| Author |
Message |
gbarchus
Intermediate Member
Username: gbarchus
Post Number: 104
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2004 - 1:02 am: |  |
I play a 20th Anniversary, 66 PBass with the frets pulled out and a 62 Jazz (reissue). As hard as I've tried, I cannot make the Fenders sound like an Alembic, nor can I make the Alembic sound like the Fenders. I need 'em all!
Gale |
dgcarbu
Member
Username: dgcarbu
Post Number: 83
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 03, 2005 - 7:09 am: | |
Given all the previous experience with other basses, I think we all narrow our tastes for the low end to specific needs over time, depending on the task. It pretty much boils down to personal preference. |
alembickoa
Junior
Username: alembickoa
Post Number: 29
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Monday, January 03, 2005 - 3:18 pm: | |
In refernce to dgcarbu, I am fortunate that my particularlar wood construction (81 Series I-ALL KOA) allows me some interesting voyages into the "Fender" realm. The construction, while not giving the "Coco or Ebony Alembic realm", allows me to delve into a lot of other different bass tonality while still keeping the Alembic ethic. I am grateful to have my particular instrument, as, a touch of EQ here and there gives me a crazy range of possibility.
Regards...
Steve |
dgcarbu
Member
Username: dgcarbu
Post Number: 93
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 04, 2005 - 8:06 am: | |
Hi Steve,
Do you have any more pics of your Series I?
Darrell |
alembickoa
Junior
Username: alembickoa
Post Number: 30
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 04, 2005 - 12:10 pm: | |
Not yet, Darrell...lost many in a crash. The Showcase SeriesI Alembickoa's 81 is the only one right now. It does, though, attest to the beauty and magic of my bass. About 3 or 4 years ago there was a San Jose bass workshop that was sponsored by Alembic. Ron was there and said to me..."I remember that bass". What a feeling!!!
After that, I did a gig in Santa Rosa and had to stop by Alembic to have some corrections made to an older Alembic I had aquired. Ron offerred to come in on Sunday but I said no and stayed until Monday. He fixed the old bass, and plugged my Series I into the house rig. He said again..."what a bass".
ALEMBIC ROCKS!!!
Regards...
Steve
|
dgcarbu
Intermediate Member
Username: dgcarbu
Post Number: 113
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 05, 2005 - 9:07 am: | |
Steve,
I saw your Series I Koa in that nice closeup you have posted. I agree..."What a bass".
Hopefully I may be able to see it in person someday.
Darrell |
serialnumber12
Junior
Username: serialnumber12
Post Number: 37
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 16, 2005 - 4:55 am: | |
I was once fired from a band for NOT bringing my fender! 'the ears of some people!!!'. |
thebass
Intermediate Member
Username: thebass
Post Number: 175
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, January 16, 2005 - 6:28 am: | |
I wouldn't regret to be fired by such an ignorant band. |
alemboid
Intermediate Member
Username: alemboid
Post Number: 118
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, January 16, 2005 - 8:43 am: | |
Eeeek!
To be fired for not bringing your Fender. You are better off without them. Funny, if it was a Union gig, your lawyers would have had a party.
Even though the Alembic sound is tops to me, I just put money down on a soon to be finished Rickenbacker 4003. It has the special finish of 2004, "Blue Boy", basically sonic blue.
When I was a kid, I remember going to the local Ford dealer with my parents to pick up their new 1967 Mustang. It was what we know as Sonic Blue, and my mom still drives it. All the memories I have in that car, from trips to school, teen age dates, being pulled over by a cop out of his jurisdiction and being questionably harassed, polishing it to perfection, driving it to gigs...you name it. I guess the Sonic Blue Ricky is some what a tribute to that relationship, and not to mention- it's not an Alembic.
Funny, I have to admit, it may wind up with Alembic Ricky replacement electronics :-), depending on how good it sounds stock.
So, lets call this a case of an Alembite not discriminating against a non Alembic.
If I were to be fired for playing the "wrong" bass, I would know there and then that it's time to move on to a real band. |
tom_z
Intermediate Member
Username: tom_z
Post Number: 105
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 12, 2005 - 10:23 pm: | |
I ran across the following little story and found it fairly amusing. Perhaps the discrimination that some bass players encounter has more profound roots than we imagined. 
