| Author | Message | ||
| groovelines
New Username: groovelines Post Number: 1 Registered: 4-2003 |
Pardon the "howdy", I'll try to keep the local-speak in check - I'm not originally from Texas, but I've been told it's the law (most likely something in the water): eventually you want a gun rack, boots and a bad accent - some horrible, common sense-draining, osmosis thing. I've been playing for a number of years, only a few of them seriously. Most recently as bassist, soundman, nose-wipper, motivator and mom, et al for a bunch of weekend warriors in the north dallas area. After our second child arrived (not the band's, my wife and me) I figured if I was gonna work that hard and get crapped on I'd spend my weekends at home with the baby. Still miss playing - it's been almost three years now - but it's given me some valuable time. Funny how that doesn't stop you from drooling over gear? For the past two years I had been making my wife nervous with frequent visits to Alembic's on-line custom shop. Then the 'occasional' trip to the local dealers to 'just see what's out there'. Being the compastionate husband I am, the only way to end her suffering was to purchase one. Logical thing to do, right? Okay, I admit I was feeling it pretty bad, too. I succumbed last summer and so the deal is that I don't get anything for Christmas, birthdays or anniversaries for the next decade or so. I can live with that. Actually, my wife is very supportive, she didn't want me to quite the band, and couldn't deny it was a deal too good to let go. My first Alembic is an Orion 5, Europa electronics, side LEDs, crown peghead, bird's eye maple top. The crown peg head was an unusual choice, it was a dealer custom they'd had for a while (Larry Morgan Music, Garland, TX), and not one I'd select, but it plays like a dream and the sound is inspiring. The dealer had several higer-end Alembics on hand (MK/SCs), but they weigh a ton and honestly that much bass scares the crap outta me. The dealer price made the LEDs and electronic upgrades virtualy free. Anyway, from what I'd seen and played, any Alembic is far and above the rest of the "custom" world. I certainly feel like I'm on top of the world when playing. Sometimes I pick it up just to look at it. It's hard to believe people spend that much for something to sit on when you can have something to make music with instead! Can't figure some folks out.I said "first Alembic" becasue it appears from what I've read, you can't own just one Alembic and if you do it's only the next step to another. Is there a twelve-step program I can take before it's too late? Or is it already too late? Maybe when I feel that I deserve such a work of craftmanship I'll upgrade - or better yet just get a second one! I've been following some interesting threads and wanted to say "hi" before I popped up on any of them. adios, Mike | ||
| dean_m
Intermediate Member Username: dean_m Post Number: 104 Registered: 7-2002 |
Hey Mike, Welcome to the club!!!!! I'm sure the "others" will be here soon to welcome you as well!!! I too have a custom Orion fretless that I love. You are right though, Alembics are like potato chips, you can't stop at one!!! Post pictures of your Orion when you can, we'd all love to see it. Peace, Dino (bptfo) | ||
| elzie
Intermediate Member Username: elzie Post Number: 106 Registered: 8-2002 |
Hey Mike! Welcome to not only the board, but also to the Alembic playing world. There is no 12 step program, it is actually a 12 bar program  Pics for us here to drool over is mandatory around these parts. (sorry for the lame attempt at speaking Texan) Paul (TGO) | ||
| groovelines
New Username: groovelines Post Number: 2 Registered: 4-2003 |
Thanks, guys, it's nice to be here. Paul, nice try with the local longo, don't sweat it, I've been here twenty years and still wonder if I'm still in a english speaking country. Okay, I tried to upload an image earlier and was rebuffed by a 150k limit, so here goes again, albeit much smaller. it's hard to see the bird's eye wood grain, I'll post more in the Orion section. anyway, here's the new addition. peace, love and bell bottoms, Mike  | ||
| palembic
Advanced Member Username: palembic Post Number: 383 Registered: 9-2002 |
Welcome Mike, nice bass! Alembic is an addiction. But beacuse we bass-players are all sweet people we don't mob the elderly to get the money to buy new Alembics. Although ...the bank robbery definitely increase in "alembic-playing-areas" (what is the whole world bt now) and it will getting worse seen the price increases! Welcome! Paul (TBO) | ||
| jet_powers
