| Author | Message | ||
| j_gary
New Username: j_gary Post Number: 1 Registered: 6-2005 |
Hello ladies(?)and gentlemen. J.Gary here,an old newbie.My compliments on a fascinating site. Brains,warriors and humor all in one place, well done. I've recently contracted Alembicitis from a little SC I picked up. I'm afraid the only cure is a medium or long scale Series II. Any sightings,tips,info or advice would be kindly appreciated. Thank you and stay low, J.Gary. 586-382-3773, (jgw8187@wowway.com) | ||
| malthumb
Advanced Member Username: malthumb Post Number: 336 Registered: 5-2002 |
J. Gary, Your area code puts you in my neck o' the woods. I work at the GM Tech Center. I wouldn't mind letting you fiddle around with one of mine one day, but keep your wallet in your pocket. They ain't for sale.  Peace, James | ||
| j_gary
New Username: j_gary Post Number: 2 Registered: 6-2005 |
WOW! I haven't seen a nicer set since Baywatch went off the air. Is it legal in Michigan to own and display them babies? Beautiful, you are very kind to make such an offer. You must be familar with Jon Jons on Mound. That is where I formed the philosophy that I ain't touching what I can't take home. I work at Warren Fire garage on Chicago Road. My Dad retired from the Tech Center in 1990, small world. I'd be very interested in how you came upon these beauties, and their birth and performance history. You are a lucky man. I fear I may be a little windy for this site. Hope you don't mind if I send you a hello. Thanks,Gary | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 1925 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hi Gary, welcome to the group! | ||
| j_gary
New Username: j_gary Post Number: 3 Registered: 6-2005 |
Well hello there Dave. It is a class act for a senior member to take the time to say welcome. I think if I were a drummer, I wish, I would pick up an Alembic just to hang out here. I thank you kindly for the warm greeting. I have been lurking in the shadows of the site for a while and have enjoyed your writing and expertise. Thanks again, stay low, Gary | ||
| richbass939
Advanced Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 296 Registered: 11-2004 |
J. Gary, welcome to the club. You are correct that this is a great group. Best of luck to you in getting a S-II. BTW, Malthumb, those two are stunning! Rich | ||
| drjenney
Junior Username: drjenney Post Number: 33 Registered: 11-2004 |
Personally, I think it is a shame. Series basses ought to be rationed, like other scarce resources, until everybody that wants one gets one. Then [and ONLY then] some people can buy a second. :-) | ||
| j_gary
New Username: j_gary Post Number: 4 Registered: 6-2005 |
Yes sir drjenney, I agree, it's a darn shame those babies are not mine! Thank God they stopped at the Series II, they have stopped right? Please tell me there is no Series III! Oh No!!! | ||
| j_gary
New Username: j_gary Post Number: 5 Registered: 6-2005 |
Ooops, had a panic attack and forgot to say hello and thanks to Rich. Those Alembics have me seeing double. BTW I may have a chance to trade my like new 1990 Ken Smith BT Custom 6 string (ebony) for a 25 yr old Series I which needs a little updating, any thoughts from our expert panel? Thanks. | ||
| alembic76407
Advanced Member Username: alembic76407 Post Number: 376 Registered: 5-2002 |
trade!!!!!! my 76 series 1 is a dream to play welcome to the club David T (TLO)(the loud one) | ||
| j_gary
New Username: j_gary Post Number: 6 Registered: 6-2005 |
Thanks David, it is good to hear that there is love aplenty for the old wood and wire. Is the new stuff that much better or just different? The reach for new is soooo high, but perhaps worth it? I would like to get on the porch with the big dogs but so far the budget says it's puppy chow for this old hound. Stay Low, Gary | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 747 Registered: 11-2003 |
Hi Gary, I'd have to say that a SC is not exactly puppy chow. As for a cure, forget it, it's chronic. If you upgrade the bass you gotta upgrade the rig. It's like moving into a new house with old furniture. I play an Epic that I dearly enjoy but have been lusting for a balance K MK for a while. Good luck on the quest and don't forget when you achieve your goal we need photos. We need photos of the SC also. Sam | ||
| dwmark
Junior Username: dwmark Post Number: 35 Registered: 1-2005 |
