress... ;) Take care and have fun! John | ||
| dean_m
Senior Member Username: dean_m Post Number: 418 Registered: 7-2002 |
These guys have nerves of steel to be going around a corner at 100 miles and hour and draggin their knees. They will always have my respect boy. I love going fast but in a straight line and in 1/4 mile increments! Joey it's probably very similar to some of the beautiful back roads down in TN. Nothing like a nice peaceful Sunday morning ride to clear your head!!!! RB, I must have driven by the Broken Spoke a million times. Saw the crowd and said "ta hell with dat". Sorry to hear about Dan being such a bear to work with. That sucks because that gig should be a ton of fun!!!! I've stepped away from some pretty lucrative gigs for the same reason(s). It's not worth the agravation that you put yourself through. | ||
| 88persuader
Intermediate Member Username: 88persuader Post Number: 199 Registered: 5-2004 |
Funny how this became a motorcycle forum all of a sudden! ;-) Actually i ride too ... love it! In regard to the "Dan" band. How the hell did he get such a good gig if the band sucks so much???? I've been playing forever in the Northern MA. southern NH area in what are arguably top notch rock cover bands. Hot vocals, tight musicians and great stage presence. AND we have a decent following! (onefinemess.com) The only offer we got to play the rally was for a Wednesday! Soooo being weekend warriors we passed. Being in the business forever I realize getting good gigs is 1% talent and 99% business connections and politics but give me a break. Playing the whole week with a "fill in" band and the leader sucks?? Don't get me wrong, i believe you ... but as a gigging New England musician it burns my butt when sub standard bands get the good gigs! I'm glad you at least got the chance to play at a decent venue with your Alembic. I use a Stanley Clark Standard, A Modulus Quantun 5 string fretless and run through an Ampeg SVTPRO5 head and Ampeg 4X10 bottom and I'm always getting completments from other bass players about my sound. (and technique ... which is much appreciated) I think I'm personally responsible for at least 5 bass players i know of in the NE area buying their 1st Alembics! There's NO advertisment more powerful then a demonstration! :-) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 4008 Registered: 5-2002 |
Well, in the history of our little forum here, I don't think I've chimed in on a motorcycle thread before; but I thought perhaps I might post in response to a couple comments above. I don't ride bikes. I rode my roommate's bike around town some back in the 70's, but that's it. I also read "Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance" (a wonderful book) back in the 70's and have a great appreciation for the experiential difference in riding through the countryside on a bike as opposed to riding in a car. My dad rode a bike (Goldwing) and he and mom rode in every state in the US including two trips from North Carolina to Alaska (they didn't ride their bike to Hawaii, they rented a bike there). Here's my comment. I can appreciate one's desire to have a bike that sounds pleasing to their ear. But is there not a point at which the loudness of one's bike infringes on one's respect for one's fellow humans? Here are two examples: 1 - I live in a very quiet neighborhood on a dead end street in what's called a cove, a street running along a creek with high ridges running up both sides and the end. Most of the time the only sounds I and my neighbors hear are the sounds of the natural world we live in; the wind in the trees, the creek, the birds. Every once in a while somebody will ride a really loud bike up our street and the sound is trapped in and bounces around the cove. There doesn't appear to be any point in this unless it's the rider's desire to disturb everyone else. 2 - I live close to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Parkway is a scenic road that runs through the Western North Carolina mountains. There are lots of hiking trails that have trailheads on the Parkway, and I and many others go hiking on those trails a lot. Hiking on these mountain trails is a spiritual experience, until the sound of a very loud bike, or even several very loud bikes, roaring down the parkway reverberates through the hills. For those of you who cherish the experience of prayer in your church on Sunday morning, consider the effect if while you are deep in prayer, a biker suddenly roars through the sanctuary. So, while I do understand the joy of riding a bike, and while I do understand the appreciation of the sound of a bike, does it have to be so loud? I suppose it's similar to the desire to play music loudly; but the difference is that we play music in a venue where the other people there want to hear loud music, we don't play where it would disturb others (well that's not entirely accurate, but at least we hope that the promoter has a permit). At what point does one's personal desire to ride around on a loud bike infringe on one's care and consideration for the people they share the planet with? This of course doesn't apply to all or even most bikes; and of course it additionally does apply to some cars that have been modified to be louder. I've never posted this before because I do not want to post anything that can be taken as being critical of my fellow forum members. And I can certainly see the selfishness of my own position, my own desire for the quiet enjoyment of nature. Perhaps there is some middle ground, some point at which we can respect the rights of others and enjoy our own preferences for quietness or loudness. I apologize if I've offended anyone with these remarks. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1440 Registered: 7-2004 |
