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Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive: 2007 » Archive through July 18, 2007 » So close, yet so far..... « Previous Next »

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glocke
Advanced Member
Username: glocke

Post Number: 215
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 - 5:31 am:   Edit Post

The Stanley Clarke Sig. Deluxe I recently purchased is a mere 20 minutes or so away, at the local UPS facility.
Its not due for delivery until tomorrow though, and they wont let me come pick it up..... :-(
eligilam
Junior
Username: eligilam

Post Number: 46
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 - 6:10 am:   Edit Post

So you went for the Sig Deluxe, eh? Nice move. Send some sound files when you get it plugged in and plunked on.

Will
www.theglaive.com
glocke
Advanced Member
Username: glocke

Post Number: 216
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 - 6:26 am:   Edit Post

yeah, alot of factors went into this decision. But mainly I was really curious to check out a short scale alembic. Im also a big fan of coco-bolo, so this kills two birds with one stone....

Also, I have plans on having a custom Series II in coco-bolo built some day, but havent decided on what scale I want yet, so Im trying to get some playing time in on one of each. I have a feeling that the custom I eventally order will be a 32" though. As much as I love my series I bass, some days the 34 inch scale just seem like a bit too much....

As for posting sound samples, unfortunately I dont have a way too record now...I am presently looking into a way of using my laptop to record (open to suggestions, hint-hint)

Oh yeah, just checked UPS, its out for delivery a day early...whooo-hoo!
markrc1964
Junior
Username: markrc1964

Post Number: 13
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Sunday, July 01, 2007 - 5:47 am:   Edit Post

Hello glocke...It's like waiting for Christmass...excuse me if your not Christian...love every moment and when you get it, lets have a look...regards Mark
mele_aloha
Intermediate Member
Username: mele_aloha

Post Number: 177
Registered: 1-2007
Posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 - 9:28 am:   Edit Post

Hey Glocke,

When you come up for air with your sig, let us know how it's playin. I am really curious to see how you like your short scale as I had a Les Paul Recording short scale thirty years ago and I loved it. There is something about short scale that holds it's own and then some. I am seriously thinking about one myself.

Paul
glocke
Advanced Member
Username: glocke

Post Number: 218
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 - 10:56 am:   Edit Post

Hey,

I'll try to get some pics later this week.

"When you come up for air with your sig, let us know how it's playin".

This bass is not only beautiful to look at, but is amazing to play also. I thought it would take some getting used to since Ive been playing a Series I for so long (thought Id be thrown off by the whole difference in scale thing), but that really hasnt been the case. Playing wise, I really dont know what to say other than that the thing is just simply a dream to play.
The short scale makes things alot easier for me to get around versus the longer scale of my series 1. I find I am doing alot more slapping on this than Ive ever done before. Ive never really been that much of slapper, but there is something about this bass that begs to be played that way.
Plus, since its alot more compact than a longer scale bass, its alot easier to kick back on the sofa with and slap away unplugged.

Sound wise, at first it wasnt really what I expected. By that I mean it is not as clean and Hi-Fi sounding as my series I, but thats to be expected given the differences in electronics I guess. I have found that I am able to get a nice variety of tones that I really like...everything from a nice fat thumpy motown type sound, to some more modern funk type sounds. That being said, there does seem to be some bottom end missing from this bass that is present in my series I.
Also, I think there is alot I am missing out on in terms of tone with this bass. I use 15" speakers, and I have always gotten everything I need out of them, and like the sound I got with my series I combined with 1 15 or 2 15's, but with this bass I think there is probably a better speaker combination I could use. Dont know what that is yet though.

Bottom line is I love it...Id really be interested in hearing what a short scale bass with series electronics sounds like.

If you got the means for a short scale go for it Paul..Bass wise, it is probably the smartest move Ive ever made (other than buying my first alembic that is).
mele_aloha
Intermediate Member
Username: mele_aloha

Post Number: 181
Registered: 1-2007
Posted on Wednesday, July 04, 2007 - 4:47 pm:   Edit Post



(Message edited by mele_aloha on July 04, 2007)
mele_aloha
Intermediate Member
Username: mele_aloha

Post Number: 182
Registered: 1-2007
Posted on Wednesday, July 04, 2007 - 5:14 pm:   Edit Post

Well shoot, now I'm thinking I should have stuck with my original thoughts of shorter scale but I kinda let Val talk me out of it. I am a smaller guy and my old short scale Les Paul really allowed me to be a better bass player than I could be when I would pick up say- a fender jazz with long scale.

I remember when I picked up the jazz bass it was way clearer crisper tones especially high ends than the short scale but the jazz also had a maple finger board as compared to a rosewood on the Les Paul. But that low end thump that the Les Paul produced is what got everybody pumped and dancing and all the musicians I was playing with get those smiles on their face. It was a different low bottom, just a really tight fat bottom. I loved it! It was really well suited for skunk funk, shuffles, rythm and blues, swing, etc. Wow, you can slap it!! Excellent!

There was something that musicians used to love about my bass playing compared to others that they played with and I honestly think it was that fat thumpy motown sound you are talking about which was derived (I believe) from the short scale. I even had custom electronics to replace the Les Paul electronics but it still lead back to the short scale in my opinion.

So I really don't think it's all your electronics. Which really keeps me from regreting ordering the long scale. It just leaves room for me to plan my next order (after the fretless which has to be long scale)haha and get the simpler electronics like you did.

It sounds like you got one execellent bass there that is just a different style! Now you have really increased your versatility.

I really believe that I should have the Series II elecs with the long scale. The style that the short scale puts out doesn't demand the really clean elecs that the Series offers again in my opinion anyway.

But who am I to say at all. I haven't even played it yet. Realistically I think any combination of any Alembic is the best no matter what.

Congrats again glocke!, P

By the way, which bass is yours? Is it a new one somewhere in the sight here or one you bought off ebay or something?

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