Tom
* Let There Be Bass *
In the beginning there was a bass. It was a Fender, probably a Precision, but it could have been a Jazz - nobody knows. Anyway, it was very old ... definitely pre-C.B.S.
And God looked down upon it and saw that it was good. He saw that it was very good in fact, and couldn't be improved on at all (though men would later try.) And so He let it be and He created a man to play the bass.
And lo the man looked upon the bass, which was a beautiful 'sunburst', and he loved it. He played upon the open E string and the note rang through the earth and reverberated throughout the firmaments (thus reverb came to be.) And it was good. And God heard that it was good and He smiled at his handiwork.
Then in the course of time, the man came to slap upon the bass. And lo it was funky.
And God heard this funkiness and He said, "Go man, go." And it was good.
And more time passed, and, having little else to do, the man came to practice upon the bass. And lo, the man came to have upon him a great set of chops. And he did play faster and faster until the notes rippled like a breeze through the heavens.
And God heard this sound which sounded something like the wind, which He had created earlier. It also sounded something like the movement of furniture, which He hadn't even created yet, and He was not so pleased. And He spoke to the man, saying "Don't do that!"
Now the man heard the voice of God, but he was so excited about his new ability that he slapped upon the bass a blizzard of funky notes. And the heavens shook with the sound, and the Angels ran about in confusion. (Some of the Angels started to dance, but that's another story.)
And God heard this - how could He miss it - and lo He became Bugged. And He spoke to the man, and He said, "Listen man, if I wanted Jimi Hendrix I would have created the guitar. Stick to the bass parts."
And the man heard the voice of God, and he knew not to mess with it. But now he had upon him a passion for playing fast and high. The man took the frets off of the bass which God had created. And the man did slide his fingers upon the fretless fingerboard and play melodies high upon the neck. And, in his excitement, the man did forget the commandment of the Lord, and he played a frenzy of high melodies and blindingly fast licks. And the heavens rocked with the assault and the earth shook, rattled and rolled.
Now God's wrath was great. And His voice was thunder as He spoke to the man.
And He said, "O.K. for you, pal. You have not heeded My word. Lo, I shall create a soprano saxophone and it shall play higher than you can even think of."
"And from out of the chaos I shall bring forth the drums. And they shall play so many notes thine head shall ache, and I shall make you to always stand next to the drummer."
"You think you're loud? I shall create a stack of Marshall guitar amps to make thine ears bleed. And I shall send down upon the earth other instruments, and lo, they shall all be able to play higher and faster than the bass."
"And for all the days of man, your curse shall be this; that all the other musicians shall look to you, the bass player, for the low notes. And if you play too high or fast all the other musicians shall say "Wow" but really they shall hate it. And they shall tell you you're ready for your solo career, and find other bass players for their bands. And for all your days if you want to play your fancy licks you shall have to sneak them in like a thief in the night."
"And if you finally do get to play a solo, everyone shall leave the bandstand and go to the bar for a drink."
And it was so.
(Message edited by tom_z on February 12, 2005) |
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic
Post Number: 1926
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 7:19 am: | |
Yeeeeeeeeeeehooooooooo...
WHAT A STORY ...
congrats Tom.
Paul the bad one
and than they tell that I tell stories ....huh ...now THIS is what I call a story! |
serialnumber12
Intermediate Member
Username: serialnumber12
Post Number: 109
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 8:42 am: | |
very funny, all though that's a pretty true story! |
hb3
Junior
Username: hb3
Post Number: 14
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 5:16 pm: | |
And then the Devil created MIDI.... |
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck
Post Number: 1360
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 4:47 am: | |
Yes, funny indeed! |
jlpicard
Intermediate Member
Username: jlpicard
Post Number: 136
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 7:03 am: | |
Isn't that from Tony Levins web page? I believe I saw it there once. Just about says it all, doesn't it? |
rraymond
Intermediate Member
Username: rraymond
Post Number: 163
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 8:02 am: | |
Discrimination - it's not just for bassists, anymore!
Anybody here that wants some laughs, and has some time to spare, should click the following link. Get yourself a cup of coffee, put your appointments on hold, and be prepared to laugh yourself silly at the plethora of musician jokes. Nobody is spared! Now, on to the laughter...
http://www.ducksdeluxe.com/jokes.html |
serialnumber12
Intermediate Member
Username: serialnumber12
Post Number: 111
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 10:59 am: | |
Those are some hilarious jokes man!!! |
bigbadbill
Intermediate Member
Username: bigbadbill
Post Number: 153
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 11:34 am: | |
That story is genius!