Bad news Gary. I have a 2004 Series I (with II electronics) and a 1976 Series I. They're both great but they're different. If I had to make a choice, I'd sell every one of my other basses so that I could keep both of them. If you get an old one first, you'll still want a new one, and visa versa. dw | ||
| j_gary
New Username: j_gary Post Number: 7 Registered: 6-2005 |
Hello Sam, you are right about the SC. I've been around awhile and have developed quite a BS filter. I was very suspect of the Alembic "hype". I bought the SC primarily because of its quilted maple top, never played it til I got her home. (I know, big dope.) The first few flights were tough. Went to web site, set her up, new strings & strap, used her in battle,whole new instrument. I have never played anything so responsive and versatile. It is a piece that you must handle as well as you play. I barely look at anything else and it's that dang SC's fault. I'm still in the primorial ooze phase of computerism. A friend gave me this old box to begin. I can see I'll have to learn to do photos or die. Thanks for the reality check Sam. Hey there dw, your killing me. I was weak kneed at the thought of finding a single Series bass. Thanks for the warning, man am I in trouble. There appears to be no cure either. Thanks gentlemen, Gary. | ||
| alembic76407
Advanced Member Username: alembic76407 Post Number: 377 Registered: 5-2002 |
Gary, if you play an Alembic, you are a big dog, along with my Series 1, I also play an Epic. both sound and play better than any bass I've ever played David T | ||
| j_gary
New Username: j_gary Post Number: 8 Registered: 6-2005 |
Hi David, sounds like you have heard me play. I like the look of a Epic, never played one. I thought you had to have a whole bunch of switches and dials on your bass to be a Big Dog. You know I have not had the chance to play a Series, heck I've never seen one in person, so what do I know. All those controls, the electronics, the craftsmenship makes one think this could be big fun. Stay Low, Gary. | ||
| ctjim
Junior Username: ctjim Post Number: 11 Registered: 4-2005 |
J. Gary, Welcome to the club. Hope your hunt/prowl is short, and sweet. James, Not only do you have a great name, but a pair of super basses. To cool. Ctjim | ||
| malthumb
Advanced Member Username: malthumb Post Number: 337 Registered: 5-2002 |
Gary, You asked how I came across these basses. First of all, the sick part is that I received them both the same week in June 2000. I had owned (in order) an '83 Spoiler, an '87 SC, a '74 Series I, and a '79 Series II. All 4 stringers. I play in church and a 5 string comes in handy, so I hardly got to play any of them. I really liked the Series II, so I decided that what I really needed was a Series II 5 string. I specced out the Mark King Deluxe 5 string with Series II electronics and side LEDs. While it was in the process of being built, I found out that Stanley Clarke was liquidating a lot of his gear as part of a divorce settlement. I contacted his engineer and made an offer on the 4 string. As I mentioned, they arrived the same week. About two days apart. What a week!!  Peace, James | ||
| j_gary
New Username: j_gary Post Number: 9 Registered: 6-2005 |
Hello Ctjim,I thank you sir for the kind sentiment. I fear this may be a life long journey and I'm beginning to realize how much I enjoy the whole process. James, thank you for the info and the photo. After hearing about your unbelievable week in 2000, I'm thinking God is a bass player and you are on the short list of favorite house musicians.Very cool having a "real" Stanley Clarke. It appears you have flown enough different models to comment on your feelings of the pros and cons of short,medium and long scale necks. I'd also appreciate your thoughts on LEDS, front and side. Stay Low, Gary | ||
| malthumb
Advanced Member Username: malthumb Post Number: 338 Registered: 5-2002 |
Gary, I'll leave any commentary on short scale to Micheal DeLaCerda, the attending physician in the short scale wing of this musical hospital. As for medium and long scale, I've had two 32" scale mediums ('83 Spoiler & '79 Series II) and two 34" long scales (the two I still own). Can't say that I'm strongly biased either way. Just keep in mind that Alembic fretboards tend to start further out of the body than most basses you'll play, making the reach to the 1st position a little longer than on most instruments. LEDs? Fronts are for the audience, Sides are for you. I will not order another Alembic without Side LEDs. Both my current basses have 'em. My '79 Series II also had 'em. Great in low light situations. I don't have the need for fronts, but if I picked up a used Alembic that had 'em, I'd be fine with that. Peace, James | ||
