| Author |
Message |
hollis
Junior
Username: hollis
Post Number: 30
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 20, 2004 - 12:42 pm: |  |
If I'd known I was going to live this long, I would've taken much better care of myself when I was younger! But then again......maybe not! It's sure been fun so far! |
henri_lopes
New
Username: henri_lopes
Post Number: 3
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 20, 2004 - 2:48 pm: | |
Embroidery is indeed a bit more expensive, but it looks great specially on sweats, hats and jackets.
to Paul the good one : I am not related to Tony Lopes of Salem, I live in scenic Gloucester, Ma. where the movie "The Perfect Storm " was filmed.
Pictures coming soon. I left my epic at the rehearsal space, I know, I know ! That's a no no .
Henri |
bracheen
Advanced Member
Username: bracheen
Post Number: 236
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 20, 2004 - 5:41 pm: | |
I like that, I'm a vintage instrument. Now if I were as sought after as a Strat from the same year, that'd be great.
(Message edited by bracheen on February 20, 2004) |
susan
Junior
Username: susan
Post Number: 14
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 7:11 am: | |
Hey Jeff,
Beleive it or not I recollect your bass 74-52. It was one of the first to sport one of my "moustache" tailpieces. She's a beauty. As to your vintage price that alone as you know is priceless.
Susan |
bucky
Member
Username: bucky
Post Number: 96
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 7:38 pm: | |
Hi Susan!
I am honored beyond words that you remember my bass. That is so cool. It is my understanding I have YOU to thank for it's beautiful design! And to know it was one of the first to have that tailpiece just makes my month! As you probably know it's in your shop right now and I was also thrilled to find out that Ron was going to be the one checking out my hum and short problem. WOW. .BOTH of you . .Mr. and Mrs. Alembic. . it's as if your child returned "home" for awhile, eh? I feel like I did the time I met Eric Clapton and got to talk to him after Cream played Eagles in Seattle Washington. You folk at Alembic are the greatest! And most definitely have YOUR place in Rock History too. Hopefully my Baby, Little 74-52 will be ready for her "coming out" at this years BajaProg 2004 ( http://bajaprog.com ) I would just LOVE to show her to the world when my band Glass takes that big Teatro stage on the 3rd of March.
|
somatic
New
Username: somatic
Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 5:47 am: | |
19.
Sold it two years later due to poverty and illness to my bass teacher who I knew would love it.
Last week I finally got another Alembic, twenty years after buying the first.
|
davehouck
Senior Member
Username: davehouck
Post Number: 401
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 6:25 am: | |
Brett; congrats on your new Alembic and welcome to the group. |
811952
Member
Username: 811952
Post Number: 100
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 7:01 am: | |
Bucky,
You should have them take a photo of the Wickershams with your bass. Maybe even in front of the old quonset hut shop on Foley Street. That would be cool. We should start a movement to get Alembic into the R&R Hall of Fame. Rock and Roll, that is, not Rest and Relaxation, although their instruments do provide all of the aforementioned...
John |
keavin
Junior
Username: keavin
Post Number: 15
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, March 06, 2004 - 6:17 am: | |
I was 19 yrs old when i baught #12 in 1980, from guitarcenter in san francisco,for 2,000,bucs. now im 42. |
bucky
Member
Username: bucky
Post Number: 97
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 09, 2004 - 5:34 pm: | |
811952:
Sorry for the delay in a reply - I've been at BajaProg 2004 (where I sadly was not able to premier my Alembics return to the stage - still waitin for Ron W to check it out, oh well) That's a GREAT idea and I'm going to suggest it to Valentine when I call for an update tomorrow! I'd LOVE a picture of the W's with my bass.
Jeff
P.S> Ditto for the Alembic Hall of Fame! My choice for the First Player Member would have to be Jack Casady of course. Yours? Anyone? |
bucky
Member
Username: bucky
Post Number: 98
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 09, 2004 - 5:35 pm: | |
811952:
Sorry for the delay in a reply - I've been at BajaProg 2004 (where I sadly was not able to premier my Alembics return to the stage - still waitin for Ron W to check it out, oh well) That's a GREAT idea and I'm going to suggest it to Valentino when I call for an update tomorrow! I'd LOVE a picture of the W's with my bass.
