| Author | Message | ||
| pace
Advanced Member Username: pace Post Number: 324 Registered: 4-2004 |
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=111869 Check 'em out if you're in the market for a stupidly affordable extended range or double course 8'er | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1648 Registered: 3-2004 |
Do you have any experience with these? Are they just like any other Korean-made instrument? Some of those look pretty nice but they always seem to be awfully close to infringing on the designs of others. It seems like these guys are having a headstock issue from the thread you link to, but you can't get more vanilla than the design they show pics of. Maybe it's too close to Pedulla? -Bob | ||
| paulman
Advanced Member Username: paulman Post Number: 242 Registered: 2-2005 |
When I receive mine I'll review it 'cos like pace said, it was "stupidly" affordable and I'm always looking for cheap guitars that sound good when Further Baby shouldn't be out. | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 575 Registered: 3-2004 |
I'm inquiring about an 8. For that price one can always gift it if it doesn't please. | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 1585 Registered: 4-2004 |
something tells me you will get what you pay for looks a little like the taiwan import tittie bass i bought and that was a bust.... lol | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1650 Registered: 3-2004 |
$400 delivered for an 8 is pretty decent if it's playable. Replacing electronics to make it sound great still might not be an awful deal if the wood is good. I suspect it will be like the typical Korean guitars you can pick up at the local GC. By the way, it always makes me feel odd when we're discussing another company's instruments on this site, regardless of which sub-forum we're in. Talking about some oldie is one thing, but new basses for sale seems a bit wrong to me. I wonder if Dave/Mica have an opinion on this? | ||
| pace
Advanced Member Username: pace Post Number: 325 Registered: 4-2004 |
Well, the verdict is still out and I agree with ALL of the sentiments/speculation above..... Bob~ I definitely feel 'odd' posting the topic in the first place, and I apologize to Mica and Dave if this goes beyond their comfort zone (if so, then please yank it). But, I know there are club members looking for "gig/beater" 7&8'ers. For them I felt that posting the link could only help them in their search (extended range basses, Korean or otherwise, are anything but the typical stock in the local GC's)..... Paulman~ That was my first thought! Ive got some gigs coming up where the Alembics wont be travelling w/ me. Danno~ Senior management was over my shoulder when I saw Mike's initial post on the PSG forum and said "What've you got to lose".... lol..... I guess that solidified my interest! Flax~ I agree with the price/quality ratio, and these things certainly shouldnt be mentioned in the same breath as.... well you know....... But, when it comes to Asian imports, to what extent are you willing to pay for just a name or logo, especially when the same factory is churning out brands A,B,C,D,etc,etc.... Was the "tittie" bass a reworked Peavey?!? or was that another one? | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 576 Registered: 3-2004 |
I ordered the 8. I'm picking up my Korean Hamer 12 this week. I had the nut replaced with a brass one. All this because I get a bit gassy waiting for my fretless Excel 5 and refinish on my essense 5 (both black). All the Korean stuff I have is very good. The Fenders and Hamers are very well built and sound great. Better investment than a lost weekend at the Joisey Shore I guess. | ||
| lidon2001
Advanced Member Username: lidon2001 Post Number: 315 Registered: 4-2005 |
Speaking of inexpensive Korean beaters to use when you don't want to bring your Alembic, I have one of these on the way: http://www.modguitars.com/bass_indra_I.shtml Cool little short scale. Just right for an Alembic pickup upgrade. (Since I mentioned the Alembic replacement upgrade, does this post pass?) | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 486 Registered: 11-2004 |
Tom, If the Alembic upgrade doesn't happen, that thing looks like it might be screaming for a Darkstar. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5165 Registered: 5-2002 |
Bob, Mike & all; it's an interesting question. Personally, I guess the easy, and maybe best, answer is to say it's a gray area. I too have had from time to time that same "odd" feeling Bob mentions. In the instant case, a $360 guitar doesn't seem to be a "competitor" to Alembic. However, some instruments discussed in our forum are competitors. And while most of the regular members of this forum clearly prefer Alembics over other instruments, if a web surfer happens to land here and starts reading a thread that appears to favorably compare another company's instrument to Alembic, then perhaps we are doing a disservice to our hosts. But that doesn't tend to happen often. Another thought on this topic. Let's say you've just acquired an instrument that isn't an Alembic, and that you're pretty excited about this instrument and you want to share your excitement with, and provide a review for, those of your closest friends who would appreciate such an acquisition, those of your friends who know something about quality instruments. Well for a lot us, those friends are right here. Another example; you see a listing for a rare Brand X bass on Ebay at a great price and you know several of your friends in the club really like those rare Brand X basses. On the other hand, I don't think it's a good idea, considering that we are guests here of Alembic, for someone to come on this board and proclaim that some other maker is superior to Alembic. Clearly Alembic has provided this space as a service to those who own, or are considering purchasing, Alembic instruments; it is a bulletin board for the Alembic community. There are other boards on the web that may be more suitable for such a proclamation (as misinformed as it may be <g>). So, it's a gray area. Overall I tend to think the balance here has been good, and that the members here tend to use good judgement when discussing instruments other than Alembics. | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1651 Registered: 3-2004 |
