| Author | Message | ||
| tmimichael
Junior Username: tmimichael Post Number: 35 Registered: 3-2010 |
A lot of us have posted when someone recognizes that we have an Alembic, and it's so nice when it happens. My Series II came in last month, and a guy stopped me yesterday morning between church services and asked "is that an Alembic?" (he even pronounced it correctly). I said yes, and asked if he played bass, to which he answered yes. I offered to take him up on the stage for a closer look, and so he followed me up, and just stared and said "wow" and "beautiful" while he was looking it over. When he saw the LED's he smiled and said "oh WOW". I tried to explain the 5 pin cable and DS-5R to him, as he assumed it was a stereo instrument, but the service was about to start and I had to get ready to play. It's so great when someone, especially another bassist, recognizes our instrument, and we get the opportunity to share our Alembic addiction! | ||
| tncaveman
Member Username: tncaveman Post Number: 53 Registered: 2-2011 |
Cool story - I have had two guys at church recognize (and know some about) the name. One guy was expecting a Stanly Clark style and was really thrilled to see a "more modern" model, which is a 4-string Rogue. Steve | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2723 Registered: 6-2002 |
Yeah recognition happens fairly frequently and the conversation usually starts with compliments on the quality of the sound. When its brand is revealed the next statement usually is about how expensive they are. Although I never reveal how much mine cost I don't pretend they are cheap either. Having something that is unashamedly different feels great doesn't it. Jazzyvee (Message edited by Jazzyvee on January 23, 2012) | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1760 Registered: 11-2004 |
In the UK at Christmas time there is a greater awareness by the police for drink-drivers, a few years ago I was coming home from a gig at this time, it was very late so I was pulled over and breathalysed(passed of course, in fact I was stopped 26 times in six weeks that year!) Anyway, the other officer asked me what I played and what instrument I had, when I said an Alembic he requested I take it out he car so he could have a look, his words were 'I have never seen one in the flesh!' He was a bassplayer himself, I said he could pick it up, he was over awed stating it's build quality etc(and it's heavy weight) He thanked me and the other officer didn't get it at all!! Yep it's a feelgood factor which is only felt by a few of us | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2726 Registered: 6-2002 |
I forgot to mention that once I was asked if my bass was a copy of an Ibanez Musician. Jazzyvee | ||
| rustyg61
Advanced Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 380 Registered: 2-2011 |
I love it when other musicians ask me what kind of bass I play! It's hard to hide my pride when I answer "Alembic!" | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 3084 Registered: 10-2002 |
After our last gig at Whistlebinkies another bass player came over to find out what I was playing. He commented that I had the best tone he'd ever heard there, even through the house ashdown. Back there tonight. I just hope I can remember what settings I had on the amp :-) Graeme | ||
| rustyg61
Advanced Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 391 Registered: 2-2011 |
I played last Saturday & Madigan, which is the best band in town (Houston, TX) was at our show & afterward the bass player came over & commented on how great my Alembic sounded! He said he was in the market for a custom bass, so I let him play mine & think I made a sale for the Mothership! | ||
| richbass939
Senior Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 1167 Registered: 11-2004 |
Several years ago I was sitting in with Gil Layton (Laytonco on the club) and his friend as the opening act for Kofi Baker. Kofi and his band came to our hotel warmup room to discuss something. His bassist, Armando Cepeda, commented on what a nice Alembic I had. He didn't seem to be puzzled at all about what it was. On a side note, it was a real treat hearing Armando, Cameron Morgan on guitar, and Kofi on drums play a tribute to Ginger Baker's Cream and Blind Faith stuff. They were great. Rich | ||
| count
Junior Username: count Post Number: 30 Registered: 10-2003 |
I once got asked by the soundguy during a soundcheck. "Wow, that bass sounds amazing, is it a warwick?" Snubbed.... Told him off of course.. | ||
| alemboid
Intermediate Member Username: alemboid Post Number: 140 Registered: 5-2003 |
A few years ago, I was doing a sound check for one of Seattle's biggest arts festivals. I was playing the Stanley Clarke Deluxe that day. I can't tell you how nice it was to hear my bass through such a huge P.A. system (and not get yelled at!). Anyway, about 2 minutes later a gentleman approached and he said he was 2 city blocks away and he recognized the tone- just knew he heard an Alembic. I was smiling ear to ear. NOTHING sounds like an Alembic bass!!! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10886 Registered: 5-2002 |
Now that's a cool story. | ||
| that_sustain
Junior Username: that_sustain Post Number: 40 Registered: 8-2012 |
I'm still on a tone high with my Distilliate. I had a second hand Essence when I was 19(which is pictured at this site). I frequently heard "Look at this kid's bass, how does it get that sound?" in the places I played. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3146 Registered: 6-2002 |
I've just got home from a jazz gig this evening and what a pleasant surprise to find the bass player in the band was playing a fretless Alembic Orion Bass. I had a chat with him (Adam Gilchrist) after the gig. A real nice guy and very tidy bass player.  Forgive the quality it was taken on my phone. Jazzyvee | ||
| coop
New Username: coop Post Number: 7 Registered: 1-2014 |
I've enjoyed introducing a newer generation of musicians to Alembic. For us Baby Boomers, we grew up with the likes of Phil Lesh, Greg Lake, and Stanley Clarke and Alembic was synonymous with electric bass. The new folks have rarely heard of them, much less seen them, so my SC Sig Deluxe gets lots of attention. The moment they pick it up, they get it. There is a huge difference between Alembics and most everything else on the market including Warwicks, Foderas, and Turners, and it takes trying one to really understand that difference. |