(Oh and Alemboid; nothing wrong with Ricks, they're my "other" favourite basses;I alternate between the 2 depending what I'm doing. And the Blueboys look way cool. Not as cool as a Sonic Blue 67 Mustang though....*sigh*...) |
alemboid
Intermediate Member
Username: alemboid
Post Number: 121
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 11:07 am: | |
Hey Bigbadbill,
I also bought a dicontinued color Stingray 5. Kind of a pearlesent golden orange. I need to stop buying and start playing more!
Alemboid |
exploiterplayer
Member
Username: exploiterplayer
Post Number: 63
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 9:33 am: | |
I had a funny experience with a band leader after an audition for a corporate gig.......
To start with, I was subbing for a good friend who couldnt make the gig (basically as a favor to him) and throughout the audition the band leader seemed to be staring strangely at my Exploiter. After running through charts of nearly the entire show. he said, "I think you will work out fine, but you'll definitely need to bring a normal looking bass to the gig". I kindly told him where he could shove his gig and quietly walked out. Needless to say, I didnt get that gig but I have worked with that same band leader a few times since then WITH my Exploiter. |
90k6259
Junior
Username: 90k6259
Post Number: 16
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 8:31 pm: | |
Gale,
It just can not happen,sorry...
You are looking at a bolt on, verses a neck through and the construction is all different... Not to mention the electronics...
Be happy with what you got and seek another bass to fill your desires....
I grew up on a 66 jazz bass and later(1972) installed bartolini Hi A pickups.... (Bass was stolen.. If someone reads this post and knows the were abouts of my bass... PLEASE!!! kindly look into having it returned to me!!!... No questions asked!)...
(Message edited by 90k6259 on May 17, 2005)
(Message edited by 90k6259 on May 17, 2005) |
90k6259
Junior
Username: 90k6259
Post Number: 17
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 8:32 pm: | |
(Message edited by 90k6259 on May 17, 2005) |
jetbass79
Junior
Username: jetbass79
Post Number: 33
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 12:17 pm: | |
I think the best part about playing bass is the lack of conservatism that bass players have. There are so many choices and they are all viable. It's not like guitar players who only play Fenders or Gibsons which are a dime a dozen. There is a place for Fenders, Musicmans, Alembics, Pedullas, F Basses, Laklands, Warwicks etc etc etc and they are all good options. As far as somebody telling someone to get a 'more normal' looking instrument for the gig, well that person is just plain ignorant and somebody should call the Darwin Police to take them away. |
exploiterplayer
Member
Username: exploiterplayer
Post Number: 70
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 19, 2005 - 11:31 am: | |
I agree with you jetbass79. I've also had a few run ins with sound engineers who complain about having to record anything other than a Jazz or Precision bass to the mix. Some people in the biz are traditional thinkers to a seriously limiting fault. |
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 870
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 19, 2005 - 12:20 pm: | |
You mean others discriminate against Alembics? Pshaw! I've NEVER had anyone complain about my use of an Alembic.
They did ask me what the hell I was playing and why would I wanna use an "Olympic" anyway when Sam's Ass and Garbage Center are loaded with cheap, afordable Fender's that are far superior to my "no name" bass, LOL! |
jetbass79
Junior
Username: jetbass79
Post Number: 38
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Friday, May 20, 2005 - 2:58 pm: | |
Hey man, the trick to those large companies is finding that one guy who has a clue about what they are talking about when it comes to bass stuff. There's always one and you need to find him but if you're a boutique customer what the hell are you doing in a Sam Ash or Guitar Center? They don't have what you need anyway. And you can't talk to most of those people about really nice stuff anyway so why bother...
The reason those places don't have expensive bass stuff is simply because bass guitar sales is less than 1/5 of annual guitar sales so those companies are going to stock what they can sell quickly. I know this because I work for one of those big companies, at least for another 11 days. I'm bailing out of that burning airplane before my parachute goes up in flames...
Guitar Center used to sell Alembics and Tobias and other expensive brands but the company decided to go public and do two things that would make shareholders happy: expand exponentially (which will be their undoing) and therefore sell what would move quickly. Let's not forget that a GC employee a long time ago in a land far far away was involved with the development of the Spoiler bass.