Junior Username: jet_powers Post Number: 15 Registered: 2-2003 |
Welcome! Indeed, that is a nice bass. And nobody here will hold it against you that you're from Texas. I've sometimes thought TX was a third world country but if you've been transplanted there for 20 years it can't be that bad! Personally I am only on step 4. If I only had the money I'm fairly certain I could find 8 more Alembics I need to own! There are worse addictions to have..... John | ||
| bigredbass
Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 98 Registered: 9-2002 |
As a native Texan, believe me, folks, it really is 'a whole 'nother country'. And believe me, if you're gonna gig in Texas, you better be able to step up and PLAY. These folks are used to SRV, Asleep at the Wheel, TBone Walker, Freddie King, and on and on. There is no twelve step program. Your EPIC now owns you, not the other way around. Welcome. Howdy. Now, gimme some BBQ and some longnecks for the trip to LaGrange . . . . J o e y | ||
| groovelines
New Username: groovelines Post Number: 7 Registered: 4-2003 |
LOL, yeah, you better play, and play it right. On one occasion I was the first member of the band to show for set up. When I found the club owner he gave me this "who the &*#% are you?" look. I wasn't sure if I should tell him we'd play for beer or wet myself. I cursed the rest of the band for showing up "late", as usual. Turns out it was the most fun we ever had at a club. You never know. There was some talk about building a fence around the state. I'm not sure if it was to keep the rest of the nation out, or lock the natives in! "I wasn't born here, but I got here as fast as I could!" is a popular sentiment. Mike | ||
| alembic76407
Intermediate Member Username: alembic76407 Post Number: 118 Registered: 5-2002 |
Mike, the fence will be put up to keep the Texans out of Sooner country, JUST KIDDING !!!!!! David T (OU Employee) PS; they put a gun to my head and made me say that. (Message edited by alembic76407 on April 25, 2003) | ||
| groovelines
New Username: groovelines Post Number: 8 Registered: 4-2003 |
David T, It's alright, my parents are an Okie/New Yorker combo. It's been interesting to say the least.... (I think the fence is a good idea) Mike | ||
| alembic76407
Intermediate Member Username: alembic76407 Post Number: 133 Registered: 5-2002 |
did you Texans loose some congressmen, their hiding out here in Oklahoma, I guess the fence is not done yet!!!!!! | ||
| wayne
Member Username: wayne Post Number: 57 Registered: 5-2002 |
Yeah, they raised the average IQ of both states.... Sorry, couldn't help myself. ;-)) C-Ya.........wayne | ||
| alembic76407
Intermediate Member Username: alembic76407 Post Number: 135 Registered: 5-2002 |
touche' Wayne, I had that coming David T sorry, could'nt help myself on that last post!!! | ||
| groovelines
Junior Username: groovelines Post Number: 18 Registered: 4-2003 |
They left the state? If the news hadn't reported it, we wouldn't have noticed. Honestly, they could have stayed....and not been missed. What's that one..."Why doesn't Texas float away into the Gulf of Mexico? Because Oklahoma s*x so hard." I can do that, my Dad's an Okie. Mike | ||
| groovelines
Junior Username: groovelines Post Number: 19 Registered: 4-2003 |
David, sorry for the poke. It's the only Okie joke I know. You'd think I'd know more since I live in the DFW area. Anyway, here's my fav Aggie joke - hope it makes up for the previous... Spring break finds two Aggies prowling the Padre beaches, the first having much better luck with the women. His socially challenged friend has to ask, "How do you do it?" "Do what?" "Do what?! Man, all the girls want to talk to you. what's your secret?" "Hmmm, okay, but it's only because I like you. the secert is in the potato." "The wha..?" "Potato. You but a potato in your bathing suit." Bemused, nevertheless, the hapless friend decides to give it a try the next day. Later on the first Aggie spots his trolling cohort and asks him how's it going with the girls. "I don't know, this potato idea is something else. It's having the opposite effect. I did what you told me and put the potato in my pants, but whenever I approach anyone they either start laughing at me or run away screaming. What am I missing?" "Well," says the first. "Lets take a look." checking out his artificially endowed friend he exclaims, "No, no no! The potato goes in the front!" Hope it helps. BTW, the by the people, for the people Democrats have returned from Ardmore. the fence idea is looking beter and better.... peace, love and bell bottoms, Mike |
