| Author | Message | ||
| ajdover
Advanced Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 204 Registered: 11-2003 |
Tonight, I was at an open mike blues jam (not my favorite genre, but it's all that's available to me at the moment). After much hand wringing, I decided to take my Spyder. When I got to the club, everyone kept asking me if I had a keyboard due to the size of the case. When I opened it, jaws dropped. The house bass player uses SWR amplification and cabinets, but another player brought his Ampeg preamp/power amp set up to use. The house player did the first three tunes, then it was my turn. I got up, made sure I had the 15 dB pad on, EQ flat, etc., then plugged in. I still had to turn it way down - the Spyder was just too much for it. Anyway, we did a few tunes, I stepped off stage, and went into the crowd to talk with fellow musicians. Comments included: "Man, it was like night and day with you and [the house bass player]. I could hear every note you played." "There was no mistaking when you were up there playing." "That thing rocks!" "Uhh, what are you bringing next week? Another Alembic, I hope." Ahh, the joys of owning an Alembic. They never cease. Alan | ||
| bigredbass
Advanced Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 396 Registered: 9-2002 |
Alan: I always love the 'what's in that BIG case' transition to 'HOLY SMOKES!!' when you open it (Mine is a Series Omega-shaped Spoiler in transparent Ruby Red), like they've seen a UFO. Then when you sit in, they all look around during the first verse because they HEAR it . . The regular Joe's Fender/MusicMan/etc., is sure gonna be slogging uphill after I leave ! J o e y | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 505 Registered: 6-2002 |
I can understand where you are coming from here. I was in a house band that hosted a open mic night for a couple of years. Of course all I used was my Alembic Series 1. I had no problems with anyone who wanted to use it. Most players went for the Alembic just to check it out. Every once in a while someone brought their own bass in, but they would usually switch to the Alembic after a song or so. I think that they wanted to do this so they could make comparisons. After a couple of years of doing this, I finally got burnt out on the open mic thing and moved on. What I liked most was being able to play with all of these GREAT New Orleans musicians. I also enjoyed seeing the expressions on players faces when I agreed to let them use the Alembic. | ||
| jet_powers
Advanced Member Username: jet_powers Post Number: 214 Registered: 2-2003 |
I too was in a host band for an open mic night. I would usually bring my Rogue 5. Most of the other players were intimidated by the 5 strings and would use their own bass. I recall one guy who would bring his but ask to use mine. Eventually he stopped bringing his. A year later his band was on the same bill as mine and he was playing his very own Essence. Another convert..... JP | ||
| dubalbal
Member Username: dubalbal Post Number: 66 Registered: 10-2004 |
...i can easily understand what you folks are talking about ...: i actually have a spoiler ( for sale ) ; wherever i play , people come and ask what is that for a bass ??? What a sound !!!...here in belgium , alembic's are so rare ! ...i'm waiting for my bal. k . 4 strings series 2 ...What am i going to hear Then ??? ALAIN | ||
| serialnumber12
Intermediate Member Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 197 Registered: 12-2004 |
everyone will be paying attention to nothing but the bass player,,,,be prepared!!!(all eyes & ears will be on you!) | ||
| ajdover
Advanced Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 207 Registered: 11-2003 |
Alain (great name, by the way), What you'll probably hear: From other bassists: "Hey, can I play it?" "That thing is awesome!" "Uhh, can I borrow it?" "It's beautiful, man." "Hey guys, take a look at this?" "Hey, have you seen his Alembic yet?" From other musicians: "What is that? Huh? An Olympic?" "Next time leave the Fender at home and bring the Alembic." "It cost how much? Wow!" And finally, from the audience: "Say, can you guys do "Proud Mary"?" Best regards, Alan | ||
| dubalbal
Member Username: dubalbal Post Number: 68 Registered: 10-2004 |
Hi ALAN , ...yes indeed , ALAN or ALAIN , are nice names...in fact , the finest you could find on earth , alan ( and alain ) means : perfection , talent , intelligence , brightness , happiness...and modesty of course !!!! Regarding my bass , i hear the comments you mentionned...I must also say that on each gig we have , i play a bass solo , ( alone with no other instruments playing with me ) in which the audience participates with some " yeeeaaaahhhh" between some fast runs ...so after the gig , i let you imagine what the comments are...!!! great of course ! i Think all alembicians are great people !!! | ||
| alembic76407
Advanced Member Username: alembic76407 Post Number: 361 Registered: 5-2002 |
Alan here in Okla they allways say "hey man , can you play rollin on the river" | ||
| serialnumber12
Advanced Member Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 201 Registered: 12-2004 |
