| Author | Message | ||
| rogertvr
Intermediate Member Username: rogertvr Post Number: 102 Registered: 1-2003 |
I thought that maybe it was time I bothered to introduce myself, especially as the Dragon’s Wing is well underway! I hope this doesn’t come across as pretentious; this isn’t my intention at all. I guess that’s the reason I haven’t posted this before…too scared! Anyway, many years ago, when I was very young (i.e. 8 years old) I almost sent my parents mad with the idea that I wanted a keyboard (an organ at that time). Remember this was the early 70’s! No way they were going to let an 8 year old have an organ, he couldn’t play a note and they couldn’t afford it. By the time I was 10, I wanted the organ AND I wanted a drum kit. This wasn’t helped by the fact that across the road, one of our neighbours had a drum kit set up in his garage. Listening to my neighbour playing drums continued to my satisfaction (the owner of the kit could really play and went on to own a music shop and do session work) until I was 14. By then I had decided that I wanted to be a bass player. My parents decided that maybe, as I had been a real pain about playing an instrument for six years, that I was probably serious by this stage. Dad finally gave in and bought me a Fender Jazz copy and a really basic amplifier and speaker. That was 1980 and it really got me going. I was a Rush and a Yes fan anyway, so I set about trying to copy Geddy Lee and Chris Squire’s finest! Come 1981, and dad wanted me to stay on into higher education. I wanted a job (i.e. money) so he bribed me. He couldn't afford what I wanted. I wanted a Rickenbacker 4001, but I didn't want a jetglo one - I wanted something different in colour. One day in my school holidays I spotted 'my' 4001 - in azureglo but a price tag £100 above jetglo ones. It was £490 in 1981 - a lot of money for my dad, mom didn't work (housewife) but he couldn't quite afford it. So - instead of telling me that it was a non-starter - he didn't go to the pub with his friends until he'd saved his beer money to pay for my 4001. Is it my most treasured possession? Of course and does it sing or what!!!!! Myself and senior management have some very basic rules if the worst happens and the house burns down – she saves the cats, I’m going to save my 4001! When the Dragon’s Wing arrives I’ll be saving two bass guitars I suspect!! During the mid-80’s I was playing in a band and then one day – along comes ‘Live Aid’. That was it for me. I sat in front of the tv, I was convinced that sooner or later The Who would be playing (although I had no proof beforehand that they would play) and myself, like millions of others, must have been gutted when, partway into ‘My Generation’, the BBC feed failed. It was restored of course and then when listening to ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ – I was absolutely blown away by John’s bass sound. I was on a mission to find out what instrument he was playing and Alembic turned out to be a very new thing to me then. From 1987 to 1993 I didn’t play, my 4001 sat in its case. One day in 1993 I went into town to get some strings, I had decided to start playing again. Hanging on the wall was an Alembic Series II, a very strange sky blue colour (with a horrific price tag) but it played like a dream. I decided that one day, I WOULD own an Alembic…as the years have passed, I have continued to change my mind (and budget) until I have settled on what I now have in build – the Dragon’s Wing. Sort of running parallel with the bass guitar thing, I’ve also had an unhealthy interest in synthesizers since 1982. I like the melodic and technical challenge that synthesizers give me if I’m in the mood. I’ve included some pictures of my keyboard set-up here. If anyone wants more details, please ask. But in there is (for the spotters!!):- Moog Mini-Moog Roland Jupiter 8 Roland D-50 Roland D-110 Module Moog The Source Novation KS5 Moog Taurus II (interfaced with the Source) Roland PK-5 (MIDI-ed to the D-110) Roland TR-707 (talks to the JP-8 and the D-50) 1 x very green frog called 'Elliot' (for moral support