Jeff
P.S> Ditto for the Alembic Hall of Fame! My choice for the First Player Member would have to be Jack Casady of course. Yours? Anyone? |
811952
Intermediate Member
Username: 811952
Post Number: 114
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 6:07 am: | |
Jeff,
Believe it or not, I'm totally unfamiliar with Jack Casady's playing. I've seen him in films and videos, but managed to never be able to pay attention to what he was doing. I guess it's time to hit the used CD bin again. It would be difficult for me to pick a particular player, since there are so many who have used Alembics in the studio whilst playing lesser instruments on stage. I'm a big Entwistle fan, but also a huge Chris Squire fan (Trevor Rabin says Chris played his Alembic on "Lift Me Up"), a Stanley fan, a Phil Lesh fan, Mark King, David Hood, Tom Fowler... You get the picture. Speaking of the picture, I really hope you get one with the Wickershams. That would be really, really, really cool, and indicative of the familial code of conduct they do their business by.
John whose bass is in it's 23rd year!
|
dela217
Advanced Member
Username: dela217
Post Number: 310
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 9:00 am: | |
I too was unfamiliar with Jack Casady's playing. All I know of him is what I heard on the radio, or recordings. I finally got a chance to see him live a couple of years ago. What a monster! He plays with such authority. You really must see him perform to really appreciate it. Now that I have seen his live performance, his recorded work takes on a new meaning to me. Try not to judge him on his recorded work. He is truly one of those players that you must see to fully appreciate. |
bassman10096
Advanced Member
Username: bassman10096
Post Number: 211
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 10:51 am: | |
I was fortunate to see Jack with Hot Tuna in '72, shortly following the Jefferson Airplane's heyday. "Monster" is a great word for what I saw him do. Using all five fingers on his right hand, he and his Alembic were their own band within the band. I never connected with him again, but never forgot the impression he left. That is, until a year ago Thanksgiving when I saw him with Jorma doing their acoustic Hot Tuna gig in NYC. Jack played his Epiphone with much greater restraint, given the less electric genre. But he did it again!! Now with more maturity, but still INCREDIBLE power and subtlety!
Casady is definitely one of the unheralded great ones. I agree with Dela, his recordings (while not bad) are nowhere near a complete representation of his performance. My favorites are "Water Song" from Hot Tuna (Burgers) and almost any of the live tracks with the Airplane on "Bless its Pointed Little Head" (great Alembic sounds).
As for the Alembic Hall of Fame, I'd still elect Phil Lesh as first in, but I agree with all of the names 811952 mentioned. I suppose I am a little conflicted about Lesh because he hasn't done anything with an Alembic for a while (I really do not like his Modulus sound!). But the relationship between his Alembic sounds and his music was (to me) a perfect compliment.
Sorry for the rant.
Bill |
811952
Intermediate Member
Username: 811952
Post Number: 116
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 11:36 am: | |
There's a tune on Wake of the Flood with a bass solo (forgive me for not remembering the title) with a very unique timbre. Smooth but with a hint of very bright pick sound. Probably the Alembic is the only instrument that could even come close to creating it, since it sounds like flatwounds with an 8 to 10 kHz bump but no noise. Very hi-fi, if you will. And Phil's phrasing/structure of the solo is, well, very musical...
John |
bassman10096
Advanced Member
Username: bassman10096
Post Number: 212
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 4:14 pm: | |
John: The bass solo on you remember (I think) is at the end of a song called "Eyes of the World". The song was a regular and a favorite for the Dead for many years. I always enjoyed hearing it because Phil played with the theme from that original solo in many different ways. I agree with you on the timbre - sounds very "stringy" to me (if that makes any sense). I believe that bass was short or medium scale, so the lesser string tension was apparent in the sound. Another example of the fantastic sound of that bass is the song "Stella Blue" on the same album.
Bill |
dadabass2001
Member
Username: dadabass2001
Post Number: 77
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 5:30 pm: | |
Phil also does a very subtle and lovely glissando (guessing at terminology) slide at one point in Bob Weir's "Weather Report Suite" on Wake of the Flood. Phil's sound on the first David Crosby solo album "If I Only Remembered My Name" is excellent. Jack Casady played on one or two tracks also.
Both Phil and Jack were early influences on me. I bought myself a Guild Starfire in 1973. I still love the originality of Jack's lines on "Somebody To Love", among many other tracks.