GIVE THE BASS PLAYER SOME!!! | ||
| grateful
Junior Username: grateful Post Number: 46 Registered: 12-2004 |
Guitarists need some too!!!! | ||
| exploiterplayer
Junior Username: exploiterplayer Post Number: 47 Registered: 12-2002 |
Alembics sure do draw attention at gigs. I attribute this to tone mostly. Of course they are not too hard to look at either. | ||
| jetbass79
Junior Username: jetbass79 Post Number: 39 Registered: 2-2005 |
I overheard somebody saying at my last gig "That's the freshest bass I've ever seen..." Yes people do say the word 'fresh' and variances on that theme... Funny thing was they hadn't HEARD the bass yet... | ||
| grateful
Member Username: grateful Post Number: 73 Registered: 12-2004 |
I can think of a whole lot of complimentary adjectives to describe an Alembic but I don't think I'd ever get to "freshest". | ||
| jetbass79
Junior Username: jetbass79 Post Number: 40 Registered: 2-2005 |
Well in Portland, OR people use strange words like that...I don't think word 'fresh' or variations thereof have been used as adjectives since the '80s anywhere else in the country. | ||
| rklisme
Advanced Member Username: rklisme Post Number: 237 Registered: 5-2004 |
I had the opportunity to play yesterday for a birthday bash. While in itself this was pretty uneventful there was a point that I thought to be pretty genuine. It seems a young man and his date entered and right away he made his way to the stage area with his date in tow. He had a look on his face that suggested familiarity but as I quickly found out it was not me he knew it was the bass. His mouth formed the words, "Oh my God that's a Series I!" As it turns out he is a young bass player. I never got the chance to talk to the young man but it seems he had informed anyone and everyone about the virtues of a Series I Alembic. Once again it was not my ability to play lightining fast Stanley like licks or the way I keep pulsating solid bass lines, it was not even my devilish good looks, it was my Damn Alembic getting all the attention! I think I will go buy a Fender. Rory | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 2045 Registered: 9-2002 |
Hey Brother Rory, how is health going and "that ol' tricky ticker"??? Nice Story. Though I couldn't remeber you having a series II?? I was very fond of your Smith's and I KNOW there is somethiong special with 6 strings coming on. BTW ...how is that project going??? Still gigging in suits?? Don't forget you promised me to give me all your suit-based gigs. I promise I'll learn to play bass ...I really do!!! Paul TOBO | ||
| rklisme
Advanced Member Username: rklisme Post Number: 238 Registered: 5-2004 |
Hey Brother Paul Thanks for asking about my health. Things are about the same and to top it off I have gained 12 pounds. The doctors are having a difficult time fixing me up but I am keeping my chin up. Due to the extra medical expenses I have occuried I've had to sale off most of my basses and other toys as well. I have my Porsche and Corvette both up for sale at this point. I just want to get healthy again. I picked up a Series I Alembic about six months ago and sent it straight to Alembic to refurbish. It is 77-920 birdseye maple, standard body and is now my favorite instrument. I will make sure I to give you a call when I have a gig that requires a suit since I can't fit any of mine right now. If I keep this up the only suit I will be wearing will be red with white trim! Anyway, thanks for being a friend! Rory | ||
| willride3
Junior Username: willride3 Post Number: 11 Registered: 3-2005 |
Last night, I went to a recording studio in the Detroit area to play a bit. The musicians there were absolutely in love with my Essence 5. The look, the sound, the total package. I suggested that they could have Alembic guitars if they liked the instrument. I hadn't played along with some of these guys for 10 years or more. They were all just in love with the Alembic. The engineer was as pleased as could be, and said that I did my Alembic proud. I love it when my bass sounds that good. I used an Ashdown ABM 115 combo, it is a good match for my bass. Tom | ||
| christov
New Username: christov Post Number: 2 Registered: 6-2005 |
You just have to love it!! I have been asked to only use my '92 Elan 5 from now on. My bandmates prefer its tone over my Pedulla Pentabuzz. I love them both, but I guess it depends what I'm playing. | ||
| karl
Member Username: karl Post Number: 53 Registered: 7-2002 |
Heh, just wanted to share this: I just came from another bass-players' forum where somebody posted a comment that went something along these lines, and this thread seems an appropriate place to copy it: 'When you walk onstage with an Alembic, you're making a promise to all the bass-players in the room that you damn well better be able to keep.' The pressures of playing Alembic, eh? I have to admit, I've noticed a few people clock the Alembic and then sit there with an 'OK then, impress me' expression on their face for the whole gig. :-) K. | ||
| jacko
Advanced Member Username: jacko Post Number: 302 Registered: 10-2002 |
karl. Believe me, even without the Alembic, Mike and I were impressed ;-) Graeme |
