| Author | Message | ||
| hammer
Advanced Member Username: hammer Post Number: 292 Registered: 9-2009 |
In a previous thread (What is the Sexiest Alembic?), members identified the Alembic bass or guitar they viewed as having the greatest sex appeal. After taking part and nominating a sexy Alembic of my own, I started wondering "why" I personally find some Alembics (and other manufacturer's instruments) more appealing to my eye than others. The "look" of the Epic, for example, doesn't appeal to me at all, whereas I love the shape of the SC. I find Europa, Elan, Spoiler and Persuader bodies quite attractive, but Orions and Rogues don't do much for me. I'm sure, however, that there are plenty of others who love the Epic, Orion, and Rogue shapes and are not that fond of the body types that appeal to me. As far as headstocks go, I've almost pulled the trigger on several Spoilers but ended up not purchasing them because I have a strong personal dislike of the cone headstock while I love all the others that Alembic uses. All this and I haven't even touched preferences with respect to woods (ever wonder why Coco Bolo, regardless of its impact on the sonic properties of an instrument, is so appealing to so many?) Though I might be over analyzing this, has anyone else thought of why they get excited over the "look" of some Alembics and could take or leave others? What physical features appeal the most to you and for which do you not have an affinity? At least for now, let's leave functional (I could never play a long scale) and sonic preferences out of the discussion (since I think everyone here has different sounds they want to hear). As I've personally considered what makes an Alembic look sexy to me, I've found that I tend to like/lust after those instruments that have a greater degree of symmetry to them. I guess that's not too surprising since research has found that, among humans, facial symmetry influences judgments of aesthetic traits of physical attractiveness and beauty. It is also hypothesized as a factor in both interpersonal attraction and interpersonal chemistry. | ||
| serialnumber12
Senior Member Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 1013 Registered: 12-2004 |
ive always loved big booties as well as big alembics so i think my alembic is the sexiest because i can play with all them knobs.  | ||
| tubeperson
Advanced Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 395 Registered: 5-2005 |
Amen to knobs, especially a knobby headstock!! Love that big booty too (including Big John Booty from Buckaroo Bonzai). | ||
| 5a_quilt_top
Junior Username: 5a_quilt_top Post Number: 40 Registered: 6-2012 |
Although "booty" is in the eye of the beholder and knobs can be loads of fun to play with, the one thing that makes an Alembic (or anything) sexy to me is purity/clarity of design/vision as related to its purpose. The closer that the form (design + materials + craftsmanship) follows the intended function (vision + purpose), the more enticing the result will be. Great Alembics are like great basslines - what needs to be there is present and what does not need to be there is absent. It's all about balance. Sometimes a moderate use of excess is required and sometimes an excessive use of moderation is required. Sometimes symmetry is required (72-01, SC) and sometimes asymmetry is required (Europa). And then there's the Spyders..."just because"... | ||
| tncaveman
Intermediate Member Username: tncaveman Post Number: 137 Registered: 2-2011 |
The curve at the waist is very sexy - especially on a Rogue. If you haven't played one, you should because the shape is soooo comfortable and balanced. And a small waist w/ a big bootie is cool too :-) Stephen  | ||
| rami
Senior Member Username: rami Post Number: 996 Registered: 6-2002 |
I agree that the Rogue is (in my humble opinion) the sexiest Alembic. It hits me on a basic organic level. It's very female. The female form is one of the ultimate inspirations for great art. The original sexy offset waist Bass is the Fender Jazz, but the Rogue takes it to a whole new level.   | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 1007 Registered: 11-2003 |
I dunno .... I think this is the sexiest. Thin at the waist, curvy around the edges ... pointy in the right places ... ;-)  | ||
| rami
Senior Member Username: rami Post Number: 997 Registered: 6-2002 |
I disagree on that one. It's definitely beautiful, but it doesn't have any curves. I don't think rounded edges count. Anyway, beauty and sex-appeal are in the eye of the beholder. The Exploiter (Explorer) body doesn't do it for me. No offense intended. Best regards. | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 1008 Registered: 11-2003 |
To each his/her own, Rami. | ||
| rami
Senior Member Username: rami Post Number: 998 Registered: 6-2002 |
As I stated, it's in the eyes of the beholder. Body shapes evoke different perceptions. Some are futuristic, some are aggressive and some are sexy. What each one of us sees is subjective. | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 1009 Registered: 11-2003 |
And I would agree, hence my post. Speaking for myself, I can't say I'm a big fan of omegas, stinger tail, standard point, etc. Nor am I a fan of extended range basses (mainly because they actually make my left wrist hurt due to the width of the fingerboard at first position - I have to crank my hand around so much it hurts after a while). But as you note, it is subjective. One man's pleasure is another man's pain as the saying goes. On this, however we can agree - all Alembics are sexy - period! I know that every time I take mine out, they draw a crowd and attention. For me, that is sexy. | ||
| that_sustain
Member Username: that_sustain Post Number: 91 Registered: 8-2012 |
...I think all 5 string basses look mathmatically wrong. It's OCD. | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1375 Registered: 10-2006 |
I agree, Daniel. I understand the concept of wanting more strings - and as a guitarist, you'd think a 6 would be a natural for me. But anything but 4 just doesn't look like a bass; they seem out of balance visually. I think with me, it's not OCD, it's GOF (grumpy old fart). Peter | ||
| that_sustain
Member Username: that_sustain Post Number: 93 Registered: 8-2012 |
I could deal with a 6. What'd be nice is if one was built without the low B, having a C and F instead. This would be so great for one guitar bands. | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 931 Registered: 4-2004 |
I like to twiddle her knobs....   | ||
| wookie
Intermediate Member Username: wookie Post Number: 175 Registered: 8-2010 |
This is great! I thought I was the only one that thought this stuff! How about the OCD of 4,5,& 6 string of the same bass makes a "set" that's been in my head since I started playing! The stuff about "balance" is my thing too, except to "balance" a 5 has to have a compensating headstock (I'm a friggin' psycho!) like the Élan, Orion and Europa (5string) curves around, then it's cool! BUT all 4 and 6 string basses have to be symmetrical with a cone or paddle headstock! Lol And sex appeal... Europa. I love them, the cut away is like playing a V you can get the 24th frets without even touching the cut away and its named after a Phonecian princess (and Jupiters moon). IMO easily the sexiest bass in the world. Form and function perfected. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3622 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hey Keavin, I don't recall you mentioning this before but I could be wrong. Could you tell me what each of the knobs and switches are on your bass and how they are laid out, what is where? Jazzyvee | ||
| serialnumber12
Senior Member Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 1042 Registered: 12-2004 |
Just basic series II electronics ,I just don't have a pickup selector switch...... that little toggle is a standby/battery . | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3625 Registered: 6-2002 |
What are the two holes/buttons/??? between the two sets of knobs by the bridge? Jazzyvee |