Dave, I think it was the Wishbass thread that gave me the feeling and then seeing this again so close reinforced it. Certainly Korean factory-made basses are no competition for Alembic, but somebody's custom-carve job with a sandwich-laminated neck could be construed as such even though the quality and electronics could never measure up. As much as it's nice to be a community of enthusiasts, we have to remember whose house we're in here. | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 583 Registered: 3-2004 |
For the interested, i received the 8str today. Very good sustain, good tone, pots are a bit cheesy, needs shielding but it plays well enough. No adjustment needed. Funny, I paid $107 for a brass nut replacement on my Korean Hamer 12 and I need to spend some time adjusting the buzz out of the neck. Go figure! | ||
| mcrracer
New Username: mcrracer Post Number: 6 Registered: 5-2007 |
Since non Alembic postings are being discussed, I would like to ask you guys opinion on all of the non-Alembic stuff posted for sale on this board. I am rather new on this board and that has struck me as odd to see on here. What say you? | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1660 Registered: 3-2004 |
I'm not a moderator, but here's my feeling. If you're a person who is an actual "member of the community", there should be no problem with you selling any non-controversial and non-commercial items. Heck, offer your XBOX or Ninja for sale if you need to. In my opinion, a "member of the community" is someone who has been around and participating for at least a couple months. Additionally, I would consider anyone who is working with Alembic or a dealer to order a custom a "member of the community" whether or not they had previously posted. That person should be free to try selling off their Fender or whatever in order to fund the new Alembic. You're not a "member of the community" if you buy an Alembic in a pawn shop for cheap money and come to the site to sell it for a profit, never to be heard from again. On the other hand, this guy may be someone who is still welcome here because it gives members an opportunity to purchase a used Alembic at whatever price they are willing to pay. Really, it is a judgment call to be made by Dave and Alembic. If something looks or feels slimy, they'll question it. If they aren't happy with the answer, they'll act accordingly. I can't remember seeing any clear-cut abuse of the system here, but things do get gray on occasion. | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1661 Registered: 3-2004 |
Danno- A good deal for $400 then? Sounds like good wood and hardware with mediocre electronics. Spend another $500 on a set of Alembic guts on eBay and you could have a monster bass for pretty cheap money. He's also got a couple guitar bargains that I might look into for a knock-around. | ||
| jbybj
Member Username: jbybj Post Number: 84 Registered: 6-2006 |
I have been on this forum for about a year. I came here after registering my 96 Epic. I have also initiated Wishbass discussions on more than one occasion. I love this place. I love my Alembic, and I love bass guitars and amplifiers. I know that we are hosted by Alembic, but I always thought of this as a bass (and guitar) forum. But different from any other forum I have seen, in that the people here are awesome. They are smarter, more experienced, more helpful, than the typical musicians forum. Genuinely funny and nice. Barring the snake oil salesmen, and opportunistic scammers, it has always felt like anything was acceptable to bring up here. I enjoy reading about motorcycles, other makers instruments, and life's big choices. IMHO, I don't think the kind of openness and free wheeling discussion I have witnessed and participated in, is in ANY WAY harmful to the Alembic brand. The thread I started on "cheap guilty pleasures" brought a big response, and I was enlightened. I can't imagine anyone, even a newcomer, would have read that thread and decided, forget about a new Alembic, I'm getting a Hohner!!! Civility, and honesty, that is all that need be enforced to keep the good name of Alembic. Just my 2 cents.. JBY | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 584 Registered: 3-2004 |
Good deal, painless really. I just get gas while I'm in wait mode. I may strip it down and paint it black for giggles. For those who have qualms about other brand postings I hear you and understand. I have a profound love and respect for this company. I support them in any way I am able. (Usually that is a financial exchange) I promote with my shows, use the axes, wear the clothing, got the mugs, use the preamps and even promote on tshirts for my talent shows at the school where I teach. That being said I don't feel I am detracting from the brand or the family by talking about other products. There are a lot of good opinions here, some very good advice and support for what members are trying to do musically. I admit I don't have the tattoo but I feel very connected with the Santa Rosa posse. I will get to the promised land soon and hopefully be welcomed into the kingdom while having ebony dust sprinkled upon my brow! BTW if anybody wants to spend $400 bucks for a cheap thrill, I say go for it. Or you could put it toward any of the fine products offered by Alembic. (I want the ever elusive wide black embossed strap that is always out of stock.) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5201 Registered: 5-2002 |
Ebony dust! Love it! | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 794 Registered: 6-2002 |
Help! Help! I'm suspended in Epoxy...  Ebony dust |