Mike
(Message edited by dadabass2001 on March 10, 2004) |
811952
Intermediate Member
Username: 811952
Post Number: 117
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 8:23 pm: | |
Is Jack doing anything (I can get my hands on) now? The most recent video I've seen of him he was playing one of those tiny Steinberger-ish Modulus Graphite headless (yet very neck-dive prone) basses in a video that had a cool time-lapse shot of the pyramids in Indianapolis before there were any buildings around them. I'm guessing it was '82 or '83.
John |
bassman10096
Advanced Member
Username: bassman10096
Post Number: 214
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 9:46 pm: | |
Hi John: Jack released a solo album (sort of a with a little help from your very talented friends) recently. You can listen to samples on his website http://www.jackcasady.com/. There is other stuff of interest there as well. Jack does some master classes in bass at Jorma's FurPeaceRanch (sp?) in Ohio. They consist of a 3 day weekend with a relatively small group working on specific pieces, jamming in the evenings (a wide variety of electric and accoustic instrumentation seems to be taught there). Sounds like fun - expensive (about $8-900 for the weekend if I remember), but probably a time to remember. Some of the other teachers at the ranch are well known (Jorma, Cindy Cashdollar, GE Smith, David Grisman, to name a few).
Bill |
dadabass2001
Member
Username: dadabass2001
Post Number: 78
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2004 - 4:48 am: | |
Jack was also involved with the Gov't Mule project: The Deep End, a tribute to their bassist Allen Woody who died in 2000. Jack plays (along with 24 other great bass players) on one studio track each. Some of the others on the project were Phil Lesh, John Entwistle, Chris Squire, Jack Bruce, Flea, Bootsy Collins, Oteil Burbridge, Larry Graham, Roger Glover, Jason Newsted, Tony Levin, Alphonso Johnson, etc. etc.
The studio sessions were documented by Mike Gordon in the DVD "Rising Low", and resulted in 2 CDs: The Deep End volumes 1 and 2. Then they put together a live show in New Orleans in 2002, and got 13 of the original 25 to come in for one or two songs during that one night (I wish I'd been there)! There is a combo DVD /CD release from that night as well, called "The Deepest End".
By the way, Gov't Mule was Allen Woody, Warren Haynes, and Matt Abts.
Mike |
effclef
Member
Username: effclef
Post Number: 56
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2004 - 5:38 am: | |
I have all three of those Gov't Mule releases. I just watched The Deepest End DVD this past weekend - it's three hours of concert footage plus a short documentary - and it's great stuff.
No Alembics to be seen at all, though. Not sure which of the basses were even neck-thrus but Les Claypool, amazingly, does some slapping and popping on a Rickenbacker!
Dave Schools is the kind of player where you would think you'd see him with an Alembic strapped on at some point...
EffClef |
keavin
Junior
Username: keavin
Post Number: 27
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2004 - 6:30 am: | |
I wondre why alot of big name players are never seen with an alembic,or once used them (its not that they cant afford one) but ,i guess alembics tend to make you stand out too much in the band, (the sound, and looks can be commanding) and these guys tend to want to step down to their sadowskys or ,whatever they prefer other than the best. |
bracheen
Advanced Member
Username: bracheen
Post Number: 285
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2004 - 6:57 am: | |
Keavin, my guess would be endorsments have a lot to do with it. Alembic doesn't do endorsments. Frankly, they don't have to pay people to play their instruments. Just take a look at how much of Bass Central's Alembic inventory is always marked "Sold".
As Susan said in another thread, in the privacy of the studio many Alembics are pulled from cases, endorsments be damned. That's a paraphrase not a quote. |
cdf
Member
Username: cdf
Post Number: 54
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2004 - 8:23 am: | |
Great list of names for the Hall of Fame! Could listen to everyone mentioned for hours on end. I might have to vote for Stanley Clarke as first inductee both for his brilliance and his close association with Alembic. The're like peanut butter and jelly (if you'll pardon the odd food simile)just kinda always go together, at least in my mind. That being said my two personal favorite bassists from the aforementioned are Jack Casady and Phil Lesh. Unfortunately I was not old enough to have heard J. Casady with the Airplane, but I have seen him several times with Hot Tuna and I definitely concur with the term the assesment of "monster." Great musician and what gifted hands! I have been fortunate enough to have seen Phil Lesh many times with the Grateful Dead from the late 70's to his current projects today. Love seeing him not just for technical prowess, but mostly for his amazing musicality. I sort of remember a great quote and compliment from Jerry Garcia about Phil's playing. It was something like, "he plays like he was the first person ever to play bass". He really does take a very different approach, coming at the bass portion of the group musical equation from a unique angle.
