| Author | Message | ||
| catfish_john
Junior Username: catfish_john Post Number: 11 Registered: 9-2007 |
I am a guitar player, in fact Alembic is making a Further for me as we speak, but am interested in buying a bass as well. Let it be known that I don't currently nor I have I ever played a bass guitar before. My guitar playing style tends to be more improvisational in nature if that matters. I could use advice on the following: 6 string vs 4 other than cost?, do all Alembic basses have similar sound capabilities?...do they feel/play the same?, I have an f2b preamp and a Mcintosh amp which should work, can I use my Hard Truckers 2x12 with JBL E120s or do I have to get something different?..what other factors should I consider? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Tom | ||
| jseitang
Advanced Member Username: jseitang Post Number: 228 Registered: 6-2002 |
get a series II. dont forget to get a superfilter. | ||
| grateful
Advanced Member Username: grateful Post Number: 265 Registered: 12-2004 |
As a fellow guitarist, have you considered an octave divider, such as the Boss OC-3? I have occasionally played a 4 string bass, but as I always "think" from the top string down, when I forgot those top two strings weren't there, I went spectacularly wrong! Mark | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1863 Registered: 3-2004 |
Hi Tom- Forget about the "get a series II" comment for now. No one knows enough about you yet to suggest any particular level of bass. Let's start with a few more questions: What do you want a bass for? Thinking of converting, just something to noodle or write songs with, or doing solo recording? If it's something else, tell us. What sort of bass lines do you expect to play? Motown-style traditional bass, or do you foresee transposing guitar licks to the bass? If the latter, you'll probably be looking for a six string, a five string tuned with a high C, or a baritone guitar instead of a bass. Many guitarists are very comfortable with the 24.75" to 25.5" scale lengths. 34" or more feels pretty large, so you might consider a short or medium scale instrument, or even something shorter like a baritone. If you're a big guy, it might not matter, but if you're planning on bringing over some guitar lines, the shorter scale will help. A six string bass will allow you to play well into the guitar's range. You can solo up there and it will be a bit more meaty, but similar in tone. You will also be in a good position to play cleaner 3 note chords on the upper strings to fill in behind the solos of others if it's important to your group's dynamics. On the other hand, your technique will have to be solid to avoid sloppy sounds. It's a little harder to mute the extra strings on a bass as they are spread a bit wider. Personally, I have problems playing slap lines on basses with extra strings. It's not impossible, but it takes me more effort and concentration. I'd also say that it takes some effort to set up a bass and rig to get great reproduction of notes on a low B string. A six string tuned an octave down from a guitar, or a five string with a high C instead will be more consistent in tone. As far as sound capabilities and play feel, there is much variation. Yes, Series basses can pretty much do anything. The basses of the middle levels with Signature, Anniversary, and Europa electronics are all excellent and superior to anything made by a company not named Alembic. The lower levels and older instruments still sound good, but the drop off, IMO, is larger than going from Series to middle. As far as play feel, there are a couple of standard neck shapes. The higher end instruments are mostly built on the "standard" neck taper which is relatively straight and maybe a bit wider at the nut. The other shape is the "comfort" taper which is narrower at the nut and wider at the bridge. You'll have to figure out which feels better to you. Also, the newer basses built over the last 10-15 years are very solid, I think more solid feeling than some of the older instruments. With regard to amplification gear, you can play anything through anything. Don't expect to be able to get as loud with your guitar gear as you can with a guitar plugged in. Bass frequencies suck a lot more power to generate clean volume. It will take a more bass-tuned cab and some real clean power to amplify a low B string adequately. If you're not gigging with it, your gear should be fine. If you are planning to gig, you'll have to see if the gear you have can handle the frequencies you're trying to generate. I have a Peavey Classic 30 in the living room for noodling around and it's just fine at living room volume. Now to get back to the "Buy a Series" comment. If you're on the used market, there are quite a few Series instruments that show up as great values. Buying new, You'll see a big price jump to the Series basses that probably won't be justified unless you're looking for perfection and willing to pay for it. Admittedly, it will cost you as much as your Further to get a great Signature instrument, so nothing new is exactly inexpensive. One other issue on the used market is that there aren't that many higher end five or six string instruments out there. You may end up having to take what you can get if you're not willing to invest six months or more in watching for the right instrument to come along. | ||
| catfish_john
Junior Username: catfish_john Post Number: 12 Registered: 9-2007 |
Mark...I use an old Mutron Octave Divider as part of my rig, you can do some really far out stuff with it. bsee..wow! thanks for taking the time to write all of that..a lot to think about..I was originally thinking along the lines of buying a high quality instrument, plugging her in and seeing where she takes me..sounds alot more complicated Tom | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1865 Registered: 3-2004 |
Really, it's just as complicated as you let it be. If you look at the history of every musician on the planet, though, few have got it right with their first purchase. Think about how many guitars you have owned over the years and how much you lost every time you sold one. Most of us would have been able to order any Alembic we want if we had all that money back. The point is, though, that it's worth doing some checking as to what fits you and your intentions before you spend several thousand on an instrument. If you're on the used market, you can get most or all of your money back and it doesn't hurt so bad. It is the rare case when someone buys a new Alembic and then resells it without eating a grand or more, so make sure you have it right if you go that route. | ||
| jbybj
Intermediate Member Username: jbybj Post Number: 137 Registered: 6-2006 |
Hello Tom, I am not a guitar player, only bass, and I have pretty large hands, still, I find most 5 string, and every 6 string bass I've ever held to be uncomfortably wide. If you are planning on getting a used Alembic, you are most certainly going to be limited to an online purchase. I would recommend taking some time at a few big stores, handle as many different basses as you can, and do your best to zero in on the size, shape, and scale that you are comfortable with. Gather as much hands on information as you can to aid your online purchase, and who knows, maybe you'll encounter your used Alembic hiding in a corner of some store! Once you find the right bass you're a goner. Bass is sooo much better than guitar, moves more air. My gut tells me that adding a single 15" cab to your preamp/amp setup will be pretty cool. Have fun! JBY | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 1079 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi Catfish John, I play guitar in the main but also some bass. My first alembic was the SCDeluxe short scale bass which feels really good. However I also have 34" scale basses and don't find I have any issues or problems moving between any of them at all. Maybe if you can find a local dealer with a selection you could try some and get a feel. Jazzyvee |
