| Author | Message | ||
| 5a_quilt_top
Senior Member Username: 5a_quilt_top Post Number: 463 Registered: 6-2012 |
I've been working with a new project for the last few weeks and last night we had our third formal rehearsal. For the audition and first rehearsal I used Scarlet, my 4-string Rogue and for the last two rehearsals, I've been using Royale, my 5-string Europa. Since we're renting a small studio space, I'm using the little 2x10 Ampeg combo amp that's provided - and pushing it to the limits of it's capabilities, especially with any low B-string excursions. But, since I'm using an Alembic, most of the lower notes are still clear and punchy. And, because we're doing more contemporary guitar-heavy material, it helps that I've dialed in a slightly brighter and less boomy tone that cuts through the mix. After finishing one particularly bass-heavy song last night, the singer turned to me and said "Dude, that is one seriously killer bass. I've never heard a bass that sounded that good. What is it?" After I thanked him for the (unexpected) compliment and told him "Alembic", he went on to reveal that he's a former bass player - mainly a Fender guy (Marcus Miller model) - and that he was always looking for a tone like that when he was playing. Well - I didn't want to belabor the obvious, but as we all know, "that tone" (and a whole lot more) is only a website visit away... | ||
| pauldo
Senior Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 1455 Registered: 6-2006 |
David, that is certainly a cool story, thanks for sharing. Awesome that the singer was listening to everything and noticed the joy of sound from your Alembic. | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 2346 Registered: 9-2002 |
The shame of it . . . . he paid all that money and I just bet he DOESN'T sound like Marcus Miller . . . . . of course it also begs the question: When I've had a compliment like that, of course they're hearing the Alembic, but on the other hand, what the hey, you think I'm just standing here holding it up ? ? ? ? Joey | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4437 Registered: 6-2002 |
Even the stage monitor guy noticed. I did a big stage gig last night with Musical Youth and the stage monitor guy, (not sure what the official title is for these guys), came over to me as I was packing up after our set and said " Your bass sound was fantastic, what amp are you using?" I showed him my Peavey Tour 450 and mesa boogie 1 x 15, he said he also has one of these heads but it doesn't sound that good. Then told him I was using a DI box so the bass sound he was getting was coming from my bass and not the DI on the back of the head, so what he was hearing from the monitors is my bass only not the rig. He then looked at the bass and said....... 'MY GOD!!! IT'S AN ALEMBIC I've never seen one before or heard one but it sound fantastic. :-) " So I gave him a quick tour of the bass and he went away pretty chuffed. | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 2349 Registered: 9-2002 |
The screwy thing is, if you explain an Alembic (the filters, etc.) to a competent FOH guy or studio engineer, they get it RIGHT NOW, and as you related, are very impressed. (OK, surely you know where I'm going . . . . ) Alternately, you (try to) explain it to your usual guitarist or bassist, and if I had a nickel for every time I've seen that eyes-glaze-over 'wha . . . . ', well I'd have a closet full of Series Twos. Pitiful, isn't it. Joey | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1842 Registered: 10-2006 |
Having done that, Jazzy, I can you tell you that our official title is "monitor guy". Peter | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1843 Registered: 10-2006 |
Having done that, Jazzy, I can you tell you that our official title is "monitor guy". Peter | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1844 Registered: 10-2006 |
OK, yeah, that's the title when we're on our game; off nights it seems to be "Hey A**hole!! Peter (Who insists any knowledge of off nights is entirely second-hand. Really. [There, does that sound better?]) | ||
| 5a_quilt_top
Senior Member Username: 5a_quilt_top Post Number: 467 Registered: 6-2012 |
Re: explanation of controls - I don't bother anymore. When I've tried, I usually get the look reserved for "the girl you wished you hadn't entered into a conversation with at a party". So now I just thank the person for the compliment, show them the LED's (which is a trip unto itself!) and let the bass do th' rest of th' talkin'. But, like you guys mentioned, it is pretty cool to have that rare encounter with someone else who really gets it. And - for everyone else - there's LED's! | ||
| growlypants
Intermediate Member Username: growlypants Post Number: 125 Registered: 3-2011 |
I'm laughing my rear end off at that one!!! |