Well for what its worth, there's a guitar players perspective on Alembic Bass Hall of Fame
Though if I keep hanging around here I might start having deeper thoughts and notes ;-) |
cdf
Member
Username: cdf
Post Number: 55
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2004 - 10:05 am: | |
Come to think of it, people sometimes say I play guitar like the first person ever too. Though in my case this is not meant as a compliment.
LOL |
bucky
Member
Username: bucky
Post Number: 100
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, March 14, 2004 - 5:17 pm: | |
Hey Bros:
Yeah, Jack Casady, Entwhistle (of course!) and I'm a HUGE fan of Chris Squire. When I saw Yes on the Close to The Edge Tour (WOW! I really AM old aren't I?!) Chris blew me away. I'd say he was probably *thee* most influential bassist for me in my early years. . I took up bass pedals because of what I saw him do at that concert. .
Also, I love all the old Motown Rhythmn Section records. .James Jamerson, Man. THAT guy was a MONSTER. And of course Stanley. Seeing him with the original RTF showed me you CAN mix groove with chops and great Progressive writing. .
Jeff |
bare_handed
New
Username: bare_handed
Post Number: 2
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 11:35 am: | |
I played a Fender back in the late 60s and early 70s. I'd decided to start looking for an upgrade and loaned my "J" to a "friend" who wanted to play it for a few days to see if he wanted to buy it. That's the last I saw of the "J" or the money. I soon met my future wife and got busy doing the family thing and music (playing it at least) got pushed to the back burner.
Last year I looked around and realized that the kids were all grown and on their own. It was then the thought hit me "Why aren't you playing?" For my 52nd birhtday I bought myself a used Peavey RSB and started taking lessons.
Two weeks ago I walked into my lesson and my teacher was playing this gorgeous bass. Before I could even get my Peavey out of the case, Mike hands the one he was playing to me commenting "You HAVE to play this thing". I played it for a couple of minutes and handed it back to him. Knowing Mike's propensity for buying and selling equipment, I also told him that , if he ever wanted to find that one a new home, I'd be more than happy to take it off his hands.
To make a long story short (or is it too late for that?), Mike called me last Friday. It seems he found a great deal on an electric upright which was something he's been leaning toward but needed $800 to close the deal. I hope he's as happy with the upright as I am with the '85 Persuader he shoved into my hands at that lesson |
hollis
Member
Username: hollis
Post Number: 90
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 12:02 pm: | |
I love hearing stories like that....Randy, welcome to this fantastic fellowship....Stick around, guaranteed to blow your mind! I'm understating when I say that there's a great group of very knowledgeable folks around here.
Enjoy! |
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic
Post Number: 1204
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 12:07 pm: | |
Hi Brother Randy,
quite a story!!!
I lived the same thing only I was lucky (?????) enough to start playing again at 36 after quitting bass for 10 years.
Great to have you here!!!
Oh ...BTW ...you see ...there are those weird dudes in the corner on that table ...can you see???
Well ...I'm going to join them and will start yelling with them "PICTURES - PICTURES - PICTURES"!!!
Yep ...of your bass of course ...not of your garden.
We will banging loudly with empty beerbottles on the table until your post into the appropriate department.
Paul the bad one
PS: don't fix on the short dude with the beard ...he's greek an has weird notions of rhythm ...he's always "off" LOL! |
bracheen
Advanced Member
Username: bracheen
Post Number: 324
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 1:21 pm: | |
Hey Randy, welcome to our asylum. I'm another mid life rebound bass player. I stopped about '84. A couple of years ago I was messing around with a classical guitar and thought I sure missed my bass. Three basses later I'm an Alembican (?)
One day someone besides the dogs will hear me.
Yes pictures, your bass, your amp, your garden, your family, heck even yourself
Sam |
lowlife
Junior
Username: lowlife
Post Number: 27
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 2:27 pm: | |
I stopped playing music in 1979. I had a few Jazz basses lying around but had not even looked at them in 20 years. I never thought that I'd ever do it again, but a few days after my 49th birthday, I got hit with the "bug", tried out an Excel in the music store and purchased it. I knew within a couple of days that this would not be the end. There's nothing like a good addiction. Less than 60 days later I purchased an '85 Spoiler from someone who was unknown to me, but part of this discussion board. So with two great basses, I needed an amp. My 1st choice (Carvin, great value) couldn't cut the mustard (guess that it wasn't such a great value), but my 2nd coice, Eden, cranks out 400 watts into 2 ohms, which is just enough to practice with, by myself. Enjoy the pictures. And from my experiences on a few other threads, thanks for making me feel welcome.