| j_gary
New Username: j_gary Post Number: 10 Registered: 6-2005 |
Hi James,thank you for the insightfull comments. These are things that would take one time and money aplenty to learn. This whole process is both daunting and fascinating. Are you sure you do not want to get rid of that "old" 4 string that some "guy" wrote all over? Any idea on what folks are paying for a decent new Series II and where they prefer to purchase from? Stay Low, Gary. | ||
| kungfusheriff
Advanced Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 326 Registered: 8-2003 |
If I may step in here, Gary, if I were you I'd accept malthumb's offer to test-drive his basses, just to be sure an Alembic bass would work for you as a musical tool...not everybody gets along with them. If the fit is right, Google, Google and Google some more. I had been lucky enough to own two Spoilers some years back and foolish enough to part with them, so I had a pretty good idea what to expect when I decided I wanted a short-scale Series about two years ago. It took months of searching, but in time I was able to locate a mint '82 S2 the owner of a recording studio had bought and stashed under his bed many years ago before last year deciding to sell it for about half the going rate. I'm happy with the bass all around, and wish you the same luck. | ||
| j_gary
Junior Username: j_gary Post Number: 11 Registered: 6-2005 |
Hello kungfusheriff, please feel free to step in any time. You make a good point as for the type of playing I do, small stinky bars with frightening large groups of inebriated people screaming for Led Zeppelin, would hardly require an Alembic. Honest to God, half the time my bass selection is based upon which one would best serve as a defensive weapon. I've been dragging around a large Trace rig and a Ken Smith for years to events where my equipment was worth more than the building. I'm often asked why I bother with the trouble and expense. Well there are moments, when I'm not trying to run the PA, or chasing the local drunk Elvis who has grabbed a mike, or dealing with the owner, or helping the guitarist back on the stage, there are moments where the band is on fire, the atmosphere electric, and the room is pulsating. At these moments the cream rises to the top and the weak are eaten, that is when it is all worth it. I've been running the above set up since 1989, and it has never left me wishing for more. I own a few Fenders, Ricks, and a Gibson. None has been able to make the starting team. Then I finally pony up for an Alembic, primarily due to its striking appearance, a quilted maple 99 SC with Europa electronics. Initially as you eluded to,I struggled with her. Once I understood how sensitive and varied the controls were I was hooked. Add the feel, quality, and an enthusiastic support system, you've got a keeper. I am so impressed with these instuments and the culture that I have to try their top offering. I deeply appreciate James kind offer and I just might take him up on the offer if he is still talking to me after all the questions I've bombarded him with. However at this point I do not trust my instincts or knowledge to make a confident decision about a Series II purchase, as I think it would take many hours of Alembic experience to make an intelligent call. Therein lies the beauty of this site. I feel as though I can get the benefit of years of experience in one place. There are some scary cats ( musician talk) hanging around this joint. Guys like James who has had more time on a Series and has owned more Series than I will probably ever see. These fellas can save one much time and sorrow by guiding you to where for the most part I am heading. My only job is to listen to these veterens and decipher whose style or thought process parallels mine. Their opinions will assist me as to where I want to end up in my selection process. One final thing( clapping & cheering) how is it that Zeppelin and Hendrix are still so popular? That stuff was hell to play 30 years ago nevermind now,jeeeze! Stay Low, Gary | ||
| kungfusheriff
Advanced Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 327 Registered: 8-2003 |