Let's also not forget that because bass sales are less than 1/5 of all annual guitar sales that ignorance about bass gear runs rampant because there are 8 million guitar players to every bass player. If guitar players and singers only knew that bass players and drummers spend their lives making them look really good (or really bad), they might be more humble about things.
Most humans on this planet are ignorant to Alembic's existent because 1) most people are not inclined to spend the kind of money on something like that 2) they are not students of bass guitar. They do not have a concept of the history of the bass guitar and take it for granted because this type of behavior is warranted in a society which does not value history. Anyone considering a boutique instrument should look at Alembic first. That would be the logical, educated move. A third reason for this ignorance is because most Americans do not have that great of an imagination. They are perfectly content with something if their peers are content with it.
I had a customer at work tell me his 500 Watt Eden was what he thought was "top of the line." Hello, have you heard of Accugroove? Or Aguilar? No of course not, and that's because you haven't the imagination to know what's really out there. I really hate when people think their stuff is top of the line and then you say yeah, you could pay $15K for a bass and $10K for a bass amp setup in a heartbeat. People often need to be put into perspective, only as a salesperson I can't always be so blunt.
Back to my point about being a student of the bass. My 1966 Precision and 1974 Precision are never going to leave my posession under any circumstances because they are after all, examples of the Industry Standard and they have their own vibe about them. I know where they came from. Same with my Japanese '75 reissue Jazz Bass that is my prize souvenir from Tokyo, Japan because you can't get them in the USA new anymore. It's got the perfect Jazz sound. I chose the Alembic as my 10th anniversary of playing gift to myself because I wanted something that was like me: totally unique. I also wanted the genuine article in a boutique instrument. Alembic invented the boutique bass guitar and established its market, just as Clarence Leo Fender invented the bass guitar itself and established the bass guitar market. The choice was obvious. |
groovelines
Advanced Member
Username: groovelines
Post Number: 242
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 14, 2005 - 7:54 am: | |
A twist: Alembic Appreciation.
I play bass for one of the two celebration bands at church.
One of the guitarits for "my" band is a former bass player from the Bay Area, "Oooo, that's a nice bass. Can I play it?"
The other guitarist upon first sight from forty feet away, "Hey, is that an Alembic?" Pronounced correctly, to boot.
As it happens, the other band is anchored by a '76 Series 1. The soundman owns a custom 5 string Alembic.
What are the chances? I think that's too cool.
(I'm afraid we're reaching critical mass....) |
wayne
Intermediate Member
Username: wayne
Post Number: 123
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 14, 2005 - 10:43 am: | |
Okay, Mike, where's this "Alembic" church??
I'm over at First Baptist Carrollton with my Series II.....
Along the lines of your guitarist recognition: When I first started visiting First Carrollton, the orchestra director and his wife took us out to dinner. From the front door of our house, you could see my 20th Anniversary in the living room. I promise, the first words out of his mouth were, "That's not an Alembic is it?" He's a percussionist for crying out loud! That pretty well sealed our joining the orchestra, of course.
C-Ya..............wayne |
groovelines
Advanced Member
Username: groovelines
Post Number: 243
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 14, 2005 - 1:25 pm: | |
Hey, Wayne
Fellowship Bible Church North, that's in Plano. Musically it's like a KLTY hit-parade.
I like your story, makes you feel at home when it happens.
Mike |
indigo
New
Username: indigo
Post Number: 1
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 12:53 pm: | |
I just read this on the Fodera site. It describes how Victor Wooten ended up switching from an Alembic to Fodera.
I'm sure many of you may already know this but some may not.
As an aside, I ordered by first Alembic about two weeks ago. The hard part is trying not to think about it for the next few months. :-)
Regards,
Troy |
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck
Post Number: 1931
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 2:49 pm: | |
Hi Troy, welcome to the group; and congrats on your order! Neat story; I should probably order that book. |
richbass939
Advanced Member
Username: richbass939
Post Number: 297
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 2:56 pm: | |
Troy, welcome to the club. That's an interesting story. Here's a sixteen year old who's not really in a position to argue with the "old veteran".
Obviously, he likes his Foderas but it sounds like he liked the Alembic too.
