| Author | Message | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4426 Registered: 6-2002 |
After a few requests from here and on the Alembic Bass & guitar forum on Facebook to do a demo of my Series II Europa I spent a bit of my afternoon today knocking some video footage out. I hope I've got my facts right. I also hope the sound is ok as I recorded it on a digital compact camera so no audio processing at all going on and have not listened to it through proper speakers yet. http://youtu.be/8wmycQUUDKs | ||
| mtjam
Advanced Member Username: mtjam Post Number: 274 Registered: 11-2011 |
Cool video! Looking forward to seeing the other parts! | ||
| moongerm
Intermediate Member Username: moongerm Post Number: 135 Registered: 8-2013 |
Good work Delano. I like your adjustment method on 8 of 8 to dial in repeatable tone types. Your idea is insightful for quickly getting close enough as it releates to the tune you are performing then simply fine tune from there. I only have anniversary troincs to tweak these days. My approach to dialing in is more generalized. Things change so much in a live setting. So what sounds great at home may be completely masked when a full band is performing. Another approach to consider is to turn everything off or at its lowest setting then practice dialing in a tone type you are hearing, as quickly as possible. For me it forces a discipline to dial my way into any given situation swifty, without any preconceived dial position ideas. What's so great about these electronics is that it doesn't take that much to cut through and be heard in a pleasantly musical unique way. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4427 Registered: 6-2002 |
Yeah I have used the same approach as you. However, I particularly found it challenging and indeed frustrating in working out where to move the filters and switches to get to a sound I wanted to hear because the music I was playing live required radically different bass tones. So I used my knowledge of Stanley Clarke's music as a reference and worked out the settings that got me close to the tones he was getting and from there found tones I wanted to use myself. Which is when I noticed where the the indicators were on the controls in relation to others so used them as guides which gave me a number of memorised "pre-sets" to aim for. You are absolutely right about the difference between live and home sounding. I can hear a lot more at home sometimes than on a gig so need less use of the Q to hear it's affect when practicing but on a gig I have to be careful not to use too much Q on anything because whilst may not hear it on stage it certainly gets through to the sound guy and into the room if its a backline only gig. Anyway it's a process that showing benefits for me and the video's may help another struggling new user. :-) | ||
| moongerm
Intermediate Member Username: moongerm Post Number: 136 Registered: 8-2013 |
Your bass sounds great by the way! Especially when you were performing on the last two videos. To find one of those gems used in the condition you have is next to impossible, at a decent price. | ||
| flpete1uw
Senior Member Username: flpete1uw Post Number: 462 Registered: 11-2011 |
Jazzy, By Jove I think you've got it! A very informative series of shorts and will no doubt help present and future Series Bass students. (Like me  ) Your Bass looks and sounds amazing. That quilted maple is mesmerizing. Of course topping it off with the British accent certainly will not "Anti Clockwise" anyone. Outstanding work! Peace, Pete (Message edited by flpete1uw on March 10, 2015) (Message edited by flpete1uw on March 10, 2015) | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 2327 Registered: 11-2004 |
Jazzy...looking for a job with Alembic as a demonstrator ?? LOL! | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4428 Registered: 6-2002 |
Yep director of Worldwide construction Operations outside USA. :-) its quite a cushy job. :-) | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 2328 Registered: 11-2004 |
I just want to work there, sweep the floors, make coffee all day, I don't care as long as I am in the place with all those basses! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 11685 Registered: 5-2002 |
Just finished watching the series; nicely done! | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 1093 Registered: 9-2008 |
Thanks, Jazzy | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1637 Registered: 5-2006 |
Awesome vids, thanx! Right from the lazy mode, copy 'n paste from Facebook :-) Represented just right, you can really hear the tonal authority over the activator equipped Alembics in these vids. That is imho vs my Alembics which I (obviously) find extremely amazing sounding instruments. Those Series electronics do provide that push over the Cliff which you would think is impossible after playing a non Series Alembic. (and have no experience with them) Though the Ebony neck Lams might also be responsible for some of the tonal authority in these vids I tried some Series Basses and this is how I remember that experience, absolutely amazing sound! (Message edited by fc_spoiler on March 14, 2015) | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4433 Registered: 6-2002 |