but spends most of his life trying to avoid two very determined Siamese cats) 50,000 feet (or thereabouts) of cabling and a 16 channel Behringer mixer! Finally, for amplification, I have my trusty Trace Elliot 250w top, driving a Trace Elliot 4x10" and a Trace Elliot 1x15" - all bought in 1986 and I cannot part with it! My neighbours love me ;-) I’m looking forward to the arrival of the Dragon’s Wing enormously! My first Alembic – but not the last I’m sure!! If you’ve got this far and not fallen asleep – I thank you! Sorry about all of the spurious objects in the pictures but I'm a little limited for space in my 'music room'! Cheers, Rog    | ||
| elzie
Intermediate Member Username: elzie Post Number: 192 Registered: 8-2002 |
Great story! I used to own a cream 4001. I just didn't like the neck on it, which is tough to say as a Geddy Lee fan too. Synthesizer? I haven't heard that word in quite a while. I had synthesizer classes in junior high school in 1977, man I feel old..... By the way Roger, if I get my finances in due order I am ordering a Dragon's Wing like yours ;) Paul II | ||
| dannobasso
Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 85 Registered: 7-2002 |
Great synths! I used to use a Source, Taurus 2, Juno 106, Korg DS8 along with my Spoiler 6's. I then went midi with 2 PK5's Korg N1R and Roland JV1010 with a Midiman box. But tastes change so now I just play bass and sing. I do use a Triton Rack and Roland XP-30 for my Mac-Protools setup. I use Tannoy 800 active monitors. I couldn't afford the Genlecs! Best of luck with your Dragon. He who dies with the most toys wins! | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 563 Registered: 9-2002 |
Brothert Roger! Is she coming soon? Wew! BTW: that syntesizer thing is far above my league! ATOH: I did fooled around some day with a tool that was called an "Oberheim Expander", with A LOT of knobs to tweak! Paul the bad one | ||
| senmen
Member Username: senmen Post Number: 54 Registered: 7-2003 |
Hi Roger, I am also dying to see your new baby, the Dragon... Then we HAVE to meet with Paul etc.etc. My Spyder8 is in the finishing I hope. When we will meet we will have some great basses to produce some big eartquake warnings! Take care Oliver Baumann | ||
| basstard
Member Username: basstard Post Number: 54 Registered: 3-2003 |
Roger, I have to admit that Ricks are probably my favourite "classic" basses (I'm not saying that Alembics are not classic - it's just that Rickenbackers are more "traditional"). If I were ever forced to play only 4-string passive basses, I'd surely play Ricks most of the time! | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 667 Registered: 9-2002 |
I just wandered by again and ...what did I see ??????? Ain't that a bottle of delicious "blue" Chimay peeping around the right border of the second picture!! Let me see "It's beer o'clock" you used to say? Paul the bad one | ||
| kenbass4
New Username: kenbass4 Post Number: 3 Registered: 10-2003 |
Hey again, Roger! (Home from work and have time to type) I guess we're pretty similar...as I have a '73 Mapleglow 4001, Korg Prophecy, X-3, and Wavestation SR, Alesis QSR, Roland XV-3080, and FATAR Footpedal controller. (OK, maybe I'm TOO big of Geddy fan!) Ken | ||
| rogertvr
Intermediate Member Username: rogertvr Post Number: 131 Registered: 1-2003 |
Ah yes Paul, the Chimay bottle...it's (well - it WAS!!) a 3-litre bottle of Chimay Grande Reserve. Until a Friday evening a little earlier this year, when I shared it with a very good friend of mine. I think it's probably my most favourite beer of all time. Shame it's so expensive!!!!!! Ken - that's a rather nice collection of instruments you have there!! | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 669 Registered: 9-2002 |
Sharing with a friend ...that's what good beer is all about (....hm ....and basses ....and diner ....and christmas ....) but ...Roger ...3 (three) litres ... hips ...pardon Paul the bad one | ||
| rogertvr
Intermediate Member Username: rogertvr Post Number: 133 Registered: 1-2003 |
Yes, 3 litres Paul - it's pretty strong too at 9% abv!! |