Here here Dave! While I can understand someone with a bike taking steps to tweak the exhaust note, I could never comprehend why a resonable person would want to go out of their way and spend money to make a bike or car just plain louder. Yet many do it. Can you say "overcompensation"? (The louder the engine is, the bigger something else is?) Personally, I prefer stealthy fast. Bill, tgo (Message edited by lbpesq on July 02, 2006) | ||
| tom_z
Senior Member Username: tom_z Post Number: 420 Registered: 7-2004 |
Let me start by saying that I don't own a motorcycle, so this response is based on the experience of friends and my own automobile-driving experience. I believe that part of a rider's desire to have a loud bike is so that other motor vehicles on the road will hear you if they don't see you. I can verify that I have been made aware of bikes around me on freeways by sound as much as by sight. I feel the same way Dave does when the pleasant peaceful sound of my environment is disturbed. I suppose it's the old "machine vs. nature" struggle. Having said that, I’m sure there is also a healthy dose of ego that goes along with the loudness – but no more than you find in a musician with a great rig. Peace Tom | ||
| dean_m
Senior Member Username: dean_m Post Number: 419 Registered: 7-2002 |
Hey Dave, Very good points indeed. I for many years had loud pipes on my bikes. One of the main reasons in my case was that I had major motor work done to them. The less restricitve an exhaust system is the more power you can tweak out of the engine. Actually it will increase your horsepower but decrease your torque. Unfortunately all the horsepower "lives" in the higher RPMs of the engine. Higher RPMs equates to LOUD. The other train of thought is that loud pipes are easier to hear by motorists. Cars today get quieter and quieter so it's hard to hear or see motorcycles on the road. Now that I'm older and really enjoy my peace and quiet, I can't say I endorse nor condone loud pipes but I do have to squirm everytime I hear a bike go screaming down the road and see my kids cover their ears. I live in a pretty quiet neighborhood and have to respect my neighbor's peace and quiet when I pull out for those early morning rides too. I still might build myself one of those high performance loud bikes someday but only for those afternoon jaunts. | ||
| 90k6259
Junior Username: 90k6259 Post Number: 45 Registered: 5-2005 |
Here is my take on the rally's I played Laconia and Sturgis for the spoke as well as rotation at the #10 in Deadwood in the late 90's. I had two offers for the spoke gigs that year. I didn'd care for the offer from the first band and chose the second offer. I had a very good time. I loved my temporary musical family. Great folks from New Orleans. As faith would have it, we opened for the the band that gave me the first offer. Lets just say I made the right choice. | ||
| 90k6259
Junior Username: 90k6259 Post Number: 46 Registered: 5-2005 |
Oh YA! Buy the way my Essence did command attention! (Message edited by 90k6259 on July 02, 2006) | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1443 Registered: 7-2004 |
I hadn't thought about the angle of making your presence known to other vehicles. I must admit it makes some sense. Of course the reason I don't ride a bike (having owned a couple in my late teens and early twenties) is that there are cars on the road with them. As Sancho Panza says in Man of La Mancha: "Whether the pitcher hits the stone, or the stone hits the pitcher, it's going to be bad for the pitcher" Bill, tgo | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 756 Registered: 10-2003 |
Loud bikes do demand more attention, and I think if I were doing lots of time on the superslab I would want the most noticeable bike as I could muster. Generally, though, ALL bikes are invisible to most people in cars regardless of the noise, and believing otherwise is dangerous. I can hear my KLR when I accelerate but can't hear it over wind noise at highway speeds, which suits me fine. In the slow stuff, where it helps greatly to hear the engine, I can hear it fine unless there's a big cruiser (of any brand) with loud pipes nearby. I would be terrified to ride every day in the kinds of traffic some of you folks on the coasts deal with, pipes or no pipes! John | ||
| 90k6259
Junior Username: 90k6259 Post Number: 47 Registered: 5-2005 |
wow Throw in a few pictures and I guess that gives you a license to highjack a tread. Way to go | ||
| 88persuader
Intermediate Member Username: 88persuader Post Number: 200 Registered: 5-2004 |