Rich |
jetbass79
Junior
Username: jetbass79
Post Number: 47
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, June 18, 2005 - 2:03 am: | |
It's interesting that Victor Wooten was more impressed with the feel of the Fodera than the sound of the instrument. It's almost like the sound didn't actually matter in that case. Vinnie must have been on to something since he's still in business...
Troy, congrats on your first order...I couldn't get it out of my head...I kept saying "Europa..." to myself out loud (referring to the electronics in my bass) for months... |
karl
Junior
Username: karl
Post Number: 45
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 4:41 am: | |
That's really interesting about Vic Wooten switching (or being forced to switch!) from Alembics to Foderas. In a funny way, I'm kinda glad he switched: has anybody here seen his live show lately? His party piece involves throwing his bass across the stage (yes, one of his Foderas!) and then dragging it back across the stage into his hands by the cable . . . yikes! It's bad enough with a Fodera, but I really couldn't bear to see that done to an Alembic.
K. |
bassplayer2106
Junior
Username: bassplayer2106
Post Number: 20
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 5:26 am: | |
Hi why does he do that?.It reminds me of when I was at a clinic in London about 15 years ago, John Entwistle was there.There was a question put to him from the audience about the the worst thing that had happened at a gig.His answer was when his roadie handed him an Alembic bass for the last song of the set instead of an old precision or something.He spent all of the last song trying to attract the roadies attention but couldn't,come the end of the song with the audience going mad he had no choice but to close his eyes and smash it up.Can you imagine that !.I know he had loads of money and could easily afford another but he was an avid collector wasn't he he cared for his instruments. |
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck
Post Number: 1945
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 7:46 am: | |
One of the members of our group posted about how he had met Victor after a show. Victor told him that the Fodera was a much smaller bass than the Series I, and therefore was more comfortable for him to play. |
jetbass79
Member
Username: jetbass79
Post Number: 51
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 12:51 pm: | |
I could see weight being an issue with a Series I...especially if you are playing for 3 or 4 hours...you'd need a truss rod adjustment for your back after that... |
57basstra
Junior
Username: 57basstra
Post Number: 39
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 11:34 am: | |
I just wanted to add: I have a 1969 Fender Telecaster (American of course) bass that I have owned since 1981 and it truly has its own unique voice. I also have a 1984 American Fender Precison and a 2005 American Fender Jazz. Alembics are King, but there are certainly some Fenders in the Royalty line (at least in my book). |
bassman10096
Senior Member
Username: bassman10096
Post Number: 751
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 22, 2005 - 9:41 am: | |
The electonics alone out of a Series instrument weigh a good pound and a half or two lb. Most of the Alembic electronics are pretty substantial, too. Add to that any kind of heavy wood (particularly if the body is solid) and you definitely have a heavier instrument than many mahogany J basses.
Just goes to illustrate the old adage: "Don't go pointin' that Alembic at somebody, 'less yer plannin' to use it". |
alanbass1
Member
Username: alanbass1
Post Number: 100
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, July 24, 2005 - 11:09 am: | |
I guess it's all about what you want from your instrument. I own a number of basses and I love them all, for different reasons. My Alembic MK is up there with them all, but the other night I was depping in a straight ahead rock band and my 70's Stingray was just ideal for the gig; one growling sound that fitted perfectly and looked the part for that band. The Alembic gets all the studio outing's and some gigs, but the others are fun and have their niche. |
christov
New
Username: christov
Post Number: 3
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Monday, August 22, 2005 - 2:39 am: | |
I find the same discrimination with motorcycles too. I ride a 2002 Triumph Bonneville, and I usually get the attitude from the Harley riders about "Well it's not a Harley... it's too small....." After a good dusting of their ass, they usually change their tune. |
j_gary
Member
Username: j_gary
Post Number: 78
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Monday, August 22, 2005 - 6:45 am: | |
Hi Christov, please don't be too hard on those Harley riders,many are on their first bike and have never been on a Triumph. I own an Electra Glide and a Sportster and have my sights set on an 05 black and white,T100 Bonneville. I get the same poo while on my 883,"Chick bike,when you gonna get a real Harley?" (YAWN!) I think most of it is good natured, as anyone who has been around motorcycles for a while knows the performance history of Triumph. Those informed individuals know it would be foolish to mess with a Bonneville unless they have had some serious motor work. Those that don't, well after the beating, they can take solice in the fact they probably have more chrome on their engine than you. BTW, I think one of the coolest bikes ever made was the 1968 T120 Bonneville. Like women and basses, love em all.