Ellery
   |
hollis
Member
Username: hollis
Post Number: 91
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 2:55 pm: | |
Ooooohhhhh.....Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh,
Very nice! |
bassman10096
Advanced Member
Username: bassman10096
Post Number: 266
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 4:22 pm: | |
Ellery: Very cool basses!! My timing was almost identical to yours - I bought my Spoiler a few days before my 49th Bday. I, too had quit playing years before, but had gotten interested when my son started a band. Just a few opportunities to jam again and I was hooked...
Actually, when I was young, if I had consistently played with musicians with the talent and skill my son and his bandmates already have as high school juniors (No joke! They have both amazing talent and discipline.), I never would have stopped playing in the first place.
As it stands, I play a lot by myself and fairly often with friends (my own age!). I'm looking for something steady with more performance opportunities, but being pretty selective about this.
My dad, a banker, played piano all his life, belonged to the union, gigged regularly. But when he retired, he was always hooked up with at least 2-3 widely divergent performing groups. He played virtually every day. I think he was never happier. I plan to start earlier than he did. He's gone now, but I wish I could share with him my custom-built Alembic now underway and my renewed musicianship. I'm sure he'd get a kick out of it.
Of course, being a product of the depression, my Dad would dish me a lot of abuse for the amount I spend on all this. But, well...you know...
Bill |
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic
Post Number: 1207
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 11:11 pm: | |
Just keep on thinkin' that a medium-heavy smoker smokes 1 Excel every two years. I think the Alembic is a much healthier addiction.
Paul TBO
|
bassman10096
Advanced Member
Username: bassman10096
Post Number: 268
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 27, 2004 - 3:23 am: | |
Paul: As a medium-heavy smoker, I have already found and embraced that rationale. Therefore, if I quit cigarettes, I'd be up for a new Rogue every 2.8 years or a new Signature Del. every 3.5 years. Senior management has preapproved the plan. As soon as my new bass comes, I just need to find a way to stay quit from cigs!
Bill |
bassman10096
Advanced Member
Username: bassman10096
Post Number: 269
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 27, 2004 - 3:24 am: | |
(Message edited by bassman10096 on March 27, 2004) |
keavin
Intermediate Member
Username: keavin
Post Number: 104
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, March 27, 2004 - 3:38 am: | |
i always smoke a "newport" while, staring at all these lembics on this site! |
malthumb
Intermediate Member
Username: malthumb
Post Number: 190
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, March 27, 2004 - 12:43 pm: | |
Lowlife & Bare_Hands,
Welcome to our decadent little party. You've stumbled onto a very spirited and helpful group of guys and gals who have really bonded with their super quality basses and guitars. Your challenge is to have as much fun as we have been!
Peace,
James |
keavin
Intermediate Member
Username: keavin
Post Number: 111
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 4:44 am: | |
hey the term "lowlife" to me says that your life is centered around the 'low end' of the soundscope, meaning your a lifelong bassplayer, right? |
lowlife
Junior
Username: lowlife
Post Number: 29
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 5:41 am: | |
Good catch Keavin.
I guess that I am a life-long musician. This may ruffle a few feathers, but I truly believe that you can practice for years and still get nowhere unless you are born with "IT". All of you have your own definitions of what "IT" is, but none the less you gotta have "IT". "IT" can be honed, rocked, funked and blues-ed out, but ya still gotta have "IT".
I started piano when I was 6 and I picked up my 1st bass when I was 12 (it was a WEM).
Lowlife refers to the low-end of the musical spectrum, and to some of the wild stuff that I did as a touring musician.
Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll; too bad that it's wasted on the young! All three sound mighty good at 49.
Ellery |
keavin
Intermediate Member
Username: keavin
Post Number: 113
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 11:09 am: | |
one thing about most of (us) musicians is that we all have a lowlife in our past,some of us are still wearing the name, but it dont take much to know on a 'musical term' that it would be refering to the bassplayer, well in that case were all lowlife,ive been thumping bass for 30 yrs also,starting at age 12, and been thumping on alembic#12 for 25yrs. |
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