BTW being a motorcyclist myself i did some extensive research and the old saying "loud pipes save lives" is NOT TRUE. The reason it's not true is most motorcycle accidents involving a bike and car happens when a car pulls into the bikes lane T BONEing the bike. Loud pipes don't help in this situation because the pipe sound is coming from BEHIND the bike and a car in front of the bike doesn't really hear the bike until the bike is on the side or in front of the car. Especially if the car has it's windows up and is playing music or has their AC on. Loud OPEN pipes do help with the motor breathing more and gives the bike more power but i think the REAL LOUD bikes are that way because the biker wants the attention. Why do you think they reve up the motors at stop lights? It isn't because the bike is going to stall, it's so people look at them. Im my opinion (and other bikers are going to slam me for this) REAL loud pipes (Not open for breathing but loud enough to hurt) = a biker dying for attention, "look at me, i'm cool!" nothing more. I said this on a motorcycle forum I'm a member of ... several members agreed and about 10% took offence. Probably the 10% with painfully loud pipes! :-) | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 534 Registered: 2-2006 |
I actually started to post a response on the subject of "loud pipes" here but it seems that every time I give my opinion on a subject such as this I get slammed. So how about we change gears to something a little less controversial, like maybe politics, religion or abortion. Or OH OH how about the price of Pizza. Has anyone else noticed how they keep nudging the price up. It's an abomination I tell you. It's a shame a man can't even afford to have pizza delivered and still have enough money for a cold root beer. Will it never end?! | ||
| bob
Senior Member Username: bob Post Number: 673 Registered: 11-2002 |
My local pizza place offers "free delivery", says so right there on the box... but they give you a discount if you pick it up yourself, which I find rather amusing. And of course, then you don't have to tip. But it's still pretty darn expensive. Wait, what were we talking about? | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1454 Registered: 7-2004 |
The last time we had a pizza delivered the guy came on a motorcycle and, boy, was it LOUD!!!! (Nice try Olie) LOL Bill, tgo | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 536 Registered: 2-2006 |
I guess now I'll get credit for re-hijacking this thread armed with a "pecker-olie pizza". Guess I'll take my lashes for that, "....like I've been tied...to the whippin' post...". | ||
| alembic76407
Senior Member Username: alembic76407 Post Number: 461 Registered: 5-2002 |
re-re-re hijack If loud pips saves lives, why do trains kill so many people? and I ordered 2 med pizza last week and they came to $27.00 !!! I canceled my order and told them that they had crossed over in to the Red Lobster zone, so the wife and I went to have shrimp David T | ||
| dean_m
Senior Member Username: dean_m Post Number: 420 Registered: 7-2002 |
HA!!!! This is hilarious!!!!! Okay here you go guys...... More hijacking.  | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 539 Registered: 2-2006 |
If people wouldn't try to "engineer" their cars around the barriers at train crossings, and instead "conduct" themselves in a law abiding manner, they wouldn’t get smacked in the “caboose”! I guess now I’ve gone from HI-jacking this thread to “railroading” it. | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 617 Registered: 6-2002 |
"If loud pips save lives..." So THAT'S why I can't hear Gladys anymore, (she musta left on that midnight train... hoot,hoot) Mike | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 540 Registered: 2-2006 |
We've gone from gigging in Laconia, to Riding MC's, to loud pipes, to over priced pizza, to dangerous train crossings, to to Glays Night and the Pips. WOnder how far we can take it? | ||
| tom_z
Senior Member Username: tom_z Post Number: 423 Registered: 7-2004 |
I can't believe someone hasn't mentioned beer yet! It should fit right in with the pizza theme. | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 541 Registered: 2-2006 |
I did mention root-beer. | ||
| alembic76407
Senior Member Username: alembic76407 Post Number: 462 Registered: 5-2002 |
i didn't mention I was drinking a beer on the way to get the Shrimp in my Porsche with loud pipes (I don't have a motorcycle) David T | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 542 Registered: 2-2006 |
OOPS dbl post (Message edited by olieoliver on July 07, 2006) | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 543 Registered: 2-2006 |
OH NO! Drinking abd driving, another controversial subject. | ||
| 90k6259
Junior Username: 90k6259 Post Number: 48 Registered: 5-2005 |
HA HA HA HA HA HAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH. This is to much keep it going. I know if not the loudest pipes in history we can reach the longest tread. | ||
| alembic76407
Senior Member Username: alembic76407 Post Number: 463 Registered: 5-2002 |
and driving over the posted speed limit too | ||
| alembic76407
Senior Member Username: alembic76407 Post Number: 464 Registered: 5-2002 |
you want to talk about loud pipes, the cruise ship I was on (The Carnival Destiny) when it blew it's horn the first I almost jumped overboard, scared me to death. we even had a ship wreck leaving Miami, we hit a fourty foot cabin cruiser and sank them David T | ||
| dean_m
Senior Member Username: dean_m Post Number: 421 Registered: 7-2002 |
Roots???? I was just outside pulling roots out of my garden...... I think I'll sit and have another beer now that I'm done before I have to drive to my gig tonight. That should give you plenty to work on.....I think. |
