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ajish4
Junior
Username: ajish4

Post Number: 22
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Saturday, August 27, 2005 - 4:17 pm:   Edit Post

Technically, I’ve been an unofficial lurker and occasional contributor since November 2004. I’m not very good at this “introduction” stuff, so I’ll try to keep it short and sweet, though I’m sure I’ll ramble on. I apologize in advance…

I’ll probably mention my wife Janey a lot, but, if it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have ANY of my cool basses that I own today! So I have to give credit where credit is due. We’ve been together since I was at the ripe old age of fifteen and that was back in 1976/77. Ok, enough about that stuff.

We went to see ELP together on our first date (I THINK it was 1977-Nassau Coliseum, NY -alas, the mind, she isn’t what she used to be) and Greg Lake was playing (what I now know as an ALEMBIC SCORPION bass) and I was just SO hooked. From then on, I wanted an Alembic. We went to a music store shortly after the concert and asked about Greg Lake’s Alembic. The only Alembic that they had in stock was a 1977 Series 1. Man, that thing was HEAVY! BUT THE SOUND, the FEEL...I NEVER forgot it! He told me the price, I promptly broke out into a sweat, and I handed it back to the guy and purchased a Carlo Robelli Ripper.

Fast forward some 26 years later…..

My first ALEMBIC was purchased for me as a Christmas gift from my wife Janey in 2003. She found it used on line at THE BASS PALACE.

It’s a really sweet bass & it’s my main axe. I only play in church, so my venues are pretty much the same. I have to say, I LOVE this bass. I’ve seen some nice things written about Epics, and some not so nice things about them. Let’s just say, it was a rebirth of AA, Alembic Addiction! I have a terrible back, so being a lightweight, it’s just perfect! I don’t think I have to go into all the praises any further. It’s all been covered on this site before, I’m sure. I just LOVE the feel and the sound she gives me, the bass that is…

I love progressive rock, need I mention, ELP, YES, MOODY BLUES, PINK FLOYD, Rush, and sadly enough, you can’t play this stuff in church….though I did break into Pink Floyds MONEY during a “forgotten moment” during the collection years ago, but that’s another posting all in itself! You should have seen the look on the wife’s face!

My second ALEMBIC Janey just purchased recently for me this past Father’s Day. It is a STUNNING 5 string ESSENCE. I STILL can’t believe she “did it again”. This time, she used this board to get her information. Another thank you to all you who helped with that purchase! I hate to admit it, but I just haven’t given the Essence the time it deserves. That 5 string neck is going to take time to adjust to. What an amazing sound. I can’t believe it. I catch myself just looking at it. To me, it’s art pure and simple!

Anyway, to summarize to cut down on the read time…..

1) Married, wife Janey-ALMOST 25 years-not counting the “dating” years.
2) 2 Kids, 16 year old son, 14 year old Daughter.
3) Basses owned: Alembic Epic 4 string, Essence 5 String, Rickenbacker 4001CS-(It was a Christmas, birthday, “multiple holiday” gift purchased new from a local shop some time during the mid 1990’s) Chris Squire is my favorite bassist, hence the Chris Squire Limited Edition Rickenbacker). To this date, my only new bass.
4) Fender Prophecy III, Rogue Fretless 4 string (yeah, I know, see the next line).
5) Dream Bass or should I say Basses-Essence 4 string Fretless with upgraded electronics (at this stage, anyway) and not to forget, the Greg Lake Scorpion bass.

Well, I guess that about covers it. Thanks again for the time and for the read.
I hope to spend many a year gawking at these amazing basses on this site.

Tony


My ULTIMATE DREAM BASS.

(Message edited by davehouck on August 27, 2005)
57basstra
Member
Username: 57basstra

Post Number: 99
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Saturday, August 27, 2005 - 8:04 pm:   Edit Post

Hello, Tony. I enjoyed your introduction. Look forward to hearing more from you. Sounds as if you and I have similar tastes in artists, and I too play primarily in church these days. I have a Mark King Standard 5 and an Epic 6 and I love them both. The Epics are great basses in my book.
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 614
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Sunday, August 28, 2005 - 9:04 am:   Edit Post

Tony:

The collection/Floyd story had me laughing out loud. Thanks.

Bill, tgo
richbass939
Advanced Member
Username: richbass939

Post Number: 377
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Sunday, August 28, 2005 - 2:58 pm:   Edit Post

Welcome, Tony. I also enjoyed your intro and stories. Similar influences here too. I for one enjoyed watching your Father's Day surprise unfold. I'm sure you have read the thread Janey started. It was a blast to observe.
Rich
ajish4
Junior
Username: ajish4

Post Number: 24
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 - 6:51 am:   Edit Post

Sorry it took so long to respond. I do apologize! Life gets busy at times, and this was one of those times!

In reverse order....Hey Rich, yes I did go back and look at Janey's posting. I still can't believe she did something like this, again! Should I DARE say anything about Christmas?!? That Scorpion.... I beter not go there :-) I think I'm at my limit of basses as far as she is concerned but.......besides, she MAY see this!

Hi Bill,
Glad I was able to bring a smile! It was kind of funny. In short, I have a VERY bad back, and I take some strong medication for it.

Lets just say, I was feeling no pain when I basically forgot where I was and just started playing! When the drummer poked me with his stick, I remembered where I was and I looked up and was able to see 3 or 4 "cool" (that's a quote from our drummer) people who knew what I was playing! Unfortunally, one of them was my wife! Boy, what a wonderful shade of red she was that day! I had to QUICKLY switch into Amazing Grace and the rest of the team joined in. Whew!

Lastly, HI to you too David!
I can barely get my hands past the 12th fret of my 5 string Essence! You must get that church a rockin with those beautiful basses! It seems many of the Alembic people have the same types of influences in music and many more play in churches! It's very cool indeed!

Thanks agian for the welcome!

Tony

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