Stay Low, Gary |
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 1004
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 22, 2005 - 7:58 am: | |
Hey Guys,
This is a BASS discrimination thread, NOT a BIKE discrimination thread! LOL! J/K. I used to get that a lot on my old non-American (sic) bike, especially from the Harley guys. Now that I've been on a Harley for the last almost 7 years, I still get razzed by some of the Harley guys! You know: Yuppie Scum, Yuppie Biker, RUB, RUBBIE Biker, American Express Biker, yada, yada.
It's all good. As a biker for the past 20yrs, a Lifetime AMA member for almost as long, a Harley devotee, and now a NJS licensed RiderCoach (motorcyle instructor), I don't care WHAT you ride, I just care THAT you ride! LOL!
Cheers,
Kevin
BTW, take my word for it, anybody that buys a Harley to race around is on the WRONG bike, LOL! |
jubeas3eyes
New
Username: jubeas3eyes
Post Number: 9
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 2:05 pm: | |
A couple funny storys:
I was going to play with a band as a favor to a friend. So I show up and get out my bass and the first thing the guitarist says is
guitarist- "Oh man thats an odd looking Fender"
me- "umm its an alembic not a fender"
guitarist- "oh...oh wow are those emgs in there?"
me- "ummm no..."
guitarist- "oh man you should put emgs in that thing it would sound great"
me- "I think I really prefer these."
It was kind of awkward after that.
The second time I was at guitar center with a friend just messing around playing a cheap cort bass for kicks and the head salesmen comes up to me and attempts to sell it to me, it went something like this:
Salesman- "pretty nice bass huh?"
me- "It's ok I guess"
salesman- "(describing all the details about the bass and I was very obviously not interested at all) So you think thats the one?"
me- "No I already have the one."
salesman "I bet we can find you a better "one" what kind of bass do you play"
me- "An alembic."
salesman- "Oh..Is that like a knockoff of another company or something?"
me- "The cheapest bass they sell is 4 grand and is handmade out of the finest woods available."
Salesman- "(he eyed me very oddly at this point, im guessing thinking i was full of shit) o...k..."
As a sidenote next time I came into guitar center I brought my bass in to try out different cords and showed it to the salesman. He was mildly impressed:-)
sean |
j_gary
Intermediate Member
Username: j_gary
Post Number: 197
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 8:13 am: | |
Hi Sean, welcome aboard. I had the opposite type of experience down here in the south part of the state. Run through Flint quite often on the way to Rogers City.
Ever been to Huber Breese Music in Clinton Township? It's a big store in our area, does not sell Alembic. Sells everything else under the sun, and is always jammed. Regularly does battle with GC.
I picked up a beautiful Series II last year, thanks Bill. It was set up for flat-wounds and I was changing over to round. I brought her up to Huber's for a set up as I was reluctant to touch her for her initial set up.
Their set up guy has a table near the front door and he has been there and done that. When he opened the case on my Alembic he started acting like a kid on Christmas morning. He was yelling, and I mean YELLING! at everyone in the store to come look at this bass. Even drummers, sorry guys, came running. I found it kind of embarrassing as I'm a hang in the back of the room type guy. I was amazed that this store full of weary musicians stood on their heads over an Alembic. About 50% actually knew what an Alembic is, a great instrument, the others just thought she was great looking.
Did I mention, thanks Bill! |
bobtait
New
Username: bobtait
Post Number: 5
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 5:15 pm: | |
You know I can't count the times people have looked at my Alembic and asked me if it was some other brand that they had seen with pretty wood. My wife still calls it an Olympic. Then there was the time some guy knew it was an Alembic and felt compelled to razz me if I was gonna play Stanley Clark stuff. After a particularly tight R&B set doing nothing fancy but just playing bass, he changed his tune. The Alembic is a special instrument. You can play anything on it. And it always sounds special. That said, a Precision bass is also a special instrument. Especially one that is set up right and sounds like a Precision. I think the bottom line is ... most people dont have a clue what brand or type of instrument we play. They just know what they hear. What we as bass players know about which instruments inspire us to be better players filters to our audience as a good performance. Which is something they can appreciate. You can get things out of an Alembic you can't out of a Precision. And that is true in the opposite direction as well. I am just thankful that people like the folks at Alembic and for that matter any other folks who make quality instruments care enough about their products to make my life that much more enriched. |
ggunn
Junior
Username: ggunn
Post Number: 17
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Friday, September 22, 2006 - 3:01 pm: | |
"I play bass for one of the two celebration bands at church.