FC It took me a while to start to understand what I was hearing when I play that bass. It is still hard to describe accurately in a way that makes complete sense to me. I just know that playing it gives me the the most enjoyable and rewarding bass sound I've ever had. When I got my series I bass which is pretty much the same body construction apart from pickup placement and ebony neck lams, maple top and back with a mahogany core, I was able to then hear what the difference between them was and in some way relate it to the construction. Before that though I made a cardinal sin and started to hear some overtones Mica warned me not to learn to hear so I hear them a lot when I'm using the higher frequencies. The S2 sounds much more HIFI and has more sustain in the fundamental than the S1 which has a much warmer bottom end and less brightness at the top. The attack is much more punchy in the S2 as well and even with the Q off has a greater sparkle and clarity and seems to produce more sound density for any given note. The year before last I used it on a few Irish & funky folk music gigs and it fitted in perfectly and sounded superb with acoustic guitars, drums and vocals so I can see why it works superbly for JJ with JT. If you have the chance I would recommend getting one. As I've mentioned before, a set of fully open filters on an all maple Elan, to me sounds pretty close to a series bass with the filters full open and no Q. Once you move the filters..... different game. | ||
| rraymond
Senior Member Username: rraymond Post Number: 405 Registered: 6-2002 |
Very nice series of videos, Jazzy. You certainly have command over those controls. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 8464 Registered: 6-2000 |
Supercool, Vince! | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 1581 Registered: 2-2011 |
Hey Delano, I already commented on your Facebook post of these videos, but I will say here too that you did an outstanding job explaining the functions of the SII controls! I got the email version of this when I consulted you as I was planning the build for my Blue Orca & you did a great job helping me understand the difference between SII & SI electronics. I'm so happy I went with the SII as I use the CVQ controls as much or more than the filters! The subtle changes in tone by turning the CVQ up or down is often exactly what I was looking for. So thank you & congratulations on a very well done SII Seminar! The link to your videos should be posted in the "Must Reads" section of the Club. It's one thing to describe what the controls do, but much more effective to be able to hear what they do! | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4440 Registered: 6-2002 |
It might be an idea for us as a group to do something similar for all the models that we have collectively so there is a resource for reference on the forum. Maybe one of the moderators or a keen member might take up managing a youtube channel just for alembic user demos linked to a reference thread here. There are a lot of things on mine i think i could explain better but this was a spur of the moment thing after a practice session. So i might redo it at some point to be clearer. | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 1582 Registered: 2-2011 |
I think an official Alembic You Tube channel is a great idea! I nominate you to be that "keen member!" :-) | ||
| jcdlc72
Senior Member Username: jcdlc72 Post Number: 420 Registered: 11-2009 |
I would not trust much on my spoken English (since it is not my native language) as to make a demo video of my Epic 5. But I am sure there are a lot of wonderful players around here who can do a wonderful job by showing off our beautiful instruments and how they sound!. And I certainly think IŽd enjoy seeing a video of Dave Houck explaining his wonderful sound and rig! | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4631 Registered: 6-2002 |
Here are a couple of video's that I recorded during one of my my practice sessions for a gig last December. Again recorded with my compact digital camera and using my Series II Europa bass. My bass rig is Mesa Boogie Walkabout head and Mesa Boogie 2x10 Powerhouse Cab. I've got into the habit of recording my practice sessions so that I can see and hear how I'm progressing. https://youtu.be/J9GweDbiE4M https://youtu.be/psw1OT4p0Nc https://youtu.be/o7tgOW6_l2A (Message edited by jazzyvee on August 27, 2015) (Message edited by jazzyvee on August 27, 2015) (Message edited by jazzyvee on August 27, 2015) | ||
| moongerm
Advanced Member Username: moongerm Post Number: 261 Registered: 8-2013 |
Nice work on a very cool tune! |