(slaps forehead) It's been a few days since I first read your post, so I managed to completely forget you already own an Alembic. In that case--the Series 2 package is reminiscent of other models in the Alembic line, but with the difference of being refined to the concept's logical conclusion. In conjunction with a suitable amplifier and strings it's capable of pretty much anything--last week I managed to nail the upright bass tone on Norah Jones' first album, and I'm running Thomastic flats on a fretted bass. Nice, eh? Some people take years refining the vision of exactly what they want their custom Series to be, and I'm one of them. I can say with a measure of certainty that there will be a period of shock when you first play one, as it will be much better at its' job than you are at yours, i.e. playing it. But with the bar set that high, you will almost certainly improve. And if you don't, I'll give it a good home (grin). | ||
| j_gary
Junior Username: j_gary Post Number: 12 Registered: 6-2005 |
Hey there slaps. Now that was funny. Heck with all the wind I've blown(easy,easy...)through this site I can't remember what I've said. I'm in the advanced stages of CRS disease. It somehow does not surprise me that one would be able to get an upright sound out of an Alembic. I understand about half of the controls on my SC and I am constantly falling into interesting tones. I'm not familiar with Thomastic flats but it sounds like a great tip,thank you sir. | ||
| kungfusheriff
Advanced Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 328 Registered: 8-2003 |
Ah, the legendary Thomastic-Infeld Jazz Flats...the roundwound player's flat. Sticky of texture and slinky of tension, possessed of an articulate tone, thumpy lows and complex midrange (but often plinky highs) their devotees are a strange and dangerous cult oft met with a hiss and the evil eye from players who grew up on LaBellas. Like the Series 2, they're persnickety and require near-constant practice to yield anything resembling a decent tone, but they're not boring, which my German soul prizes. Any time. | ||
| the_mule
Senior Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 499 Registered: 1-2004 |
KFS, thanks for giving me a good laugh, for I am a TI Jazz Flat devotee too, although I'm not using them on one of my Alembics... Wilfred | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 1933 Registered: 5-2002 |
"Helping the guitarist back on the stage" ??? | ||
| j_gary
Junior Username: j_gary Post Number: 13 Registered: 6-2005 |
Yea Dave I was afraid someone might ask. My good ole buddy Guy. Decent player, no big ego, pleasent personality, handles an old Gibson SG like a pro. He even helps lift all my big ass cabinets without complaint. But he is a walking beer commercial. It's amazing to watch him start the night as Clapton and finish doing a bad Kieth Richards. Usually it is a cord, mike stand, or an ant on the stage, hard to tell sometimes, that takes him down. The real problems begin at a couple of stink holes that require a bit of driving to get to. He is all tuned up before we start and I've really got to watch him. When he takes a header off the front of the stage he is often caught by our adoring fans, both of them. When no one is there to catch him it can be loud and ugly. One New Years as I was concentrating on a nice pair of....err...I mean a solo, and the guitar dropped out. I scanned the area, no Guy. Well this particular hall has a curtain along the back of stage hiding an area where they store extra chairs and tables. I found Guy on his hands and knees crawling along the floor. On the ground in front of him was a perfectly round dark shape item that initially I thought was a pizza. OK he just stopped for a snack? NO NO NO, it was a perfectly round collection of todays food and beer that decided to make a return appearance. I wanted to strangle him but the picture was both sad and hilarious. I was able to set him up on a chair for the rest of the evening and bless his heart he managed quite admirably. The drummer, Grant, was another story. He lives to watch poeple in agony and was calling everyone he could think of to come up and watch poor Guy. His main concern the rest of the night was bouncing anything he could find off the top of Guys head. Yes sir, I need a beautiful classy Alembic Series II for this clown show. | ||
| richbass939
Advanced Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 298 Registered: 11-2004 |