[...]
(I'm afraid we're reaching critical mass....)"
Pun intended? |
groovelines
Advanced Member
Username: groovelines
Post Number: 366
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 25, 2006 - 8:25 am: | |
GGunn,
Took a minute to catch the pun. Ah, no, that's completely unintentional. Although, if we were a Catholic church...
Mike |
olieoliver
Senior Member
Username: olieoliver
Post Number: 747
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Monday, September 25, 2006 - 8:42 am: | |
To all my biker/musician constituents above, it’s not the ride or the axe; it's what’s inside that makes it worth while.
I ride a Harley. I don't ride to show off, race or pickup chicks. I wave at any and all bikes I pass.
Like wise with my Alembic, I don't play to show off, play speed riff's or pickup chicks. I tap my foot to any tune that grooves.
Life ain't a contest, it's an adventure. Enjoy it, don't destroy it.
PS. I also have a 1966 Bonneville, and a couple of old Fenders, (72 Telecaster and 76 Jazz basses). Still use both but not as often as the others. |
bigredbass
Senior Member
Username: bigredbass
Post Number: 1039
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 - 11:30 am: | |
I've been going to several jams at local clubs for the last several weeks as I'm looking to get heard and get back into a gig. I always take the BigRedBass with its newly installed FatBoy horsepower, pass out some business cards, and generally have a great time. Already starting to get some calls, so it's been good all the way around.
Invariably I'm following some poor schnook with a Fender or Fender clone. Followed a cat with a NY Sadowsky the other night, NICE axe IF you're into that sort of thing (I'm sure as hell not!). Sometimes I'm following a good player, sometimes not.
The great thing is that the reverse of all my previous experiences ALWAYS happens (Olympic? You don't have a Fender? We all know the drill . . .)! When there's no time to ask all those idiotic questions and you move straight to HEARING an ALEMBIC, believe me, it's the musical equivalent (for those other guys) of bringing a knife to a gun fight!! They take one look at all of that red-tinted quilt and hear the FatBoys speak with that solid authority, it just OVER, right now. Whether it's a situation with good PA and everyone riding their volumes and listening, or just that usual muck of a roar, this thing cuts through ALL of it like a laser.
Through any and all of the amps that have been there.
I've never had SO many positive comments about ANY axe I ever owned. My motto is 'Own the Stage'. When His Large Redness steps up, game over. I may change his name from the BigRedBass to Dirty Harry!
J o e y |
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq
Post Number: 1942
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, December 30, 2006 - 8:36 am: | |
I've been reading Blair Jackson's excellent new book: "Grateful Dead Gear". (I'll post a review when I'm done.) Anyway, I came across a passage that I had to post in this thread. It is a quote from Keith Olson, the British producer of "Fleetwood Mac" and "Rumours". In 1977 Olson produced the Dead's "Terrapin Station" album. Many deadheads, (including moi), found the album to be substantially overproduced and schmaltzy with the addition by Olson, (and unbeknownst to the Dead), of a full orchestra and choir! Anyway, in discussing the recording of this album, Olson states, regarding Phil Lesh:
"He had this really weird bass that I think was one of the first Alembics .... It basically sounded like somebody took a washboard with a broom handle and put one piece of rope on it. But he was really into it: 'It's low impedance.' I said, 'it sounds like crap - got a Fender?' He didn't like that. But I dealt with it."
Blair Jackson then comments: "In the end, many Deadheads agree that the Terrapin Station bass sound is actually better than on many other Dead studio albums."
Phil didn't do that with a Fender!
Bill, tgo |
olieoliver
Senior Member
Username: olieoliver
Post Number: 1038
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, December 30, 2006 - 9:06 am: | |
Olson sounds like a schmuck to me!  |
boombats
New
Username: boombats
Post Number: 4
Registered: 2-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 - 4:28 pm: | |
Harleys, Fenders... "American Classics." CRAP |
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