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Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive through January 07, 2011 » Archive: 2009 » Archive through August 16, 2009 » Hello All! « Previous Next »

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andrew_o
New
Username: andrew_o

Post Number: 7
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Friday, July 24, 2009 - 6:38 pm:   Edit Post

I posted a long while back when i was looking at a fernandez copy (just wanted to know what you guys though of em, i didn't get it though =P). But i've never really introduced my self. I've been a player for about 6-7 years now, and have been playing warwicks for about 3 years now. I love em, and I'm a big fan of the zender sound...but besides the point. Now, i've been considering an alembic for my next high end bass purchase. I'm a huge stanley clarke fan, and i'm aware that a brown bass will do more than just his sound, but how about a nice thuddy sound? I'm just curious about the different sounds one alembic can get because the only clips i can find are people playing stanley tunes =/. I'll probably have more questions or comments later...but this will get me started. =D
57basstra
Senior Member
Username: 57basstra

Post Number: 1037
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Friday, July 24, 2009 - 8:22 pm:   Edit Post

Hello and happy playing!
lidon2001
Senior Member
Username: lidon2001

Post Number: 418
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Friday, July 24, 2009 - 8:22 pm:   Edit Post

Hello Andrew,

Yes, you can get a nice, thick, thuddy, muddy tone with he Alembic electronics. Neck pickup, filter closed, and then add the Q Switch if you want a bit more thud. I like to use that setting on the front pickup then add the bridge pickup for varying amounts of high end "sparkle". I had the neck pickup moved closer to the neck for even more low end on my custom short scale, but its standard placing should give you what you're looking for.

T
serialnumber12
Senior Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 497
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Saturday, July 25, 2009 - 6:03 am:   Edit Post

http://mghost.musicgroups.com/sitephp/musicians/public/music.php?Music=kbarnes
pauldo
Advanced Member
Username: pauldo

Post Number: 205
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Saturday, July 25, 2009 - 6:52 am:   Edit Post

Andrew - Ditto to what Tom said, my Distillate can go from sizzle to slumber by just rolling the 'tone' knob.

Keavin - that song has more stank than a putrid road-killed skunk....FUNKY
I mean that in a good way! :-D
I heard at least 3 bass tracks during the solo section. . . yes?
dadabass2001
Senior Member
Username: dadabass2001

Post Number: 1221
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Saturday, July 25, 2009 - 7:46 am:   Edit Post

Hi Andrew,
Check my myspace page and other club members (there's a thread on the forum here) as well for a variety of tones / environments.
Mike
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 1585
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Saturday, July 25, 2009 - 7:47 am:   Edit Post

I also can endorse what Tom says. My base setting is very close to that his. I have the neck pickup filter closed completely and the Q-switch off. I have the bridge pickup fully open with the q-switch on then, I pan the pickup balance to the neck then back off a little which then gives a crisp edge to the meaty tone.
That is the setting I tend to use most of the time when using that bass. I can then usually adjust my tone subtly using fingers at different places between bridge and neck.

Jazzyvee
serialnumber12
Senior Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 498
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Saturday, July 25, 2009 - 9:05 am:   Edit Post

that song was a top 20 hit on the contemporary charts in the late 80's (recorded with old#12)glad you dig it,actually it's only two bass tracks,but then again i was fugged up during that session so it could have been five bass trax.
andrew_o
New
Username: andrew_o

Post Number: 8
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Saturday, July 25, 2009 - 3:57 pm:   Edit Post

So do all of you guys have stanley clarke basses and/or ones similar? I also wanted to know how much of a difference the scale length makes in the sound. thanks
bsee
Senior Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 2394
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Saturday, July 25, 2009 - 4:35 pm:   Edit Post

The short answer is: Everything matters.

The long answer? You don't want any part of it. Suffice it to say that every design decision matters at some level. Most of it washes out, or has a very minor impact. You can get a short scale that sounds short, or one that doesn't, based upon other choices you make. Strings, a decision that comes after the fact, make a huge difference in tone.

It all starts with the Alembic guts, though.
andrew_o
New
Username: andrew_o

Post Number: 9
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Saturday, August 01, 2009 - 11:25 am:   Edit Post

I'm leaning more and more towards a used distilate the more i think about it. they sound good, look the way i want...but it'll still be awhile before i get one! =(
peoplechipper
Intermediate Member
Username: peoplechipper

Post Number: 138
Registered: 2-2009
Posted on Monday, August 03, 2009 - 11:40 pm:   Edit Post

Distillates are awesome!! love mine and love the 32" scale...I string mine with stainless strings for maximum overtones, so thuddy doesn't really work out for me; other strings just might...I have one of the Fernandes copies(made me want to get the real thing) and it's a very worthy instrument; if you can't afford Alembic now, get one they are really good, and make nice backups when you do get the genuine article...Tony.

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