J. Gary, Wow, and I thought I played some real dives with some real characters. I'm cracking up reading about your adventures. (So, you said you played with Buddy Guy?) One thing about that type of gig is that you don't get lulled to sleep. You have to be ready for anything. Keep the stories coming. They're hilarious! Rich | ||
| dadabass2001
Advanced Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 387 Registered: 6-2002 |
J, I could make a rude and suggestive comment about "doing a bad Keith Richards", but that would be really tactless and funny of me, so I will.  Mike | ||
| j_gary
Junior Username: j_gary Post Number: 14 Registered: 6-2005 |
Hi Rich, Buddy Guy would not let me carry his guitar nevermind jam with him. Besides what is so great about playing with a legend for adoring fans and tons of cash when I have homemade backstage pizza? Heck even Guy my buddy may be running from me. I think the drummer drove him out of music and into his fulltime gig as a social worker. I don't know who is tougher to keep, drummers or guitarists. You know what you call people who hang out with musicians? Drummers. My apologies to all the real percussionists out there. From where I sit I have to admit you make or break a band. Gotta love 'em even though they can't spell Alembic. Damn, sorry again! Hi Mike, you know now that I read that, your scaring me. It stirs up some frightening visuals, particularly as Richards is surely from another planet. It'll be him and insects after the big one. Stay Low, Gary | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 512 Registered: 7-2004 |
The way I heard it is "What do you call someone who is tone deaf and likes to hang out with musicians? A drummer!" To be P.C. I also offer the following: "What do you call a guitar player who breaks up with his girlfriend? Homeless!" I value my life too much to suggest a bass player joke around here (LOL). Actually I can't think of a good one at the moment. J.Gary, love your story. It brought to mind one I hadn't thought of in many years. I used to play in a band with another guitarist who was quite good, especially on slide. Several members of the band - who shall forever remain nameless - liked to indulge in a little 420 consciousness raising before we played. This particular guitarist was among that group. Unfortunately, as soon as he had even one puff, his playing went to hell. It would get so bad that he would forget stuff like how to finger a "G" chord! It got to the point where it was like mission impossible with some members trying to sneak in their inhalations without the guitarist knowing what was going on. It was amazing how setting up equipment made guys have to all of a sudden "go to the bathroom" or how several guys all happened to simultaneously remember that they left something out in their cars! Of course neither I, the moderators of this site, the members of this club, nor congress, endorses such shocking behavior from musicians. (Yea, right). Bill, tgo | ||
| j_gary
Junior Username: j_gary Post Number: 15 Registered: 6-2005 |
Hi Bill, it appears that the creative part of the brain makes some people susceptible to mind altering substances. Might be I'm unabe to use that part. That would explain may playing. For some reason I've avoided participation up to now. Although whenever I ever entertain the thought I merrily watch my brothers in action and defer. It does appear that the smokers are easier to deal with than the drinkers in my experience. The ones that inhale that is. Is it just me or does it seem that the average Alembician appears relatively drug free? Are almond M&Ms considered a mind altering substance? Maybe they are the reason I think I need a Series II. No, the SC did it! | ||
| byoung
Member Username: byoung Post Number: 90 Registered: 12-2004 |
Speaking of 4:20-- My boss said that his band decided that partying was for after the show after they were on stage one night, and they were all playing different songs (at the same time!). Of course, they did lots of Blue Oyster Cult covers, so it might've sounded better. Kidding! Brad | ||
| j_gary
Junior Username: j_gary Post Number: 16 Registered: 6-2005 |
Hi Brad, I've found you can cover more material in a shorter time if you each pick a song and fire away. That way you get to go home early, you know after you are fired. Party! Well folks, heading to Indiana to look at an old Series I. Talk to ya when I return, Stay Low, Gary |
